Submitted by staninthegarden15 on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 15:07.
I have come across Dill flowers with peppercorns as well as the traditional Lemon Basil. But I really want to try and make some new herb and vinegar mixtures. These make such great party gifts. My wife and I put mason jars of Lemon Basil vinegar on the cedar settee, and by nights end, people have inquired about them and are taking them home. Its a great way to give our friends little gifts. So my question is, what other recipes do the rest of you have for great vinegars? Also, what oils work with fresh garden herbs?
Herbal vinegars
The basic technique I use to make herbal vinegars is to fill a glass jar with herbs and other seasonings, cover with warmed vinegar and let the flavors mingle for 1-2 months. Then I strain the herbs out with cheesecloth. The easiest way to warm vinegar is to place it in the sun for 15 minutes. It can also be simmered on the stove but don't let it boil. You have to be sure that all herbs are completely dry before combining them with the vinegar, otherwise you will get some yucky stuff in the vinegar and it will be very unappealing. You have to be sure that all of your vegetable or herbal matter is completely covered by the vinegar. If you are using hot peppers that tend to float, put them on a skewer and make sure they are under the vinegar line. Vinegars should not be put in direct sunlight, no matter how pretty the bottle looks. Also, I use rice wine vinegar and that goes well with garlic, basil and sage.
Best herbs for vinegars
You can use all kinds of herbs to flavor vinegar, just be sure to match the strength of the flavor to the type of vinegar. Lemon basil and salad burnet do best in white wine or champagne vinegar. Herbal vinegars can be used in place of vinegar in any recipe. They are really good in salad dressings. They can also be used to flavor meats or fish. You can either marinate the meat in it or sprinkle the meat with the herbal vinegar while it is cooking. Chicken or turkey marinated in lemon basil vinegar before you throw it on the grill is really good! Put a couple of teaspoons of any herbal vinegar into a soup, broth or tomato sauce to give it an extra kick.
Fortunate
Best herbs for vinegar
If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use a paper coffee filter to strain out any herb bits that are in the vinegar after the soaking.
These are some herbs that I know are good to make flavored vingars: lemon basil - Mexican Mint Marigold and Peppercorns - Hot Peppers by themselves or with Pearl Onions - Fennel, Oregano, Marjoram, Basil, Sage or Garlic - Cinnamon Sticks, Whole Cloves, Nutmeg and Allspice - Cinnamon Basil and Whole Cloves - Dill Flowers and Peppercorns
To make a vinaigrette salad dressing: 2 tbs herbal vinegar, 2 tbs lemon juice, 2 tbs cooking oil, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp dry mustard, pepper to taste. Combine all ingredients and whirl in blender or shake vigorously in a jar.
Williewonka