TV Chefs and vinegars

taxsaver

I watch a lot of food programmes and draw a lot of inspiration from them.

However, all the chefs seem to use a lot of culinary vinegars..... cider vinegar, red or white wine vinegars etc and in copious amounts; half a bottle here, half a bottle there! Now this all mounts up and I find these are not terribly cheap in the supermarkets.

So my question is what does everyone else do, are there alternatives that are just as good or some great sources where these vinegars can be bought cheaply?

Softstuff

You can make your own. I'm looking into that right now, there's a fair few resources online, but I haven't sorted through all of my information, or tried it yet.

rachbc

I have loads of vinegars - they last for ages and I never use half a bottle at a time - essentials for me are cider, red wine, balsamic and rice but I also have fig, chinese black and sherry vinegars

taxsaver

Thanks both of you.

SOFTSTUFF... I'd be interested in any links that you could share from your research so far.

meritaten

I do keep in a bottle of cider vinegar as well as the usual malt brown and balsamic and find I can cope fine with just these. I just substitute, say a splash of sherry or red wine then add a tablespoon or so of the cider or malt vinegar.

Seakay

I keep an eye out on sites such as Approved Foods for cheap items that I can get in bulk.
I have also made wine vinegar at home after a rather disasterous result with a batch of home made elderflower wine (it wasn't off, just rather unpleasant tasting.)
This is the recipe that I used:
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7433139_steps-making-vinegar.html
except that I used 1 pint of white vinegar to 1 pint of water and 2 pints of white wine wine.
I left the brew in a 1 gallon demi john plugged with cotton wool to let in air but keep out flies and dust.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I would stick to chefs recommendations and get em on offer and save off recipes till you have full list of ingredients.
*shamelessly cheffy* but hating TV Chefs.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

At the risk of being misunderstood a little proper cooking with proper ingredients gotten as cheaply as possible will pay off in terms of taste and qaulity and in the end make it cheaper in the long run.

Softstuff

taxsaver wrote: »

Thanks both of you.

SOFTSTUFF... I'd be interested in any links that you could share from your research so far.

Sorry it took me so long to get back, but it was nighttime here!

Check out the Down to earth forums:
http://www.downtoearthforums.com
You'll have to register, but it's free and no spam, then you can search vinegar on there. There's a few people have done it successfully.

I'm also specifically looking at rice vinegar, since we like sushi here, and that would be here:
http://www.howtodothings.com/food-drink/how-to-make-rice-vinegar

It all looks very very simple, just a few ingredients and a bit of patience. I get the feeling it's just a forgotten skill.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I would plan recipes around 1 or 2 types of vinegar that are well brought then you have good taste and can nab a bargain vinegar ailse.