A Foodie’s Favorite Gift

Looking for the perfect food gift beyond a bottle of wine? Try mustard. Sound unassuming to you? Maybe not as glamorous as you might think? Here is the scoop on mustard: you love it and I’m going to show you how easy it is to make it from scratch.

You can’t enjoy a burger or gilled meat without it. It’s the secret ingredient in your signature dressing or chilled salad recipe. Mixed with jam or lemon/orange curd it makes a perfect roasted pork, fish or poultry sauce. Balsamic and mustard for your roasted vegetables? That’s what I’m talking about! Thought you loved roasted Brussels sprouts or potatoes before? Make those sides the center of attention with humble mustard.

How could we forget dipping a locally baked soft pretzel (I went to Bell Alley Pretzels.) into a spicy mustard?

I could go on and on about mustard just to say this: it makes the perfect food gift. Why? As a loyal and true friend you probably pay attention to your cohort’s eating habits. In addition to knowing if he or she loves or hates country music, you probably know his or her favorite cocktail, beer or culinary dish. A thoughtful gift, more often than not, is handmade, reflecting the receiver’s personal taste. Literally.

I’d suggest you make a gift package incorporating your thoughtfully made mustard. Include the handmade mustard, beer, jam and Bell Alley Pretzels. If your pal is not a beer sipper, include a variety of cheese and crackers with wine. Tuck in a DVD. Pack it up in a basket or a 6-pack carton. Tell your friend he or she can enjoy your thoughtful basket without a crowd or invite you along to sample your way through the goodies.

Wait. I just had a great idea! Package the mustard, pretzels and jam in a leftover 6-pack carton, pair it with a 6-pack full of beer, and gift it all on top of a board game. Use a Dollar Store cellophane gift bag and a fancy bow and you've got the perfect game night gift!

Also think of the mustard as the perfect accompaniment to a cheese plate or the unsung hero on a make-your-own panini buffet (which should be planned with homemade soup in mind). Who knew mustard had so many applications? We didn’t even talk about mustard + sauces = creative yum!

There is room to play with this recipe. I love recipe play. To experiment with flavors, keep the ratios of dry to liquid in the Original Mustard Recipe and substitute flavors. These recipes will yield a thick mustard. Make it creamier with the addition of a bit liquid if you like.

Find ground mustard in the bulk section of local grocery stores (Echo Hill, Shady Maple or Weaver’s Grocery). It’s in the spice section, and is a bit pricey. If you can’t pick it up locally, I suggest ordering ground mustard from Penzeys.com. Keep in mind whole mustard seeds can be ground, using a coffee grinder (as your spice mill).

Mustard Recipe 5 Ways

Recipe: Phoebe Canakis, PhoebesPureFood.com
gluten-free, vegan (skip the honey)
Yield: 3/4 cup (6 ounces)

Recipe tips: 

The mustard will be wildly hot when first mixed and mellows with age. Refrigeration stops the mellowing. Place the mustard in a tightly sealed jar and give it at least 5 days on the counter. Try it daily. Put the mustard in the refrigerator when it reaches the desired heat.

When preparing the recipes, the mustards will be a bit thick, it’s what I prefer. If you find you want it thinner, add a smidgen of liquid until you get your desired consistency.

Original Mustard Ingredients

1/2 cup ground dry mustard3 Tablespoons vinegar3 Tablespoons liquid (water, fruit juice, alcohol)2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup or raw organic agave1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions for all mustard recipes

1. 1. Mix the ingredients until smooth.

1. 1. Store on the counter (not refrigerator) in a sterilized glass jar for at least 1-2 weeks.

1. 1. The mustard with be wildly hot when first mixed and mellows with age. Refrigeration stops the mellowing. Only put into the fridge when you get the desired heat and flavor. After the first 1 week try it daily, until you get the desired flavor, then refrigerate.

Curried Sriracha Mustard Ingredients

1/2 cup ground dry mustard3 Tablespoons water2 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup or raw and organic agave1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce1/4 teaspoon curry powder1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Horseradish Whiskey Mustard Ingredients

Recipe note: Adding the dark or yellow mustard seeds makes for a pretty mustard. If you can only find one the of whole seeds use 2 teaspoons of one type.

• • 1/2 cup ground dry mustard

• • 3 Tablespoons vinegar or Frecon Farms garlic honey vinegar

• • 3 Tablespoons whiskey

• • 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey

• • 2 Tablespoons fresh horseradish (use 1 if you are horseradish shy)

• • 1 teaspoon dark mustard seeds

• • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

• • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

• • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Beer Mustard Ingredients

Recipe note: Reduce your favorite beer by gently simmering until the liquid is reduced by half. Then add a bit of honey or maple syrup and simmer a few moments until combined.

• • 1/2 cup ground dry mustard

• • 3 Tablespoons vinegar

• • 3 Tablespoons reduced Southern Tier’s Cremé Brûlée beer

• • 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey

• • 2 teaspoons dark mustard seeds

• • 1 teaspoon molasses

• • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Honey and Spiced Rum Mustard Ingredients

• • 1/2 cup ground dry mustard

• • 3 Tablespoons vinegar

• • 3 Tablespoons Wigle Whiskey Spiced Landlocked (honey based, rum-style liquor) or spiced rum

• • 1 Tablespoon honey

• • 2 inches vanilla bean pod, seeded

• • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

• • 1/4 teaspoon sugar

• • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt