balsamic vinegar

I planted a raised bed full of herbs in my backyard last year in hopes of gaining a better understanding of where my food comes from, as well as to enjoy the fruits herbs of my labor. Despite next to no prior experience in the garden, for the next few months I was a woman obsessed, tending to my garden with care day in and day out.

Cut to three months later, when I sheepishly pulled into the garage under the cover of darkness with a seemingly lifeless twig of a fig tree in the car trunk. Inexperienced, and without a proper home for a tree with a decades long life-span, I set it up next to its fragrant friends and watered away, hoping for a sign of life. Slowly, but surely, leaves sprouted forth, and I marveled at each subsequent, shoot, bud and leaf; from my enthusiasm (and over-sharing with anyone who'd listen) you'd think I birthed the tree myself.

Keep reading for more figgy business.

If you're already a fan of making your own snacks, then why not start preparing your own condiments, too? One of the easiest in my book is balsamic glaze: all you really need is a bottle of balsamic vinegar and 10 minutes. Here's how you do it:

1. Pour a cup of balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring the heat to a boil without reducing the heat on the stove.
3. At this point, turn down the heat so that boil reduces to a simmer. Stir occasionally and allow to simmer until the vinegar has reduced by at least half (for a thinner reduction) or more (for a more syrupy consistency). However impatient you may be, don't try to increase the heat, unless you want to be left with a stiff, hardened mess!
4. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container; store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Use your new condiment as the base for healthy antipasto skewers, or serve it with fruit and ice cream for an easy yet sophisticated finish to your meal. Ready to move on to more condiments? Master recipes for homemade ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

Have you ever made a balsamic reduction?

Source: Flickr User thepinkpeppercorn

Whenever I come across strawberries that are about to go bad — the mushy ones with lots of wrinkles and a deep red color — I set them aside and use them in a cocktail. Many recipes involve muddling the strawberries to extract the juices, so it doesn't really matter if they aren't the prettiest of berries. For adventurous home mixologists, I highly recommend you make use of blemished berries with this recipe for a strawberry-balsamic crush. It's an interesting drink with sweet, tart, and savory notes hitting the palate, one after another. Don't skip the freshly-ground black pepper garnish; it takes this amazing concoction to a whole new level. Seriously, this is a must make for home bartenders; it's a superb libation! Get the recipe after the break.

It's common knowledge that strawberries are a natural addition to crumb cakes, parfaits, and cocktails. Yet I've always wanted to push the berry's boundaries, so this weekend I took the fruit to another level with a savory application.

Spaghetti and strawberries aren't a typical pairing, which is exactly why this recipe, courtesy of Manhattan restaurant Sfoglia, caught my eye. I gave it a try, despite secret fears that the end result would disappoint.

Thankfully, it didn't! Tomatoes, like rhubarb, have an acidity that's on par with strawberries, and a high-quality aged balsamic, which is more sweet than tart, helps to round out the flavors. Curious about the recipe? Then read more.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays; however, eating the same dishes year after year can be a little monotonous, so this Thursday all the classics are getting a modern twist. Glazed carrots have always been an essential dish for my feast, but I crave more complex flavor. Pomegranate-balsamic glazed carrots fits the ticket perfectly.The sweet glaze combines honey, balsamic vinegar, and pomegranate juice. Topping the dish with fresh mint and a subtle touch of cayenne pepper balances the sweetness. Chopping the carrots requires some attention, but they can be prepped six hours ahead of time. This is a fast side dish and only requires about 20 minutes of cook time. Want a new glaze for your carrots? Then keep reading.

When looking for quick, uncomplicated weeknight dinners, there's one cut of meat I always seem to forget: pork medallions. Quite simply, pork medallions are one-inch-thick slices of pork tenderloin. They cook rapidly, can take on distinct flavor profiles, and taste juicy and delicious.

This dish combines the medallions with peppery arugula and ripe tomatoes. The pork is further seasoned with pungent garlic, salty prosciutto, and tangy balsamic vinegar. To get the recipe for this meal that comes together in minutes, read more

One can never have too many burger recipes, and this one is perfect for vegetarians! It expertly marinates portobello mushrooms in balsamic vinegar and garlic.

The 'shrooms are charred on the grill and served with chunks of smoky red bell peppers and disks of goat cheese. The final result is very satisfying — especially when paired with a cold beer and enjoyed in the open air.

Interested in the recipe? All you have to do is keep reading