Balsamic Vinegar has been used for some years now as an accompaniment for a range of cold dishes. Soft fruits really come into their own at their optimum ripeness when combined with a dash of balsamic vinegar. Whether it be halved pears, freshly picked wild strawberries or a ripe peach, the excitingly different taste offered by a combination with Balsamic Vinegar will score high on the flavor scale. A fresh ricotta or a cubed feta will benefit too.

The versatility of a good balsamic vinegar will make its presence felt in your kitchen. But it is as a salad dressing that balsamic vinegar really wins people over. Fresh green salad leaves are transformed and at their very best with this indispensable kitchen ingredient. It gets better with age too, so you should keep a bottle around. Truly, one of the stalwart ingredients in any kitchen is balsamic vinegar.