This colorful Trader Joe's vinegar first caught our eye a few months ago, but we kept passing it by in favor of practical pantry staples. Every so often, we'd pick it up and almost put it in our basket, only to place it back on the shelf with a sigh.
Then we were hungry for a citrusy, vinegary salad to go with the breezy warm weather this past weekend, and we decided enough was enough!
This vinegar hits the balance of sweet and tart exactly right. The bright flavor of oranges shines through the vinegar, buoyed by the sweet muscat grape.
We dressed a simple salad of greens with a tart vinaigrette of two parts Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar and three parts fruity extra-virgin olive oil. It was exactly that hit of citrus and greens that we'd been craving!
Now we're bursting with other ideas to work this vinegar into our cooking! Here are a few we've come up with so far:
Mango Salsa
Summer Fruit Salad
In a marinade for grilled meats and veggies
Ceviche Recipes (via Simply Recipes)
What else would you do with this vinegar?
Related: Cooking by Feel: Asian Flavor Combinations
(Image Credit: Emma Christensen for the Kitchn)
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I just happen to be heading to the big city and Trader Joe's (which I love) tomorrow. I can't wait to try some of this - it sounds wonderful. Thanks!
view Farmgirl Susan's profile
It makes an excellent sauce/glaze for asparagus.
I've also used it in a slaw to create a sweeter vinegar dressing. Or in a nice fennel salad.
view roseslaw's profile
We have one of these in our fridge right now and use it frequently on spring/summer produce.
view rosebud's profile
This is my favorite TJ dressing. I've been buying it for a few years now in CT and NY stores and only recently actually looked at the price (and I"m not usually like that) and had major sticker shock. As soon as we ran out, I would quickly restock. I've been trying to figure out a way to make this from scratch at home. Any ideas for the champagne vinegar part?
view edava72's profile
I love this vinegar!!! Last summer I made a potato salad with it. Boiled up mini potatoes, dumped the whole bottle of vinegar in with some thinly sliced red onions, salt and pepper, and a little olive oil (and some herb i forget which - maybe sage ... or rosemary ... i can't remember!). as the salad sat around as the sausages were grilling and we played in the pool the potatoes picked up the citrus-y tang and were so tasty. the entire pot was demolished by my normally anorexic family members.
view Joan in SB's profile
This vinegar has been one of my favorites for years- I've made the easiest salads with it: TJ's steamed and peeled beets with the vinegar, crumbled goat cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper. SO good!!
view spotonmeg's profile