Chile Vinegar

Photo: flickr user clayirving

Ingredients

4 pequin chiles

2 cloves garlic

2 bay leaves, broken in half

3 cups white distilled vinegar

Preparation

Place the chile, garlic, and bay leaves in a clean 750-ml. wine bottle that uses a cork. Fill with vinegar, cork, and let stand at room temperature for at least a week before using. When the vinegar reaches the heat level you want, remove and discard the chile.

Yield: Approx. 3 cups

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Use in place of your regular vinegar in salad dressing or to marinate pork, or use when pickling cucumbers.