Just the other day I was at the gym talking to someone when all of a sudden, she coughed into my face, like full fledge hacking. This and then she continued to tell me that she has been sick for like weeks and blah blah blah. After that all I was thinking was, Oh Fuck, she just gave me her ick….GET AWAY FAST!!!!
So it’s that time of year. Everyone all sick and shit. And that means getting my stash of stuff made, my feel better, don’t get sick stuff. The tonics and elixirs and hocus pocus things that I use all year long, but mostly during the winter months when everyone starts getting sick.
One of the things I make is fire cider. First off, let me tell you I am no doctor, just in case you thought I might be. But I l am a strong believer in food as medicine. So the fire cider is a heath tonic of sorts, made with all sorts of yummy and highly potent things like fresh grated horseradish, hot peppers, garlic, and so forth. All things that are good for your health in many ways, but also taste really good. And let me tell you, if you are into the healing powers or not, a swing of this infused cider tonic will surely open up your sinus cavity like whoa.
And now before you get super excited about going and making yourself this fantastic health tonic/salad dressing/drink mixer, and thinking it will be ready and done as soon as you do a little grating, well hold up. You can throw it together super fast, but it does take a good 4-6 weeks of chilling and infusing before you really want to get into it. But don’t let that stop you, it is 100% worth all the waiting. And wouldn’t you know, the holidays are about 4-6 weeks away and I was just thinking after I made a batch for myself how I should make another big batch and give away in little jars for Christmas this year. Now there is a good idea. (Might not be a doctor, but I sure am a smarty pants…HAHAHA)
Now to the Fire cider!
Garlic, onion and hot peppers, chopped into bits. Place it all into a clean 32oz jar.
Grated horseradish, turmeric, and ginger. Into jar it goes. And watch out, freshly grated horseradish can be a little intense.
Sliced lemon. Into said jar along with thyme, oregano, and peppercorns.
Packed and filled with raw apple cider vinegar.
Now a lid and some time in a cool dark place and you got yourself some liquid gold.
Remember, I am not a doctor so yeah, but this cider helps me feel better when I need it to and I think you will find it will help you too. And it tastes freaking awesome on food so theres that!
-C
Fire Cider
makes 16-20 oz
1/3 cup fresh grated horseradish
1/4 cup fresh grated ginger root
1/4 cup fresh grated tumeric
1 chopped onion
3-5 heads of garlic chopped
2—4 hot peppers (depending on the type you use and the heat level you want) chopped
1 lemon sliced
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon thyme
Raw apple Cider Vinegar
Honey or maple syrup (optional)
Note. Feel free to change the amounts of all of the ingredients. Want to use less horseradish, then do so. No hot peppers, then don’t add them. Leave out the oregano and thyme and add dill or rosemary. You can be creative with your own flavors.
Now to make fire cider.
Place all ingredients besides vinegar into a 32 oz jar. Pack down with a wooden spoon then fill jar with apple cider vinegar.(Make sure all the stuff is submerged in the vinegar.) Place a lid on jar. If using a metal lid, line top with wax paper first or just use a plastic lid if you have one. Place jar in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks, giving it a shake every day.
After at least 4 weeks, remove lid of the jar, strain the liquid from the solids through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, squeezing out as much as the liquid as you can. You can discard the solids or make something tasty with them (sautéed with potatoes?). Then taste the liquid. Add sweetener if you want, maybe a few tablespoons to start and go from there.
And thats it. Store the cider a lidded jar in a cool dark place. Or in the fridge if you want it cold.
To use, just take a swig when feeling crappy, stuffy, cold, or just want a tasty little pick me up. Or use as condiment on food, like in a salad or wherever.
Enjoy!