I didn't know a lot about Balsamic Vinegar until a few years ago. Not that I know that much more now, but at-least I know what a "good" balsamic vinegar should taste like!
The way I discovered this is purely coincidental. I bought this cheap Safeway version of Balsamic Vinegar, after I tasted this appetizer of fresh bread served with Balsamic Vinegar in Olive Oil, at a really nice Russian Restaurant at a sit-down dinner with friends, back in Maryland.
I assumed all balsamic vinegar would taste the same (that good!). But, I was thoroughly disappointed with the Safeway Version. And that bottle sat in my pantry for a year un-used.
I happened to chance upon this roasted stone fruit recipe on Rachael Ray's Show, and it got me excited because I was trying to find some use for the balsamic vinegar in my pantry:
http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1095
I was actually "completely bowled" over my discovery of what reduced balsamic vinegar tastes like - divine! It tasted exactly like the one that I originally tried back in Maryland!
So, that was the secret - reduce any lower quality Balsamic Vinegar for superlative results!
Anyway, recently here in downtown Walnut Creek, I strolled into one of these Olive Oil Shops, which looked so inviting and "homey" from the outside. They had so many flavored and regular olive oils and their balsamic vinegar to taste (amongst numerous other things). I was completely floored by how good their Balsamic Vinegar tasted! And I bought some:
http://www.shopweolive.com/products.php?product=We-Olive-Collection-Balsamic
Initially I just ate Fresh Bread dipped in Olive Oil, and (lots of) this Balsamic Vinegar for lunch and dinner!
No comments:
Post a Comment