Every year, Mother’s Day is observed on the second Sunday in May. Mothers around the world devoted many years to their children and it only makes sense that special gifts are a wonderful way to express your sentiments for that special person, your mother. Telling your mother with words how much you love her is one way to express your feelings but telling your mother with a gift is truly unique and will be remembered for years to come.

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Balsamic vinegar is an ingredient for both a vinaigrette and a marinade. People are wanting to eat healthier and are observing closely the foods that are high in certain ingredients, which can be harmful to their health. It has been drilled into us to stay away from foods that have trans fats, high carbs and high caloric ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to know how a company can list a specific food as “low-cal” and “low-carb” on the various product labels. FDA wants a definition as to what is expected when listing these nutritional values.

Perhaps a healthy alternative is preparing foods the old fashioned, simplistic way with no additives. Instead of pouring creamy dressing on your salad, why not try extra virgin olive oil with a splash of balsamic vinegar, drizzled over a crispy salad. You can even use this mixture over chicken and beef. What makes this even more interesting is that you can prepare your own balsamic flavoring, using your favorite herbs and spices, thus creating a personalized flavor. When prepared this way, a homemade balsamic vinaigrette that is used for green salads can also be used to marinate meats.

You don’t have to purchase expensive ingredients. There is no preparation lasting hours. Simplicity is the key in preparing balsamic vinegar. And…the health benefits far outweigh what you can purchase in the grocery store.

Balsamic vinegar is now being used by professional chefs and celebrities. No longer is balsamic vinegar only used as a drizzle over garden fresh salads. It is also being used as a marinade over prepared meats.

A quality bottle of balsamic vinegar can be used instead of the usual wine being brought to a family dinner. With the host’s contribution of extra virgin olive oil, each guest can provide their own unique blend and a taste testing evening will be enjoyed by all in attendance. A unique taste includes the following ingredients for a marinade, ideal for steak or chicken before grilling. 

½ cup aged balsamic vinegar
¼ cup extra virgin Spanish olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon Dijon style mustard
2 cloves garlic, peeled and pressed through a garlic press
1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey

In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients and place the meat in a plastic bag which is then sealed. Pour the marinade mixture over meat and coat the meat. Leave the meat mixture in the refrigerator up to two hours for tender cuts or up to 24 hours for less tender cuts. While marinating, turn at least one time.

For a simple balsamic vinaigrette, use ½ cup Spanish olive oil, ½ cup balsamic vinegar, a garlic clove, 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder, 1 pinch of sea salt and pepper to taste. Combine the ingredients and you will have created a delightful vinaigrette.

With both vinaigrette and marinade, you will have a unique taste guaranteed to make the evening with friends a success.

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Bread dipping, minced herbs and spices with quality extra virgin olive oil is complimented with dipping dishes which in turn makes for fine gourmet gifts. Bread dipping dishes are now both adaptable and fashionable. When you drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a dipping dish, it makes for a tasty Italian appetizer, using freshly baked bread and crisp vegetables. When using white stoneware dipping dishes a visual display of color graduations in the dish is displayed when filled with olive oil. Olive green tones in various hues can be seen and the artwork displayed is unique.

When inviting friends over, offer them fresh baked bread. Let them dip the bread in extra virgin olive oil in which herbs and spices have been added. Make sure you use quality dipping dishes which are custom made exclusively for bread dipping. When buying white stoneware dipping dishes spiral lines are featured for an artful table appearance. When extra virgin olive oil is added, the spiral design in the dipping dishes feature a floral rose inside the dish. When balsamic vinegar is added, the oil and vinegar separates and the vinegar settles to the bottom of the dipping dish with the oil floating on top.

Dipping dishes have multiple uses including adding gourmet sauce. Your freshly baked bread can be dipped into the dishes or you could use spring rolls, steamed vegetables or even pot stickers. You can also use dipping dishes to serve flavored oils or even to add spices to the olive oil. By adding a teaspoon of Italian crushed herbs with freshly ground peppercorns to a ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, you will have a delightful appetizer that is sure to compliment the main meal. Try sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the olive oil filled dipping dish. By dipping warmed sliced bread, your guests will be pleasantly surprised at the unique taste and the blended flavors of the herbs and peppercorns.

If you are stumped in determining the best gourmet gift to give a friend or relative, consider high quality bread dipping dishes. They easily fit into anyone’s kitchen décor. Dipping dishes are made of fine American chip resistant stoneware and you can use them in the microwave and they are dishwasher safe.

Everyone deserves a special gift as well as a unique gift. Not too many people are aware that there is such as a thing as dipping dishes made of white porcelain with a spiral design which creates a delicate floral rose inside the dish. Instead of having the usual appetizers of celery sticks or crackers with cheese, why not go that extra mile and serve warm sliced French bread dipped in olive oil in which herbs and spices have been added. Even extra virgin olive oil can be served alone or with a balsamic vinegar. The added vinegar will create the floral rose as the vinegar settles to the bottom and the oil continues to float on top. So…surprise your guests and show them how much you appreciate them by inviting them over and tantalizing their taste buds with unique bread dipping dishes. 

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