TIP OF THE DAY: Uses For Rice Vinegar | The Nibble Webzine Of Food Adventures - The Nibble Webzine Of Food AdventuresTIP OF THE DAY: Uses For Rice Vinegar | The Nibble Webzine Of Food Adventures
Rice vinegar: It’s not just for Asian dishes. Photo courtesy Marukan.
Sometimes you buy an ingredient for a particular recipe and then it sits on the shelf, forlorn, waiting for you to make that one dish again.
Such was the case with the rice vinegar we purchased. It took us a while to integrate it into our daily cooking, but the results have been splendid. It’s less acidic than other vinegars.
Its well-balanced acidity makes it compatible not only with Asian dishes, but also with classic American, European and Hispanic foods.
Rice vinegar is milder than other vinegars, with a hint of sweetness that comes from the rice. It can thus dress even fruit dishes without overpowering the taste buds.
The higher vinegar content of white rice vinegar makes it the best choice for sweet and/or tangy dishes.
WAYS TO USE RICE VINEGAR
With zero fat and no calories, rice vinegar is a healthy way to add flavor to your dishes.
Substitute rice vinegar for other vinegar in salad dressings and for pickling vegetables. For a simple yet zingy salad dressing, combine two tablespoons of rice vinegar and one tablespoon of salad oil.
Add a spoonful to liven up soups, stews, and stir-fries.
Sprinkle rice vinegar over cooked vegetables.
Zest up marinades, barbecue and dipping sauces.
Add a touch to stir frys, in addition to any other sauce.
Sautés: Cook beef, chicken, beef and vegetables in equal amounts of soy sauce and rice vinegar.
Fruit Salad: Use rice vinegar to make fruit salad dressing—it’s not only lighter, but lacks the saltiness of other vinegars.
Use it in place of lemon juice.
Perk up or heighten flavors in anything that needs a lift.
Do you have a favorite use for rice vinegar? Let us know!
Use rice vinegar in your marinades. Here’s the recipe. Photo courtesy Kikkoman.
