Homemade Goodness
Much like Herbed Olive Oil, Herbed Vinegars make thoughtful gifts, are budget-friendly, and are pretty enough to store on a window sill or counter top. Keep several of these on hand for use in any recipe calling for marinades, dressings, and salads.
Fresh herbs
Citrus fruit
Peppers
Garlic Cloves
Small onions
White vinegar
Sterilize bottle or jar in the dishwasher - if you're unsure as to whether or not the inside of the bottle is sterile (if it has a narrow neck as in the photo) carefully pour boiling water in the bottle all the way to the very top and let stand 10 minutes.
Bruise the leaves of the herbs to release their essential oils. Firmly rubbing them in your palms will ensure they give up all their flavor. While the bottle or jar is still hot, place your choice of herbs, fruits, and aromatics inside to make a pleasing arrangement.
Measure the amount of vinegar needed to fill the bottle or jar and place in a saucepan, heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Let boil 1 minute. Carefully pour the boiling vinegar over the herbs in the bottle or jar. Cap tightly and let "cure" for 3 weeks in the pantry or on the countertop - not in the fridge.
Herbed Vinegar
* Notes:
-
Suggestions for herb/fruit combos:
-
lemon/lime wedges & tarragon (great for fish)
-
oregano, sweet basil, & garlic cloves (for any Mediterranean dish)
-
mixture of sweet & hot peppers
-
dill & whole peppercorns (awesome for any type of vegetable dish)
-
rosemary & garlic (for poultry)
-
flat leaf parsley & sage leaves (for pork or lamb)
-
coriander seeds & cilantro (for any type of Mexican dish)
-
Why limit yourself to plain white vinegar? Use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar to add more depth of flavor (and their colors are great)
-
I mentioned "budget-friendly", vinegar is CHEAP and you probably have an herb garden. Keep the theme going by using yard sale or thrift store finds. I find the prettiest bottles for less than $1.
-
How to not "mess up" this recipe:
-
The only way you can mess this up is by using less-than-perfect bottles or jars. Make certain they have no chips or cracks and are absolutley sterile.
-
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes
easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes easy recipes