My Grandmother's Recipe: Grandma Aida's Fire Cider

Fire cider is a traditional folk remedy that combines apple cider vinegar with a variety of ingredients known for their health benefits. Many of the ingredients used in fire cider are seasonal and readily available at this time of year. For example, fresh ginger, garlic, and onions are common in fall harvests. It also typically includes horseradish, hot peppers, and various herbs and spices. These ingredients are steeped in the vinegar for several weeks, allowing the flavours and beneficial properties to meld together. Starting to use fire cider as temperatures drop, can help fortify the body for the colder months ahead.

Ingredients:

• 1 quart apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup fresh grated ginger
• 1/2 cup fresh grated horseradish
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 10 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1-2 hot peppers, chopped (adjust to taste). (Grandma Aida liked to use three! - not recommended, if it's your first fire cider attempt.)
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder (optional)
• Honey to taste (optional)

Putting it together:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large jar, pouring the apple cider vinegar over them.
2. Seal the jar tightly and shake well.
3. Let the mixture steep in a cool, dark place for about 4-6 weeks. Shake it occasionally.
4. After steeping, strain the solids out and transfer the liquid to a clean bottle. Add honey to taste if desired.

Stay warm and enjoy it! You can take a tablespoon a day as a tonic or mix some with water for a drink. It's also good added to salad dressings or marinades.