Kitchen Gift Idea: Cranberry Vinegar Recipes

Cranberry vinegar is simple to make and it’s a lovely homemade gift from the kitchen.

You can use cranberry vinegar as a salad dressing, a meat marinade or drizzle over cooked poultry and meat for a nice flavor. You can also cook it down as a reduction sauce to spoon over meats and side dishes.

Here are a few recipes I have in my stash, each one is simple to make.

Recipe #1 – Dried Cranberry Vinegar

1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup Champagne vinegar
Pinch salt

Directions

• In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, vinegar and salt, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl and let cool. In a blender, puree the ingredients on high speed.
• Pour into an airtight container and keep at room temperature.

Source: Emeril Lagasse

Recipe #2 – Festive Cranberry Vinegar

1 quart white wine vinegar
2 cups fresh cranberries, divided into 1 cup portions
3 sticks cinnamon
1/2 cup honey
1 orange

Directions:

• Combine vinegar, 1 cup cranberries and the cinnamon in a saucepan, bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat, allow to stand for 2 minutes. Stir in honey.
• Pare a strip of rind from the orange (about a 1/4″ wide), reserving rest of the orange for other uses.
• Thread the remaining cranberries and the orange rind on skewers; place in decorative bottles or jars. Divide rind evenly among bottles, cut into pieces if necessary.
• Strain vinegar mixture and discard cranberries. Pour liquid over skewers in bottles. Store at room temperature for at least 2 weeks to let flavor develop.

Recipe #3 – Quick & Easy Cranberry Vinegar

2 cups cider vinegar
1/4 cup fresh cranberries (crush lightly first)

Directions:

• Put cranberries in a sterilized glass jar.
• Bring vinegar to a boil then pour over cranberries.
• Cool ingredients to room temperature, then seal. Set aside in a cool spot for between 2 to 3 weeks.
• Strain the vinegar mixture through a cheesecloth or paper coffee filter and pour into decorative jars.

Tip: Add a fresh sprig of a complimentary herb to the bottle for a decorative effect. Tie the bottle with a bit of raffia, attach a gift card with recipe & instructions for usage.

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