Delicious Marinades with Balsamic Vinegar

Do you want to give a new and memorable touch to your recipes? If you wish to bring out flavors, give a twist on the old recipes, or simply go through new experiences, the best balsamic vinegar can be a great addition to your kitchen.

Balsamic vinegar is a grape product obtained through a traditional preservation process, resulting in a vibrant ingredient. At We Olive's EVOO stores, you can find classic aged balsamic vinegar and premium white balsamic vinegar.

What you should know about marinades

The marinade consists of using or creating a sauce, broth, or mixture to submerge raw food or vegetables for several minutes before being cooked. That will make the food absorb flavors and aromas and even favor the texture of the ingredients.

It was used as a preservation method or to soften game meat in ancient times. Today, using balsamic vinegar for marinades is a culinary technique used by the best restaurants. There's a lot of room for imagination when it comes to marinades. Just like olive and figs make a perfect match, balsamic vinegar can be used in sweet, spicy, or savory mixes.

Although marinades are used primarily on cuts of meat, they are also perfect for chicken, rabbit, lamb, fish, and pork filets. A good marinade recipe is always wonderful, both on special occasions and to pamper your family on the weekend.

Tips for using it in marinades

The key to an exquisite marinade is having the best balsamic vinegar, creativity, balance of flavors, and time. Although it has an intense flavor, vinegar can be adapted to all types of meats as, and it can bring pleasant flavors without overpowering the dish.

Marinades generally have an acidic element that helps break down the fibrous tissue, allowing the texture of the ingredients to soften. Balsamic vinegar is also great because, being a naturally fermented product, it helps meats tenderize. You just have to be careful not to abuse acid elements, especially if several are in the same combination.

Here are some of the best tips for your marinades:

1.Season with Italian herbs like marjoram and thyme. Whether you're cooking meat, fish, or vegetables, the herbs will complement the flavor of the balsamic vinegar and EVOO. Remember to balance your ingredients so that the aroma of the herbs is not lost.

2.For a good marinade, you will want to let the meats (protein) sit in the marinade long enough for the flavor to take hold. It all depends on the size of the portions or the toughness of the protein. Although it is recommended to leave it for at least 2-4 hours, you can even let it sit for 24 hours beforehand.

3.You can also give it a light fruity touch. Balsamic vinegar is often used in marinades for chicken, salmon, or pork with orange, lemon, juniper berries, and even olive and fig.

4.For thick meats, you can use more intense combinations. For example, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, and spicy herbs are often used to add depth to the dish.

5.Would you dare to try new things? Balsamic vinegar can surprise you even in unusual combinations, such as vanilla, basil, or green chilies.

6.If you have a few items on hand, don't worry. Still, you can make a simple but delicious vinaigrette-type marinade. You will only need EVOO, mustard, salt, pepper, and of course, balsamic vinegar.

7.Use non-metallic containers. Remember that acid in contact with metal can give off strange flavors. So, it is better to use plastic containers.

8.Remember that handling raw meat can breed bacteria in a warm environment, so it's best to keep the marinade in the refrigerator and take it out half an hour before cooking.

Characteristics of balsamic vinegar

Its concentration and flavor of excellence characterize the best balsamic vinegar. Exquisite palates can easily distinguish those that are top quality. But there are also other valuable methods to know if the vinegar is authentic.

For example, it is crucial to know how to read labels. The regulations indicate that manufacturers must put the ingredients in descending order. That means that the first ingredient listed is the one with the highest concentration. Therefore, the highest quality kinds of vinegar indicate cooked grapes first, and then wine vinegar.

If you always want to have the best product in your kitchen, you must know how to distinguish the characteristics when buying in the supermarket. Or, if you prefer, you can play it safe and get it at our online olive oil store, where we will send it to you safely and quickly.

Here are some items to keep in mind:

Color

Balsamic vinegar is distinguished by its dark brown hue yet bright and crisp appearance.

Taste

Depending on the type of balsamic vinegar, it can have light fruity notes, such as blackberries, figs, and pears, among others. But above all, it stands out for its bittersweet flavor and intensity.

Aroma

The delicate but deep aroma of aged balsamic vinegar can have an acid or woody touch.

Density

A basic rule of thumb for balsamic vinegar is that the older it is, the higher the density. Quality balsamic vinegar does not have additional thickening ingredients.

Advantages of using balsamic vinegar

In addition to being delicious, balsamic vinegar has incredible benefits about which you should know. Being a grape product, it has abundant minerals, such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, among others. And it also has a high content of polyphenols and antioxidants that will do your heart good.

But not only that, your stomach will appreciate its intake. Both potassium and other elements help by providing digestive enzymes and diuretic agents to better digestive function.

For these and other important reasons for your health, both balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil have become essential ingredients for a healthy lifestyle.

Delight your palate with the best marinades

Remember that you don't have to be a professional chef to enjoy delicious dishes every day. It is enough to have quality ingredients, a little ingenuity, and above all, a great desire to try new things.

Balsamic vinegar is a very versatile product since you can use it in delicious marinades, fresh salads, and even exquisite desserts. You can delight yourself with pleasant flavors with just a few drops of this fantastic ingredient.

We invite you always to choose the best balsamic vinegar for your kitchen and discover new ways to pamper yourself. Learn about the diverse types of balsamic vinegar in our online store or search for olive stores near me. You can also call us at 805 238 2900 or email us at info@weolive.com; remember that choosing your products with us is choosing the highest quality of craftsmanship.