Brambleberries in the Rain

I have a pot of chives that I have been growing in a pot for several years now. For some reason this year they are absolutely beautiful. They are completely covered in flowers right now. I have the pot set up on the deck so I can see them from the sliding glass door when I am in the house and I just keep admiring them this week. So much so that I am thinking about dividing them later in the year and adding them to the flower garden area(s).

Chives are one of my favorite herbs to grow because they are so yummy and everyone really likes them. I love to sprinkle the blossoms on a salad or veggie dip. Also I love to make vinegar out of the blossoms. They turn the vinegar such a pretty shade of pink as well as imparting their subtle onion flavor into the vinegar.

Making herbal vinegar is actually very simple to do especially if you choose to use just one herb. For example, chives blossoms are a very easy herbal vinegar to make if you happen to have some blooming in your garden like I do right now.

 To Make the Herbal Vinegar

I simply place some chive blossoms into a clean glass mason jar and fill with white wine vinegar to cover. I use white wine vinegar because I think the flavor is nice. (Apple cider vinegar can also be used if you like and it too makes a nice herbal vinegar.) Then I cover the jar and place it in a warm spot out of direct sunlight for several weeks- at least three.

Once the vinegar has been allowed to steep simply strain out the herbs and enjoy! The herbal vinegar can be used in any recipe calling for vinegar. I particularly love to use the chive vinegar in vinaigrettes and marinades as it has such a nice onion like flavor.

 Super Simple Vinaigrette Recipe

¼ cup herb infused vinegar

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

Combine all ingredients in lidded container and shake well. Store any unused vinaigrette in the refrigerator.

I will include recipes for some more yummy herbal vinegars at a later date so be on the look out for those to come!