"Looking for that custom marinade or salad dressing? Now you can make your own using your unique combinations of different herbs and vinegars."

We savor the fresh flavor of herbs all year long, especially during the months our gardens are resting. We can use these herbs to prepare delectable herbal vinegars. Not only does the vinegar add a unique flavor when used as a marinade for meats, fish and poultry, but it also makes a delicious, no fat and no sodium dressing for salads. The preparation is easy and inexpensive. You will discover interesting combinations guaranteeing you will not soon tire of the tastes.

Before you begin the preparation, search flea markets and tag sales for attractive jars and bottles. Herbal vinegars make great hostess gifts. Remember, presentation is as important as the contents, just be sure to clean and sterilize jars and bottles prior to use!

In preparing herbal vinegars, the stem, flower, and seeds of the herbs can be used. To begin, you will need a quart of a base vinegar, such as red wine, white wine, cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Next, you will use the herbs of your choosing. Be open to a combination of several herbs in one base. You will need a clean sterile bottle or corked jar, some filter papers (coffee filters work great) and a mortar and pestle. Next, wash the herbs gently and pat dry. Use mortar and pestle to bruise the herbs. You may use a blender on a very low speed.

Place the herbs into the glass jar or bottle and pour the base vinegar over them. Cover the jar and leave at room temperature for approximately 10 days. Shake the container each day to insure proper blending.

After the 10 days, strain out onto filter papers into a new jar. You will want to strain twice. Taste to be sure the flavor is strong enough. If it isn't, repeat the process using new herbs.

When the flavor is to your liking, decant into attractive jars or bottles and add a few fresh stems or flowers from the herbs you have chosen to use. Seal the container (I love to use corked bottles, sealing with paraffin) and be sure to add a label. Herbal vinegars really do make great gifts so add a piece of raffia and include some recipes.

Following are some recipes that have worked great for me, but don't let this list limit you. The real fun is in experimenting!

*Avoid lavender consumption if pregant as it is a uternine stimulant.

Herbal oils can also be made using the above process substituting oil for vinegar. The shelf life will be shorter using oil.

Maya-Rose Nash - Psychic Maya Nash is known locally, In the Hudson Valley New York ,as ‘WRCR 1300AM’ resident psychic. A frequent guest on the Steve and Sophia Show, Maya has done radio around the tri-state area where she does live psychic readings on air for the listeners. Maya has also been a guest on local cable TV. Maya is the author of a book ’The Magic Within’, a handbook to awaken the spirit by drawing upon the elements of nature. Her second book ‘A Modern Day Book of Simples’ was released in Spring 2004. If you love the romance and magic of a Victorian garden, then you will love this book/journal filled with herbal lore and legend, gardening tips, recipes and crafts and a section of floromancy-the language of flowers and herbs.   Website: Maya Rose To review the Reprint Rights for this article, please go to the authors page by clicking the button below.