Balsamic pickled shallots

Balsamic pickled shallots

Perfect partners for a creamy blue cheese

Difficulty and servings

Easy

4 x 500ml jars

Easily doubled

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 1 hr

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

plus 3 days standing
Vegetarian

Vegetarian, Vegan, Egg-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free

Method

  1. Tip the shallots into a large bowl, pour over a kettleful of boiling water, leave to stand for a minute, then drain. When cool enough to handle, sit down, turn the radio on and get peeling.
  2. Set the peeled shallots aside and place all the other ingredients except the balsamic vinegar into a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, lower the heat, then simmer for 3 mins. Drop the shallots into the pan and simmer for 8-10 mins until just tender. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the shallots and basil out into sterilised jars (see Know-how, below), then boil the liquid vigorously for 5 mins. Turn the heat off, stir in the balsamic vinegar, then pour over the shallots to cover. Seal the jars and leave for at least 3 days. Will keep for up to 3 months.
Try

Know-how

To sterilise jars, run them through the dishwasher, or wash well in hot soapy water, rinse, then dry in a low oven. If you're pickling and recycling old jam jars, it's important to cover the pickle with a wax disc first so the metal lid doesn't react with the vinegar.

PER SERVING

25 kcalories, protein 1g, carbohydrate 3g, fat 1 g, saturated fat 0g, fibre 0g, sugar 3g, salt 0.26 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, October 2008.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • 07 January 2009

    michelle commented on this recipe

    Very easy and quite tasty if you are into onions!

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  • 02 June 2009

    amelie commented on this recipe

    made this recipe as part of a home-made xmas hamper for family and friends and it's been the most popular recipe and has been requested again. Easy to make and tasty.

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  • 29 July 2009

    aubergine commented on this recipe

    balsamic shallots sound like a good idea, but is there aimilar recipe which would be edible for at least 12 months?

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  • 06 December 2009

    Moosie Moo commented on this recipe

    Very simple to make, just made half the quantity for my first attempt. Will leave more feedback once they've been consumed at Christmas.

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  • 26 December 2009

    Moosie Moo rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 20 August 2010

    Salty commented on this recipe

    Made these for Christmas hampers last year and they were so popular that I've made another batch! Taste improves if kept for a month before eating.

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  • 22 August 2010

    Mandy Dunn commented on this recipe

    Does anyone know if these last longer than the 3 months stated on the recipe. Just made this and thn read the small print.....

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  • 23 August 2010

    Fiona commented on this recipe

    Hi Mandy, generally with pickles you soak what you want to preserve in a brine solution first to remove excess water so that the pickling solution isn't diluted. This recipe doesn't suggest this which is prob why they have a relatively short shelf life. I'm going to soak mine in a brine solution for 48 hours before hand. (For every 1.8kg of onions use 100g coarse salt with 1.2l of water.) Then after 48 hours i'll strain and rinse the onions thoroughly and drain until totally dry, put them in the jars and put over cooled pickling solution. (i'm not going to heat them in it) and hopefully this will keep them for longer. I'm using another recipe as my guide. Will post how long they keep for when i find out!

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  • Binder photo lib

    13 September 2010

    lib rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    We have just started eating the pickled shallots I made in August - they are delish! I am now going to try this recipe on beetroot, as I like how un-vinegary the shallots were. No idea how it will turn out, but it's worth a go!

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  • 14 December 2010

    Chicken Payback commented on this recipe

    Made this recipe last night, but the oil seems to have risen to the top in the jar? Is this normal? It doesn't look very appealing. Advice appreciated...thanks.

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  • 18 December 2010

    Amanda commented on this recipe

    It looks like the oil on top is normal, if you look closely you can see the oil on top in the picture.

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  • 22 December 2010

    Sheilakuo commented on this recipe

    I bought a slightly bigger jar, and I left a bit of space on top... Will that be ok for the pickles??? I'm normally a confident cook, but I've attempted to make pickled veg before.... I'm worried that the space = air, which makes it non air tight, and it might go off?! Thanks!!

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  • 24 April 2011

    Mary rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    These were lovely, made a batch for Xmas, the wilted basil leaves look a bit sorry after a bit so we used them up pretty quickly.

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  • 04 August 2011

    Kate Dales commented on this recipe

    I am seeking a recipe to pickle garden vegetables ie onions, carrots, french beans, cauilflower , broccoli etc I don't want a picalilli recipe, as I am not too fond of it. Chutney recipes are also very welcome, Cheers

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  • 08 September 2011

    MariAna commented on this recipe

    These are fantastic! Very easy to make and you will look like a Pro! EVERYONE LOVED THEM!!!

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  • 08 September 2011

    MariAna rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 15 December 2011

    Rowena rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Made these as xmas prezzies so hopefully everyone else will think they taste as nice as I think they are. Wasnt sure about the oil on the top but they really dont taste too oily. Very happy and will be making another batch soon. Didnt make the kitchen smell very nice though!

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  • 12 March 2012

    IGGYJOHN commented on this recipe

    Followed the recipe to the letter but have ended up with soft pickled onions and had to throw them all away! had some vinegar left over as ran out of shallots! Next day got some more and after peeling them poured the now cold vinegar over them. After three weeks absolutely perfect! Was it a wind up to simmer the vinegar mix with the onions in? I think it must be.

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  • 10 May 2013

    Gabe D commented on this recipe

    The oil creates a seal at the top of the shallots to help keep them fresh

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

4 x 500ml jars

Easily doubled

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 1 hr

Cook time

Cook 30 mins

plus 3 days standing
Vegetarian

Vegetarian, Vegan, Egg-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free

Ingredients

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PER SERVING

25 kcalories, protein 1g, carbohydrate 3g, fat 1 g, saturated fat 0g, fibre 0g, sugar 3g, salt 0.26 g

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