The Many Uses For Balsamic Vinegar

The Many Uses For Balsamic Vinegar

Really. What can't you use balsamic vinegar for? In recent years I've become a little obsessed with it and the more I learn about it, the more I see how versatile this fermented grape nectar really is.

Here are my top 10 ways to use balsamic vinegar, in no particular order:

1. Salad dressing

2. Adding finishing flavor to roasted Brussels sprouts

3. Make a balsamic reduction to use with grilled meats (instructions below)

4. Balsamic reduction on a crostini appetizer

balsamic-vinegar-crostini

5. On a tomato basil salad (nothing says yum like basil and balsamic vinegar!)

balsamic-vinegar-tomato -basil-salad

6. Paired with garlic and olive oil for a steak marinade

7. As a companion with mozzarella cheese

8. As an ingredient for a zesty barbecue sauce

9. Drizzle balsamic reduction onto vanilla ice cream (really, this tastes great)

balsamic-vinegar-ice-cream

10. And, if it were appropriate to drink it, I would! I may have had a sip (shh).

To make a balsamic reduction, put a cup of inexpensive balsamic vinegar in a pan and bring to a boil.

balsamic-vinegar-pan

Reduce the heat to low so that it continues to bubble, but not a rolling boil. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vinegar reduces to about 1/2 to 1/4 cup. Once it starts to coat the pan, that's about the time you'll remove it from the heat.

balsamic-vinegar-cooked-down

If you like balsamic vinegar in its natural state, you'll love balsamic reduction. Make a bunch and store it in the refrigerator to use on all the above.

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