Thursday, June 23, 2011

Chive Blossom Vinegar


There hasn't been much going on in my kitchen worth posting about recently since I've been working hard on getting my gourmet menu selected, printing and sent out to our group of five couples.  In a little over one week, we host our gourmet group at our home and, since I work next week, time was ticking to get this done! 

There is one thing that I found I saw recently that I had to share.  Thank you to Valerie at A Canadian Foodie for introducing me to Chive Flower Vinegar.  Luckily, I saw her post and was able to pluck my chive blossoms before they were past their prime last week. 


This will taste wonderful in salad dressings or other recipes where flavored vinegars are used.


The finished vinegar is not only a gorgeous color but the scent is wonderful!


The method is very simple: 

1.  Pick fully-opened chive blossoms.  Allow them to soak in water for a while to remove any debris or tiny creatures that may be hiding inside.  

2.  Put them in a salad spinner to remove all excess water or pat dry with a clean towel.

3.  Pack the cleaned blossoms into a jar (I filled my jar to the top with all the blossoms I had) and then fill with white vinegar to cover the blossoms. Allow to steep in a cool, dark place.  I put mine in the refrigerator.  

4.  Allow the blossoms to steep in the vinegar for about 1-2 weeks and then strain and refrigerate.  (If you are using a jar with a metal lid, place some plastic wrap in between the lid and jar as the acidity of the vinegar could corrode the lid)

67 comments:

  1. What a pretty color! I hope that makes it onto your gourmet menu:@)

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  2. It is so pretty with the flowers in the jar.

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  3. Love your idea! It looks so pretty:)

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  4. Oh, so pretty...too bad my chives blossomed several weeks ago.

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  5. This vinegar is awesome! It IS a beautiful color. Sadly, my chives blooms are past peek. Going to remember this for next year!

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  6. This is a favorite of mine and such a pretty color!!! I love the flavor as well -- it goes so well on salads!!! Alas, I missed the chive blossoms at Linderhof -- happened while we were in England! Sigh, no vinegar till next year!

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  7. It could not be any prettier.
    Looking forward to your dinner ..I hope you will tell us all about it:)

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  8. The color is so beautiful!! I'd say something is going on in the kitchen!!!

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  9. My chive blossoms are all gone but I will try this next spring. Beautiful color.

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  10. Gorgeous color! The blossoms are beautiful too. Next year when I see my blossoms, I will think of this post.

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  11. It has such a pretty color. I also love the flowers. Thanks for sharing, because I didn't know how to make it! I'll have to try it next year, everything is gone from my garden now.

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  12. My chive blossoms have all faded so I will also have to try this next year. I love the color of the vinegar!

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  13. gorgeous!! I'm growing chives for the first time....its so nice to know that I can "play" with the flowers! So glad you posted this :)

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  14. Looks great..I'll have to pass this into my sis..she's always looking for different ways to use her chives.
    Gorgeous color

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  15. The kettle is not a tea maker -- it's just a water heater but oh, how it works and it's so fast!!! And then it shuts off so it never boils dry!

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  16. What a wonderful idea for chive blossoms. Mine have not bloomed but when they do and really they should have by now??? but when they do I will definitely make Chive Blossom Vinegar. I love unusual vinegars to make dressings.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  17. What a lovely color! I usually just toss the chive blossoms aside- now I'll know what to do with them. :)

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  18. I have a wonderful jug of this made last summer only using an expensive white wine vinegar. I must make a pretty dressing to show off the color, but keep forgetting that it's in the fridge.

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  19. I have a wonderful jug of this made last summer only using an expensive white wine vinegar. I must make a pretty dressing to show off the color, but keep forgetting that it's in the fridge.

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  20. How cool. I spotted this on Valerie's blog and wonder what the finished result would look like..so glad you posted. The color is stunning, bookmarked. thanks

    bonnie
    sweetlife

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  21. I absolutely love this idea. The color is sensational.

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  22. Wish I had chive flowers to make this...mine are long gone. Can't wait to hear what you make with this...looks beautiful and I am sure it will taste even better!!

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  23. I saw this on Valerie's blog too. It's at times like this that I miss my gardens!

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  24. This is beautiful! Never heard of chive blossom vinegar! Thanks for sharing!

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  25. Beautiful vinegar. I'll have to save this one as our chive blossoms are gone. I did toss a few in salads.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  26. I love making vinegars; would never have thought of this one. Look fantastic!
    Rita

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  27. I made this last year. It is really delicious and so pretty.
    YOur images are so pretty! I use mine drizzled over wilted spinach and grilled veggies too.
    Yvonne

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  28. Very beautiful Susan. I'd love to give this a try. The color is just right and I bet it tasted wonderful.

    Have a great weekend.

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  29. Thank you, all! Although not an original idea I truly had fun making this chive blossom vinegar and I hope you all get to try it one day.

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  30. I will have to get some chive blossom too! The colour of vinegar looks so inviting.

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  31. i LOVE the last picture...the color is lovely...

    i am making a crab and avocado salad on bibb lettuce this weekend...the chive vinegar would be so pretty on the pink crab...

    kary

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  32. What lovely pictures. And oh, does this sound good. Can't wait to hear all about your gourmet party!

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  33. Looks so great! Perfect for summer salads.

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  34. great idea Susan, I love it! the colour is lovely,it's perfect !Kisses...

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  35. This is by far the prettiest vinegar I've ever seen.
    Sam

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  36. Yesterday I was contemplating making some raspberry vinegar; wish I had chives in my garden. these look so pretty and the color is pink. my favorite!

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  37. Susan, this is simply beautiful!
    I've made flavored vinegars before, but chive blossom vinegar is so new to me.

    I can imagine how good it'll taste, but the resulting color is just too pretty to describe.

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  38. Just saw your beautiful picture on Tastespotting and had to stop by. This is a great idea and I can't wait to try it, but that'll have to wait until next year because my chive flowers are now past their prime:( Thanks for sharing!

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  39. wow great vinegar and I bet your gourmet dinner will be amazing enjoy the weekend

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  40. I have been growing chives for years but never once used the flowers. I LOVE this idea! Unfortunately all of my blooms are spent, but they'll be back and when they are I'll be making vinegar.

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  41. I growing chives for last two years and used once its flowers. The finished vinegar is not only a gorgeous color but the scent is wonderful. Good job.
    sell my car

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  42. What a lovely, colorful and flavorful vinegar and it's so easy to make! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. The chive blossoms are photographed with care...wonderful! Loved the vinegar idea!
    http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

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  44. This Chive blossom vinegar looks beautiful and sounds delicious too. I'm afraid it's already too late to plant the chive this year! But I certainly want to make this at home. I love flavored vinegar on salads! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.

    Amy
    http://utry.it

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  45. That is so pretty! From the start to the end. Looking forward to seeing how you use it. Bet it makes a delicious vinaigrette. I have to try this!

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  46. So pretty! I've been wanting to use edible flowers it something, so this is now officially on my list!
    Sarah @ two-tarts

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  47. This is unique and looks very pretty. I bet it's delicious and is on my must try list!

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  48. I saw this on a food porn site first and smiled when I saw it was you... what a gorgeous photo. I've made elderflower vinegar now and put ferns in alcohol... really fun playing with your food. I will try this next time chives are in bloom at a friend's garden!

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  49. What a great idea! And so beautiful, too! I definitely want to try this :)

    Sues

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  50. I've got to try this next year when my chives bloom. Beautiful photos and such a pretty result for vineager.

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  51. Our chives are blossoming - what a great idea!

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  52. Oh I wish I had done that with my blossoms instead of composting them! Next time!

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  53. Oh my, isn't that pretty! As it happens, I have a huge chive plant that is falling over with chive blossoms. Guess I'll have to try this.

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  54. o ...wow...love d beautiful color n presentation..
    chanced upon your space while blog hopping..amazing space you have..very interesting posts..
    Am your happy follower now..:)
    do stop by mine sometime..
    Tasty Appetite

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  55. Ooo I bet this would be great in vinegar-based potato salads, since potatoes and chives are such a winning combo. I love that color!

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  56. Oh my! How fabulous! I am off to see if my blossoms are still nice enough to make into vinegar. The color is fantastic as is the jar with the blossoms in it. Ooh, I can't wait. I love learning new ideas from great blogging friends. As alwys your images are just gorgeous.

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  57. EXQUISITE FLOWER VINEGAR chives, I DID RECENTLY ROSEMARY VINEGAR IS VERY GOOD, AND FOOD DRESSING IS VERY USEFUL, RECIPE DEAR LINDA, LOVE AND BIG HUGS.

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  58. What a charmingly beautiful jar of floral wonder! Lovely♥

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  59. I absolutely love the color, and the photos of the flowers are in the jar are simply gorgeous. Such a creative and genius idea!

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  60. And I learned from you - I never bothered to google it at all. Good for you - and good for me. It was just such a no brainer and I was so thrilled to find the idea, I did it (apparently with no brain!) I didn't soak my flowers first, but think that is OK. And the scent is incredibly strong... I haven't taken my flowers out yet as Made in Jars said three weeks. But, I am sure it is enough. So far, I have three jars - and way more blossoms still popping up. I was thinking great little gift in a pretty jar with a salad dressing recipe that includes it. It has a strong scent... but I do believe it will be delicious with a bit of sugar, mustard, etc...
    Yours looks lovely. I love to get ideas from one another!
    :)
    V

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  61. Susan, what a marvelous idea. And the finished product is such a lovely color, it can't help but be delicious. I do wish I had my Michigan garden at times like this!

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  62. First tima I see this...an absolute must-try!
    Thanks!

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  63. Oh my goodness, your pictures are beautiful!!! I love chive blossoms, and I'm so glad you're featuring them here-thanks for the cool idea!

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  64. so pretty! and what a great idea.

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  65. Wow, Susan. The color is STUNNING. I've never seen this before, but now I'll know what to do with my chive blossoms. Fabulous!

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  66. Susan, I put this on my calendar last year, and I have plenty of blossoms to make this soon :-)

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