Flavored Vinegars

One of the most enjoyable gifts I have given is herbal vinegar. I had never used flavored vinegars before and after trying them in various dishes, would now find it hard to do without.

The easiest way to make flavored vinegars is to start with fresh herbs. The type of vinegar that you choose is entirely up to you. My favorite is cider vinegar, although I have used white vinegar, as well as the two mixed.

Crumple a handful of fresh herbs in your hand and place them in a glass jar. Depending on how strong you want the vinegar determines the amount of herbs you use. I have filled an entire quart jar with herbs and had wonderful results.

Pour the vinegar over the herbs until the jar is filled. If the jar has a metal lid, place plastic wrap over the opening before screwing on the lid. This will prevent the vinegar from eating away at the lid.

Place the jar in a sunny window and let the sun ‘cook’ the vinegar for 3 – 4 weeks. After the allotted time has passed, pour the vinegar into a bowl, straining it while you pour in order to remove the herbs. Next, pour the flavored vinegar into clean, decorative, jars (I get mine from the dollar store). Insert a fresh sprig of whatever herb you used for the flavor and stopper the jar with a cork. I usually dip the top of the bottle in melted, cooled wax to make sure it won’t leak when giving it as a gift. Now the jar is ready to be decorated with a bow or raffia, and dried herbs or flowers.

Experiment with different herbs and herb combinations. My favorite is basil vinegar, but I also enjoy sage, lemon balm, rosemary, and rosemary tarragon. Let loose your creativity and see what wonderful flavored vinegars you can come up with at a fraction of the cost!

Copyright © 2001 RBG Crafts

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