Herbal Vinegars
 

by: Pam

I took a class and we also had "The Vinegar Ladies" come to our ward. "Three Monks" brand vinegar is recommended. It is available at Costco by the gallon and is very reasonable.

The vinegar is ready to use after a few days. The fruits and herbs will start looking faded and ugly after a year, but the vinegar will still be good. The vinegar can be replaced in the bottle as you use it, but after two complete refills, the flavor won't be as intense in the vinegar.

http://www.thevinegarladies.com is one source for bottles and the pretty shrink wrap neck covers.
 

Orange Creamsicle Vinegar-  It smells just like a Creamsicle

To make this vinegar:
1 vanilla bean
3-5 very thin orange slices
 

Slip into bottle and cover with white wine vinegar use this in fruit salads or fresh fruit dips

Creamsicle Fruit Dip

1 jar marshmallow creme
1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese
1 T Orange Creamsicle Vinegar
orange zest to taste

 
Whip all together until creamy smooth. Chill and serve with fresh strawberries, pineapple chunks, red and green grapes, kiwis and cut up melons.

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Aroma de Italia

In your bottle place the following:
3 Sprigs each of fresh basil and oregano (about 5-6 " long)
1sprig each rosemary and thyme
4 peeled garlic cloves
1 T whole black pepper corns

Pour red wine vinegar over and put in the cork.

When using your favorite bottled spaghetti sauce, add 1/4 c of this vinegar and 1/4 c Parmesan cheese. Use it in Lasagna, Minestrone and Pizza sauce too. It also is a great tenderizer for red meats, a few tablespoons will be enough for a roast.  Try this too in pasta salads as well as drizzled over green salads.

Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs----This is sooo hearty and is VERY crock pot friendly Sauce:

1 onion chopped
1 carrot chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 t minced garlic
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/4 Aroma de Italia Vinegar
1 t basil
1 t oregano
1/2 t salt
pepper to taste
1 t sugar
1 28 oz can Italian Style diced tomatoes
 

Meatballs:
1 lb lean ground beef
1/4 lb sweet Italian sausage
1/2 c dry bread crumbs
1 egg beaten
1/4 c milk
2 T Aroma de Italia Vinegar
In a large pot combine all sauce ingredients...Mix together all meatball ingredients and form into 20-22 meatballs. Place in sauce.   Cover and cook on LOW heat for 4 hours. Spoon over hot cooked spaghetti, top with grated Parmesan cheese.
To cook in crock pot cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
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Southwestern Kick Vinegar

To make this vinegar:
1 T black pepper corns
3 peeled garlic cloves
5-7 dried red peppers (chile japones) find them on the Mexican spice row,  I use Mojave brand .79
1 dried chipotle chili pepper (gives a smoky flavor)
5 long sprigs each fresh basil and oregano
2 sprigs fresh cilantro

Slide all herbs into the bottle and pour white wine vinegar over.
 

Try this vinegar in fresh salsa, guacamole or splashed over fajitas as they sizzle on the pan. This is excellent in: chili, white chili, taco or burrito filling as well as sour cream enchiladas or Mexican Lasagna.


"Can't Get Enough" Fresh Avocado Salsa

3 large tomatoes, cut into chunks
2 garlic cloves peeled
1-2 jalapeño peppers, cut--seeded if you wish it cool down the salsa a little
1-1 1/4 t salt

Puree in blender and set aside.

6-8 Roma Tomatoes diced
1 avocado diced sprinkled with 1 t of Southwestern Kick Vinegar
1 bunch green onions sliced
1 small yellow bell pepper diced
1 small green pepper diced
1/2 c fresh or frozen sweet corn kernels
1/2 c chopped fresh cilantro
juice of 1 lime
2 T of Southwestern Kick Vinegar

Combine all together and then pour pureed tomato mixture over. Serve
with chips.

 

Lemon Pepper Vinegar

2 TBSP whole pepper
Slice lemons
white distilled or red raspberry vinegar
DO NOT use cider vinegar!!

She brought I think its a pint jar or close to it at the dollar store one with a cork put whole pepper in and roll lemon slices and slide through the jar opening ....make sure the opening is large and not a narrow one of course.
Fill with vinegar and place cork in and seal with wax or on some of the ones my daughter did she just use the glue gun and she said it worked just fine...also you could use the plastic wrap seals that shrink when heated with a blow dryer.

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