Given that you might be reading this from anywhere in the world, chances are you aren’t from Modena, Italy, and you might not know a lot about its star product: balsamic vinegar. Don’t worry! We’re here to tell you how to make the most of this barrel-aged vinegar, made by fermenting the thick syrup formed after cooking grape must.
The best way to start is by drizzling it over vegetables, meat (it works wonders with beef and duck), or a mixed greens salad. Remember the correct order for dressing a salad is first the salt, then the vinegar and finally the olive oil—otherwise you won’t get the same result. As opposed to salads, in hot dishes, add the balsamic vinegar at the very end to make sure you don’t lose any of its wonderful aromas in the cooking process.
But don’t stop there! Try your hand at making a vinaigrette with one part olive oil, one part balsamic vinegar and one part dijon mustard; it’s delicious with smoked fish, such as trout or salmon. If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to add some honey too.