Sherry vinegar is one of the varieties of grape vinegar. This product is extremely popular in the Mediterranean countries where it is part of the national dishes of many peoples living in this region. For example, the famous Spanish gazpacho is made exclusively on sherry vinegar. It is used for the preparation of marinade, as well as dressings for meat, salads and desserts.
History and cooking
The homeland of this product is considered the Spanish province of Andalusia. It was in it that vinegar from the white grape varieties “Muscatel” and “Palomino” was first produced.
For the first time it began to be made only at the beginning of the 15th century and up to 19 it was prepared from unusable wine. In 2000, sherry vinegar was included in the list of products of territorial origin.
Make it as follows. Juice is obtained from grapes, to which a fungus is added. The fermentation process takes place in special oak barrels. The volume of barrels, as a rule, reaches 500 liters. They are stacked in a special way on top of each other. Due to the special layout, the young sherry mixes with the older one and, thus, acquires the desired taste and aroma characteristic of this vinegar. Elite varieties can withstand at least ten years. Next, the liquid is bottled and sent for sale.
Chemical composition
Calorie vinegar is only 19 kilocalories per 100 g of product. It contains many useful components. It contains virtually no fat, and its protein content is extremely small. One serving of this product contains about 0.3 g of carbohydrates. Of the vitamins in vinegar, only Vitamin C was found, and even then in a small amount. But minerals are represented quite widely:
- In the first place is potassium, which is responsible for the health of the heart muscle.
- Sodium and calcium are involved in bone mass production and inhibit the development of osteoporosis.
- Thanks to phosphorus, the immune system is strengthened and metabolism is normalized.
- This product contains a small amount of magnesium, without which it is difficult to imagine a healthy nervous system.
- There is a small amount of iron in vinegar, which has a beneficial effect on the hematopoiesis system.
- Zinc, manganese and copper are represented in small quantities.
This gourmet product is different. Species vary depending on the grape variety from which it was prepared and the aging time.
How to use
As a rule, it is added to ready-made dishes. Experienced cooks are not advised to subject this product to heat treatment, since its taste properties are noticeably reduced and aroma is lost. It looks great in first courses, consisting of marinades and sauces. It is added to fresh salads of vegetables and fruits.
The use of sherry vinegar is quite widespread. With its help, meat is pickled in the Mediterranean countries. It is advisable to cook a piece in a special composition for about three to four hours before cooking. And also a ready-made meat dish can be moistened with several tablespoons of a delicious product.
Bell pepper with garlic
Vegetables are pre-baked in the oven. Ready peppers are cut into slices, core, salted and sprinkled with allspice. Next, vegetable oil is mixed with vinegar and water the finished dish. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley and basil on top. Crushed garlic must be added to this dish. It is he who, along with vinegar, gives that unique taste and aroma to baked peppers.
Sherry Vinegar Meat
To prepare it, you will need a small piece of pork belly, prunes, raw potatoes and carrots. As a seasoning, you should take vegetable oil, ground pepper and vinegar. The meat is pre-rubbed with salt and ground pepper, dried a little and fried in vegetable oil. The slightly cooled dish is moistened with vinegar, covered with foil and sent to the oven. Potatoes, carrots and prunes are baked separately. The finished meat is deployed and combined with vegetables and prunes. Before serving, pork is cut into small slices, salted again and sprinkled with pepper.
How to replace
Sherry vinegar can be replaced with other types of similar product. His closest relative is balsamic. And also this product can be replaced with ordinary wine. True, its color will differ markedly from the saturated dark sherry. Balsamic vinegar is a product of Italian national cuisine and is produced in the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia. It also contains varieties of white grapes. It is quite thick and has a spicy fruity aroma.
Vinegar Analogs
Not only balsamic, but also other types of wine vinegar may well replace sherry. As a rule, it is red and white wine, as well as balsamic white and red vinegar. If desired, an analog of sherry vinegar can be prepared by yourself. To do this, you need dry red wine, a whole piece of cinnamon and oak bark. And also you should buy in the store the most inexpensive wine vinegar of domestic production. Next, put all the components in a glass container and insist them for 4-5 weeks. The taste of homemade vinegar is quite pleasant and for some time may well replace the famous sherry.
Another recipe for sherry vinegar involves the use of honey and whole grape fruit. They should be overripe or slightly damaged. Grapes cannot be washed, as wild fungi are present on their surface, due to which the fermentation process will occur. Honey (can be replaced with sugar) and grape fruits are placed in slightly warmed, previously defended water. The resulting composition must roam for at least seventy days. It is advisable to mix it daily with a wooden stick or spoon. Thus, it is possible not only to enhance the fermentation process, but also to prevent the formation of mold.
In a word, if there are no options how to replace sherry vinegar, then it is quite possible to cook it yourself at home. Taste and aroma, of course, will be slightly different from natural, but preservatives and flavor enhancers can be avoided.