Balsamic vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is an Italian vinegar traditionally made in Modena, a region in Emilia Romagna. It is usually dark brown and has a thick, syrupy texture. It improves with ageing and the very best balsamic vinegars are aged for 25 years or more, at which point they are often very sweet and have a complex taste more akin to a desert wine. Some Italian restaurants will even serve a small glass of balsamic vinegar with certain desserts, most often fresh strawberries.

Many grape varieties can be used to create balsamic vinegar but the Trebbiano grape is the most common. White grapes and their juices are boiled down until they become a thick syrup. The syrup is then placed in a wooden barrel to age, the best vinegars are left for up to 25 years to mature. The more commercial process involves just a few months maturing in a steel barrel.

Balsamic vinegar has a reputation for being very expensive and the very best vinegars are phenomenally expensive (as much as $300 for a 250ml bottle). Supermarkets now stock much cheaper balsamic vinegars and they bare little resemblance to the expensive versions. The most expensive vinegars taste like a fine wine or liqueur.

'Real' balsamic vinegar only comes from two sources - Modena (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena) and Regfio Emilia (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale de Reggio Emilia).

Balsamic vinegar is used in everything from salad dressings to a background flavour in stews to a simple dressing for meat and fish. Generally speaking, the younger vinegars will be used in Italy for salad dressings while the better, older vinegars will be used as simple dressings for meat and fish. Vinegars between five and ten years old are often used to add extra flavors to pasta dishes or meat stews.

Balsamic vinegar established a reputation as a ‘trendy’ ingredient in the 1980s and many chefs are over-eager to drizzle their dishes with low grade balsamic vinegar.

Another good way to enjoy top quality balsamic vinegar is with the best quality parmesan.

Relevant Recipes for Balsamic vinegar

Recipe Names

1. Arugula & Parmigiano-Reggiano Salad w Balsamic Vinegar
2. Balsamic Vinegar Chicken With Almond Peppers
3. Braised Chicken With Onions, Garlic, And Balsamic Vinegar
4. Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Vinegar
5. Carrots And Green Onions In Balsamic Vinegar
6. Charred Red Onion And Balsamic Vinegar White Beans
7. Chicken Sauteed With Balsamic Vinegar
8. Chicken With Balsamic Vinegar
9. Chicken With Rosemary, Pancetta And Balsamic Vinegar
10. Duck Breast With Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
11. Fresh Pears With Parmigiano-Reggiano And Balsamic Vinegar
12. Green Beans With Shallots And Balsamic Vinegar
13. Grilled Bruschetta With Pimento, Balsamic Vinegar And Oil
14. Grilled Eggplant With Fresh Mint And Balsamic Vinegar
15. Grilled Leg Of Lamb With Tarragon And Balsamic Vinegar
16. Grilled Red Onions With Balsamic Vinegar
17. Grilled Red Onions With Balsamic Vinegar And Rosemary
18. Herbed Rice With Currants In Olive Oil And Balsamic Vinegar
19. Lamb With Balsamic Vinegar - {Agnello All'Aceto Balsamico}
20. Lobio Tkemali (Red Beans W/Tamarind And Balsamic Vinegar)
21. Omelet With Balsamic Vinegar
22. Peaches With Balsamic Vinegar And Black Pepper
23. Pork In Balsamic Vinegar
24. Pork In Balsamic Vinegar - {Maiale Con Aceto Balsamico}
25. Radicchio And Goat Cheese Gratin With Balsamic Vinegar
26. Red And Yellow Tomato Platter With Balsamic Vinegar
27. Roasted Bell Peppers With Basil And Balsamic Vinegar
28. Roasted Onions With Balsamic Vinegar
29. Roasted Sweet Onions With Balsamic Vinegar
30. Sauteed Chicken Breast With Balsamic Vinegar And Crimini
31. Sauteed Rabbit Loin W Braised Fennel And Balsamic Vinegar
32. Sauteed Rabbit Loin W Braised Fennel And Balsamic Vinegar
33. Shad Roe With Bacon In Balsamic Vinegar Sauce
34. Sole With Balsamic Vinegar
35. Spicy Gazpacho Sorbet With Balsamic Vinegar
36. Strawberries With Balsamic Vinegar
37. Strawberries With Balsamic Vinegar And Black Pepper
38. Strawberry Preserves With Black Pepper And Balsamic Vinegar
39. Veal Chops, With Balsamic Vinegar Artichokes And Treviso
40. White Bean Ravioli With Balsamic Vinegar Brown Butter
41. White Bean Ravioli With Balsamic Vinegar Brown Butter

Recipe Ingredients

1. "Smaking" Wings
2. 10-Minute Borscht
3. A Trio Of Bruschetta
4. Ahi Tuna-Eggplant "Tarts"
5. All White Bean Salad
6. Allison's Great Veggie Sandwich
7. Alpine Mushroom Salad
8. Ancho Chile Mayonnaise
9. Ancho-Broiled Salmon
10. Ancient Grain And Vegetable Patties
11. Angels On Horseback (Sanctuary Style)
12. Another Pointe In Tyme's Purple Potato Salad
13. Antipasta Platter
14. Antipasti Salad
15. Antipasto Pasta Salad
16. Antipasto Salad
17. Antipasto Salad - 1
18. Apple and Dried Cherry Chutney (1 PT)
19. Artichokes Stuffed In The Yemenite Style
20. Arugola, Spinach And Strawberry Salad
21. Arugula & Parmigiano-Reggiano Salad w Balsamic Vinegar
22. Arugula And Bacon Quiche
23. Arugula And Prosciutto Salad With Pears, Blue Cheese, Pecans
24. Arugula And Radicchio Salad With Hazelnut Vinaigrette
25. Arugula And Romaine With Walnuts And Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
26. Arugula Salad
27. Arugula Salad With Cherry Tomatoes
28. Arugula Salad With Orange Zest Vinaigrette
29. Arugula Salad With Prosciutto Di Parma
30. Arugula Salad With Roasted Shallot-Orange Vinaigrette
31. Arugula Stuffed Fried Vidalia Onion Ring Salad With Vinaigre
32. Arugula, Basil And Baby Spinach Salad
33. Asian Coleslaw
34. Asian Dressing
35. Asian Noodle Salad
36. Asian Turkey And Red Onion Salsa
37. Asparagus & Morels In Wild Mushroom Vinaigrette
38. Asparagus And Red Pepper Salad
39. Asparagus Vinaigrette
40. Asparagus With Red Pepper Sauce
41. Asparagus With Roasted Red Pepper
42. Aubergine Caviar
43. Avocado And Orange Salad
44. Baby Beets And Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese On Frisee
45. Baby Beets With Beet Greens
46. Baby Greens With Balsamic Vinaigrette
47. Baby Onions With Balsamic
48. Baby Spinach And Chick Pea Salad
49. Baby Spinach Salad With Grilled Onions
50. Baccala "Carpaccio" With Herb Salad