Balsamic Vinegar of Modena | Unique, European inspired recipes
Recipes with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Last week, in anticipation of New Year’s Eve celebrations across the globe, The Consortium of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (Aceto Balsamico di Modena) shared two easy recipes featuring the European staple that are sure to infuse a bit of flair into any occasion.
Just because we love the flavour of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and we think the recipes shared by them are easy to make, we had to publish this article. If you’re ever find the possibility to buy an older (like 25 years’ old or even more) Balsamic Vinegar, please do. The taste is so special, and it really adds a great acetic sweet flavour to many dishes. Besides the two recipes of the creamy fondue and the Mary Modena, you can find a lot more recipes on their website, like the delicious balsamic raviolini in a brown butter sage sauce!
Reading time: 2 minutes and the recipes don’t take that much time either 😉
Creamy Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Fondue
With origins in 1930s Switzerland, traditional fondue became ubiquitous in the US during the 1950s and 60s. Now a global party fixture, the addition of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena makes an ideal dish for all your New Year’s entertaining needs. Featuring a combination of gruyère and Fontina cheeses along with a splash of dry white wine, a generous pour of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI cuts through the rich, fattiness of the mix and adds a balanced punch of bold, acetic flavor. Finished with sweet roasted red peppers and chopped parsley, this Creamy Fondue makes for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that delicately marries European origins with modern Americana.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups dry white wine – 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI* – 1 tablespoon of cornstarch – 12 ounces gruyère cheese, shredded – 6 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded – 2 tablespoon roasted red pepper, small diced – 1 tablespoon Italian parsley (flat-leaf), rough chopped.
Directions: In a sauce pot, heat the wine and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI until just simmering. Cook for five minutes. Whisk in the corn starch. Cook for one more minute. Reduce the heat to very low and add shredded cheeses. Stir constantly in a back and forth, side to side motion until the cheese has melted. Continue stirring until the mixture is blended well. Fold in roasted red peppers and parsley to finish.
Mary Modena | A generous pour of ‘Black Gold of Modena’
For those of who go too hard celebrating the night of, January 1st is also a day to honour the best-known recovery drink. This year, try it with a modern, Euro upgrade with a generous pour of “Black Gold of Modena”. Though unconventional, the complex, acetic nature of the vinegar balances out the savoury, spicy tomato juice and Worcestershire combo most are familiar with, brightening up an otherwise hearty refreshment.
Ingredients: 4oz fresh tomato juice – 2 oz vodka – Dash this Vinegar of Modena PGI – Dash Worcestershire – Dash Tabasco – Lemon wedge (for garnish) – Celery rib (for garnish).
Directions: Add fresh tomato juice and vodka to a pint glass, sprinkle in a few dashes of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, Worcestershire, and Tabasco, fill with ice, and stir. Garnish with lemon wedge and celery rib.
About Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
This Vinegar of Modena is one of the most important Italian agri-food products of the European Union. Dating back to ancient Roman times, the cooking of grape musts was used as a sweetener and condiment. Production of Balsamic became linked with Modena during the 11th century. Today, specifications require that the production takes place in the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia and that the grape musts are from seven specific vines: Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Albana, Ancellotta, Fortana, and Montuni. The cooked or concentrated grape must be then blended with wine vinegar and ten year-aged vinegar as required by the product specifications.
A minimum maturation period of 60 days in barrels, vats, or casks made from precious woods such as Sessile Oak, Chestnut, Mulberry, or Juniper is necessary. If aging lasts at least 3 years, the product will be labelled as Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. For the product to be certified as Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, analytic and organoleptic tests by expert technicians and tasters are performed. The finished product is then packaged into glass, wooden, earthenware or terracotta containers of varying sizes. Since 2009, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena has been recognized as a Protected Geographical Indication of the European Union, an important step in the safeguarding of the original product. An extremely versatile product, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena can bring harmony and balance to the different characteristics of a dish’s individual ingredients. Its distinctive characteristics include a clear and brilliant appearance, intense colour, a bitter-sweet, balanced flavor, and slightly acetic and delicate aroma, persistent with woody overtones.
Do you like to cook? We don’t publish many recipes and only with specific products, you can find them here.
Website: The Consortium of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
