Are you an Italian food lover? Could you subsist solely on great bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar? If so, then you already know that all balsamic vinegars are not created equal. There are essentially two kinds: one comes in a large plastic bottle and has a picture of a grape vine on it, and the other comes in a wax-sealed perfume bottle and can cost as much as you'd want to spend on a good pair of shoes. What do you do with such a potentially expensive ingredient? Is it even worth buying?
The truth is that balsamic's uses depend largely on the quality you're using. Run of the mill balsamics are fine for salad dressings, soups, marinades, and dipping. You can even add it to a bit of mayo for a nice sandwich condiment. Average to good balsamic vinegars can also be reduced and sweetened for more traditional uses like over meats, vegetables, and even fruits.
Honestly, I would never use the good stuff every day, but it is definitely worth trying. Just like saying you haven't had beef until you've had real Kobe, a good balsamic vinegar will make you go 'oh, so that's how it's supposed to taste'. Got some of the good stuff? Try it with strawberries and whipped cream, over pastries, cheeses, and even ice cream. It is often used as a digestif and a little can even be added to sparkling water for a refreshing beverage...
Like any expensive food item, there's a whole world of opinions and talk flying around about it. One thing I've seen though that's worth mentioning is that if you're going for the good stuff, be careful where you buy it. There are (unsurprisingly) some shady folks out there.
GG
The truth is that balsamic's uses depend largely on the quality you're using. Run of the mill balsamics are fine for salad dressings, soups, marinades, and dipping. You can even add it to a bit of mayo for a nice sandwich condiment. Average to good balsamic vinegars can also be reduced and sweetened for more traditional uses like over meats, vegetables, and even fruits.
Honestly, I would never use the good stuff every day, but it is definitely worth trying. Just like saying you haven't had beef until you've had real Kobe, a good balsamic vinegar will make you go 'oh, so that's how it's supposed to taste'. Got some of the good stuff? Try it with strawberries and whipped cream, over pastries, cheeses, and even ice cream. It is often used as a digestif and a little can even be added to sparkling water for a refreshing beverage...
Like any expensive food item, there's a whole world of opinions and talk flying around about it. One thing I've seen though that's worth mentioning is that if you're going for the good stuff, be careful where you buy it. There are (unsurprisingly) some shady folks out there.
GG
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