Raspberry Mint Vinegar Food

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.

MINT VINEGAR

Steps:

• Pour vinegar over mint. Cover tightly and steep 2-3 weeks.
• Strain into decorative bottle. Press the mint leaves against the strainer to extract all the vinegar.
• A few mint leaves may be added for decorative purposes.

RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE II

Steps:

• Place vinegar in a container with tight lid. Add sugar and mint, cover with lid, and shake to dissolve sugar. Stir in additional sugar (up to another teaspoon) if necessary to smooth out the vinegar flavor.

ENGLISH MINT SAUCE WITH RASPBERRY VINEGAR

Steps:

• In a food processor chop fine the mint with the sugar and transfer the mixture to a small bowl. Stir the water into the mixture, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and stir in the vinegar. Let the sauce stand, covered, for 15 minutes or chill it, covered, overnight. Serve the sauce at room temperature with lamb.

RASPBERRY MINT MARINADE FOR LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Combine mint, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, red wine, and pepper in a bowl large enough for the lamb.
• Add the lamb in the marinade and coat the meat. Regrigerate for 8-12 hours, turning occasionally.
• Reserve marinade and pour it into a roasting pan.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roll and tie lamb with kitchen twine.
• Rub mustard over the lamb.
• Add the lamb to the marinade in the roasting pan.
• Bake for 18 minutes per pound for medium rare meat. Let the meat sit for 20 minutes before carving.

RASPBERRY MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Put raspberries, mint leaves, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar in a mixer and mix until smooth.
• Pass through a strainer into a small pan.
• Add sugar.
• Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes while constantly stirring.

RASPBERRY MINT VINEGAR

Steps:

• Put the mint leaves in a very clean 1-quart glass jar and bruise them with a wooden spoon. Add the raspberries and mash them with the spoon. Add the vinegar and let the mixture steep, covered with the lid, in a cool dark place for at least 4 days and up to 2 weeks, depending on the strength desired. Strain the vinegar through a fine sieve into a glass pitcher, discarding the solids, and pour it into 2 very clean 1/2-pint glass jars. Add the mint sprigs and seal the jars with the lids.