Lilac Vinegar Food

FILIPINO-STYLE SPICED VINEGAR

Steps:

• Put the garlic, dried fruit, chiles, ginger, and peppercorns in a clean glass jar or bottle and cover with the vinegar and fish sauce. Loosely cover or cap the jar and let sit at room temperature in a dark place for 48 hours.
• Transfer the jar to the refrigerator. The pinakurat will keep indefinitely, and the flavors will continue to develop over time.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Steps:

• Fill a sanitized 1-gallon jar with juice, leaving about 2 inches of headspace.
• Add the hydrated yeast or the wild yeast starter to the jar. Alternatively, if wild fermenting, skip to step 4.
• Cover the jar with a piece of unbleached cotton (butter muslin or tightly woven cheesecloth), or a basket-style coffee filter. Secure with a string, a rubber band, or a threaded metal canning band. This is to keep out fruit flies.
• Place in an environment where the temperature is between 55° and 65°F. Wild yeasts seem to do better at this temperature range. Unlike some active commercial yeasts, wild yeasts are typically slow to start, so don't expect to see bubbles for a couple of days or more.
• At 7 to 10 days, add the raw vinegar. Replace the cover on the jar. Store on your counter or in another spot that is 75° to 86°F.
• Check the vinegar in a month, when you should have nice acidity. However, it may take an additional month or two to fully develop, especially if your environment is cooler.
• Bottle the finished vinegar, saving the mother for another batch or sharing with a friend. Use immediately, or age to allow it to mellow and develop flavors.

RED-WINE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk the vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Whisking constantly, add the oil in a slow, steady stream and continue whisking until thickened.

PIKLIZ (HAITIAN PICKLED VEGETABLE RELISH)

Steps:

• Pack cabbage, carrots, shallots, peppers, thyme, cloves, and salt into a 1 1/2-quart resealable jar. Add vinegar and lime juice, seal jar, and shake until ingredients are distributed and salt is dissolved. Add more vinegar if needed to just cover vegetables. Chill, shaking gently twice daily, at least 3 days before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Pikliz can be made 1 month ahead. Seal and chill.

BACON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels (reserve as garnish for Spinach Salad with Shrimp and Fennel). Remove skillet from heat. Reserve 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet; mix in oil. Whisk vinegar, shallots, garlic and brown sugar in small bowl. Add to drippings in skillet. Stir over medium-low heat just until warm. Season with salt and pepper. Use warm.

ITALIAN SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Place bread slices in medium bowl. Pour vinegar over and let stand until bread softens, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer bread mixture to processor; add next 5 ingredients and process until almost smooth. Transfer salsa to medium bowl. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour; rewhisk before using.