Crafting Herbal Oils, Vinegars, Cheeses, and Breads

Summary

Homemade herbal oils, vinegars, cheeses, and breads are not only delicious but also make for beautiful and thoughtful gifts. This guide provides detailed recipes and tips for creating a variety of herbal-infused products, from mint and cranberry vinegar to cheese and herb scones. Learn how to craft these delightful items and present them attractively to impress your friends and family.

Herbal Oils and Vinegars

Mint and Cranberry Vinegar

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2.5 pints red wine vinegar
• 12-14 fresh mint leaves

Instructions

1. Reserve about a dozen of the best cranberries and set them aside.
2. Chop the remaining cranberries and place them in a bowl.
3. Boil the vinegar and pour it over the cranberries. Cover and let it infuse for 24 hours.
4. Strain the mixture through a sieve lined with muslin, pressing out all the juice.
5. Bring the juice to a boil, then let it cool slightly.
6. Pour the vinegar into warm, clean bottles.
7. Thread the reserved cranberries and mint leaves onto small bamboo skewers and place one in each bottle.
8. Seal with a lid or cork. The vinegar will keep for about four months.

Parsley and Lemon Oil

Ingredients

• 1 pint virgin olive oil
• 1 small lemon, scrubbed
• 3 large sprigs parsley

Instructions

1. Cut the lemon into quarters and slide the pieces onto a bamboo skewer.
2. Place the skewer in a jar, add the parsley, and cover with oil.
3. Leave to infuse for 1-2 weeks in a warm place, shaking the jar daily.

Herb Garden Vinegar

Ingredients

• 2 pints white wine vinegar
• 6 sprigs each of thyme, rosemary, mint, and summer savory
• 4 large sprigs parsley
• A handful of tarragon
• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 6 sticks celery, chopped
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 12 crushed green or black peppercorns

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a large jar or bowl.
2. Cover and leave for 2-3 weeks in a warm place, stirring or shaking occasionally.
3. Strain the vinegar and bottle it.

Rose Petal Vinegar

Instructions

1. Fill a jar with petals from a dark red or pink scented rose bush.
2. Press down well and cover with white wine vinegar.
3. Leave in a moderately warm place for a month, then strain and bottle.

Raspberry Vinegar

Ingredients

• 3 lbs raspberries
• 3 pints white wine vinegar
• Sugar

Instructions

1. Combine raspberries and vinegar in a large jar or bowl.
2. Leave to infuse for 10 days, stirring daily.
3. Strain the vinegar and add 2 oz of sugar per pint of vinegar.
4. Boil the mixture, then cool and bottle.

Olive Oil with Oregano

Ingredients

• 1 pint olive oil
• 5 sprigs fresh oregano
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 8 whole green peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Pour the oil into a jar with a tightly fitting cork lid or leave it in its bottle.
2. Add the herbs and let the flavor develop over several days.
3. Optionally, strain the oil and pour it back into the container with a fresh piece of oregano.

Drinks and Syrups

Elderflower Champagne

Ingredients

• 8 pints water
• 1 large lemon, scrubbed
• 5 elderflower heads
• 1.5 lbs granulated sugar
• 2 tsp white vinegar

Instructions

1. Dissolve the sugar in a little hot water, then cool.
2. Squeeze the lemon and place the juice and skins with the elderflowers in a clean bucket.
3. Add the vinegar and the rest of the cold water.
4. Leave for 4-5 days, then strain and pour into sterilized bottles.
5. Use screw-topped bottles to prevent corks from popping during fermentation.
6. The champagne will be ready to drink after a week.

Rosehip Syrup

Ingredients

• 2 lbs rosehips, finely chopped
• 5 pints water
• 1 lb granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Boil 3.5 pints of water and add the rosehips.
2. Remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Strain through a jelly bag or muslin and let drain for several hours.
4. Return the pulp to the saucepan with the remaining water and boil.
5. Strain again and pour the liquid into a saucepan.
6. Simmer until reduced to 1.5-2 pints, then add sugar.
7. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then boil for five minutes.
8. Cool slightly and pour into clean, warm bottles.

Herbal Cheeses

Soft Cheese with Herbs

Ingredients

• 4 oz soft full-fat or half-fat cheese
• 2 oz butter
• 1.5 tbsp finely chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp mixed fresh herbs (marjoram, thyme, dill)
• 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a food processor.
2. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate.
3. Serve in a small pot or mold into a shape and wrap in a large leaf.

Curd Cheese with Mint and Orange

Ingredients

• 8 oz curd cheese
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tsp finely chopped fresh mint
• Curls of orange peel
• Small mint leaves

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
2. Transfer to small ramekin dishes.
3. Decorate with a curl of orange peel and a small mint leaf.

Cream Cheese with Basil and Garlic

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 tbsp finely chopped sweet basil
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients well.
2. Pack into small containers.
3. Excellent for stuffing small tomatoes and serving with warm French bread.

Herby Cheese Marbles

Ingredients

• 8 oz full-fat cream cheese
• Various herbs and spices (chives, dill, parsley, mint, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, caraway seeds, oregano)

Instructions

1. Finely chop the herbs and place them on separate plates.
2. Roll small amounts of cream cheese into balls.
3. Roll the cheese balls in the herbs or spices for an even coating.
4. Arrange on a flat dish or wooden platter and decorate with fresh herbs.

Herbal Breads

Mixed Fresh Herb Bread

Ingredients

• 1 French loaf
• 0.5 tsp salt and pepper
• 3 oz butter
• 2 tbsp fresh mixed herbs, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Mix herbs, salt, and pepper with butter until smooth.
2. Make diagonal cuts along the loaf, cutting deep but not through.
3. Spread herb butter on each slice.
4. Wrap in foil and refrigerate until needed.
5. Heat in a 400°F oven for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Strawberry and Mint Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 8 oz wholemeal flour
• 8 oz plain flour
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 oz butter
• 6 oz carton strawberry yogurt
• 0.25 pint milk
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint

Instructions

1. Sift flours, salt, and soda into a bowl.
2. Rub in butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Add yogurt, mint, and enough milk to make a stiff dough.
4. Shape into a ball, place on a greased baking sheet, flatten slightly, and score with a knife.
5. Sprinkle with flour and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.
6. Cool on a cake rack.

Cheese and Herb Scones

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz butter
• 8 oz plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 oz hard cheese, grated
• 0.25 pint milk
• 1 tbsp fresh herbs, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Sift baking powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and flour into a bowl.
2. Mix in butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Add cheese, milk, and herbs, and stir to form a soft dough.
4. Divide into eight pieces, shape into circles, and place on a greased baking sheet.
5. Bake at 450°F for 10-15 minutes until risen and golden.
6. Serve immediately or cool on a wire rack.

Packaging and Presenting Your Creations

Packaging the Gifts

• Elderflower Champagne: Package with a set of pretty glasses or a good book.
• Rosehip Syrup: Include in a rose-themed basket with rose petal jelly, rose vinegar, damson and rose jam, and a couple of pink roses.

Presenting Your Cheeses

• Use small white or terracotta pots.
• Wrap pots in gingham or spotted cotton.
• Present with a bundle of fresh herbs and a loaf of garlic or herb bread.

Conclusion

Creating your own herbal oils, vinegars, cheeses, and breads is a rewarding and enjoyable process. These homemade products not only enhance your culinary creations but also make for thoughtful and beautiful gifts. With the detailed recipes and tips provided, you can craft a variety of herbal-infused items that will impress your friends and family.

For more information on the benefits of herbs and their uses, check out WebMD's guide on herbs and Healthline's article on the health benefits of herbs.