Cooking tips - Using Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of those versatile ingredients that has an amazing array of uses in cooking. Not only can it be used as an effective substitute, it enriches the flavors of numerous foods, is a major ingredient in most condiments, used to tenderize meats and even adds luster to the crust of homemade bread.

Use the following apple cider vinegar cooking tips for a wide variety of uses in numerous categories:


FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Help remove chemical spray residues and/or bugs on fruits and vegetables by soaking fruits and vegetables in water treated with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon per gallon) and rinse thoroughly.

Help kill bacteria on fruits and vegetables by soaking fruit and vegetables in water treated with apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons per pint) and rinse thoroughly.

Prevent cut and peeled fruits and vegetables from browning, such as apples, pears, and potatoes, by placing the cut up pieces into an apple cider vinegar solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water), refrigerated until ready to use.

Steamed vegetables will retain their bright colors with 1 tablespoon vinegar added to the water used for steaming instead of table salt.

Dried beans will be less gas-producing when eaten by adding vinegar to the soaking water and then add vinegar as it cooks.

Preserve left over ginger root. Peel, then slice or grate the ginger, place in a glass jar, cover with apple cider vinegar and store in the refrigerator.

Eliminate cabbage odor by adding vinegar to the cooking water.

Add a teaspoon of vinegar when cooking fruit to improve the flavor.

Add a tablespoon of vinegar to fruit gelatin to hold it firm.



EGGS

Add 1 or 2 tablespoons to the cooking water when making hard boiled eggs to prevent the whites from leaking from shell cracks.

Add 1 or 2 tablespoons in the poaching water will help the eggs keep their shape.

In baking, it is an effective substitute for eggs. Substitute 1 tablespoon for each egg needed.

When coloring Easter eggs, add 1 teaspoon with each ½ cup of hot water, then add food coloring to keep the colors bright and prevent uneven or streaky colors.



MEATS

Marinating meat in vinegar kills bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Use one-quarter cup vinegar, adding herbs to taste, for a two to three pound roast.

Tenderize very tough pieces of meat in a marinade overnight in the refrigerator.

Make your own vinegar based barbeque sauce that will add flavor and tenderize meat.

Improve the gamey flavor of wild meat by soaking the meat in a vinegar-water solution prior to cooking.

When boiling meat, add a tablespoon to the cooking water to improve flavor, texture and tenderize.

When boiling ham, add a tablespoon to the cooking water to cut the salty taste and improve flavor.

Rub vinegar on the cut end of uncooked ham to prevent mold.



FISH

Scale fish more easily by rubbing with vinegar before scaling.

Soak fish in vinegar and water before cooking to bring out the flavor and tenderize the flesh.

Give canned fish and shrimp a freshly caught taste by soaking in a mixture of sherry and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.



BAKING

Add 1 tablespoon for every 2 1/2 cups of flour to help bread rise (reduce water amount by the same amount of vinegar used).

Add luster to the crust of homemade bread by brushing the top of the bread with vinegar two minutes before it is finished baking.

For fluffy meringue, beat 3 egg whites with a teaspoon of vinegar.

For an exceptional flaky pie crust, add 1 tablespoon vinegar to your pastry recipe.

Reduce excess sweetness and enhance the flavor of pies and other desserts by adding a teaspoon of vinegar.



MISCELLANEOUS

When making pasta, add 1 tablespoon to the cooking water to avoid adding salt and to prevent sticking.

For a fluffier rice, add a teaspoon to the cooking water.

Keep cheese soft and mold-free by wrapping it in a cloth saturated with vinegar and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Olives and pimentos will keep indefinitely if covered with vinegar and refrigerated.

Substitute vinegar instead of lemon on fried and broiled foods.

Enhance the flavor of casseroles and pasta sauces by adding a little apple cider vinegar.

Make homemade sour cream by blending 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/4 cup skim milk and 1 teaspoon vinegar.

Make buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of milk and let it stand 5 minutes to thicken.

Make wine vinegar by mixing 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 teaspoon of dry red wine.



© Gina Alfani 2007; 2008

Hash Brown Casserole

One of my favorite places to eat breakfast is Cracker Barrel Restaurant . . . their hash brown casserole is one of the reasons (and the biscuits and gravy) . . . this recipe comes very close to that casserole!


1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. grated Colby cheese
1/2 cup melted butter
1 small minced onion
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 lb. bag frozen shredded hash browns


Spray a 13" X 9" X 2" baking pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine soup, cheese, butter, onion, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

Fold the frozen shredded hash browns into the mixture.

Pour into prepared pan.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes until top is browned.

Alfredo Fettucine

1/2 cup real butter
2 cups heavy whipping cream*
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper - to taste
1 dash cayenne pepper
2/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan OR Romano cheese
1 lb. box fettuccine noodles - prepared as directed
chopped fresh parsley - for garnish, optional


In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter; add cream, garlic powder, and salt and peppers; simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring constantly, until thick.

Remove sauce from heat and stir in cheese. Do not heat sauce after cheese has been added.

Serve sauce over hot fettuccine noodles and sprinkle with parsley, if desired.


*I use low fat half and half and don't notice the difference


VARIATIONS:

The above recipe is the base for my sauce . . . I personally add sauteed green onion, bell pepper, hot pepper and garlic . . . sometimes tomato, broccoli, green beans or mushrooms . . . whatever I have on hand.

Another variation is to add crab meat, peeled shrimp . . . or both

Use different types of pasta! Also tastes awesome with white rice for a nice change.

And if I am in a rush . . . pre-made alfredo sauce in the jar . . . I like the garlic-parmesean cheese flavored one the best. if there is a big sale, like a BOGO special, I stock up because it is actually very good, fast and cheap . . . just add your own touch to it.

This is comfort food at it's best in my opinion . . . Shrimp Pasta with lots of hot peppers (without the seeds) is my favorite . . . served with rigatoni pasta.

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

From Every Day with Rachael Ray February 2008 10 SERVINGS Prep Time: 30 min (plus cooling) Bake Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

One 10-ounce box shortbread cookies, such as Lorna Doone 1/4 cup blanched almonds, toasted 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature 3 tablespoons flour 2 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk 1 3/4 cups dulce de leche or other caramel sauce Boiling water, for baking

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with foil. Using a food processor, finely chop the cookies, nuts, brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the butter and pulse until just combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake until set, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Lower the oven temperature to 300°.

2. Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese until softened, 2 minutes. Beat in the flour and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt on low speed. Beat in the eggs and egg yolk, 1 at a time, on medium speed. Mix in 1 cup dulce de leche.

3. Pour the batter into the crust. Loosely cover the pan with foil, set in a roasting pan and pour in enough boiling water to reach a depth of 1 inch. Bake the cheesecake until set at the edges but slightly wobbly in the center, about 55 minutes.

4. Transfer the cake to a rack; let rest for 15 minutes. Spread the remaining 3/4 cup dulce de leche over the warm cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then remove the springform and slice the cheesecake.