So, I sez to myself, "Self, what is this the summer of? Is it the summer of my herbs? No, that was last summer. Is it the summer of my cleaning out the garage? No, that lasted about 5 minutes two summers ago. Oh, wait, I remember this is the summer of my organizing. Which is coming along swimmingly. That is, if you swim like I do, with lots of floundering and sputtering and barely keeping my head above water. Though I do have one bookcase that simply looks amazing, don't worry I've taken pictures for proof, and I'll post at a later date. Must leave you waiting with baited breath.
So, back to this summer. In addition to the summer of organization, it is also going to be the summer of my putting up, preserving, pickling. I want to have a freezer and pantry filled condiments and goodies to remember summer by.
So, mangoes were on sale at my expensive organic, feel good about yourself, store. I grabbed a bunch, and was set on canning mango chutney. After reading the recipe, I realized I was missing a few things, plus it looked like alot of work. This is summer after all, my vacation time. So, I settled on something much simpler, and better yet, time does all the work, not me. Mango vinegar. It is steeping away even as we speak. What am I going to do with it? Not quite sure. Michael Chiarello's Flavored Oils and Vinegars: 100 Recipes for Cooking with Infused Oils and Vinegars
has several recipes that use mango vinegar: Grilled Chicken Marinated in Mango vinegar and Tarragon, Margaux's Tropical Barbecue Sauce, Mango Granita, and Spicy Tropical Fruit Salsa, just to name a few. Mango Vinegar
from Blue Ribbon Preserves: Secrets to Award-Winning Jams, Jellies, Marmalades and More
1 large ripe mango, pitted, peeled and chopped
2 cups rice vinegar
Place the chopped mangoes in 2-quart clean glass jar
In a medium non-reactive saucepan, heat the vinegar until simmering, but not boiling.
Remove the pan from the heat, and pour the hot vinegar over the mangoes in the jar. Set aside to cool. When it's cooled, cover the jar with 2 layers of plastic wrap and screw on a jar lid or screw ring. Place the jar in a paper bag and set in a cool, dark, dry location and let it steep for 2 weeks. Gently shake or swirl the jar every few days to help blend.
Start tasting the vinegar after 2 weeks until it gets the flavor that you want. It can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
When it's reached it's desired strength, strain the vinegar through 3 layers of clean cheesecloth. Then strain through a coffee filter. Let the vinegar sit over night covered and allow any sediment to settle. Strain the vinegar again through 2 layers of coffee filters.
Prepare your final bottle by washing with warm, soapy water and filling it with boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain the bottle and fill with the vinegar, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace. Seal each bottle with a new cork or screw cap.
So, my peeps, what would you do with mango vinegar???
15 comments:
I love mangoes (my favorite fruit) so actually this mango vinegar would be something I could actually use. I bet it would make for a great salad dressing, either for a greens salad or a pasta salad, or in a citrusy chicken or pork marinade!
I like this!! I'm a mango lover, too...must try!
I am thinking salad dressing, too, but how about in deviled eggs? I love the sweet sour taste in deviled eggs made at our local gourmet shop.
What a great idea. I would have never thought of it.
what a great idea--I too would have never thought of it. And, I love how you described that grocery store--we have those too.
i'm all for your summer of jar usage. at the end of the summer, i envision a shopping spree in which one lucky reader gets one minute to pick through your shelves of goods and fill up his or her basket. is that asking too much? :)
Either make a great salad dressing, or keep in a paper bag in a dark corner. Maybe both.
The summer of preserving is a good summer indeed. Last year was all about cucumbers, and I think this year is all about watermelon. Not sure yet. Now that mango vinegar - I would probably start with mango vinaigrette. After that....well, I'm probably looking to you for some ideas! Sounds great!
You're so ambitious! The mango vinegar looks divine- I'd use it anyplace I would use vinegar. Take a photo of all your hard work at the end of the summer- it would be fun to see.
Pam, this sounds and looks fantastic. I think it's simple emough for me to handle!
I really don't know what I would do with mango vinegar, but like you, I would have just made it and figure out what to do with it later! :)
This sounds great, I bet it would make a delicious vinaigrette!
Like Joanne, mangoes are my fav fruit - so much so that I eat a mango a day all year round, even though I go entirely local for all other foods. That is the one thing I make an exception for :-)
Your recipe sounds delicious, and so simple too! I'll try it, and pass it on to my mango-loving family as well!
I love the idea of mango vinegar! I would use it for marinades and salad dressings. Very neat!
What a great idea -- I'm definitely going to try this for my mango-loving husband. I think dressings for salad that have both fruit and veggies would be a natural for this.
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