Faux Balsamico

Name: Faux Balsamico
Total time: 44 min
Yield: 1 1/2 cups
Cuisine: spanish
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons white sugar; 3 cups balsamic salad vinegar; 2 juniper berries, cut in half; 1/2 inch vanilla bean, split; 20 needles fresh rosemary; 2 black peppercorns; 6 raisins; 1/4 teaspoon dried fig; 1/4 inch piece of dried star anise; 1 tablespoon honey; 1/8 teaspoon molasses, optional; Worcestershire sauce, optional

By Molly O'Neill

Total Time: 44 minutes
Rating: (0)
Comments: Read comments

Featured in: Magic Potions That Stir Food To Life

or to save this recipe.
Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
Subscribe
Share
Print Options
Include recipe photo

Ingredients

Yield:1½ cups

2tablespoons white sugar
3cups balsamic salad vinegar
2juniper berries, cut in half
½inch vanilla bean, split
20needles fresh rosemary
2black peppercorns
6raisins
¼teaspoon dried fig
¼inch piece of dried star anise
1tablespoon honey
⅛teaspoon molasses, optional
Worcestershire sauce, optional

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

Step 1
In a heavy-bottom skillet over medium high heat, combine sugar with 1 tablespoon water, and simmer until mixture is dark caramel but not burned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and add 1 cup vinegar. Lower heat, and simmer until mixture is a very thick syrup, about 12 minutes.
Step 2
Carefully add another cup of vinegar, stirring constantly and scraping the syrup to incorporate it. Add juniper, vanilla bean, rosemary, black peppercorn, raisins, fig, star anise and remaining cup of vinegar and continue simmering until liquid is reduced to about 1½ cups, 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 3
Add honey, bring to a simmer and remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. Taste and adjust flavor with the molasses (for a darker, caramel tone) or Worcestershire sauce (to enhance the spice tone). Strain.