Damson Vinegar - some recipe ideas

Naturally, Artisan Damson & Sloe Vinegar works perfectly for dressing a salad, either in a vinaigrette or accompanied solely by good olive oil. However, there are lots of other interesting uses for this versatile ingredient. Below are a few ideas: first, a recipe for a breakfast or dessert, and then a few quick tips for spicing up your kitchen with damson vinegar.

Grapefruit salad

Embracing the floral quality of the damson vinegar, this bright Middle Eastern-inspired salad combines many flavours and textures. It can be the perfect morning pick-me-up or a refreshing dessert. Feel free to replace the grapefruit with other citrus fruits, such as blood or navel oranges, mixing and matching with whatever you have on hand.

Ingredients for 2 servings

2 grapefruits, peeled and sliced (or segmented if you’re feeling fancy)

½ cup caster sugar

½ cup damson vinegar

1 dash orange blossom water (optional)

Garnish ideas:

½ cup shredded coconut, lightly toasted in the oven

½ cup pomegranate seeds

A small handful of mint leaves, roughly chopped

A few pieces of candied stem ginger, finely chopped

Combine the sugar, vinegar, and orange blossom water in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and syrup comes to a simmer. Remove from the heat.

Arrange the grapefruit in one serving dish or individual plates, pouring over the slightly cooled syrup to coat. Decorate with coconut, pomegranate, mint, and/or ginger.

You will have syrup left over, which you can mix with still or sparkling water for a refreshing drink. Or use as a 'shrub' mixer with rum or brandy. Or try drizzling it on some granola-topped yogurt!

Quick Tips

• Marinate a sliced red onion or two in damson vinegar for a few hours (throwing in a few peppercorns or juniper berries if you like) and then add to a salad for a zingy garnish.
• Sushi rice is traditionally dressed with warmed sushi vinegar, a combination of Japanese rice wine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Try using damson vinegar instead for an unusual fruity variation that complements the gari (pickled sushi ginger).
• Drizzle homemade or store-bought sauerkraut (cooked or raw) with a bit of damson vinegar just before serving to balance the funkiness.
• Deglaze the pan in which you have been cooking meat or fish with damson vinegar as the base for a pan sauce. Alternatively, use a dash of the vinegar to lift the flavour of a roux-based meat gravy.

Happy experimenting!

Beatrix Swanson

Artisan Damson & Sloe Vinegar - available now from our webstore