Vinegar

by the Big Sister

How very stinky yet so very useful!!  Pungent, strong and natural.  I'd like to share a few reasons I like the acidic liquid.

Reason #1 - Salt & Vinegar Chips.  Although they resemble the scent of sweaty feet, this tangy snack is a winner in my book!!

 Reason #2 - cleans the paint off your paint brushes and it keeps your bristles soft!

Reason #3 - I don't have a picture of how terribly corroded my shower head was or how clean and shiny it is now.  I soaked the shower head in a bowl of vinegar for several hours and ta-DA! 

Reason #4 - We've recently started using vinegar in place of bleach.  We've needed something strong enough to combat our work out gear yet gentle enough not to break down the material as often as we need them washed.  See what has caused our increased sweatiness here.  (1 cup of vinegar seems to works well on a large load).   It also works great as a natural fabric softener!

Reason #5 - One of my favorite summer recipes!!  Cucumber Salad.  This is a fresh, simple, and low calorie side dish that my Grandmother has made for years.  I've modified the recipe slightly but it's just as good.

What you'll need:

• 2-3 medium cucumbers
• 1 large onion
• 1 cup vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup (or less) sugar
• A ton of dill weed

Directions:

• Thinly slice cucumbers.  
• Slice onions into thumb length strips. 
• Bring vinegar, water and sugar to quick boil (to dissolve sugar)
• Cool liquid and add to cucumber and onion mixture
• Cover with dill - I go crazy with dill to the point of not being able to see the cucumbers and onions 
• Best if chilled for several hours (or over night) before serving.

*** Taste liquid mixture before adding to veggies.  You may want less vinegar, more sugar, etc.  My Grandma's recipe calls for equal parts  sugar, water and vinegar.  I found that it was far too sweet for my liking so I altered it a bit.

What are your favorite uses for vinegar?  I'd love to hear!