PICK YOUR DARK BALSAMIC
Traditional Dark
1
Dress your favourite salad
Drizzle straight over fresh salad with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), flaked salt and cracked pepper. Toss. Always start with a fine drizzle and then add more to taste. Don't be scared to play with the proportion of oil to vinegar to get your desired flavours. Want to make your own dressing? Click HERE for some tips.
2
Drizzle over fresh cheeses
Pairs well with fresh cow’s milk cheeses. A light drizzle over mozzarella, ricotta, or feta cheese along with fresh herbs and ripe tomatoes makes for a filling salad. Don’t forget to add a drizzle of EVOO and a squeeze of lemon to brighten up the flavours.
3
Dress vegetables before roasting
Coat your favourite roasting vegetables with this balsamic and olive oil, then season with salt and pepper before roasting in a hot oven for a rich caramelized flavour. Works well with carrots, beets, brussel sprouts, parsnips, and squash. If roasting carrots, try sprinkling cumin over top before cooking.
4
Dress fresh or grilled fruit
Wonderful drizzled over fresh strawberries, peaches, and pears. For an easy dessert try it over strawberries then garnish with fresh basil or mint. Drizzle over fresh peaches and then grill for a unique BBQ side dish.
5
Tasty addition to braised meats
Add as a finishing touch to your braised meat dishes or simply add it early on to your braising liquid for depth and flavour. Try braising beef or lamb shanks in a mixture of red wine or beef stock, tomato puree, and a splash of balsamic. Add your fresh herbs, salt and pepper directly to the liquid. Cover at low heat for 2-3 hours for fall-off-the-bone goodness.
Garlic Cilantro Dark
1
Makes for a delicious Asian vinaigrette
Try making a tasty vinaigrette for grated vegetable salads and rice noodle dishes by combining this balsamic vinegar, sesame seed oil, fresh lime juice, soy sauce, grated garlic, grated ginger, and honey. Make sure to include bak choi, broccoli, carrots, spring onions, and/or snow peas for a delicious compliment. Toss and garnish with fresh coriander, sliced chilies and toasted sesame seeds.
2
Use as part of marinade for meat
Especially good for marinating chicken, shrimp, and beef. Simply combine this balsamic with soy sauce, grated fresh ginger, honey and a squeeze of lime. Leave meat to marinade in this mixture for at least an hour before frying or grilling. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs or scallions.
3
Dress vegetables before roasting or sauteing
A delicious way to saute or roast vegetables. Simply drizzle this balsamic over beets or sweet potatoes before roasting or over asparagus, peppers or eggplant as they are sauteing in the pan. Delicious!
4
A great substitute for BBQ sauce
Try brushing this balsamic on your pork ribs, chicken thighs, or even prawns. Apply numerous coats as the meat is grilling for deeper flavour. For a hint of sweetness combine this balsamic with honey before brushing it on. Also great brushed on meat and vegetable skewers!
5
Use in stir-fry sauce
A great addition to your meat or veggie stir-fries. Pairs well with beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp. Try sauteing the beef strips in some oil, once browned, add the garlic cilantro balsamic, followed by julienne carrots and bell peppers, roughly chopped onions, and snow peas. Garnish with mint, coriander, or Thai basil and serve over rice.
Smoked Dark
1
Use to finish grilled meats
Add a finishing drizzle over your favourite grilled meats for an extra smokey flavour. Let the meat sit for a few minutes before serving. Works great on burgers, steak, ribs. and salmon.
2
Add to your stews
An easy way to give your meat stews a rich smokey flavour is to add a few tablespoons of this balsamic to the cooking liquid. Add a fine finishing drizzle just before serving.
3
Add to legume and pulse dishes
Makes for comforting chilies, baked beans, and lentil stews. Include a few tablespoons to the cooking liquid or apply a finishing drizzle when serving. Works particularly well with the addition of paprika.
4
Dress vegetables before roasting
Add a drizzle over eggplant, parsnips, carrots and brussel sprouts before baking for that deep smokey flavour.
5
Makes for full-flavoured meat marinades
Try marinading pork or beef in a mixture of smoked balsamic, EVOO, crushed garlic, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, and salt. Let marinate for at least 2 hours before cooking. Also try marinading lamb in in a mixture of this balsamic, Rosemary Fused Olive Oil and crushed garlic.
Maple Dark
1
Drizzle over breakfast favourites
Delicious over yogourt, granola and fruit. For healthy and delicious oatmeal try cooking the oats in almond milk with a splash of maple balsamic, brown sugar, finely chopped pitted dates, a few cardamom pods and whole cloves, and chopped walnuts. Let cook on low heat until rich and creamy. Finish with a garnish of raw pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of balsamic.
2
Make a glaze for baked salmon
Use this balsamic as a fantastic glaze for salmon. Try brushing your salmon fillet with a mixture of maple balsamic and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper and bake. Reapply the glaze mixture halfway through cooking. Simply delicious!
3
Drizzle over root vegetables prior to roasting
Try chopping a medley of root vegetables into large chunks, top with a generous drizzle of maple balsamic, EVOO, fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs, salt, and a light dusting of cinnamon. Finish with flaked salt and cracked black pepper.
4
Wonderful accompaniment to pork
Makes for a wonderful addition to your glazed ham. Maple balsamic is also fantastic for cooking bacon and pork chops. Try seasoning your pork chops with salt and pepper then browning them in olive oil. Just before they are done turn the heat down and pour some balsamic into the pan. Let the juice bubble and thicken. Coat the pork chop in the thick sticky sauce and serve.
5
Make a delicious vinaigrette in chicken salads
Make this simple vinaigrette by whisking 3 parts EVOO, 1 part maple balsamic, 1 part Dijon mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle over green salad topped with sliced grilled chicken breast.
Chocolate Dark
1
Make a marinade for chicken
Try this Mexican inspired marinated chicken by combining Chocolate balsamic, EVOO, chopped fresh red chilies, minced garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, salt and pepper. Marinate for at least 2 hours then bake, Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve with fresh chopped coriander and a wedge of lime along side cooked rice.
2
Drizzle over baked desserts
Add a unique touch to baked goods by drizzling this balsamic over brownies, blondes, or fruit-filled pastries.
3
Unique accompaniment to aged cheese
To add an unexpected element to cheese platters simply drizzle this balsamic over pieces of hard, aged cheese. Pairs best with Parmigiana Reggiano, Asiago, or even a sharp Gouda.
4
Make a dressing for roasted beets or beet salads
Simply roast beets in EVOO, salt and pepper. Once cooked drizzle this balsamic over top. Add some goat chevre, chopped scallions and a fine sprinkle of orange zest. The same dressing can be used for your steamed beet salads.
5
Use as substitute for chocolate syrup
Ideal drizzled over vanilla ice cream and fruit sorbets. For an easy but impressive dessert, finely drizzle over ice cream, top with chopped almonds or pistachios, and fresh raspberries. A little sprinkle of smoked Maldon salt is a must try!
Espresso Dark
1
Incorporate into your favourite dessert recipes
Pairs best in recipes that call for chocolate such as chocolate cake, fudge brownies, or tiramisu. Just add a couple tablespoons to the icing or sauce recipes. Also great poured over ice cream and fruit.
2
De-glaze pan-fried meats to make a great sauce
Cook your favourite cut of red meat to desired doneness in EVOO, with some salt and pepper. Set aside to rest. In the same pan, lightly saute chopped shallots. Add a couple tablespoons of espresso balsamic and let it come to a bubble. Then add stock and let simmer on low until sauce is reduced by half and has thickened. Pour over grilled meat for a luxurious intense flavour.
3
Add to braised beef and lamb dishes
Try adding about 1/4 cup of this balsamic to the braising liquid when cooking secondary cuts of beef and lamb such as shanks and brisket .The addition of fresh woodsy herbs like fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage are great complimentary flavours.
4
Drizzle over vegetables before roasting
Coat roasting vegetables in a mixture of this balsamic, EVOO, salt and pepper, and a touch of citrus zest to balance the deep earthiness of the espresso before cooking in a hot oven. Pairs particularly well with beets, brussel sprouts and asparagus.
5
Make it part of your grilled meat marinades
Use as part of a marinade for grilled red meat. Try marinating your beef steaks in a mixture of espresso balsamic, EVOO, grainy mustard, minced shallots, and crushed garlic. Marinate for at least an hour then grill. Finish with flaked salt and cracked black pepper.
Fig Dark
1
Drizzle over salads for a Mediterranean twist
Use this balsamic to dress your salad alongside EVOO, and sea salt. Add fresh basil leaves and ripe cherry tomatoes for a truly Mediterranean flavour combination.
2
Drizzle over cheese
Compliment your cheese platter with a light drizzle of fig balsamic over blue cheese, goat cheese, and/or ricotta. For simple but elegant hors d’ouvres try topping thin toasted slices of baguette with Gorgonzola cheese, a drizzle of fig balsamic, and walnut halves. Garnish with fresh basil.
3
Glaze for your poultry
Try pouring a few tablespoons of fig balsamic into the same pan your poultry has just finished cooking in. Let it bubble for a minute while pan de-glazes then pour the thick glaze over your poultry. For extra flavour you may add minced garlic and fresh chopped herbs to the pan before de-glazing.
4
Drizzle over gourmet burgers
Include as part of your burger toppings with a simple drizzle. This balsamic is especially tasty on blue cheese burgers.
5
Pour over ice cream or fruit desserts
For an easy dessert, drizzle over vanilla or pistachio ice cream. Also works nicely over poached pears or baked apples. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve with mascarpone or creme fraiche.
Blackberry Dark
1
Drizzle over desserts
Excellent drizzled over ice cream, cheesecake or yogourt. Top with fresh berries and garnish with a fresh mint leaf for an an extra special dessert.
2
Use as part of an aromatic sauce for game meats
Pairs well with duck, venison, or wild boar. Pan fry meat to desired doneness then set aside to rest. Turn heat down to low, add this balsamic to that same pan, bring to a simmer and then add stock, lemon or orange zest, and fresh sage or thyme. Simmer until reduced by 2/3. Season with salt and pepper and then pour over meat.
3
Add a splash into your favourite summertime refreshment
Give lemonades and ice teas a delicious twist with the addition of a few teaspoons of this balsamic. For an extra special drink add fresh berries and mint.
4
Adds a rich fruity note to pork or chicken marinades
Try combining this balsamic with olive oil, grated ginger, garlic, Dijon mustard, sea salt and cracked pepper for a fruity marinade. Let meat marinade in the mixture for at least 1 hour before cooking.
5
Add to fruit pies, crumbles and other desserts for a unique twist
Try adding it to the fruit mixture before baking pies, cobblers, and crumbles. Serve with a side of vanilla ice cream. Also great drizzled over lemon sponge cakes and shortbread cookies.
Blueberry OR Raspberry Dark
1
Try over kale and spinach salads
Pairs particularly well with spinach, kale, and radicchio. For a satisfying textural salad try adding goat chevre or blue cheese. Garnish with fresh berries and a mixture of nuts and seeds. Try almonds or walnut halves and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.
2
Pour over yams, sweet potatoes, or squash before roasting
Coat your root vegetables in EVOO, a light dusting of cinnamon, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of balsamic before roasting in a hot oven. Serve as a side dish or as a light meal over a green salad. Finish with a drizzle of EVOO and balsamic. You can also add crumbled goat cheese for a creamy element.
3
Use as part of marinade for pork tenderloin
Try combining either balsamic with EVOO minced garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, grated lemon zest, grainy mustard, salt and a generous amount of cracked black pepper. Let pork marinate for 1 to 2 hours. Sear all sides in a hot pan and finish cooking it in the oven. Let rest for a few minutes than slice into 1 cm thick slices and serve over rice or pureed root vegetables.
4
Drizzle over ice cream or citrus sorbets
Add a tangy fruity element to your ice cream with a drizzle of either of these balsamics. Pairs well with vanilla, lemon, lime and peach flavours.
5
Add it to grilled peaches for a great BBQ side dish
Either add as a finishing drizzle over hot, just grilled peaches or drizzle over uncooked peach halves then grill until peaches are just beginning to soften and caramelize. Serve alongside BBQ pork or grilled chicken.
Spicy Mango Dark
1
Glaze seafood prior to grilling
This balsamic is wonderful drizzled over shrimp or scallops prior to grilling or searing. Finish with a fine drizzle of balsamic, a squeeze of lime and lots of fresh chopped cilantro. Serve on rice or a bed of diced mango and red onion.
2
Make a dressing for a delicious chicken salad
Dress grilled and sliced chicken breast with a mixture of spicy mango balsamic, soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame seed oil, and fresh lime juice. Serve over lettuce leaves, julienne peppers, carrots, and steamed broccoli. Garnish with chopped peanuts and Thai basil.
3
Add to your meat marinade for great stir frys
Combine spicy mango balsamic with fish sauce, soy sauce, and crushed garlic then allow meat to marinade in this liquid for at least 1 hour before cooking. Works great with chicken, shrimp or beef. Saute meat in oil on a hot pan then add onions, peppers, and broccoli. Serve over cooked rice or rice noodles.
4
Drizzle over tropical fruit for a tasty fruit salad
Chop up pineapple, mango, and/or papaya for a unique fruit salad. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic and a squeeze of lime.
5
A delicious flavour for dressing your salads
Make your salads sing with the addition of this balsamic and EVOO, salt and pepper. Works beautifully on leafy green salads.
Green Apple Dark
1
Use as glaze for pork
Very complimentary to pork. Whether you are preparing pork tenderloin, pork roast, or pork chops, this balsamic is a delicious addition. Simply drizzle over or brush it onto your meat before cooking. Try coating your pork chops with a mixture of green apple balsamic and grainy mustard, season with salt and pepper, sear in oil on a hot pan, then de-glaze with a splash of white wine before finishing it off in a hot oven. Serve with braised red cabbage and mash potatoes for a warm hearty meal.
2
Dress your leafy green salads
A fantastic balsamic on leafy greens. Try making a salad combining leafy greens, walnuts, and blue cheese then dressing it with green apple balsamic and EVOO. Season with flaked salt and cracked black pepper. The addition of thinly sliced apple or pear to toss into your salad will add an extra layer of crunch and freshness.
3
Add to homemade chutneys or relishes
Try adding an extra tangy twist to your next homemade chutney with the addition of green apple balsamic. Works beautifully in homemade preserves containing onions and mustard seeds.
4
Add to your homemade or pre-made chocolate sauce
Add to chocolate for a fantastic sauce to drizzle over your warm desserts like pie and bread pudding. Try gently heating up chocolate sauce together with the green apple balsamic then pour over vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries. Top with chopped peanuts for a delicious sundae.
5
Drizzle over baked apples
Try stuffing your apples with brown sugar, walnuts, currents and raisins. Top with a dusting of cinnamon, butter and a drizzle of green apple balsamic then bake. It’s the perfect cold weather treat!