Pickled Apples

Pickled Apples

1/2 Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 Water

2 teaspoons salt

Bring to Boil. Pour over sliced apples. Add a few whole black peppercorns and a few dashes of cinnamon. Let cool, place in fridge for 24 hours. Enjoy with cheese and wine. : )

We recently went to a little wine bar fairly close to our house on Sunset called The Mercantile Wine Bar. After trying a few white wines (the boyfriend hasn't been able to drink red after getting sick off of a bad wine, it happens to the best of us) we finally decided on an organic Sauvignon Blanc. We planned on ordering a cheese platter as well until I discovered the grilled cheese. "YOU of all people want to order a grilled cheese". I knew that question was going through his mind by look he gave me. It's true, I usually stay away from menu items like this one. Not because of all the fat or trying to be a skinny "L.A. girl" but because of how unhealthy it is for you. White bread, processed cheese, oil, etc. However, this specific grilled cheese seemed like it was made for the two of us. I responded to his silent question by saying " babe, let me read the description to you and I know you'll have to try it". Of course, I was right. He could't argue. After ordering at the bar we sat down at our cozy table. Brick walls, candlelit table, mason jars, french style bistro tables, cheese and meat counter. The yelp reviews described the place similar to that of a West Village wine bar. Being from New York, this yelp review sold my boyfriend on checking the place out. Our plate of goodness came. Grilled Cheese w/ aged cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, roasted jalapeño, tomatillo jam, sourdough bread and tomatillo soup. It was Mercantile magnificent and everything we imagined it to be. Also on plate, which wasn't written in the menu description were pickled apples. We were both a little hesitant to try it since we had no idea what it was. It had a taste I wasn't expecting. It looked like either a pear or apple but tasted similar to a pickle. Eaten alone wasn't the greatest however, eaten with a bite of grilled cheese was the key. The flavors went so well together.

I recently blogged about my spicy pickles. The same day I had leftover "pickling liquid" and remembered these pickled apples we had enjoyed weeks prior. I sliced up some apples, poured the vinegar, water and salt liquid over them, added black peppercorns and a tad of cinnamon. They came out better than the restaurants version. Made me very happy and my boyfriend commented on how it seems like there isn't anything I can't make. This isn't true but I'm willing to try anything. The cinnamon made them more versatile in the sense that we would eat these with more plates than just grilled cheese sandwiches. Absolutely trying them again.