The South African Secret -- a Gourmet Dressing Recipe -- The Balsamic Glaze

It is one secret well known to some that olive oil and balsamic vinegar are the basic ingredients of the most wonderful dressings that chefs use to set their range of food apart and build up a well liked brand in a field where competition is stiff. The dressings and sauces that make the big difference between one dish and another are sometimes very simple to make. Maybe that is why their importance is overlooked by those who are more familiar with eating than with the cooking.The health qualities of the balsamic vinegar have yet to be well known but olive oil has been discovered in a long while by now. South African recipes are frequently using the balsamic vinegar and olive oil as they are well known healthy ingredients to many easy gourmet dressing recipes.

According to this easy gourmet dressing recipe, balsamic vinegar and olive oil are boilt together into a gourmet reduction and stored in a bottle. In a vegan menu it could become a basic addition to various dishes.
Reduction is the process through which the quantity is reduced and the balsmaic vinegar gets more concentrated.
For people with no problem of weight control, a small amount of sugar can be added. The Balsamic vinegar has its own natural sugar though, so it is a matter of choice and not necessity. Try this dressing recipe to give new flavor to your dishes

The amounts of balsamic vinegar and olive oil used in this dressing recipe is a matter of choice. One can choose the proportion according to personal taste. Some people like more vinegar, other like more olive oil. Important though is to combine the two ingredients under heat, so they mix and form an emulsion which looks smooth and silky. Also, by reducing its volume, the balsamic vinegar gains in taste as it becomes stronger. The added olive oil makes the dressing smooth and adds an extra silky consistency -- some balsamic glazes have no olive oil at all though.
First, the balsamic vinegar is placed into the pan and brought to the boiling point. At that moment, the heat should be lowered for simmering. The balsamic vinegar is stirred with a woodden spoon until it starts showing little bubbles as it gets more concentrated and the sugars contained naturally in it start melting.
The olive oil is slowly poured into the boiling vinegar, little amounts at a time and continously stirred.. It is quite easy to follow the gourmet reduction balsamic glaze dressing recipe!

The second step of this dressing recipe is the last one too. The balsamic vinegar will reduce its own volume and become more concentrate and thickens. When it becomes thick enough, it must be taken off the heat. The thickness can be tested by letting drops of the mixture fall off the wooden spoon. When the mixture gets syrupy and the drop takes time to form on the edge of the spoon, the pot must be taken off the heat and stirred for another minute, until it is getting cold.
Be not affraid to try it for the first time, the worse case scenario is that your gourmet dressing will be too thick or too fluid. It will taste good anyway and you can boil it again if it is not thick enough if you want or adding some more vinegar to get it less thick.

The ideal easy gourmet balsamic dressing has the consistency of a good honey. The gourmet balsamic dressing is best stored in a small jar or bottle, preferably of dark color or an opaque material. If there is nothing suitable available, the balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing can be stored in a dark, cool place. The dressing recipe is at its end!

Drops of the easy gourmet balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing can decorate the plate before a sandwich or the roast and vegetables are placed on it. Make the food a feast for more than one sense!

There is nothing more appealing to senses than a nice piece of roast meat with roast vegetables on a plate which has on it a pattern designed using this dressing. A fork that was previously dipped into the balsamic vinegar-olive oil reduction can be shifted over the plate first and the whole meal, after it was put onto the plate.

this is a simple example of a sandwich, slightly salted slices of avocado topped with the easy gourmet home made balsamic vinegar and olive oil dresssing. Avocado is a smart choice for a tasty and healthy snack. It is a good choice to be included into a vegan diet. Avocado is highly recommended in any diet. A drop of lemon juice can be added, starngely it does not change the taste of the dressing but highlights it. Go on, try it!