How to: Make Flavored Vinegars!

Our talented group of registered dietitians from Carson Tahoe’s Nutritional Services provided some great recommendations to make healthier food choices, especially when it comes to salad dressings and condiments. When making healthy choices, it’s recommended to turn to salads for a vegetable-dense meal option. However, at times we should be weary that some salads that we order at a restaurant can be drenched with calorie-packed dressings. If you order a salad with dressings that are cream based, or mayo based, you are basically negating all caloric benefits of eating a salad. To keep the calories down, ordering a salad with lemon juice and olive oil, or vinegar and olive oil will limit the calories and provide great flavor- that being said, sometimes you might feel that a simply dressed salad lacks the flavors you crave. Here are some great ways to make your own flavored vinegars that taste great and are healthy for you too!

Step 1: In a food processor, choose any assortment of herbs, such as thyme, basil and oregano, or dill and tarragon, and blend until fine

Step 2: Pour in about a cup of vinegar, we recommend apple cider vinegar for a nice, zingy pop!

Step 3: Close the food processor and turn it on high for about 30 seconds. Add more herbs and another 2 cups of vinegar. Pulse for another minute or two.

Step 4: Line a sieve or tea strainer with a coffee filter and slowly pour the herb and vinegar mixture through the coffee filter and into a bowl. Carefully press the herbs against the filter to press all the vinegar out of the herbs.

Step 5: Re-line the sieve with another coffee filter and pour the vinegar in the bowl through once more to catch any loose herbs.

Step 6: Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

Step 7: Add whole herbs and spices of your choice to steep in the vinegar-the longer it sits, the more flavorful it gets!