If you have any late season herbs in your garden, or dried in your pantry, you can make an herbal vinegar for the chef on your gift list. Herbal vinegars are easy to make, and when they’re put in a decorative bottle, with a pretty bow and they make a very nice gift.
To make herbal vinegars I like to use either rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar. Add two cups of vinegar to a mason jar, then add a cup of fresh herbs (or 1/2 cup dried herbs) and submerse them in the vinegar. You can use one herb or an herbal blend. Make sure you do not use any metals when you are storing or handling your vinegar. The metals will react with the vinegar.
Some good herbs to use include: basil, chervil, dill, fennel, garlic, lemon balm, mint , bay leaf, savory, rosemary, cilantro, and tarragon.
Let the vinegar set for about three weeks. Then you can strain and bottle. Put a sprig of each herb you use in the final product. You can decorate your bottle by painting, or add a ribbon or raffia bow and handmade tag. Be careful to use a glass container, and a non reactive lid, cork is a great choice. Your vinegar should last for several years.
The vinegars work great for stir-fry, and salad vinaigrettes.
[...] Herbal Vinegars [...]
I agree, this is great! I’ve always wanted to try something like this.
That’s a great idea. I’ll try it to make up for the fact that I never could make wine into good vinegar.