Homemade Raspberry Vinegar Food

RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• In a nonreactive bowl, combine the vinegar and raspberries. Cover and let macerate for 3 days.
• Mash the raspberries in the bowl, then strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. To every 1 cup of juice, add ½ pound of sugar (1¼ cups plus 1 tablespoon). Combine the juice and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer (gently!) for 15 minutes. Let cool, then bottle. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 months.
• To serve, add 1 teaspoon raspberry vinegar to a tumbler filled with ice. Add water, sparkling water, rum, brandy or prosecco.

RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• Rinse the berries and air-dry on paper towels. Place berries in a 6-cup jar; set aside. In large saucepan, combine vinegar and sugar; bring almost to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. , Pour hot vinegar mixture over berries; cover jar tightly and let stand at room temperature 48 hours. Strain through several layers of cheesecloth into a sterilized bottle or jar. Seal tightly with a cork or lid. Store in cool dark place.

RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• In a medium, nonreactive saucepan over low heat, warm the vinegar just until it begins to give off steam (do not bring to a boil).
• Put 1 pint of the raspberries into a fine sieve fitted over a sterilized 1/2-gallon clamp jar.
• Pour the warm vinegar over the berries and let it run into the jar, then add the berries to the jar.
• Allow the mixture to cool 20 to 30 minutes to room temperature, then seal and shake the jar gently.
• Set the jar out of direct sunlight and away from heat to steep for 4 days, shaking it every so often. While steeping, the vinegar will take on a raspberry hue and the fruit will lose most of its color.
• Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large batter bowl with a handle or into a large, nonreactive saucepan.
• Rinse the jar and return the strained vinegar to it. Rinse the bowl or saucepan.
• Dump the fruit and rinse the sieve. Dampen a flat-bottom coffee filter, then line the sieve with the filter and fit it over the bowl or saucepan.
• Transfer the vinegar to flasks or bottles. Discard fruit.
• If you wish, spear 6 to 8 whole raspberries on a wooden skewer and put the skewer into the container before filling.
• The vinegar should be ready to use immediately, with a shelf life of at least 1 year.
• VARIATION: For Raspberry Lemon Thyme Vinegar, place 1 sprig fresh lemon thy me in a flask or bottle before adding the vinegar. Fill, seal, and steep out of direct sunlight and away from heat for 1 week before using or shipping.
• CRANBERRY VINEGAR Follow the recipe for Raspberry Vinegar, except substitute 4 cups (1 pound) fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped, for the raspberries. Decorate, if you wish, with skewers of whole cranberries.

RUBY-RED RASPBERRY VINEGAR AND OLD-FASHIONED VINEGAR SYRUP

Steps:

• Rinse the fresh berries under cold running water and drain well. Place into a glass or stainless steel bowl and lightly crush the berries (no need to crush the frozen berries).
• Stir in the vinegar, cover with a clean towel, and let stand 48 hours.
• Strain the vinegar through a fine mesh sieve (line with cheesecloth or a clean coffee filter if the mesh is not fine enough).
• Pour into sterilized bottles and seal. Store in a cool cupboard or storage pantry, out of direct sunlight. Use as a salad condiment. Can also be used as a beverage (allow 2 to 3 tablespoons per 8 ounces of ice water), and sweeten to taste. Makes 2 1/2 cups of raspberry vinegar.
• For use as a beverage, you can mix the raspberry vinegar with 1 cup of Simple Syrup (simple syrup is made by boiling equal parts--or in this case, 1 cup each water and sugar--of water and sugar together until reduced and thickened to the consistency of honey). Bottle and store as above. Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of raspberry vinegar syrup to ice water, for a refreshing beverage. Makes 3 1/2 cups of raspberry vinegar syrup.

FRESH RASPBERRY BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Mix raspberries and sugar together in a bowl; set aside until mixture is juicy, about 10 minutes. Mash berries using a fork until liquefied. Pour berry mixture into a jar with a lid; add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and salt. Cover jar with lid and shake until dressing is mixed well. Store in refrigerator.

RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• Wash the raspberries. Place into a bowl with some of the vinegar. Crush well with your hands.
• Add the remaining vinegar to well cover with a pinch of salt and set aside for two-four days.
• When ready to bottle, filter through a double or triple layer of cheesecloth, store for a year, ready immediately.