Ploughman’s Platter

Serves 16

Originating in the United Kingdom, a “ploughman’s lunch” is a plate of bread, butter, cheese, and pickles served in pubs at midday. This assortment, with homemade pickles and sliced apples, makes a nice hors d’oeuvre platter for any party. You also can include a green salad and sliced hard-boiled eggs.

Pickles

2 lb. cucumbers, sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced (1 cup)
1 cup apple cider vinegar
⅓ cup sugar
2 Tbs. salt
1 tsp. whole yellow mustard seeds
1 star anise
¼ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. ground turmeric
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

Platter

1 loaf sliced Irish brown bread, soda bread, or country bread
2 tart apples, sliced
½ lb. Irish Cheddar cheese
½ lb. Stilton or Cashel blue cheese
¼ lb. Irish butter
Colman’s English Mustard

1. To make Pickles: Pack cucumbers and onions in 1-qt. jar. Bring vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, star anise, cloves, turmeric, and red pepper flakes to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes. Pour liquid over cucumbers and onions; cover, and refrigerate at least 24 hours.

2. Arrange bread, apples, cheeses, butter, mustard, and Pickles on large platter.

March 2011 p.46