With the gardening season upon us it is time to think about innovative ways to use nature’s harvest. After all, there is nothing like the taste of fresh picked herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables. One wonderful way to put garden fresh herbs to use is to create a bottle of rosemary, thyme and sage flavored vinegar. Here’s how:
Ingredients Needed to Create Rosemary, Thyme and Sage Flavored Vinegar
In order to create a bottle of rosemary, thyme and sage flavored vinegar you will need to gather together the following items;
- 1 Rosemary stem
- 1 bottle White vinegar
- 1 sprig Thyme
- Chili Pepper and Baby Dill Vinegar
- 3 Carrots including the tops, cut into thin slices
- 1 sprig Baby dill
- 2 Chili peppers
- 1 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 1 decorative glass bottle with cork top
- 1 bottle white vinegar
- 1 bottle apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon non-iodized salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Step 1: Sterilizing the Flavored Vinegar Containers
Wash and sterilize both the bottle and the corks by boiling them in water for 15 minutes. While the bottle and cork are being sterilized, wash and pat the herbs dry with a paper towel. Remove the bottle and cork from the boiling water with kitchen tongs and set them alongside the cleaned herbs while you direct your attention to preparing the vinegar mixture.
Step 2: Prepare the Vinegar Mixture
Place three parts white vinegar to one part apple cider vinegar into a large saucepan and place the saucepan over medium heat. Add in the salt and sugar. Allow the vinegar, salt and sugar mixture to come to a boil.
Step 3: Combining and Bottling the Herbs with the Vinegar
Place the herbs into the sterilized bottle. Using a funnel, pour the hot vinegar into the sterilized bottle. Wipe the bottle clean with a dry cloth and seal it with a cork. You may opt to seal the cork with melted wax as well. If you do opt to do that you will need to add a few chunks of canning wax to your shopping list. Either way, allow the bottled, flavored vinegar to sit in a cool, dark, dry place for at least two weeks for maximum flavor infusion. Be sure to use the flavored vinegar up within two months.
Suggestions for Using Flavored Rosemary, Thyme and Sage Vinegar
Flavored vinegars make great hostess gifts. If you would like to give the flavored vinegar as a gift, simply add a decorative ribbon, gift tag and perhaps a few recipe cards to a small gift basket. Flavored vinegars work well as marinades, salad dressings and pickling juice.
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