Dec 12 Juniper’s Union Rub

Look for juniper berries in the bulk section of your local health food store. Often overlooked, these berries harmonize beautifully with the flavour of ostrich, duck or game hen.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp (45 mL) juniper berries
• 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) peppercorns
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground allspice
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) brown sugar
• 1 tsp (5 mL) kosher salt
• 1 tsp (5 mL) crumbled dried rosemary
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground dried orange peel (can substitute orange zest)

Directions

Toast berries and peppercorns in a small frying pan, about 5 to 6 minutes, to bring out flavour. Remove from pan and let cool. When cooled, grind berries and peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or in a mini chopper. In a small bowl, mix ground berries and peppercorns with remaining ingredients. Store in an airtight container.