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Saturday, June 9, 2012

Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar

I love salads, and I often add cocoa nibs to my green salads for crunch. As you can imagine, I'm also fond of Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar. There are several brands I like, but it's so easy to make your own.  Here's a simple recipe.

Tip: Use the very best balsamic vinegar you have. If you don't you'll need to reduce 'cheap' balsamic vinegar and mix it with sugar. Skip that step and use the best! As I always say, if you use quality ingredients, you'll have a better finished product. That goes for the cocoa here, too.

This Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar is great on salads, on strawberries, with brie or goat cheese or over ice cream. You might want to adjust the sugar to your taste.

CHOCOLATE BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Ingredients:
1 cup good quality balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup good quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
1 tsp Madagascar vanilla extract

In saucepan, dissolve sugar and salt in water over low heat, stirring often. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and add cocoa, stirring until you have a syrup.
Add vanilla and set aside to cool.
Once syrup is cooled,  mix vinegar and chocolate syrup together.
Put in glass container with a tight top or seal.

Use as salad dressing or pour over strawberries, goat cheese, brie or ice cream.

12 comments:

Jane said...

Wow! How interesting. I have never heard of chocolate balsamic vinegar but it sounds pretty intriguing. Nor have I ever tried using cacoa nibs in a salad, though I do use them in baking. Wonderful ideas!

Anonymous said...

Ok - I trust you - I'm going to try it!!
mary x

Janet Rudolph said...

You might want to lessen the sugar, but otherwise it should be great.. a must, though, is a good quality balsamic vinegar.

Gone-ta-pott said...

Where have I been? I loveeee balsamic vinegar but I've never had chocolate balsamic vinegar.

Anonymous said...

We bought this at The Olive Tap in Palm Beach. Gave some to friends. Love, love, love it. Cant wait to try this recipe. Thanks so much.

Baking Addict said...

This sounds interesting - I've never heard of chocolate balsamic vinegar. I also like the idea of adding cocoa nibs to salads. Thanks!

Janet Rudolph said...

Cocoa nibs adds a bit of crunch to salads.. I especially like them with fresh greens and goat cheese... and chocolate balsamic vinegar

Gloria Baker said...

My mom see evbery time mad men!LOL and I adore old chocolate desserts, delicious recipes!

Susan @ FruitfulWords said...

I bought cocoa nibs to make chocolate extract. And I have plenty left. Could I use them to make chocolate balsamic vinegar.
I am going to add nibs to my salad tomorrow.

Janet Rudolph said...

Hi, Susan, I don't think you can use nibs to make chocolate balsamic vinegar, but if you try, let me know what happens.. I use them in salads and other foods..breads, etc..

Anonymous said...

Do you have any idea what the shelf life of this might be? Hopefully long, since it's vinegar?

Janet Rudolph said...

I don't know the shelf-life, but you're right, vinegar, so longer than one would think??