Infused Vinegar

Punch up boring vinegar by infusing it with your choice of herbs, spices, or fruit! Add flavor to your food with these flavorful infused vinegars.

Thinking about Christmas presents, we weren't sure what we wanted to give my mother. We usually have difficulty determining what to get our parents. They're well-established, have everything they need, and hate clutter. With those thoughts in mind, we started thinking consumables. What would she like? Something she hadn't thought of or hadn't made yet. Vinegar? The nice stuff gets pretty pricy, and who wants a bottle of the crappy stuff? Maybe I can buy some of the cheaper stuff and infuse it myself! I'm always experimenting anyway, so why not also experiment with vinegar? I'll share some of my vinegar infusions to get you started, but your options are limited only by your imagination. You can use all sorts of herbs, spices, and even fruits. Combine your vinegar with some oil, and you've got some tasty salad dressing. But don't let that limit you either! Cooking with (or even drinking) the vinegar isn't unheard of.

Note: Generally speaking, homemade infused vinegar is safe, as vinegar naturally cures foods and prevents bacterial growth with its acidity.

What are some of your favorite vinegar flavors?

Infused Vinegar

by CJ Huang

Punch up boring vinegar by infusing it with your choice of herbs, spices, or fruit! Add flavor to your food with these flavorful infused vinegars.

Prep time: 5 minutes + infusing time
Cook time: none
Total time: 5 minutes + infusing time
Yield: 6 cups

Materials:

Mass	Weight	Volume	Number	Material	Notes
		6 cups		vinegar
		2 tablespoons		Italian herbs
			2 cloves	garlic, minced or dried	or try some roasted garlic
		1 teaspoon		garlic powder
	2 ounces			ginger, sliced, julienned, grated, or minced
		2 tablespoons		chili pepper flakes
			2	serrano peppers, chopped

Methods:

• For Italian garlic - combine 2 cups vinegar with Italian herbs and garlic. This vinegar has a complex flavor, adding a gentle tang and slight garlic flavor to any dish. It's great for dressings or pasta.
• For ginger - combine 2 cups vinegar with ginger. This vinegar is sweet and spicy - great for many Asian dishes.
• For spicy - combine 2 cups vinegar with peppers. This vinegar adds a bit of tangy heat - great for spicing things up a bit.
• Shake mixtures to mix flavors. Infusing time depends on how flavorful you'd like your vinegars. I went for a week or so.