Do-it-yourself gourmet vinegars: low calorie “sauces”

On-the-cheap Blendtec  application, this time with vinegars. I’ve been eyeing those fancy fruit flavored gourmet vinegars, but I’ve taken it as a challenge to create my own. After spending some time googling some recipes, I’ve decided to short circuit the process using my blender.

This time I bought a couple of bottles of apple cider vinegar and made 3 preparations. The first batch I used using dried figs (100 grams of figs) and poured some vinegar into the Blendtec container and blended at the highest speed setting. I used the same amount of raisins on the second bottle. With the remaining liquid I made a separate batch of garlic-flavored vinegar. Excellent for salad dressings or as a “steak sauce.” Yesterday, I used the fig vinegar (which was quite thick and syrupy, BTW) as a delicious sauce for a raw portabello “steak.”

If it’s too flavorful or strong for your taste, you can dilute it (prior to pouring it over a salad) in a small sauce container or cup with a little bit of orange or apple juice.