Mochenaya brusnika
Mochonaya brusnika (мочёная брусника): lingonberries steeped in lightly sweetened spiced water for winter
In Siberian and northern villages a barrel of lingonberries standing in water was the winter larder, ladled out to sit beside roast game or meat, a plate of potatoes and mushrooms, or a bowl of porridge. The tart ruby berries keep thanks to their own natural acidity and only a light syrup; after a few weeks they turn faintly fizzy, sweet-sour and refreshing, and the pink liquid is drunk cold as a drink. This is a fridge version: cooled spiced syrup is poured over clean berries in a jar, which then waits three to four weeks before opening. A common mistake is pouring the syrup on hot, which cooks the berries so they burst and turn dull. Chef's tip: frozen lingonberries work well too, and an apple cut in wedges and tucked into the jar soaks up the flavour and is a treat of its own.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 4 ¼ cups water
- 3 ½ oz caster sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tart apple (optional)cut into wedges
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Wash a 2 litre jar (or two smaller ones) in hot soapy water and rinse it with boiling water.
5 minStep 2: Pick over the 2 ¼ lb lingonberries, fresh or frozen, discarding any soft or mouldy ones, rinse in cold water and drain well.
5 minStep 3: Bring the 4 ¼ cups water, 3 ½ oz caster sugar, ¼ tsp salt, 1 cinnamon stick and 3 whole cloves to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool completely.
5 minStep 4: Pack the berries into the jar, tucking in the 1 tart apple wedges if using.
3 minStep 5: Pour the cold syrup over the berries so they are covered by 2 cm. Weigh them down with a small saucer or a water-filled bag so none float.
2 minStep 6: Close the lid and keep in the fridge for 3–4 weeks before opening. Use a clean spoon each time and eat within 3 months; discard if mould appears or it smells off.
0 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 45 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 11 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mochenaya brusnika take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of cinnamon stick?
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon per stick.
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