About The River

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

May is National Vinegar Month

May is National Vinegar Month

Here are a few uses for vinegar.

Kill weeds and grass in crevices and cracks by pouring full strength vinegar on them.

As any one tried this? I am looking for a safe weed killer?

Give acid-loving plants (azaleas, hydrangeas, gardenias) some help by watering them every now and then with a mixture of one cup vinegar to a gallon of tap water.

Increase soil acidity by adding white vinegar to your watering can.

Get rid of rust on spigots, tools, screws or bolts by soaking them overnight or for a few days in undiluted white vinegar.

Neutralize garden lime by adding white distilled vinegar to the area.

Sanitize outdoor furniture and picnic tables with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.

Remove berry stains from your hands by rubbing them with vinegar.

Use white distilled vinegar instead of soap or detergent to clean a hummingbird feeder.

And now for the best part...

Dark Chocolate Cake


4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1/2 + 1 Tablespoon of cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 Tablespoon of baking soda
1 Tablespoon of vanilla
3 teaspoon almond extract
3 Tablespoon of vinegar
 
1 cup + 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
3 Cups of cold water
 
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, beat together the vanilla, almond extract, vinegar, vegetable oil and water. Add the wet ingredients, beating until well combined.
 
Grease and flour three 9 inch round cake pans.
Divide the batter among the pans. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cakes test done. Cool completely before frosting.
 
To fill and frost:
Fill between layers with chocolate pudding or mouse, or raspberry jam or raspberry mouse.
 
Frost with chocolate icing made by melting 2 cups chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons butter, or melting 2 cups chocolate chips with 1 1/4 cups heavy cream.
 
*** Note, you do not need to make a layered cake. I made cupcakes for my AWANA group. Yummy, they were a hit.
Enjoy! ***
 

Who knew how awesome Vinegar was?

  
 

3 comments:

  1. Vinegar in cake?? Never heard of it! And I would sure use your tip on making my soil more acidic for my blueberry plants...if the bunnies hadn't broken into the fenced-in garden this winter and destroyed my blueberry bushes. :-((( What great tips, though, Carla! And when I'm standing facing that barn, did you mean I should turn around? Are you west of SS?

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  2. I use vinegar to clean mirrors and sanitize in the bathroom all the time. The birds could get sick with some of the other cleaners out on the market.

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  3. I was just looking up natural weed killer recipes this morning. I'm off to buy a squirt bottle and some vinegar.

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High Fives from Wisconsin!