ANNA TELLS HOW TO MAKE HERB VINEGAR A ND HERB OILS

I am FINALLY getting to tell you how to make Herb Vinegar and Herb Oils.  Some things are the same with Herb Vinegar and Herb Oils.  Of course, there are some differences.

First off, in both Herb vinegar and oils, DO NOT use any metal utensils, bottles, or bottle stoppers.  Use plastic utensils, glass bottles and either plastic or cork stoppers.

For both Herb Vinegar and Herb Oils you will need the following

TOOLS
Plastic or Bamboo skewers ( long and short)
Plastic funnel
Plastic measuring spoons
Glass bottles with plastic or cork stoppers

HERB VINEGAR

Now here is where a lot of books and Amish disagree.  Books say get any type white vinegar - we don't.  We do not use distilled vinegar.  I feel distilled vinegar is for cleaning out the coffee pot and washing the windows.  Get a good quality vinegar such as: white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar or, my favorite, apple cider vinegar.  When purchasing apple cider vinegar make sure it is apple cider vinegar and NOT apple cider flavored distilled vinegar.

Herb Vinegar tastes best if made with fresh herbs and fruits, gently washed and patted dry on a paper towel, although one teaspoon of dried herbs can be substituted for one tablespoon  of fresh herbs for flavor.  You might want to use parsley or  cilantro.

Here are some herb combinations you might like:


Rosemary, Parsley, Sage and Thyme
Thyme, Rosemary and bay leaves
Basil, Oregano and Marjoram
Cilantro and Cumin
Black Pepper, Ginger, White Tarragon and Parsley
Pineapple sage, spearmint, and lemon Thyme
Basil, Garlic and dried red peppers

HOW TO PREPARE

1.  Place all spices in bottle first.\
2.  Place Garlic in bottle next.
3.  Next add herbs, leaving parsley to last as it will hold down any floating spices.
4.  Add chosen vinegar leaving 1/2 inch space from top of bottle.  Put on top or stopper.
5. Let vinegar set for 24 hour, then add vinegar to refill again as herbs and spices will have soaked up some of the vinegar.
6.  Store at room temperature for 2 weeks (not in sun light).
7,  After 2 weeks, strain out herbs with vinegar going into glass bottle
8,  Dilute the final vinegar with more vinegar depending on your taste.
9. Store vinegars

HERBAL OILS

Herbal oils can be made for salads, medicine, massage, baby oil, moisturizer, and more.  I am going to tell you how to make the basic herbal oils.  You can make herbal oils natural, on the stove, or in the oven.  I use the natural way.  My personal belief is that natural made herbal oils has a better quality than rushing in on the stove or in the oven.  Jean, most of the time, uses the natural way I do, but if she needs more of a herb oil, in a hurry, will use the stove or oven.

Like with vinegar in Herbal Vinegar, chose a high grade olive oil to put in with herbs.

HOW TO PREPARE

1.  Place fresh, clean, whole herbs in glass jar loosely.
2.  Cover the herbs with the oil.
3.  Put the lid on top of jar as tight as you can.  Place jar on a sunny window sill.  I usually do this during the summer, but you can do it during the winter if you have a window with a bright sun.
4.  Leave jar on windowsill for 30 days, shaking it gently once every day.
5. After 30 days, place cheesecloth or never used coffee filter in funnel. Have another bottle underneath funnel.  Pour oil through funnel into bottle, seal bottle and store in refrigerator.

Just thought of something I forgot.  Don't forget to label the Herb Vinegar and Herb Oil bottles with what is in the bottle and date your made it.  If you make several vinegar and/or oils, you might forget what you have in what bottle and the date you made it.  I forgot that once, when I started cooking and I have put labels on ever since.  If I put something in a bottle or jar - it gets labeled.

From here, as I said, you can use oil on a salad or go further to make into medicine, salves, and more.

When reading what I wrote, it may sound hard, but it isn't.  Once you have the tools, herbs and do it, it is really easy.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna