balsamic vinegar . . .

[lucysmam]

someone suggested that this would be nice in a tomato sauce to take away some of the sharpness of the tomatoes (ages ago on another thread)

Now, I do understand that obviously 'you get what you pay for'. But, I don't have a huge budget for food atm. Sainsbury's sell a bottle of own brand (I think it's their own brand anyways but not value range) for 99p.

Would it be worth buying this just to experiment with at the moment while money is tight? & is there really that much difference when it comes to different brands.

Sorry if I'm irritating anyone with my millions of questions, nice to get straightforward answers to stuff though

If you're just using it in cooking then you could probably get away with cheap stuff (although a bit about adding it to tomato sauce).

However, if you're intending on using it on salads or elsewhere as a dressing then it's worth spending a bit more. DP bought a Lidl one and it is foul. It does last for ages so even if you do spend a bit more you get a lot out of it.

It gives a lovely richness to tomato sauces, esp for meatballs.

Ah right, am not a meat eater that's why it seemed strange.

It was just for me to experiment with in the kitchen really as I'm just learning to cook & a friend has given me some old mags out of which I've selected a couple of things to try out.

May forego big choc bar I had on my list to buy a better quality one in that case. Thanks Brangelina

lou, if I'd known that I'd have got some on my shopping. Gave up on meatballs after a bit of an day today so we're having them tomorrow instead

I got given a bottle with Hotel Chocolat label for Christmas last year - balsamic with dark chocolate pieces in it. Absolutely gorgeous - so rich and divine. Get a dark choc bar back on your next list and try putting some shavings/tiny chips of it in the vinegar. Try a bit in a cup first in case you hate it.

ooooooooh MrsBates, I could kiss you! Now I just have to have the chocolate as well don't I

I get the Carlo Magno (Modena) balsamic vinegar from Sainsbury's. It's very good value and as good as the more expensive ones, in my HO. In your shoes, lucysmam, I'd get that and the chocolate.

crossposted with MrsB - well there's your answer, lucysmam!

That's it settled then. Balsamic vinegar and chocolate going on my list

By the way lucysmam - I think it's great you're learning to cook - very impressed and think Jamie Oliver should come round and make a star of you. Hope it goes well. I love cooking and am not bad but often have many questions too - pretty simple ones usually - and with no mum (who was a fab cook) I have no-one to answer them - so don't worry about asking anything at all. Hope the meatballs are tasty!

Thanks MrsBates, I had no mum to teach me either so had to learn the few basic things I could cook myself. I think Mr Oliver would be very proud of me after the way they made people from round here look thick as pig s$%t even though we don't all eat 12 bags of crisps a day or live on takeaways

I'm finding MN invaluable for advice and info.

& you're right, it usually is the simplest things.

We use the cheap stuff all the time and it's fine. It's delicious with tomatoes - one of my best recipes is skinned cherry tomatoes roasted with oil, garlic, basil and balsamic vinegar. Mix with spaghetti and crumble in some feta cheese and mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm [drool emoticon] You need a lot of cherry tomatoes though as they cook down a lot.

Tinkjon, I will make a note of that to try out. Thank-you