Chinese Pickles (Liang Ban Huang Gua)
Introduction
Chinese Pickles, known as Liang Ban Huang Gua, are a refreshing condiment perfect for cleansing your palate after enjoying any meat dish or pairing with Indonesian Fried Rice. This recipe uses maple syrup as a substitute for traditional ginger syrup to sweeten the pickling brine, ensuring a delightful balance of flavors.
Preparation Time
15 minutes plus standing and brining
Makes
4 to 6 servings as a condiment
Ingredients
- 2 large (10- to 12-inch-long) cucumbers
- 1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 thin coin fresh ginger
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
1 Prepare Cucumbers and Carrot:
- Peel the cucumbers, leaving alternate strips of green using a vegetable peeler or knife.
- Cut each cucumber lengthwise into four spears, remove seeds with a teaspoon.
- Place each spear horizontally on a chopping board and make diagonal cuts halfway across the width.
2 Brine Preparation:
- Place cucumber and carrot in a colander over the sink, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine vinegar, water, maple syrup, sugar, ginger, and cayenne. Microwave for 1 minute or heat in a small pot until sugar dissolves. Cool completely.
3 Pickling Process:
- Rinse cucumbers and carrot, drain, and place in a nonreactive container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Pour cooled brine over vegetables, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably 12 hours.
4 Serving:
- Drain before serving, reserving the brine for reuse if desired.
Variation
- Substitute maple syrup with additional sugar if unavailable.
- Enhance with chopped red bell pepper for color or red Thai chilies for heat.
Storage
- Keep pickles refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Tips from Pat
- The brine can be reused once for another batch of pickles.
- Experiment with adding ingredients like red bell pepper or Thai chilies to suit your taste preferences.
Enjoy these Chinese Pickles as a tangy and flavorful addition to your meals or as a standalone condiment. Perfect for adding a refreshing touch to your dining experience!
