Make Flavored Vinegars
Do you ever stroll down the specialty foods aisle and eye the pretty bottles of vinegar filled with sprigs of herbs but you never buy them because they are so expensive? Well your instincts are good. They are too expensive. However, you can create the same thing personalized for your particular tastes for a fraction of the cost. Here's how.
Contents
Steps
- Open your food processor and fill the cup 3/4 the way full with your choice of fresh herbs.
- Pour in about a cup of vinegar.
- Close the food processor and turn it on high for about 30 seconds. Add more herbs and another 2 cups of vinegar. Pulse for another minute or two.
- Line a sieve or tea strainer with a coffee filter and slowly pour the herb and vinegar mixture through the coffee filter and into a bowl. Carefully press the herbs against the filter to press all of the vinegar out of the herbs.
- Re-line the sieve with another coffee filter and pour the vinegar in the bowl through once more to catch any loose herbs.
- Store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid.
- Add whole herbs and spices of your choice. The longer your vinegar sits the stronger it gets.
- If you begin to run low on vinegar, add a little wine and let it sit for a week uncovered.
Tips
- Some Herb Combinations to Try
- basil, oregano, onion, garlic
- lemon rind, dill, fennel
- sun dried tomatoes, basil, onion, garlic
- rosemary, thyme, garlic
- sage, dill, coriander
- garlic, onion, hot peppers
- pine nut, basil, onion, garlic
Warnings
- Use fresh herbs when possible because they will produce the strongest, best taste.
- If you have never use an herb before and have allergies, consult your physician to make sure that you can use it without a reaction.
- Use good vinegar - The better the vinegar the better the finished product.
- Experiment - there are all sorts of vinegars - rice, cider, red and white wines, and even champagne vinegars.
