Using Vinegar in Cooking
The unique flavor of vinegar
Vinegar is a popular condiment made from beer and first originated in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria. Going through a fermentation and oxidation process which gives vinegar its famous ‘kick’, it is not only used as a condiment but is also used in many recipes for added flavor.
How to Make Vinegar
Use a sour cider, beer or wine to make your vinegar of between 5 and 10%. Expose the bottle of beer to air for 1 hour, stirring and shaking occasionally.
Add a mother of vinegar into the mixture and cover the top of the bottle with a coffee filter, cheesecloth or towel which allows ventilation to the bottle’s contents.
Allow to sit in a warm, dark place for up to 5 months and then taste. It is the bacteria from the mother of vinegar which will give it its vinegary taste – but don’t let the word ‘bacteria’ put you off!
Role of Vinegar in Recipes
If you don’t have the patience to make your own vinegar or just don’t trust that this method actually works, then maybe a shop-bought bottle of vinegar will suit you better?
The purpose of adding vinegar to your food is not only to give it more flavour, but to also change the texture of it as well. It can work as a great condiment or can really add to the flavour of a variety of dishes. As well as this, it can slow your metabolic rate, is a healthier alternative to fatty salad dressings, and enables you to burn food slowly, which prevents you reaching for the unhealthy snacks during the day.
Types of Vinegar
Balsamic – Dark, syrupy and with a slightly sweet flavour – a healthy salad dressing option.
Wine – Made of either red or white wine, it’s ideal for use in winter cooking.
Cider – From fermented apples , this is great for using in marinades or in strong tasting dishes.
White – Made from distilled grains, this has a very tart taste and gives a good kick.
Rice – Often found in East Asian cooking, this is a lighter vinegar with a less sharp taste.
Recipes Using Vinegar
Try some of these recipes which get their unique flavor from vinegar:
Find these and more vinegar recipes on Recipebridge.
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