Unsweetened Spiced Vinegar Food

3-INGREDIENT APPLESAUCE (NO SUGAR ADDED)

Steps:

• To a medium saucepan (see notes for Instant Pot instructions) add peeled chopped apples, cinnamon, a dash of water (~2-3 Tbsp / 30-45 ml as original recipe is written), and lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Stir.
• Cover and cook over medium heat until it simmers, then reduce heat to low / medium-low and continue cooking until the apples are very tender and slightly caramelized - about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Use the back of a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash into a loose sauce. You could also blend with an immersion blender, in a food processor or high-speed blender for smoother texture (optional) - a helpful step if you left the skins on. Add a dash of maple syrup or sugar of choice to sweeten (optional - depends on sweetness of your apples).
• Enjoy fresh, or store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month. Enjoy cold or reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until hot (add more water as needed if dry).

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.

UNSWEETENED SPICED VINEGAR

Steps:

• Tie the spices in a spice bag or piece of cheesecloth.
• Place vinegar and spice bag in non-reactive (stainless steel) pot.
• Bring to a boil and cook about 10 minutes.
• Cool.
• Store vinegar and spice bag in air-tight plastic or glass container.
• NOTE:*** Although the flavor intensifies with aging, the vinegar is ready to use immediately.
• After about 1 month, remove the bag from the vinegar.
• ***SWEETENED SPICED VINEGAR: To sweeten this recipe, add 3 1/2 cups granulated sugar.
• Good for pickled beets or pickled peaches.

PICKLED GHERKINS RECIPE -QUICK AND EASY

Steps:

• ingredients.
• small dill cucumbers.
• brine, using 225 g salt to each 2 litres water.
• spiced vinegar.
• method.
• Place the gherkins in a saucepan, and cover with the brine.
• Bring nearly to boiling point. Do not actually boil, but simmer for 10 minutes.
• Drain and leave until cold, then pack into (clean ,dry warmed jars) jars, and cover with spiced vinegar, preferably aromatic.
• Spiced vinegar.
• Place the vinegar and Pickling Spice in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, boil a minute or so and remove from the heat.
• You can pack and pour the vinegar when it cools if you prefer and use vinegar covers. I pour the vinegar on while still hot and seal straight away,( using mason jars, warm the jars first !).

PICKLED BEETROOT

Steps:

• Wash and trim the beetroot, rub each with 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then wrap individually in foil. Roast on a tray at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 1 hr or until tender. Cool, peel, then cut into wedges.
• To make the pickling vinegar, put the whole spices in a medium saucepan. Toast over a low heat until they begin to smell aromatic. Add the dried chilli flakes last, as these can easily catch. Add the bay, pour in all of the vinegar and sugar, let it dissolve, and bring to a simmer.
• Pack the beets into sterilised jars (see tip below), add 1 tsp coarse crystal sea salt to each, then pour over the hot vinegar and seal. Ready to eat in 2 weeks, or longer, if you like.

AMAZING APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine apples and apple juice in a stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook at a simmer until apples are soft and mushy, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Spoon apples into a food mill and process into puree while discarding the cores and peels remaining in the mill. Transfer process apples to a slow cooker.
• Cook on High with the lid off until the moisture evaporates and the volume reduces by about half, overnight to 24 hours.
• Stir sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice through the apple puree.
• Continue cooking on High until mixture mounds on a chilled plate without any water separating from the edges, another 2 to 6 hours.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the apple butter into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.