What’s NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar?
NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar is a delightful and versatile pantry staple. It’s a type of vinegar made from fermented rice and flavored with various ingredients to enhance its taste. This vinegar is renowned for its ability to add a tangy yet subtly sweet kick to a wide range of dishes.
History of NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar
The history of rice vinegar dates back thousands of years to Asia, where it was first used for its culinary and medicinal properties. NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar, in particular, is a product of Mizkan Americas, a company with a rich heritage in vinegar production. They’ve been perfecting their craft for over two centuries, ensuring the highest quality and flavor in every bottle.
Different Varieties
NAKANO® offers several exciting varieties of seasoned rice vinegar, each with its own unique flavor profile.
Some popular options include:
- Original – A classic choice with a well-balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
- Roasted Garlic – Infused with the rich, savory taste of roasted garlic.
- Basil & Oregano – Ideal for adding a Mediterranean twist to your dishes.
- Red Pepper – Adds a spicy kick to your marinades and dressings.
- Ponzu – Combines the flavors of citrus and soy for a zesty kick.
Ingredients Explored
The ingredients in NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar are straightforward, but they pack a flavorful punch.
You’ll typically find:
- Rice Vinegar: The base of this product, made through rice fermentation.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and balance.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste.
- Natural Flavors: This is where the unique varieties get their distinct tastes.
Expert Tips
- Use as a Marinade: NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar is fantastic for marinating meats and vegetables. It tenderizes and infuses them with flavor.
- Salad Dressing Base: Mix it with olive oil and herbs for a quick and tasty salad dressing.
- Pickling: Ideal for making quick pickles with cucumbers, carrots, or onions.
FAQs for NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar
- Is it gluten-free? Yes, NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar is gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- How long does it last once opened? It can last in your pantry for about 2 years after opening, though it’s best used within a year for optimal flavor.
- Can I substitute it for other vinegars? Absolutely! It can often replace white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar in recipes for a unique twist.
Storage and Leftovers
Store your NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar in a cool, dark place like your pantry. There’s no need to refrigerate it, as vinegar has natural preserving properties. Just make sure to seal the cap tightly to prevent any flavor loss.
Alternate Names
- Seasoned Rice Vinegar
- Flavored Rice Vinegar
- NAKANO® Rice Vinegar
In summary, NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar is a versatile kitchen companion with a rich history and a range of delicious flavors. It’s a must-have for elevating your culinary creations, from marinades to salad dressings and beyond. Enjoy experimenting with the different varieties and savor the delightful taste it brings to your dishes!
NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar Review
In the kitchen I’m always looking for a new way to give our standard menu flavor flair. Something that makes the tastebuds burst and has us wanting more. I took a 60 day challenge with NAKANO® Seasoned Rice Vinegar and the results have been great!
Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar has a sweet, light flavor that dresses up any dish. Simply splash it on everything from salads to pasta to meat and vegetables. They have a variety of distinctive flavors, Original, Roasted Garlic, Basil & Oregano, Red Pepper, Pesto, Balsamic Blend and Italian Herb. My favorite is the Roasted Garlic. It fits into so many things we eat.
I first used the Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar in my Bacon Glazed Ribs Recipe. I lessened the red wine vinegar to half and substituted the other half with Nakano’s Roasted Garlic Seasoned Rice Vinegar. It was incredible! We all loved the flavor. I made the same recipe the second time and used only Nakano Red Wine Rice Vinegar and we didn’t care so much for this. It was too much.
We love the Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar Original on salads, over rice, the kids will eat it on green beans.
One of my favorite ways to use it is as a marinade for our meats. We grill year-round but during the summer, it’s an all-the-time thing. Just 2 Tablespoons mixed with our favorite seasoning and a little olive oil yield great flavor to any dish. We have bought a second bottle of the Roasted Garlic as it seems to be our favorite.
Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar is all natural, no fat, gluten free, low calorie and contains no preservatives. In addition, it contains 50 percent less sodium than the competition.
Here are some other great suggestions for using Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar to great low fat and easy recipes as well as tips for your next dish.
NAKANO “Splash On” Tips:
· Skinny Mac Salad
Macaroni salad without mayonnaise? Yes! Forget the mayo and splurge with the zesty flavor of NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar. Combine cooked elbow macaroni, sliced celery, diced red onion, canned whole kernel corn and diced cucumber. Just before serving, splash generously with NAKANO and toss together. Other tidbits to add: sliced olives, diced ham, diced green or red bell pepper, capers.
· Sautéed Onion Topper
No butter, no fat, but lots of flavor! Just splash, sprinkle and stir. That’s all there is to making this delicious onion topping for burgers (meat or veggie); grilled chicken sandwiches; sautéed, baked or grilled fish, steak or chicken; and even hot-cooked veggies. Place a thinly sliced large onion in a large non-stick fry pan. Splash with about 1/4 cup NAKANO seasoned rice vinegar (original, roasted garlic, or red pepper). Sprinkle with garlic powder or chili powder, and fresh-ground pepper or red pepper flakes. Stir over medium heat 10-12 minutes or until onion is soft and cooked, and rice vinegar has evaporated.
· Naked Coleslaw
Traditional coleslaw does not have to have mayonnaise to be delicious. Splash shredded cabbage with NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar, any flavor. Toss in crunchy matchstick carrots, radishes and sliced green onion, and there you have it! A delicious fat-free coleslaw. For variety, add celery, parsley or cilantro, pineapple tidbits, sweet pickles, toasted celery seeds or sesame seeds.
· Summer Salad
Switch up your summer salad with just a Splash of NAKANO. Skip the bottled dressing and make your own; pick the flavor to match your mood.
NAKANO Rice Vinegar products are manufactured from real, whole grain rice and are naturally brewed in the traditional Mizkan manufacturing process that began in Japan more than 200 years ago.
Check out the selection of Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar and see how easy it is to incorporate into your recipes and taste the flavor! We love this stuff!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free from Nakano through Mom Central Consulting, in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.