Here is a wonderful little project that is so simple I’m almost embarrassed to call it a DIY or a recipe. Chive Blossom Vinegar.
Anyone who has chives is familiar with the cheerful purple flowers that the herb puts out once or twice a year! What you may not realize is that those little purple jewels are edible-they taste just like chives.
I like to take a few, pull them apart and sprinkle them onto a salad or omelet for a nice touch of flavor. Another option is to make this lovely chive flavored vinegar.
It’s dead simple. Pick your chive blossoms (or have the kids do it). I like to separate the little purple flowers from the green base-I just used my thumbnails to pinch it off. Then I toss them into a clean glass jar.
Once all your little blossoms are in the jar mash them down a little bit with a wooden spoon and then pour in plain white vinegar until it completely covers the chives.
Stick the jar into a cupboard (out of direct sunlight) and let it soak for 2 or 3 weeks. (you are making an infusion) You can shake the jar every once in a while-I like to use a spoon to scrape down sides after and make sure all the blossoms are still submerged.
Once your time is up, strain the vinegar out of the blossoms. I like to get every drop by then placing the vinegar soaked blossoms into coffee filters or cheesecloth and using my clean hands to squeeze all the liquid out.
Make sure you don’t have any cuts on your hands-you WILL know it if you get vinegar into an open cut. Ouch!
What you are left with is a gorgeous deep pink/purple vinegar that is flavored with chive. I can’t wait to make a vinaigrette for a garden fresh salad from this year’s batch!
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