Saturday, November 27, 2010

Cranberry-Ginger Vinegar

Cranberry-ginger vinegar

This is a fun and fabulous project for the holidays!  (It makes a super-cool gift.) 

Hardware:
  • Glass bottles with lids.  (Don't buy these - use recycled bottles!  Above I'm using Tazo tea bottles, salvaged from the recycling.)  Wash these in super-hot water or in the dishwasher. 
  • A plastic funnel.  You can make one by punching a hole in the bottom  of a small yogurt container.
  • A saucepan.

Ingredients:  Fresh cranberries, fresh ginger root, white vinegar, bottle garnish like a sprig of rosemary and a string of cranberries (below)

Prep:
  • Sanitize the glass jars and lids
  • Wash the cranberries (a handful per bottle)
  • Wash and peel the ginger root; cut into small match-stick sized slices (6-8 per bottle)

Make:
  • Determine how much vinegar you need for the bottles (a quick pour in/pour out works well).
  • Bring the vinegar to a boil in a saucepan.
  • While the vinegar is heating, place a handful of cranberries and the ginger in each bottle.
  • After the vinegar has boiled, let it cool for just a minute to make it easier to handle.
  • Using the funnel, pour the vinegar into the glasses.  The cranberries will pop and immediately begin turning the vinegar into this lovely pink color!
  • Let the vinegar sit for a day or two.  Pour out and save the pink liquid while straining the ginger and cranberries. 
  • Refill the jars with the pink vinegar and new cranberries/ginger.  Garnish the bottle and enjoy.
  • This should be stored in the fridge.  I will use it on rice, or in a oil-vinegar dressing.

8 comments:

  1. Teafan9:51 AM

    The vinegar is such a pretty color! I bet it takes on a nice spicyness from the ginger, too.

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  2. This looks fantastic! I would gladly give this is a gift, thanks a ton for sharing the recipe!

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  3. I've just had this vinegar on a salad, a simple oil-vinegar dressing. It was really good!

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  4. Beautiful pictures! How did you get the cranberries to line up like that?

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  5. So pretty and can't wait to try it.

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  6. Absolutely great idea. I need to make a bunch of presents for people who are diabetic and this is such a great gift! Thanks. I made basil, rosemary and chive this summer, but this is great for Christmas

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  7. Sweetcakes - If you're talking about the garnish, I strung them with a needle and string.

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  8. Oh wow, I love *everything* about this project! The thriftiness, the beauty, the simplicity -- and they're FLAVORS I just love! Thanks for sharing this!

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