Breaking
FoodNerdy Recipes Management System
Tag

Vinegar

Browsing
Australia

Bush Tomato Chutney: Create a tangy and aromatic chutney using bush tomatoes, onions, sugar, and vinegar.

Introduction: Bush Tomato Chutney

Bush tomato chutney is a delicious and unique condiment that is perfect for adding a tangy and aromatic flavor to your meals. It is made using bush tomatoes, which are commonly grown in the arid regions of Australia. The chutney is easy to prepare and can be used as a dip, spread or a sauce for meat dishes.

Ingredients and Cooking Steps

To make bush tomato chutney, you will need:

  • 500g of bush tomatoes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 cup of vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Here are the steps to prepare the chutney:

  1. Wash and chop the bush tomatoes into small pieces.
  2. Place the chopped tomatoes and diced onion in a pot and add the sugar, vinegar and salt.
  3. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer the chutney for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened and the tomatoes have broken down.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and leave the chutney to cool. Once it has cooled, transfer it to a sterilized jar and seal.

Tips for Storage and Serving

Bush tomato chutney can be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. It can also be frozen for longer storage.

To serve the chutney, you can use it as a dip for crackers or vegetables, or as a spread on sandwiches or toast. It also pairs well with meat dishes and can be used as a sauce for chicken, beef or lamb.

In conclusion, bush tomato chutney is a delicious and unique condiment that is easy to prepare and can be used in a variety of ways. By following the simple recipe and storage tips, you can enjoy this tangy and aromatic chutney all year round.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Make Fruit Vinegar Yourself

Anyone who likes to eat salad often likes variety – especially when it comes to dressing. Every gourmet appreciates fine vinegar in addition to first-class, cold-pressed oil. If only it weren’t for the price: such a noble droplet can cost quite a bit. Make fine fruit vinegar yourself: EAT SMARTER reveals how to make fine vinegar yourself.

Make fruit vinegar yourself? It’s very easy – even for little money, but with a lot of fun and a lot of enjoyment! It is also clear that you can also score points with such a noble “homemade” vinegar as a souvenir for dinner invitations.

All you need, apart from fresh berries, herbs and spices, are clean bottles (preferably boil them beforehand) and vinegar. It can be a rather simple one because the highlight is that you turn it into a noble product with the other ingredients. And you can start making your own vinegar!

Make your own orange vinegar

Great with lettuce, sauces, or Mediterranean dishes: Rinse 1 organic orange (200 g) with hot water, rub dry, and peel off the skin thinly with a vegetable peeler. Remove the white skin from the orange peel and cut it into very narrow strips.

Squeeze the orange and mix two tablespoons of juice with 100 ml of vinegar essence and water. Mix in 300 ml of dry white wine or light grape juice and pour everything into a large screw-top glass. Close tightly and leave for 6-7 days. Pour through a fine sieve into a clean bottle, seal and store in a cool place.

Make ginger vinegar yourself

Goes well with exotic salads and fruit salad or Asian sauces: Peel a piece of fresh ginger root (approx. five centimeters long) and cut it into very thin slices. Clean, halve, deseed and rinse 3-4 small red chilies. Place in a large clean bottle with the ginger.

Heat a liter of white wine vinegar to just before boiling point and pour into the. Close tightly and leave for 2-3 weeks, shaking frequently. Then pour through a fine sieve into another clean bottle, close, and store in a cool place.

Make your own raspberry vinegar

Delicious with green lettuce, but also refines sauces with roasted meat: Carefully select 250 grams of the smallest possible and absolutely fresh raspberries and place in a clean bottle. Rinse half a bunch of lemon balm, pat dries thoroughly, and cut into very fine strips.

Add to the berries, pour over 450 ml each of white balsamic vinegar and fruit vinegar. Seal the bottle, refrigerate and leave for at least a week.

Make Sherry Tarragon Vinegar yourself

A classic that is just as suitable for a hearty vinaigrette as for seasoning ragouts and meat sauces: Put 600 ml dry or semi-dry sherry with 100 ml vinegar essence in a clean bottle.

Wash a bunch of fresh tarragon, pat dries thoroughly, pluck off the leaves and add to the sherry vinegar mixture. Shake well, close tightly, and leave in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks. Then strain, refill and store in the dark.

Make your own basil garlic vinegar

Tastes wonderful with all salads, especially with tomatoes, of course, but also spices up pasta sauces: Peel two cloves of garlic and chop very finely. Rinse a bunch of basil, pat dries thoroughly, and also finely chop. Mix both in a bowl with 250 ml of white balsamic vinegar.

Boil another 250 ml of balsamic vinegar and add immediately. Mix well and cool. Then decant into a clean bottle (possibly using a funnel) and seal tightly. Leave for 2-3 weeks, then strain and pour into another bottle.

Keep Reading
By
Food

8 Tips for Using Vinegar and Acetic Acid

Vinegar, vinegar essence, and acetic acid in the household are effective home remedies. Because vinegar has always been one of grandma’s old miracle cures. You can use it as a cleanser or treat health issues in the form of apple vinegar.

Vinegar has many uses. It is often an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical cleaners in the household. And you can also use it in the health sector, for example as a home remedy for skin fungus, skin impurities, and digestive problems.

Production of vinegar

Vinegar is a seasoning and preservative that tastes very acidic. It is made by fermenting alcoholic liquids with acid bacteria and is one of the oldest food manufacturing processes. The taste can be modified with different ingredients or spices after production.

The types of vinegar most commonly used in Germany are brandy vinegar, wine, fruit or fruit vinegar, rice vinegar, or honey vinegar made from fermented honey. It is mainly used in the household to season salads or to pickle vegetables and fruit.

Household use of acetic acid

Similar to the use of baking soda, vinegar is a real household miracle. Because here it can be used for various purposes. Especially with regard to cleaning and cleaning in the household, it can help to remove dirt, grease, or mold. Consequently, we have collected various uses of vinegar. Also, note our article on protecting the environment in the household.

1) Clean windows with diluted vinegar

You can easily clean your windows with diluted vinegar. So you have to put a capful of the vinegar in a bucket of water. You can then use the mixture to effectively clean your windows. As a result, they are cleaned streak-free without the use of chemical cleaning agents. In addition, note our helpful instructions on cleaning windows.

2) Use as a home remedy for mold

You can also fight mold with vinegar essence. Accordingly, give this to the affected area and let it take effect. Then you can touch up the spot with an old toothbrush. After that, the mold should be removed. In addition, read about other effective home remedies to remove mold.

3) For descaling household appliances

You can also use vinegar to descale household appliances such as the washing machine and dishwasher. But other devices can also be easily cleaned of limescale with this household product. Accordingly, descale your kettle by filling it with water and adding a small cup of vinegar essence. After that let the water boil. Then leave the contents on for two hours. Finally, remove the water, add your water and run the stove again without vinegar to remove any residue.

4) Remove fat with vinegar

Vinegar is one of many natural home remedies in the kitchen that can be used for cleaning. You can use the acid to remove stubborn fat. To do this, mix standard table vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:1. You can then use it to remove fatty deposits and clean greasy surfaces again.

5) Clean clogged drains

If you notice when cleaning the bathroom that the water is no longer draining properly, you can use the home remedy baking soda in combination with vinegar. Because this mixture can clean clogged drains. In this way, small dirt can be removed. According to this, put a packet of baking soda down the drain and pour a cup of vinegar essence after it. Then leave it on for 30-60 minutes. Finally, you have to rinse with warm water.

6) Effectively neutralize odors with vinegar

Bad smells quickly form in the home. Therefore, it is good to know that you can remove unpleasant smells from the apartment with vinegar. If you want to eliminate odors from your home, you can set out a bowl filled with vinegar. Or clean the smelly items with vinegar water. Cat urine odor can also be easily eliminated with the miracle cure. To do this, clean the stain with vinegar and warm water.

7) Washing clothes with vinegar

There are many ideas for making detergent yourself and consequently forgoing chemical cleaners. One of them is washing clothes with vinegar. Because this remedy can remove bad smells. In addition, it can serve as a fabric softener substitute. Accordingly, you can add 1/2 to a full cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment. In addition, note our numerous tips for doing laundry.

8) Fight weeds with vinegar essence

In the garden, the acid can be used specifically to combat weeds. Accordingly, mix vinegar essence with water in a ratio of 1 to 15 and apply the mixture to the weeds. You should make sure that you only use it in a targeted manner. Thus, the surrounding crops will not be harmed. You should also note that use on sealed surfaces is prohibited.

Keep Reading
By
health

Antibacterial Weight Loss Aid: These 10 Health Benefits Are in Apple Cider Vinegar

For thousands of years it has been considered a real miracle weapon against many ailments: apple cider vinegar. Among other things, the seasoning has a supportive effect on a diet and diabetes and alleviates digestive problems. It also ensures clear skin and shiny hair and even helps against inflammation and infections.

Natural miracle cure apple cider vinegar: that’s in it

These healthy substances are contained in apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is bursting with healthy nutrients and vitamins. According to the health portal, it contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, folic acid (vitamin B9), potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphate, zinc, selenium and many more.

Apple cider vinegar is considered THE miracle drink among home remedies. Among other things, it provides relief from digestive problems and has a supportive effect on a diet and diabetes. As a beauty product, it also ensures beautiful skin and hair and also reduces inflammation and fungal infections.
Apple cider vinegar has tons of health benefits – we’ve rounded up ten of them. Here you can find out how you can do something good for your body with apple cider vinegar.

#1 Helps you lose weight

If you want to lose weight, you should take a look at apple cider vinegar as a little diet helper.
The pectin contained in the apple peels expands in the stomach, causing a feeling of satiety faster. This effect was also observed in a study:

The study participants consumed up to 275 fewer calories per day – in the long run, this has a major impact on the success of the diet.

#2 Balances the acid-base balance

Apple cider vinegar* also has a positive effect on the acid-base balance of the body. If you suffer from stress or if you don’t eat properly, the body often becomes acidic, which has a negative effect on your well-being. Apple cider vinegar helps to rebalance the acid-base balance as it is slightly alkaline. This is primarily due to the organic acids in apple cider vinegar. These are used by the organism to generate energy: they go through the metabolism and then provide the body with basic minerals such as potassium.

#3 Helps with diabetes

Diabetics can only benefit from the consumption of apple cider vinegar. An American study found that drinking apple cider vinegar the night before bedtime can effectively lower blood sugar levels in the morning. Another study found that drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar could lower blood sugar levels after eating. These studies relate to type 2 diabetes. The disadvantage of these two studies is that the groups of subjects were relatively small and that a larger group of people cannot be inferred. However, it is good research that suggests that apple cider vinegar can help alleviate diabetes.

#4 Works against inflammation

Apple cider vinegar* is also a good home remedy for inflammation because it has an antibacterial effect. For example, apple cider vinegar is said to have a positive effect on cystitis and also on minor skin injuries. Even warts are said to get rid of it with the help of apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a mouthwash for gum or periodontitis. To do this, simply rinse your mouth with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water after brushing your teeth. Then rinse again with clear water to protect the tooth enamel from the acid.

#5 Beauty Tip: Good for skin and hair

Some people swear by apple cider vinegar as an absolute beauty helper. The miracle vinegar is said to have a pore-refining effect and destroy bacteria that are on the skin. In this way, it ensures a clean complexion. In addition, the hair should also benefit from the vinegar: Because the vinegar is supposed to seal the cuticle of the hair, it becomes supple and shiny. In addition, the acid removes residues of care products, which makes the hair nice and light again.

#6 Help with digestive problems

If you regularly treat yourself to a glass of diluted apple cider vinegar, you can give your digestion a boost. The pectins and proteins contained in apple cider vinegar* are beneficial for digestion. The milieu of apple cider vinegar has a positive effect on the intestinal flora, which means that it can alleviate digestive problems such as constipation or flatulence. So that the apple cider vinegar can develop its optimal effect, you should drink the apple cider vinegar and water drink 15 minutes before a meal.

#7 Works against bacteria and fungi

Apple cider vinegar* is also a real miracle cure against bacteria and fungi. This is due to the antibacterial and antifungal (antifungal) properties of vinegar. It is said to work wonders for athlete’s foot and nail fungus. It is best to bathe your feet in a vinegar-water mixture or dab the areas with a cotton pad soaked in vinegar.

#8 Helps against colds and dry scalp

If you suffer from dandruff, you can safely do without anti-dandruff shampoo and use apple cider vinegar* to help yourself in a completely natural way. This is especially the case when the cause of the flaky scalp is yeast – this is often the cause of oily scalps. Apple cider vinegar ensures that the environment on the scalp is rebalanced and the yeast no longer has a chance. It is best to use a homemade anti-dandruff apple cider vinegar conditioner: mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and apply it to your hair as a conditioner after you have washed your hair. Then rinse with clear water.

#9 Protects the heart

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart diseases are responsible for most deaths worldwide. So it is very important to take care of your own heart health. Studies on animals have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar is beneficial for reducing blood cholesterol. So it can be assumed that the consumption of apple cider vinegar can contribute to maintaining a healthy heart.

#10 Protects against cancer

Apple cider vinegar is even thought to protect against cancer. The contained “medium-sized alpha-glycan” is of particular importance. This is a polysaccharide, which is produced during the fermentation of the apples and is intended to fight the tumor. Some studies are already looking at the effect of vinegar on cancer cells – but how apple cider vinegar works is still completely open. However, a similar effect is suspected.

Conclusion: Apple cider vinegar is a real miracle cure

Even if there are no comprehensive studies on the effects of apple cider vinegar: it has been used for ages as a remedy for all kinds of physical ailments – the healthy ingredients speak for themselves. It has proven itself as a natural home remedy for digestive, skin and hair problems. It is even suspected that apple cider vinegar fights tumor cells and is beneficial for heart health – a real miracle cure.

Keep Reading
By
Cooking Tips

Vinegar Fries: 15 Clever Food Wisdoms You Haven’t Heard Of

In the following we present 15 exciting food wisdom and facts that you probably didn’t know yet. Some of them even play an interesting role in everyday life.

In the following, we explain 15 pieces of wisdom about food that you should definitely know. In addition to fries with vinegar, the health benefits of cold pasta are also a topic. Sound unusual?

1. Cold pasta is less fattening than hot pasta

If noodles cool down after cooking or are even frozen, resistant starch is formed. The calories from it are not properly absorbed by the body and thus the number of calories in the pasta is halved.

2. Vinegar makes fries healthier

French fries are made from potatoes, which in turn are packed with carbohydrates, which are quickly released into the bloodstream as sugar and raise blood sugar levels unhealthily. Vinegar can make fries a little healthier by lowering the glycemic index and releasing sugar more slowly. French fries with vinegar, however, is a matter of taste.

3. Red peppers contain almost 2.5 times more vitamin C than oranges

While citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C, half a red pepper contains all of the daily requirement, making it even richer.

4. Hay fever can be related to food allergies

If you have an allergy to grasses, you may also react to oranges, melons, tomatoes, celery or peaches. If birch pollen causes hay fever in you, stone fruit such as apricots or nectarines can also cause reactions.

5. Skim milk produces the best coffee froth

The protein contained in the milk causes the liquid to foam. Skimmed milk is almost fat-free, but has a high protein content, which makes the foam stiffer.

6. Honey never goes bad

Pasteurized honey cannot absorb moisture when properly sealed and can therefore be kept indefinitely.

7. A glass of orange juice has almost as much sugar as a glass of cola

Both orange juice and cola contain around 10% sugar. The orange juice also contains vitamin C and folic acid, but no more than 150 ml per day is recommended because the sugar content is too high.

8. Nuts contain fewer calories than stated on the package

Nuts and almonds contain up to 25% fewer calories than advertised. This is due to some of the fat, from the proteins and carbohydrates, which remains undigested.

9. Chocolate really doesn’t break out

Acne is caused by hormones and their effect on the sebaceous glands. Diet actually only plays a minor role. A connection between chocolate and pimples has not yet been scientifically proven.

10. White chocolate is not real chocolate

A product is only considered chocolate if it contains cocoa beans. Since white chocolate does not contain these, it is actually not real chocolate.

11. Darker drinks are more likely to give you a hangover

The paler an alcoholic beverage is, the lower the content of ingredients is usually. Rum and other dark drinks, on the other hand, contain chemicals and flavor enhancers that can make hangovers worse.

12. Even the next morning, the alcohol has not yet broken down

The body breaks down only about 0.1 per thousand per hour. So if you drink five to six glasses of wine between 9 p.m. and midnight, you could still be under the influence of alcohol at 7 a.m. the next morning.

13. Eating late doesn’t automatically make you fat

Eating times do not necessarily affect obesity. Food is only converted to fat when more calories are consumed than are burned.

14. Mushrooms are practically impossible to overcook

Mushrooms can simmer forever without becoming tough or watery. This is due to a polymer, the chitin, which holds the mushrooms together and makes them firm to the bite.

15. Chalk can be made from egg shells

Egg shells are basically calcium carbonate, which is what chalk is made of. So you can make your own chalk from ground eggshells.

Conclusion

In addition to these very unusual food wisdoms, there are also other nutritional trends that you can use to upgrade your entire lifestyle. After all, nutrition is one of the most effective building blocks for improving your own health.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Rice Vinegar: Application, Tips and Substitutes

Rice vinegar has a long tradition in Asian cuisine and refines numerous dishes there. Everything about its use, tips and how to easily replace it.

Mild Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is used in Asia to refine rice dishes. It is traditionally made from Japanese rice (urumai). This is steamed and enriched with yeast bacteria and koji spores to start a fermentation process. Finally, vinegar bacteria are added. Rice vinegar has a much milder taste than our native types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, and only contains three to four percent acetic acid.

Application of rice vinegar

In addition to the clear rice vinegar, there is also black rice vinegar, which has a slightly malty taste and is reminiscent of soy sauce. This is particularly suitable for refining spicy wok dishes. Red rice vinegar, which is particularly good with dips, is also a little less common on the market

Rice vinegar is best known as a seasoning for Asian rice dishes. It gives dishes a typical sweet and sour to hot aroma. Its uses are numerous:
As a traditional condiment for sushi rice
For refining dips and sweet and sour sauces and soups
For marinating
As a dip for Chinese dumplings, tofu dishes or stir-fried vegetables.
For refining Asian wok dishes.
For seasoning spicy dishes (especially red rice vinegar).
In addition to its taste benefits, rice vinegar is also used in Asia as a natural remedy for the body. Like our local apple cider vinegar, it is said to have a detoxifying and digestive effect. It is said to stimulate the appetite and transport toxins out of the body as part of detoxification cures. So far, however, there is no scientific evidence of this.

Substitute for rice vinegar

You can now buy the clear rice vinegar in particular in any well-stocked supermarket or in Asian specialist shops. If you prefer to buy regional groceries, you can also substitute the rice vinegar for taste:
Mix equal parts white wine and apple cider vinegar together. A few drops of light balsamic vinegar in the rice water are also reminiscent of Japanese rice vinegar. If you want to avoid alcohol, you can dilute the apple cider vinegar with the same amount of water.

Trend food sushi – danger for fish stocks

Sushi has become a popular trend dish worldwide in recent years. What is often easily forgotten – for classic sushi you need fish. But not only this trend, but also the worldwide increasing demand for food and the fishing industry have the worldwide fish stocks

When enjoying sushi, always consider where the ingredients come from. There are delicious vegan and vegetarian ways to make sushi, for example with pumpkin, organic eggs or cucumber. If you don’t want to do without fish, find out in advance which species are not yet threatened. Always buy organic fish whenever possible.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Vinegar and Aceto Balsamico: More Than Just Inconspicuous Heroes of The Kitchen

Aceto Balsamico (balsamic vinegar for short, sometimes also called balsamic vinegar) is something special for gourmets, belongs to fine dining and is better than normal vinegar. At least that’s what you might think – but the truth is quite different.

We took a closer look at this unfairly underrated food. It has been with people for thousands of years. Vinegar has only recently disappeared from people’s consciousness, and we’re bringing it back to the front of the curtain.

The Story of Vinegar: Coincidences, the Bible, and Soft Drinks

The earliest traces of vinegar are found in Babylonian clay vessels from around 6,000 BC. At that time, vinegar was probably discovered by accident, when the wine stored in the jars came into contact with acetic acid bacteria. The wine continued to ferment and became sour – and the first wine vinegar was born. It is not known when the intentional production of vinegar began.

The fact is, however, that the ancient Egyptians mixed vinegar with water and regarded it as a refreshing drink. The same was true of the Roman soldiers who mixed vinegar in their drinking water and drank it as “posca”. So the sponge of vinegar mentioned in the Bible at the crucifixion was actually a kind gesture. The vinegar-water mixture was a popular drink until modern times and was only recently replaced by lemonades. However, adding vinegar to drinking water had a serious background: acetic acid kills germs. Adding vinegar often made the water drinkable in the first place.

Acetic acid, the health secret

The knowledge of the healing power of acetic acid is also thousands of years old. Even in ancient times, soldiers’ wounds were cleaned with vinegar to prevent infections. Back then, doctors didn’t know what an antibacterial effect was, but they did know that vinegar could heal wounds better. When the plague raged in Europe in the Middle Ages, doctors used cloths soaked in vinegar as face masks, and the plague houses were cleaned with vinegar.

Today there are better disinfectants, but most of them are not suitable for consumption. Vinegar, on the other hand, is not only harmless, but even promotes healthy digestion. The acetic acid only survives the “good” bacteria, bad ones are killed and inflammation of the digestive tract is alleviated. This also gets the metabolism going – vinegar also helps with weight loss and can lower excessive cholesterol levels.

Probably the oldest preservative in the world

In addition to the treatment of drinking water and a certain healing effect, vinegar has always had one main purpose: the preservation of food. There were no refrigerators, ice chambers were rare exceptions and reserved for the rich.

So ways were sought to preserve the fruit and vegetables harvested in autumn until the next harvest. This was done by drying (mostly fruit), salting (mostly meat, less often vegetables) or just putting it in a vinegar solution with various spices.

Make vinegar yourself or rather buy it?

The basic principle of vinegar production is double fermentation. To do this, fermented fruit juice, wine or another alcoholic liquid is left open in an earthenware, glass or wooden container or covered with a cloth. Contact with air causes the so-called mother of vinegar, a slimy layer with acetic acid bacteria, to form on the surface of the liquid. These are responsible for the second fermentation, which lasts about six to twelve months. You can also make vinegar yourself this way – but the production process takes a long time and the result is uncertain because the unfinished vinegar spoils easily.

Commercial vinegar production has therefore developed the submerged process, in which the vinegar fermentation takes place without mother of vinegar and can therefore be better controlled. With around 30 to 60 hours for the vinegar to mature, this type of production is not only much faster, it also delivers consistent quality. If you pay attention to the organic quality and origin of the vinegar, buying vinegar is a healthier and safer option than making it at home.

Endless varieties: Vinegar and Aceto Balsamico

Even if the assortment in the supermarkets seems to be limited to three, maximum four varieties, there is an almost infinite number of varieties. Fruit vinegar can be made from more or less any fruit juice by double fermentation (first to alcohol, then to vinegar). The same applies to wine – theoretically, any wine can be further fermented into wine vinegar. So for vinegar gourmets there is a wide selection, with fruit vinegars for example from:
Apples (apple cider vinegar is the most common fruit vinegar)
pears
figs or dates
currants
plums
cherries
or flavored with strawberries, raspberries and many other fruits.
The wine vinegars include:
red wine vinegar
white wine vinegar
sherry vinegar
champagne vinegar
Noble vinegar from high-quality wine.
In addition, there is also vinegar made from beer, honey, rice and similar raw materials that are suitable for fermentation. And of course the Aceto Balsamico (balsamic vinegar), a very special form that comes from Italy, should not be missing from this list.

Aceto Balsamic in the kitchen

As with the production of vinegar, the Aceto Balsamico is also a special case in the kitchen. Due to the dark color and the viscous consistency, it is not really suitable for traditional dishes. Wherever it comes from, it has its place in Mediterranean cuisine. Tomato and mozzarella salad with fresh basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil is probably the best-known example. The Aceto Balsamico is just as suitable for sauces in Mediterranean dishes, such as lamb chops. And if you like something unusual, you can serve vanilla ice cream with pumpkin seed oil and balsamic vinegar for dessert. The combination, which at first glance seems rather strange, is a delicious culinary surprise.

Keep Reading
By
Cooking Tips

Neutralize Vinegar: 3 Simple Tips

Neutralizing the taste of vinegar is helpful if you slipped the vinegar bottle while cooking. We’ll show you what you can do to save an overly acidic dish.

Vinegar spices up many a meal. From salad dressings to sauces and chutneys to vegetable dishes – it is an important ingredient in many recipes. But it’s easy to overdose on vinegar. Luckily, this error can be corrected: There are various options available to you to neutralize the acetic acid. It doesn’t matter what type of vinegar you used—apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, herbal vinegar, or even rice vinegar.

Tip 1 against too much vinegar: neutralize with other ingredients

You can neutralize the taste of vinegar by adding any of the following ingredients to your dish:

Baking soda or baking soda: These are alkaline, so they neutralize the acidity of the vinegar. When added, the food will froth briefly as it reacts with the vinegar. This variant is suitable for all dishes, whether hot or cold.
Salt: Salt helps with small amounts of vinegar. But approach it slowly, otherwise your food will be too salty. Soy sauce or instant vegetable broth also contain salt and are therefore suitable for neutralizing vinegar.
Sugar: For small amounts, you can work with sugar as well as with salt. As an alternative to granulated sugar, you can use honey. As with salt, the following applies here: feel your way around, otherwise you will change the taste of the dish.

Tip 2 against too much vinegar: Remove from the dish

There are several ways to get rid of excess vinegar from your dish:

Potatoes: For dishes that are heated, you can add raw potatoes and let them cook. These absorb vinegar and thus soften the taste. Cut them into pieces or put them in whole. You can then either leave the potatoes in the dish or take them out and use them at a later time. While the potato extracts the vinegar taste, it also absorbs other flavors so that it is still edible afterwards. You can use a hot, freshly cooked potato in dishes that don’t need to be heated.
Simmer: If your dish lends itself to this, allow it to simmer for a long time to neutralize the vinegar. Since acetic acid is volatile, you can get rid of at least some of it this way. You may need to add other liquid (e.g., water, cream, broth, tomato sauce) to maintain the desired amount and consistency.

Tip 3 against too much vinegar: Stretch the dish

Depending on the type of dish, you can neutralize too much vinegar by stretching the food. You have various options for this:

Increase amount: Add the other ingredients proportionately. Note that this will usually only mitigate the vinegar taste.
Liquids: Enhance your dish with matching liquids. This can be salty like vegetable broth, but also neutral like cream, sour cream, cream cheese or crème fraîche. Vegan alternatives are also suitable.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain a lot of water and thus stretch the dish. They also absorb some acid, helping to neutralize the vinegar. It doesn’t matter whether you cook them or add them raw to a salad, for example.
If necessary, combine several of the above options. For example, you can increase the total amount and at the same time add salt and cook a potato. Or you mix baking soda into your food and at the same time stretch it with tomatoes. Choose the appropriate options based on the level of vinegar flavor.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Raspberry Vinegar: Easy DIY Instructions

With its lovely aroma, raspberry vinegar refines many hearty dishes and fresh salads. You can easily make the raspberry vinegar yourself and use it to flavor your dishes. Our guide will help you with that.

Raspberry vinegar is a very mild and sweet vinegar. As such, it not only goes well with many types of salad, but is also a suitable accompaniment to a hearty cheese platter. The sweet vinegar is also used in cocktails, vegetable pans and in vegetarian and vegan sauces for hearty dishes.

If you want to make raspberry vinegar yourself, you can either use ready-made white vinegar or make the vinegar yourself from wine and vinegar essence. When buying raspberries, you should definitely pay attention to organic goods in order to avoid chemical-synthetic pesticides.

Make raspberry vinegar yourself: Simple recipe with ready-made vinegar

You need the following ingredients for about 800 milliliters of raspberry vinegar:

300 g raspberries (preferably fresh local raspberries)
500 ml white vinegar (e.g. homemade apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar)
1 – 2 tbsp honey (local)
We recommend that you use all organic ingredients. In this way you avoid unnecessary pesticides in food and in the environment – good for you, the plants and the animals.

How to cook it:

Divide the raspberries between two sealable, boiled jars.
Then fill the glasses with the vinegar.
Add a little honey to each jar.
Now let the mixture steep in a cool, dark place for about two weeks. After two weeks, the vinegar will have turned a bright red color.
Then, pour the vinegar through a sieve to strain the raspberries.
The raspberry vinegar should be stored in the refrigerator for a better shelf life. It stays there for at least half a year.
Tip: You don’t have to throw away the sifted raspberries – that would be a waste of food. We recommend that you first carefully puree the raspberries in the glass and only then press them through the sieve. The raspberry vinegar is then not as clear as without the pureed fruit, but it is creamier and even more aromatic.

If you have to be quick: For a faster version, you can simply put 500 milliliters of white vinegar with four to five teaspoons of raspberry syrup in a sealable glass and shake it well until both liquids have combined.

Make your own raspberry vinegar from wine and vinegar essence

You will need the following ingredients for this slightly more complex recipe:

50 ml vinegar essence (25 percent acid)
100 ml of rosé wine
100ml of water
100 grams of raspberries
honey to taste

Here’s how you do it:

Mix the vinegar essence with wine and water and pour the mixture into a large jar or bottle.
Now add the raspberries to the vinegar mixture.
Let the mixture steep for about two weeks until the vinegar has turned an intense red color.
Then pour the vinegar through a sieve.
If you want to make the vinegar a little sweeter, you can sweeten the mixture with a little honey or sugar.
Tip: You can also puree the raspberries for this raspberry vinegar and press them through the sieve instead of throwing them away.

Keep Reading
By