Like what I assume to be most normal sapiens of the homo (and/or hetero) variety, I have more or less assumed that other than use as a cleaning solution, vinegar was most commonly used as an ingredient, rather than a beverage.
But after seeing a couple of shows on Food Network and PBS, it came to light that some people regard balsamic vinegar as something of a delicacy, to be sipped in its unaltered state rather than diluted with things like food.
I tried it a few times over the weekend. My GF thought I was a little odd for doing so. Her kids thought I was fargin’ nuts. I, on the other hand, thought it was quite tasty. I sampled three different brands, all el-cheapo brands, and found them to be quite delightful.
Anyone else make a habit of drinking this nectar of the sourpuss gods?
Gods help me, I do. Not just balsamic vinegar, but the raw stuff. I’ll drink malt vinegar straight from the bottle. I’ve always, always loved that burning nectar, and I always will. When I was young I used to eat a lot of salad. Not because I was healthy, but because people actually let you soak it in vinegary goodness. OK sure, you had to give a tokenistic nod to “oil” but the salad, and indeed your whole meal, could easily become saturated in the good stuff. I still put it on pizza. I pan fry greens in it. The principle ingredients in my bolognese sauce is red wine vinegar. In short, you ask me if I drink vinegar, and answer you in the affirmative.
Yes and lots and lots of it! I have probably got this of of my mother who loves the stuff as much as I do. Being a student I dont have a lot of money to spend on things like food. Sometimes I have a jar of beetroot for supper then drink the lovely vinegar juice out of the jar - yum! All this vinegar talk has my mouth watering - Im off!
Oh man, beetroot has to be the greatest single culinary invention since fire. An entire vegetable turned into nothing more than a vinegar delivery system. Say what you will about the Slavs, they know how to make lemons from lemonade.
(I also suck raw lemons. If it doesn’t twist your face through 90 degrees, it’s not worth eating.)
My grandpa does (or did, I don’t ask). But not balsamic because it’s tasty but nasty white vinegar because he has some weird ideas about health (bless him).
My grandma used to tell him that he’d pickle himself. He’s 84 and my only living relative of that generation so…I guess it worked!
It would never occur to me to drink plain white vinegar (or cider or wine), though I do loves me some pickle juice. And harvard beet juice must be simply divine.
But balsamic has that extra kick of sugar that my body so greatly desires. It’s black gold.
After reading Richard Proenneke’s One Man’s Wilderness I tried apple cider vinegar mixed in hot water and honey. It tastes like apple cider with a bite. Just the thing for a cold Winter’s day.
