On Nov 4, 7:50*am, Jim Elbrecht > wrote:
> I am, by nature, a cheap bas. . . er. . *a frugal shopper. * *So when
> I first started using Balsamic vinegar in recipes I went for the
> cheaper bottles. * *I've even bought some at a dollar store.
>
> So, when I saw, twice in the last week, recipes calling for 'a good
> grade of balsamic' I was a little skeptical. * * One recipe went on to
> say that to some folks balsamic brands were like religion and they
> treasured theirs like beer drinkers and their brew. * * *I've known a
> lot of beer snobs in my day that, once the labels were off couldn't
> tell a lager from a stout, so I didn't pay much mind.
>
> But yesterday's recipe was for my bi-annual run of lamb chops- and I
> had some time to shop, so I went to the vinegar section in the grocery
> store and looked at their balsamics. * * They had about a dozen
> bottles of various sizes, all in the $3-5 range. * * Then there was
> the small bottle- 8.5oz - for $11. [I just looked online & it seems
> that is an excellent price for this bottle- $16 seems the norm]
>
> Lucini, Gran Riserva, "aged 10 years". *I'm a sucker for a pretty
> bottle, and this is one. *So I got it.
>
> And a balsamic vinegar snob was born.<g>
>
> Couple questions--
> 1. What do I do with my cheap stuff now that I'm a snob?

You're not a snob yet. Wait until you're spending $100 for
four ounces of vinegar.

The cheap stuff is probably ok for salad dressing or marinades.
A little garlic, a little olive oil, you probably won't notice its
harshness.

> 2. Is there a more economical brand or way to buy the good stuff?

No idea. I usually get this:
http://www.grocerycouponnetwork.com/...s.php?Id=20848

at my regular grocery store. I bet I pay about $12 for it.

Sorry, I don't shop on price. I just get what I want.

Cindy Hamilton