Showing posts with label strawberry shrub. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strawberry shrub. Show all posts

10.14.2020

Strawberry Basil Shrub


Strawberry Basil Shrub just one more from the collection I have in my book Shrub by Michael Dietsch. You can also grab a lot of recipes on the WWW I feel so repetitive posting these recipes but they all have different flavors.  We are blessed here in Ventura County to be one of the areas that has strawberries year around. Although they are not as sweet as the Summer crop they are just a good. 

Also, today I made three Shrubs I figured that as long as I was at it and had the fruit it. I made Strawberry Balsamic with Mint , Blueberry Lavender and this one. They all turned out delicious. 


Let us get started. 


Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1/2  cup of red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup of turbinado sugar or honey
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves roughly chopped



In a large bowl place your chopped strawberries and chopped
 basil leaves cover them with the turbinado sugar/honey.  You want to get as much flavor out of those strawberries. You want the sugar to dissipate


Stir and smooch let it sit for about a half hour. I use a potato smoocher to do this part. Once everything is mixed well let this mixture sit for a day in the refrigerator so that all that flavor mixes.



The next day add your vinegar and let this sit for one more day in the refrigerator.  


Now it is time to strain your syrup. Take a strainer any one will do. I use a jelly strainer most times. I do this because in the end I can squeeze so much flavor from the strawberry mixture. Also I am an active preserver of food and I use this strainer for many other projects. good tool to have on hand.


This shrub turned a pretty dark color with the balsamic vinegar added. Today we used a standard strainer to strain my jelly strainer was in use elsewhere. Once your mixture is strained put it into a glass container and refrigerate. It will last up to 2 weeks refrigerated. 



10.03.2020

Strawberry Balsamic Shrub with Mint

Shrubs these syrups are becoming very familiar to this blog. I can not seem to stop making them. They are such a delight when mixed in with my sparkling water. I know that these shrub posts seem very similar and they are. It is really the same task using different ingredients. Some cooked some raw.

I am going to be trying a Cantaloupe Mint Shrub next. 



Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 (8 oz) strawberries cleaned, hulled and chopped.
  • 1/2 cup Turbinado Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar
  • 3 sprigs of mint finely chopped

Put your strawberries small pot. Add the balsamic vinegar, turbinao sugar turn the heat on low and stir. Turbinado Sugar takes a bit longer to dissipate then regular table sugar so take your time. Add you chopped mint this will let the flavor rest and join the party for the soft boil.


Every Shrub recipe is different and I have found this one which they cook the shrub thus eliminating the shrub resting in the refrigerator for 2 days. I like to try all different recipes and ways of cooking. It will save you time. I think my regular way of doing it is best slow and smooth. But in a pinch and needing it the same day this one will work.

Stir it and leave it for a few minutes then come back. Once the ingredients are combined use a potato masher or some other tool to smush the strawberries you are actually squeezing more juice from the strawberries and the mint. Stirring occasionally.

Now let the mixture simmer for at least an hour. Remember low, slow and stir.

Next we need to stain the solids so we get all that delicious syrup.

Using a strainer any kind. Today I used a regular one everyone should have in their pantry.


Any one will due as long as the solids do not get through. The next step is to add the balsamic vinegar to the syrup. By now all that sugar should have dissolved but stir it and make sure. 

Now you need to to pour your shrub in a glass container and keep it refrigerated for up to two weeks but it will be gone sooner. Shrubs are not just for sparking water. I'm compiling a page that links to all the wonderful thing you can do with your shrubs. Coming this next week promise.