Oh, please don't throw it out. You could send it to me! Seriously, here is what Wikipedia says about Balsamic vinegar: "Only two consortia produce true balsamic vinegar, Modena and Reggio Emilia. Modena (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena) designates the different ages of their balsamic vinegar by label colour. A red label means the vinegar has been aged for at least 12 years, a silver label that the vinegar has aged for at least 18 years and a gold label that designates the vinegar has aged for 25 years or more[1]. Reggio Emilia (Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale de Reggio Emilia) uses a similar system to indicate the age of their balsamic vinegars. A white label means the vinegar has aged for at least 12 years and a gold label bearing the designation extravecchio to show the vinegar has aged for 25 years or more[1]." Also, have you ever seen a vinegar "mother?" You are supposed to be very lucky to develop a mother. You can use it to grow more vinegar. Don't know where I learned this little tidbit, but the best balsamic vinegar is grown in ancient (centuries old) wooden kegs. When they become so ancient they are leaking or beginning to fall apart, they simply build new kegs/barrels around the old ones. So basically we are pouring dissolved oak/ash/chestnut/juniper over our tomato/mozzarella/basil salads! Here is a link that might be useful: Vinegar

The allowable level for lead in water (set by EPA ) is 15 ppb (parts per billion) Here is a link that might be useful: EPA Basic information - Lead in Drinking Water

Linda stole my idea! LOL! I was going to suggest a lovely spinach salad with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of any of the flavored Balsamics. There is also a recipe I have filed somewhere for a orange and fennel salad, I think the fig would be fab with it. I also have a recipe for a brie and pear strudel that would be WONDERFUL with a drizzle of one of the sweet balsamics. Or those palmiers form the Silver Palate cookbook with proscuitto and a drizzle of fig balsamic Then there is always the following: Balsamic Glazed Cipolline Onions The sweet sharpness of both the orange juice and the balsamic vinegar combines with the natural sugars in the onions to create a delicious snack that's perfect to serve with cocktails, as an addition to an antipasto assortment, or as an accompaniment to roasted meats. 2 pounds fresh small cipolline onions or pearl onions 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup fresh orange juice 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar Blanch onions in large pot of boiling salted water 15 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer to large bowl of ice water to cool. Trim root end if necessary, leaving core intact. Peel onions. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add onions and sautuntil onions have deep golden brown spots, about 9 minutes. Add orange juice and vinegar; bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until onions are just tender when pierced with knife, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer onions to medium bowl. Boil juices in skillet until syrupy and reduced to 2/3 cup, about 3 minutes. Pour over onions. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm or bring to room temperature before serving.) Market Tip Cipolline onions are small, flat Italian onions. They can be found in the produce section of many supermarkets and Italian markets. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Bon Appétit May 2005 ************************************************************* Balsamic Glazed Vegetables Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray Recipe Summary Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Yield: 4 to 6 servings User Rating: 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of your choice of the following, or any combination of: "baby" packaged fresh carrots, brussel sprouts, yellow squash (you can also use broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini) 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon butter Salt and freshly ground black pepper Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish Place veggies in a pan with water and vinegar. Bring to a boil and cover. Reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes. Remove lid and raise heat back up. Allow the water to boil away and the vinegar to reduce and glaze the veggies, about 5 to 7 minutes. When the vegetables are glazed, to a sweet, rich brown color add butter to the pan. Turn veggies to coat lightly with butter. Season with salt, pepper and serve. Garnish with parsley. For an optional glaze for the vegetables, substitute 1/4 melted butter and 1/4 cup honey for 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar. Follow method as listed. Episode#: TM1B58 Copyright © 2003 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved ***********************************************************

The best Balsamic vinegar from Modena will have "Tradizionale" on the label. If it does not have that, then it is a cheaper imitation and may bear little resemblance to the Tradizionale vinegar, which resembles molasses in viscosity and sweetness. I buy it at a restaurant supply store, and I have found some as cheap as $30 that were very good but still did not have "Tradizionale" on the label. From my experience, price is a good indicator of how good it is, and you do get what you pay for. Fondo di Trebbiano is a good brand for under $60, but it has been aged only 8 years. A tiny bit of this vinegar will go a long way. I like to put it on fruit, especially apple slices or strawberries. Here is a relatively reasonably priced Tradizionale vinegar.