My mother instilled in me the belief that vinegar is nature’s remedy for nearly everything. I continue to be amazed at how effective her techniques remain, particularly in a world that increasingly values eco-friendly solutions. She was a true pioneer.
When I had a sore throat, my mother would turn to apple cider vinegar. She instructed me to gargle with two tablespoons mixed into a glass of warm water, a remedy I repeated as needed until relief came.
Growing up on a farm in the Midwest meant summers filled with mosquitoes, and I was the primary target in our family. My mother would soak cotton balls in apple cider vinegar and apply them to my bites, alleviating the itch. This method also worked wonders for sunburns. While I appreciated the soothing effect, I often complained about smelling like a salad, but my grievances went unheard.
Each summer, we cultivated a thriving garden that yielded an abundance of tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, peppers, radishes, carrots, beets, sweet corn, leaf lettuce, and a variety of annual flowers. My mother taught me how to clean the freshly picked vegetables by soaking them in a mixture of one part vinegar—either apple cider or white distilled—to three parts warm water for several minutes, followed by a rinse in cold water and gentle drying. Afterward, she’d create a beautiful bouquet to grace our dinner table, using a vase filled with tepid water, two tablespoons of vinegar, and a teaspoon of sugar to prolong the flowers’ freshness.
Mom had a strong aversion to dirty windows. Her solution was a simple mixture of two tablespoons of white distilled vinegar and four cups of water in a spray bottle. Her secret for achieving shiny, streak-free windows was to dry them with crumpled newspaper.
Now, let me share my mother’s most cherished use of vinegar: the secret ingredient in the most delicious chocolate cake I’ve ever made. I affectionately refer to it as my Magic Chocolate Cake. This recipe has been cherished through generations, and I hope to continue the tradition.
Magic Chocolate Cake
Sift together the following ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups sifted flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Add the remaining ingredients and beat well:
- 1/3 cup soft shortening
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp vinegar (white or cider)
- 1 cup cold water
Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch square pan dusted lightly with cocoa. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, or until done. Note: Avoid overbaking. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out slightly moist.
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In summary, my mother’s inventive use of vinegar has been a cornerstone of my upbringing, from health remedies to household cleaning solutions, culminating in a cherished recipe that continues to unite our family through the joy of baking.