| Suspending fresh herbs in decorative bottles and | | | | Cinnamon Basil and Whole Cloves |
| covered with vinegar make delicious herbal vinegars. | | | | Lemon basil by itself |
| By making herbal vinegar you are preserving the | | | | Cinnamon sticks with Whole Cloves Nutmeg and |
| taste of the fresh herbs. To make herbal vinegar | | | | Allspice |
| with even more flavor use fresh herbs and spices. | | | | Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme -no kidding |
| You can use dried herbs but it won't be half as much | | | | Dill flowers with Peppercorns |
| fun and surely not as flavorful. Later you will see one | | | | Basil Garlic and Peppercorn |
| of the favorite herbal vinegar recipes. | | | | Hot Peppers alone or with Pearl Onions |
| If you take the herbal vinegar and mix it with olive oil | | | | When you start to use your herbal vinegar, as the |
| or safflower oil you will make an excellent salad | | | | level of the liquid goes down take out any of the |
| dressing. Add a bit of the herbal vinegar to sauces or | | | | herbs that are exposed to the air in the jar. If you |
| to mustards for a different taste. Put a couple of | | | | leave them in the jar they may form a mold. Never |
| tablespoons into stock for poaching fish and it will | | | | use metal tops on the jars, they will rust from the |
| make a delightful change. | | | | vinegar. |
| To make herbal vinegar, wash and dry your fresh | | | | Herbal vinegar can be used in many dishes. Herbal |
| herbs thoroughly then pour warm vinegar, not hot, | | | | vinegar can be used in any dish that calls for vinegar. |
| over them in the glass jar. Be sure that the fresh | | | | Marinate chicken or turkey in lemon basil vinegar for a |
| herbs are completely covered by the vinegar. Seal | | | | tasty treat. Throw some into soups or sauces for a |
| the jar and allow them to sit for a month or two to | | | | subtle change. Sprinkle on meats as they are cooking |
| mingle the flavors. Do not allow it access to direct | | | | to add a different flavor. |
| sun. | | | | You can also add fresh lemon or orange peel to the |
| Always use sterilized jars. Pour boiling water directly | | | | herbal vinegars for added zest. Experiment! |
| into the jar. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. Allow | | | | Following is one of the very favorite herbal vinegar |
| the bottle to cool and thoroughly dry. Sterilize the | | | | recipes made with fresh herbs. |
| corks by throwing them in boiling water. Make sure | | | | Lemon Herb Vinegar |
| everything is dry before making your herbal vinegar. | | | | 4 cups of white wine vinegar |
| After it has steeped remove the fresh herbs that | | | | 2 cups of lemon thyme sprigs |
| you used and ad new ones for a fresher look. If you | | | | 1 cup lemon balm leaves |
| want to add garlic or chili peppers to the herbal | | | | 1 cup lemon verbena sprigs |
| vinegar, thread them on wooden skewers so that | | | | One continuance peel from a fresh lemon |
| they will stay submerged. | | | | Sterilize a six cup bottle. Rinse and thoroughly dry the |
| There are two methods to warm the vinegar. The | | | | fresh herbs and lemon peel. Put the herbs and peel |
| easiest is to allow it to sit in the sun for about 20 | | | | into the bottle and pour the warmed vinegar over |
| minutes. It can be warmed on the stove but be | | | | the material. Allow the mixture to cool. Seal with a |
| careful not to let it boil | | | | non metallic cap. In 2 weeks strain and divide into |
| When deciding on which fresh herbs to use consider | | | | smaller bottles. You can add new fresh herbs to the |
| the type of vinegars that would pair with it. Use | | | | bottles for added flavor and to make them look |
| white wine or champagne vinegar with the delicate | | | | pretty. |
| fresh herbs such as lemon basil or salad burnet. White | | | | This should give you some incentive to start an herb |
| wine vinegar goes with all fresh herbs. If you want | | | | garden and to make your own herbal vinegars. |
| to seek a stronger flavor use rice, red or cider | | | | Good Luck and have fun! |
| vinegar with garlic, sage and basil. Stay away from | | | | Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights |
| distilled vinegar as it is harsh and will not give you the | | | | Reserved. |
| best results. | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your website |
| There are no herbal vinegar recipes that have strict | | | | and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, |
| rules. Use your imagination when pairing fresh herbs | | | | copyright notice, links and the resource box are |
| to be used in your herbal vinegar. Here are a few | | | | unchanged. |
| that go well together. | | | | |