by Jenise » Sat Dec 27, 2014 4:42 pm
John, adding to the Penzey's noise here. If you're following a recipe that calls for green peppercorns, then get the dry green ones from Penzey's and simply reconstitute them in a water-salt-vinegar solution. But I would suggest that the brined ones are possibly being called for because they don't need hydration and green peppercorns aren't a supermarket staple where peppercorns in brine are. It's probably an availability issue, not a preference IOW.
But by all means buy the dried peppercorns, they're quite useful. I made some beans the other day (from dry) and threw a small handful of green peppercorns into the pot along with thyme and orange peel. The appearance of one of those peppercorns in any bite was a small thrill to get. They soften up a bit and become quite pleasant. The ones in brine are usually in the grocery store in the department where all the small pickled things are, Reese's is one brand I recall buying before I switched permanently to dried.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov