Shirley U Geste
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Cats, cats, cats and more cats!!
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Mar 5, 2017 20:36:00 GMT
Has anyone tried Fig Balsamic vinegar?
I'm seeing it mentioned on a lot of cooking sites/shows and wondered how good it was and what brands are best.
I love both figs and balsamic vinegars so I thought I would give it a try.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Mar 14, 2017 22:02:07 GMT
Coupon code for 17% off at www.dakinehawaiian.net. PATTY2017 They have a kona coffee rub, but I don't know if it's the brand that Liz uses.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Mar 14, 2017 22:03:05 GMT
Has anyone tried Fig Balsamic vinegar?
I haven't seen fig yet. I did pick up raspberry infused balsamic vinegar last night. Smells divine.
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Post by 57roses on Mar 15, 2017 3:26:59 GMT
Fig balsamic-yes! I have Epicurean brand . Can't remember if I got it at Whole Foods or Trader Joes, but it is good. I love figs which is why I picked it up. It's thick and syrupy. I've only had it on salad and maybe drizzled on salmon.
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Post by kat on Mar 15, 2017 8:43:56 GMT
Fig balsamic with basil olive oil is one of my favourite combos.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Apr 24, 2017 1:06:56 GMT
I bought some red wine vinegar infused with jalapeno. First time I've seen it. Haven't tried it yet, though. I think I'm going to mix it with some garlic olive oil and Litehouse salt free guacamole seasoning (red onion, cilantro, lemon peel, tomato, red chile, garlic and cumin) and marinate chicken or pork chops in it.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on May 2, 2017 23:58:50 GMT
I finally made it to our local specialty oil and vinegar shop. O.M.G. I left with sampler sizes of espresso basalmic, blueberry basalmic, fig basalmic, orange vanilla basalmic, pineapple basalmic and tangerine basalmic. Got to taste them first too. Woo hoo can't wait to dive in and cook with them! I stopped by a fave restaurant in same s/c for an omelet and I'll hit the grocery store on the way home.
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Post by kat on May 3, 2017 4:05:34 GMT
Tell me about the espresso balsamic. I'm intrigued. Sounds like it would be something to drizzle over beef and veggies grilled skewers.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on May 3, 2017 5:41:02 GMT
I sampled it in the store and it's awesome. I'm going to put it on rib eyes on Friday. I need to figure out what to add, if anything. I like the idea of the veggie skewers, I should pick some up Thursday!
The tangerine balsamic tastes like it would be good with orange or yellow bell peppers, chicken (or mild fish), and carrots in a stir fry maybe.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on May 6, 2017 1:36:16 GMT
The espresso balsamic vinegar is to die for. I just grilled a steak, all I put on it was ground black pepper, a splash of worchestershire sauce, and liberal amounts of the espresso balsamic. When it was done, I sprinkled a very tiny amount of pink himalayan salt on it. It was very good. The espresso balsamic gave it sort of a roasted nut taste.
I'm off to google and see if I make this myself. Buying it at the specialty stores is expensive.
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Post by 57roses on May 6, 2017 13:00:59 GMT
I have the espresso balsamic but haven't used it much. I put a little over vanilla ice cream-cuts the sweetness and adds a nice flavor. It would probably be good with strawberries also. A little goes a long way. Will try it next time I make steak.
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Post by kat on May 7, 2017 3:53:39 GMT
I love balsamic on strawberries. I bet that would be delicious.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2017 3:05:29 GMT
There is a place called The Crushed Olive that has all the specialty oil and vinegars and you can taste and buy in different sizes. One of the ones I picked up was espresso balsamic and I put it on strawberries, on cantaloupe and on vanilla ice cream (or could be good on both together LOL). There are not too many uses that I found for it other than dessert, but it was very good. I think I would like it on bananas also so maybe would try that next. I really love white balsamic, aged dark balsamic, white wine or red wine vinegars for salad. We don't use many dressing other than oil and vinegar and the occasional caesar or ranch. It is almost always oil and vinegar.
As for the oils, I am more of a straight olive oil type of gal, but will do the flavored ones raw only. To dip bread into, yes definitely, especially any with herbs. And with any salads, the flavors would be good and unchanged.
For cooking, I tend to use a lot of herbs, spices and garlic so would not look for any oil that was pre-seasoned. I would think heating it after it is seasoned to perfection would somehow alter the intended flavor of the oil and possibly change the way I want the dish to taste.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on May 10, 2017 4:14:16 GMT
I have a pork roast to put in the slow cooker Friday - I'm going to use the espresso balsamic vinegar instead of regular balsamic. I may add some liquid smoke and brown sugar, for a bit of a BBQ taste. I just need to remember to go by the oil place Thursday after work and pick up some more of the espresso balsamic. My Thursday office is over that way so it should work out.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on May 11, 2017 21:22:30 GMT
Clean, I use the flavored oils to brown meat, fix eggs, etc. Basic stuff like that. For salad dressings, I'll use plain oils and herbs like you do. I use the flavored oils to perk things up too - the sriracha oil drizzled over store-bought hummus is really good.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on May 12, 2017 19:29:37 GMT
Arrggghhh! I went by the second location of the oil store yesterday and they'd closed early. VERY early. Really annoyed me. Guess I'll wander over to the westside location in a bit, since I want some espresso balsamic for a pork roast tomorrow. That location is by another Savers...too convenient.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Jun 15, 2017 3:40:50 GMT
Fig balsamic with basil olive oil is one of my favourite combos. I finally broke down and bought some walnut oil. Pared it this morning (for lunch salad) with raspberry balsamic vinegar and a little stevia (I like my raspberry flavored stuff a little sweet). It was so tasty a coworker asked for recipe. Gave it to her...she couldn't believe that was all it was. The walnut oil is GOOD!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 23:55:15 GMT
I like balsamic vinegar. I buy a specific brand that is aged so its a little thicker and richer in flavor. For salads, I just use olive oil and balsamic most times. Sometimes I drizzle a few drops on strawberries and let them sit for a few minutes.
For oils, I have regular olive oil, garlic olive oil, and vegetable oil. I use the olive oil for cooking, but keep the vegetable oil around for baking sweets and to use when mixing up some Good Seasons Italian dressing. I don't use olive oil in that because it solidifies in the refrigerator.
For spices, I have all kinds of weird stuff that has filled up a full 3-shelf cabinet in my kitchen. I can't remember the last time I had to buy a needed herb or spice at the store. I tend to shop at ethnic markets because it's so much cheaper than the regular grocery store. I keep most baking stuff around too. Dry goods, and canned evaporated milk.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Jun 24, 2017 5:02:05 GMT
I bought some chipotle infused olive oil from the Olive Oil store here. Good thing I just bought the sample size. It was OK. I honestly couldn't taste the chipotle at all and doubt I'll buy it again. The sriracha oil I buy tastes better, is cheaper and I don't have to drive to the other side of town to buy it. The walnut oil is awesome. I just bought my second bottle. It's awesome for salad dressings. I think I'm going to use some pear infused white balsamic vinegar, the walnut oil, and fresh strawberries this weekend and see how it comes out in a dressing. Or maybe sub apples for the strawberries.
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Post by kat on Jun 24, 2017 5:31:19 GMT
Is it pure walnut oil or a blend? I found a bottle of walnut oil at Safeway today and it was small and $22. Needless to say, I passed on it
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Jun 24, 2017 14:51:18 GMT
Pure. Smiths and Sprouts both carry it, under $10 for a decent size. Since I only use it for dressings (and not cooking) I don't use it as fast as the other oils so I don't mind paying a little more for the walnut oil.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2017 1:12:39 GMT
I occasionally see different oils in the food section of Ross for cheap. Got 3 bottles of balsamic vinegar for $1.49 each.
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val2525
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Posts: 30,780
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Post by val2525 on Jun 28, 2017 2:46:57 GMT
I just discovered that not all walnut oils are created equally. I usually buy La Tourangelle, has a wonderful nutty taste and the oil is really rich and smooth. Decided to try Spectrum this last time. Yuck. It tastes like...oil. Like veggie oil. Like safflower or sunflower oil. Bland. No nutty taste, and not nearly as rich or smooth. I'll pay extra next time for La Tourangelle.
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