Uses for Cranberry Vinegar
Cranberry vinegar is a sweet, tart vinegar with a variety of culinary uses. The strong flavor is a perfect compliment to milder fishes or meats. It can be used in salads or on fruit. Cranberry vinegar is easy to prepare at home, whether for a recipe or as a festive holiday gift.
Salad Dressing
Cranberry vinegar has a tangy, sweet taste which makes an excellent ingredient in a salad dressing. Combine the cranberry vinegar with olive oil and spices to taste for a cranberry vinaigrette. The tartness of the dressing pairs well with nuts in a salad. It is also an excellent addition to a seasonal salad. Cranberries are a fall fruit, so try the dressing with an apple, pear, or pomegranate salad. Blue cheese crumbles balance the taste of cranberry vinegar in a salad.
Meat Marinade
Use cranberry vinegar as a marinade for white fish, pork, or chicken. The subtle flavor of these particular meats pairs well with the sweet acidity of cranberry vinegar. Simply combine equal parts vinegar with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Put the meat in a plastic bag and add the marinade. Coat all the pieces of meat with the marinade, and place the bag in the refrigerator. The longer you allow the meat to marinate, the stronger the cranberry taste will be. Marinate from one hour to overnight. Prepare the meat on the grill, in the oven, or sauteed.
Reduction Sauce
Cranberry vinegar makes a tasty reduction sauce for cooked fruit, pork, chicken, lamb, or fish. A reduction sauce is simply a thin sauce that cooks at medium heat over time until some of the liquid evaporates, or reduces in amount. The remaining sauce is thick and flavorful. Reduction sauces are usually made with wine, spices, vinegar, or stock of some kind, cooked down to 50 percent volume. Add butter to give the sauce shine and a richer taste. Spoon the sauce over cooked meat or fruit.
Gifts
Give homemade cranberry vinegar as a festive holiday gift. It is simple to prepare at home and requires minimal ingredients. Make with dried or fresh cranberries and a base of cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar. Recipes vary, but most require you to combine the ingredients and store at room temperature for two weeks to allow the flavors to combine fully. Pour the resulting cranberry vinegar into a decorative bottle, and stop it with a colored cork. Add gift tags attached with ribbon and a sprig of holly.
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