Yes, I've been on a huckleberry kick lately. Can you blame a girl in cloudy, cold January for wanting some berries her day? Nope. Don't even try.
This is the easiest recipe I have posted, next to that delicious Sour Cherry Extract, that is. Same idea: pick a delicious food, throw it in the desired medium, let it steep until best flavor happens. I'd love to inspire an infusion revolution, so I plan on continuing to post my own experiments and recommendations.
A small note here: vinegar is obviously very sour. Huckleberries are also, rather sour. If you desire a more commercial-type vinegar like storebought balsamic or other flavored vinegar, you have a couple options.
One: add a sweetener. In this case I'd recommend a non-liquid sweetener (ie., sugar). Mix energetically and let stand until dissolved, or gently heat to dissolve. Don't inhale the vinegar steam. You'll regret.
Two: a related concept. Add sugar and slightly reduce the vinegar. While this is conceptually similar to making a gastrique, you wouldn't want to add as much sugar. When adding sweetener previous to reducing a liquid, add less than you think you need, as the water will evaporate and leave you with a more sweet, viscous sauce. Stop before you get to syrup. You'll have to experiment here. Just make sure it's on low heat and that you achieve a light but steady simmer.
As for me, I'm leaving mine tart and berry-full. (Secret: I have a basil-infused olive oil that will go swimmingly with this!).
And that, friends, is the glory of infusing. Gather enough unique products that you have really inventive combinations between them all. You'll never get bored of salad again.
Huckleberry Infused Vinegar
A simple but satisfyingly tart and fruity infused vinegar.
- 1/2 pint white, white wine, or champagne vinegar
- 1-2 T. fresh or frozen huckleberries
- Add two ingredients in a small jar, swirl gently, and store in a cool dark place.
- Begin tasting infusion after about 5 days; remove berries when desired flavor is achieved, or leave them in.
- Sprinkle on vegetables or fruits, or use in making vinaigrettes.
No comments:
Post a Comment