Vinegar Making

One of the best things about having all of the basic ingredients in the pantry is that you can make any of your favorite foods without running off to the grocery and paying a fortune for those ready-made items. Believe it or not, since 1978 (I'm aging myself), I have only spent $75.00 a week at the grocery, feeding a family of 4. How do I do it with this day's outrageous food prices? Make it from scratch, of course. So not only will I be posting some great recipes using only pantry items, I will share some great secrets on saving precious grocery dollars as well as teaching how to make those items you thought were impossible! So, let's begin with vinegar making.

ALL ABOUT VINEGAR

Years ago, I picked up a copy of a little booklet called, " The Vinegar Book" by Emily Thacker, published by Tresco Publishers. If you are interested in vinegars and their uses, see if you can locate a copy on Amazon.com.

You can make vinegar from just about any thpe of sweet fruits or juices. For starters, we will be making traditional Apple Cider Vinegar.


You will need: Sweet Tart Apples (if you have a cider press) or Natural Apple Cider without any preservatives, a one gallon glass jug, a rubber balloon, cheese cloth and a wooden crock.

If using a cider press, chop apples and allow them to sit until they turn a golden brown color. Crush them in the cider press.

Pour cider in to a clean, sterilized jug. Cover the jug opening with a balloon. Make sure to clean the balloon inside and out before using. Place in the pantry and allow to turn in to alcohol. This step takes 1 to 6 weeks. If grey foam appears on the top of the cider, skim it off. It is just excess yeast.

After cider has reached the alcohol stage, pour in to the wooden crock and cover with several layers of cheese cloth. In 2 months, you will have vinegar.

How much did you save? If using fresh apples (3 pound bag @ $2.99) you have one gallon of vinegar for $2.99. Organic, raw vinegar sells for $3.50 a pint. (8 x 3.50 = $26.00) YOU SAVED $23.01!!

Now what are you going to do with all of that vinegar? How about pickles, salad dressing, household cleaners, car polish, leather softener, Arthritis relief! The list goes on.