Have you ever made an Immune Boost Vinaigrette? You may want to consider this next 'foodie project' this month, as, well, it's the perfect time.
This is THE time of year that I always think about adding more 'power' to my foods in anticipation of the cold and flu season, which is here!!
Heck, I'm thinking about this because, just yesterday, I was surrounded by people coughing and hacking. There was much "blowing of noses" and, after I washed my hands and held my breath a few times, my thoughts were already on my 'to do checklist' for this month!
If you are a part of my community here at Studio Botanica, you may know that I wrote an eBook a while back called "Cold + Flu Season ~ Are YOU Ready?" Take a peek here.
I've been sharing it on my site and happy to report lots of good feedback. Why not become more self-reliant in general, PLUS more empowered to look after ourselves and our families without needing to rely on OTC remedies? Take a look ~ if you don't have this already, you may enjoy it. LOTS of remedies and links to many more!
I've come to understand something important. We can take all the remedies we want, herbs every day, drink tea by the gallon.. If we are not supporting ourselves with so called "functional foods" which are foods with a purpose, foods which support and target specific tasks, we are not giving ourselves the best chance for optimum health. We can make an authentic notable difference in how we feel by paying attention to the choices we make.
I often write about herb-infused oils, vinegar, butters, honey and so on.. Vinegar can be such a wonderful 'carrier' of herbal medicinal goodness.. This immune boost vinaigrette is one such idea.
First we start with some good quality vinegar; apple cider vinegar in this case. We add garlic and can stop there or add more. We can add any number of "Carol's Pack of Healers" as they have come to be called here at SB. plus more for added aromatics if desired. This is a version, possibly of our beloved
Fire Cider (read more here and recipes here)
Immune Boost Vinaigrette
Your Template for Immune Boost Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ¾ quart/liter Apple Cider Vinegar
- 8-10 garlic cloves peeled
- ginger root 1-3 inches of organic if possible, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup raw honey
Optional
- 1 cayenne pepper seeded, chopped (leave seeds out if not wanting heat)
- ⅛ cup horseradish root grated (or a little less if using from the jar)
- 1 onion small, diced or run through a 'bullet' to liquify
- 2 teaspoons turmeric powder or 2 inch root, fresh, grated
- Peel from one organic orange only the peel, not the white pith
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Other possibilities
- Astragalus root Schizandra berries, Echinacea root, cranberries, blueberries, apples, mandarin orange, etc.
- This list is endless!
Instructions
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Put the vinegar into a large canning jar
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Chop the garlic and ginger and any other ingredients you have decided to include
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Add these ingredients into the jar.
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Add the lid. Choose either plastic
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or put waxed paper or cheese cloth over the opening and then add the metal lid.
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Shake a little to mix all the ingredients together.
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Sit on your counter or in a cupboard for 2-4 weeks.
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I tend to allow it to sit for about a month, but try it earlier if you need to use it.
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Strain the vinegar through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a large glass measuring cup or bowl
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Add the raw honey. Mix with a wooden spoon to incorporate.
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Pour into another canning jar or use a funnel and pour into smaller vinegar jars.
Recipe Notes
These make a super delicious gift and store well in a cool cupboard or basement.
To make this flavourful vinegar into a vinaigrette, measure 1 part vinegar to 3 parts olive oil,
or to your taste. Use in your next festive salad !!
Skip the oil and you've made an aromatic marinade for virtually any meat or poultry dish.
Add to soups, stews, sauces, with or without the addition of the honey.
This is VERY versatile. The possibilities are endless!
So.. classic 'formula' for a simple vinaigrette:
1 part vinegar to 3 parts olive oil.
Put them in a cup,
Whisk together
Add S + P
Toss into your salad.
If you should decide to delve (don't you love that word?) into herbal vinegars, I have some other ideas for you:
Vinegar infusions 101 --> here and great tastes --->here and bone building, supporting vinegar ---> here!!
Have fun with these. Hope you enjoy this recipe and enjoy the immune-boosting benefits!
green blessings, Carol
Here are a long and a newer short pin for you ~ Want to learn more about how herbs can help you and your family? Follow Studio Botanica's board here.
Carol L
Can you say "FIRE CIDER"?
Carol Little
HI Carol. You could make fire cider.. and use it..also.. This is not how I make fire cider.. You can check the search bar.. and see how I make it and what I do with it.. In any case.. it's all wonderful medicine-- DIY in our own kitchens!!
Hope
I love this idea Carol, so much goodness with so many options to add in, perfect for cold and flu season!
Carol Little
Thanks Hope. I hope you make your own version and LOVE it!!
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
Love this so much, it's all my go-to's to stay healthy in one delicious dressing!
Carol Little
Agreed! Here's to our health!!
Anne Lawton
I always make my own salad dressing. I love the idea of usingthe infused vinegar with so many healthy ingredients.
ChihYu Smith
I love new vinaigrette dressing and love it's immune boosting too. So fabulous!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
What a great idea to get some immune boosting into your dressing! I eat a salad every day for lunch and I am so going to try this on them!
Carol Little
Thanks Karen! I hope you enjoy some of these ideas on your salads!!
Raia Todd
Sounds like a delicious way to top any salad!
Joni Gomes
So informative! I've been into immune boosting lately because everyone around me is getting sick. I will definitely be making these!
Yang
Oh my! This is all the immune support ingredients in the same recipe. You can't go wrong with a vinaigrette like this one.
Megan Stevens
Garlic and honey are such yummy and fun ingredients, and then the immune boosting goal — such a cool approach to making a salad!!
Jean
I love how you make everyday condiments extra nutritious with all the healthy spices! So perfect as the weather changes.
Renee D Kohley
This looks tasty! I'll make it for my lunch tomorrow! Thank you!
Carol Little
Hope you enjoy it Renee!!
Tessa Simpson
not only immune boosting...the flavors!! Holy yum!!!
Agness of Run Agness Run
Great idea, Carol! I was looking for a natural immune booster like this one!
Kristen
This was such good information. During winter my family always seems to be getting sick and this seems like an easy way to combat some of that. Will definitely have to give it a try!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
Love this Carol! SO many wonderful ingredients ... love that garlic, ginger, horseradish and raw honey!
Anna@GreenTalk
Now I know what to do with my horseradish!
linda spiker
i love the cayenne in this dressing! Sounds like a yummy vinaigrette with a nice kick!
The Food Hunter
I will be trying this soon!
Carol Little
Hope you do try it Theresa. You are so creative. I know you will have fun with it!