| "Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And | | | | Italian seasoning of choice |
| cooking done with care is an act of love." -- Craig | | | | PREPERATION: |
| Claiborne | | | | Shake or stir ingredients together. Keep tasting until |
| Balsamic vinegar is one of the more common gourmet | | | | you find the right combo of vinegar and oil. If you like it |
| vinegars used in making low carb, oil based dressings - | | | | less sweet, then add less sugar. |
| although there is nothing common about balsamic | | | | Garlic Vinaigrette |
| vinegar. The trend toward improved heart health has | | | | INGREDIENTS: |
| also led to low carb choices that assist in attaining | | | | 1 1/2 cups olive oil |
| elusive weight loss for many. Today, oil and vinegar is | | | | 1/4 cup of your favorite vinegar |
| becoming a family staple. | | | | 3 cloves of crushed garlic |
| Balsamic vinaigrette dressings will be best received by | | | | 2 tablespoons of granular sugar |
| family and friends when tossed through lettuce leaves | | | | 1/2 teaspoon mixed Italian herbs |
| or drizzled over sliced tomatoes and cucumbers just | | | | 1 pinch salt |
| prior to serving. Tossing the salad too early renders | | | | 1 pinch pepper |
| leafy vegetables droopy and unattractive. | | | | PREPERATION: |
| Oil and Vinegar - Shaken Not Stirred | | | | Combine all ingredients in a jar with secure cap, shake |
| Oil by itself can be used as a salad dressing; however | | | | well until well blended. Leave to cool in fridge for an |
| it is an acid like balsamic vinegar that makes the | | | | hour or so before serving. |
| dressing more palatable to family and guests. A | | | | Mediterranean Salad Mix |
| mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar provides a | | | | INGREDIENTS: |
| uniquely satisfying meal time vinaigrette. | | | | 1/2 envelope of Good Seasons® Italian |
| Tasty Homegrown Experiments | | | | 1/2 envelope Good Seasons® Garlic and Herb |
| Flavored oils that are unique to your own family | | | | Apple Cider Vinegar |
| recipes can be made at home. Herb oil, for example | | | | Olive Oil |
| and be made by gently heating a desired amount of | | | | PREPERATION: |
| olive oil, then adding chopped basil or chives. Your pan | | | | Using the Good Seasons® carafe fill to the vinegar |
| should be removed from the heat and covered until | | | | line with apple cider vinegar and olive oil. DO NOT USE |
| the mixture is cool. You can mix the cooled product | | | | ANY WATER, even though there is a fill line for water, |
| together using a blender. Once smooth you should | | | | use vinegar only. Chop some romaine lettuce and top |
| strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve. These oils | | | | with crumbled feta cheese, red onion slices and black |
| should be blended up to four days prior to planned | | | | olives. Serve with chilled dressing. |
| get-togethers and stored in a corked bottle to let the | | | | "The olive tree is surely the richest gift of Heaven, I |
| flavors merge. | | | | can scarcely expect bread." -- Thomas Jefferson |
| Spicy chili oil can be made by gently heating olive oil, | | | | In Conclusion |
| adding several finely chopped fresh chilies to the | | | | A low carb diet may not be for everyone, but a |
| sauce pan, along with a bay leaf and an unpeeled | | | | reduction in dietary carbohydrates is an idea that's |
| garlic clove. You should let mixture cool thoroughly then | | | | hard to argue against. |
| strain through a fine mesh sieve and store in a corked | | | | When a natural combination of extra virgin olive oil and |
| bottle. | | | | balsamic vinegar provide so much taste with so many |
| Factoid: 'Balsamic' means 'like balsam'. Balsam is an | | | | health benefits it becomes a message worth sharing - |
| aromatic resin and the term balsamic vinegar is a | | | | both verbally and in dishes that we make for our |
| common reference to the fact that the end result is | | | | family and friends. |
| thick (resin like) and aromatic. | | | | Whether it's balsamic vinaigrette for a spinach salad or |
| Low Carb Dressings | | | | olive oil as the base for Easy Italian Dressing, there is a |
| One of the many health benefits of balsamic vinegar | | | | growing body of evidence that suggests this good |
| (as well as other quality vinegars) and olive oil is the | | | | tasting food is good for you. |
| low carb nature of the mixture. Variations on these | | | | A Taste Unbidden (An ode to Balsamic Vinegar) |
| recipes may help you discover a unique flavor that is | | | | Between the tip of tongue and peace of mind |
| perfect for a family recipe. You can use the following | | | | A raging thirst discovers |
| recipes for guilt free meals and snacks. | | | | A love affair that's just begun |
| Easy Italian Dressing | | | | As I savor each new morsel |
| INGREDIENTS: | | | | Just where did taste begin? |
| 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil | | | | Where has it hidden all these years? |
| 2 Tbs. Balsamic vinegar | | | | A dichotomy of sweet and sour |
| 2 Tablespoons of granular sugar | | | | O' fair Queen of Modena. |