There are, by my count, at least seven levels of fried chicken. The worst of them is good; the best, which I waited forty-four years to find, led to what can only be called an out-of-body experience. Let’s start at …
How to Prepare Red Food Coloring
Red food coloring plays an important role in certain recipes, from making pink icing for Valentine's Day cookies to baking a rich, red velvet cake. Store-bought food coloring often contains unwanted chemicals and artificial ingredients that are undesirable for those preferring a diet of only natural foods. Prepare your own all-natural, red food coloring with a recipe you can follow at home, Add this to my Recipe Box.
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Things You'll Need
- 3 beets
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Metal cooking pot
- Water
- Fork
- Cheesecloth
- Glass jar with lid
- 2 tbsp. white vinegar
Instructions
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1
Scrub three fresh beets in the sink to remove any dirt. Peel the beets with a vegetable peeler.
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2
Cut each beet into six to eight pieces with a sharp knife.
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3
Place the cut beet pieces into an empty metal pot, and add just enough water so that the beets are covered.
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4
Simmer the beets for approximately 45 minutes. Check the beets for doneness by periodically poking with a fork. Once you can easily pierce the flesh, the beets are done.
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5
Remove the beets from the liquid and set aside. You can either throw them away at this point or use them in a meal.
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6
Place a cheesecloth over the top of an open, clean, empty glass jar. Strain the beet water through the cheesecloth into the jar to remove any beet pieces from the water.
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7
Remove the cheesecloth, and add 2 tbsp. of white vinegar to the red liquid. Place a secure lid on top and shake for 15 seconds to mix.
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8
Label the jar and use as you would store-bought food coloring.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves while washing and cutting the beets to avoid staining your hands.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
