Author Notes

Homemade mustards are easy to prepare and make impressive gifts from your kitchen. Red wine gives this hearty mustard an atypical color and a fabulous flavor.

Ingredients

3/4 cup yellow mustard seeds
1/2 cup brown mustard seeds
2 tablespoons dry mustard powder
3/4 cup plus 1/2 cup dry red wine
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 shallots, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns

Instructions

Makes 2 1/2 cups

Soak mustard seeds in 3/4 cup dry red wine for at least 4 hours (add more liquid, if necessary to keep seeds submerged).

In a heavy saucepan, combine 1/2 cup red wine with the shallots, garlic brown sugar, salt and peppercorns. Simmer, uncovered, over medium heat until reduced by half (about 10-15 minutes). Pour reduced liquid through a strainer into mustard seed mixture. Process in food processor or blender until coarsely ground. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened (it will thicken more as it cools). Let cool and pack into clean jars and cover tightly. Store, refrigerated, for up to 2 years (although mustards mose their potency with time).