One of the most utilized food products at my home is Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing. This versatile dressing made from the dark and sweet Balsamic vinegar is useful in a wide variety of recipes and applications. While perusing the contents of my refrigerator last week, I happened to notice that there were three different half- full bottles of Light, or Lite Balsamic Vinaigrettes taking up space in there. Sitting in my refrigerator were individual 8 oz bottles of Light, or Lite Wish- Bone (R), Newman’s Own (R) and Ken’s Steak House (R) brands of Balsamic Vinaigrette. Although Balsamic Vinaigrette is primarily a salad dressing, I tend to also use this product in many other ways. Funny thing is, because of the inherent taste differences in each of these products, I have found that each brand works better that the others for certain recipes.
As a marinade, Balsamic Vinaigrette adds a sweet, tangy flavor that is unmatched by other common types of salad dressing- marinades, such as Italian dressing. I like to marinate cubes of beef or pork for Shish- Ka- Bobs, chicken breasts for grilled chicken and even ears of corn, for savory corn on the cob in this salad dressing. As a dressing for pasta, spinach, tossed or macaroni salad, it lends a lively spunkiness that brings the assorted ingredients to life. When coating sliced potatoes for roasting, the flavor is dynamic and when drizzled over Bruschetta, it adds a sweet accompaniment that gives the appetizer pizzazz. Of course, it is strictly a matter of preference, but I have found that the Wish-Bone (R) Light Balsamic & Basil Vinaigrette with its tangy flavor works best as a marinade for chicken and fish and is quite delightful as a dressing for tossed, or Iceberg lettuce salad. The Ken’s (R) Lite Balsamic & Basil Vinaigrette, with its almost creamy taste is particularly excellent as a marinade for beef and pork, as well as for a roasted potato and corn on the cob marinade. The Newman’s Own (R) Lighten Up Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, which possesses a sweeter flavor, is a wonderful dressing for Spinach, Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil and Pasta salads, as well as tasty topper for Bruschetta. Since these observations are subjective, it is quite likely that other consumers will draw other conclusions or preferences. It is largely based upon my many years of working as a cook/ chef that has led me to develop a keen sense of taste and to appreciate the differences and subleties of each brand of Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Besides the afore- mentioned recipes and applications for Newman’s Own (R), Wish- Bone (R) and Ken’s (R) Balsamic Vinaigrettes, some of the other types of recipes that these salad dressings are very useful in are ; Fajitas, Chicken Salad, sauteed mushrooms, Antipasto, Guacamole, grilled fish, Arugula Salad, Brie with Pears, roast pork tenderloin and grilled flank steak. Nutritionally, the Wish-Bone (R) Light Balsamic & Basil Vinaigrette Dressing contains 60 calories, with 45 calories from fat per two- tablespoon (30ml) serving. The Newman’s Own (R) Lighten Up Balsamic Vinaigrette contains 45 calories, with 4 grams of fat per two- tablespoon (30g) serving and the Ken’s (R) Steakhouse Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette contains 50 calories, with 45 calories from fat, per two- tablespoon (30g) serving. Although each of these brands of light Balsamic Vinaigrette varies in flavor, they are all very good products which suit certain dishes and recipes better than each other. Whatever your preference, each one of these Balsamic Vinaigrettes is recommended by this food writer.
