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Original poster

Salad dressing - anyone know?

15 replies

annaje · 22/04/2009 10:42

We had a lovely salad out in a restaurant on Saturday and they used this dressing - which I assumed was balsamic vinegar (I've never bought it before, so not sure) - it was dark brown and quite thick like an oil and sweet - they also used it as a dip for crusty bread. Anyway, I bought some this morning in Morrisons and it isn't like it at all - this is more like normal vinegar and very runny - have I totally got this wrong and the dressing was something else.

Weird question I know - but I thought there might be a expert out there!

OP posts:
ZacharyQuack · 22/04/2009 10:45

It may have been balsamic syrup, which (I think) is reduced and sweetened balsamic vinegar, or it may have been a balsamic vinegarette which you can make by whisking 1 part vinegar to 3-4 parts olive oil, add salt, pepper, sugar to taste.

Original poster
annaje · 22/04/2009 10:49

thanks ZachQ - should have asked in the restaurant - but I didn't think to at the time....

OP posts:
mummypig · 22/04/2009 12:07

you can add honey to Zachary's recipe too.

Overmydeadbody · 22/04/2009 14:12

yes it was probably a dressing, not just balsamic vinegar!

Try Zachary's recipe, use it as a base and then add honey, mustard etc until you get a dressing that you like. I like mine with garlic in it too!

BlingDreaming · 22/04/2009 17:38

Agree it was probably a dressing. But also keep in mind that quality and taste of balsamic vinegar varies massively. Really good ones are not too "vinegary" although even a really good one I'd mix with olive oil to use as a dip with bread.

mileniwmffalcon · 22/04/2009 17:43

the thick and sweet stuff is the good stuff. i used to buy the expensivest (£12? a bottle) stuff in sainsbos and it was all thick and sweet and gooey and i'd use that on its own to dress salads and stuff, but now they've changed it and it's shite and runny and vinegary. if anyone knows where to get the proper stuff pleeeease tell me cos i'm suffering withdrawal

BlingDreaming · 22/04/2009 18:10

I generally get the good stuff from markets as I find supermarkets, even the ones selling the 12 year old vinegar etc etc, don't have the same quality. A good deli would probably also offer a good selection.

BlingDreaming · 22/04/2009 18:10

In London there's a deli based somewhere strange that sells their products at Borough Market every week and at a market in Wimbledon every 3rd saturday or so. Really good.

ramonaquimby · 22/04/2009 18:11

just make your own, loads cheaper!!

BecauseImWorthIt · 22/04/2009 18:12

Probably used a balsamic glaze - I think Tesco sell it,

browntrout · 22/04/2009 18:29

def sounds like a glaze. Sainsburys, Waitrose and Tesco all do it. Is about £3.99 but worth it IMO

mileniwmffalcon · 22/04/2009 18:57

sorry ramona - make your own balsamic? i think once i'd invested in all those casks it would prolly be cheaper (not to mention quicker!) to buy it

Overmydeadbody · 22/04/2009 19:10

I think ramona meant make your own balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction. If you simmer balsamic vinegar for long enough for most of the water to evaporate you're left with a very thick balsamic reduction.

mileniwmffalcon · 22/04/2009 19:37

ah i see

that would work out even more expensive though, reducing it to goo - damnit i want soft rounded subtle goo straight out of the bottle

mileniwmffalcon · 22/04/2009 19:38

thanks bling am nowhere near london but i'll try and nip into a decent deli next time i'm in town.

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