Balsamic Vinaigrette

  True balsamic vinegar is made from a reduction of pressed Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes. The resulting thick syrup, called mosto cotto in Italian, is subsequently aged for a minimum of 12 years in a battery of seven barrels of successively smaller sizes. The casks are made of different woods like chestnut, acacia, cherry, oak, mulberry, ash, and, in the past, juniper. True balsamic vinegar is rich, glossy, deep brown in color and has a complex flavor that balances the natural sweet and sour elements of the cooked grape juice with hints of wood from the casks.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup Agave nectar  
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Whisk ingredients until combined. 

Vinaigrette II

• 1 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3cup balsamic vinegar2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Salad greens
• Assortment of salad ingredients (see below)

Pairings:

1. Sliced seedless cucumbers, red onion with asiago cheese and grape tomatoes
2. Walnuts with blue cheese
3. Frisee and bacon with poached egg on top