When you need a burst of flavor in your cooking, balsamic reductions are the way to go. Intensely flavorful and versatile these reductions add gourmet flare and exquisite taste to desserts, baked goods, grilled vegetables, meats, sauces and beverages. Here's how: 1 to 2 cups Balsamic Vinegar 1) Heat vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbling. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer until reduced by half the volume and thickened. Stir occasionally making sure it's not boiling rapidly ... just a low simmer is what you are going for.2) Cool and store in fridge for up to...

Serve this make-ahead appetizer spread in a colorful bowl and let guests spoon over Italian baguette bread, thinly sliced and toasted. Ingredients: 1 7 oz. jar Kalamata olives, pitted 1 7 oz. jar green olives stuffed with pimiento 1 16 oz. jar giardiniera (pickled vegetables found in grocery section near the olives) 3 large cloves garlic 1½ tablespoons fresh oregano 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons fresh basil ¼ cup 18-Year Balsamic Vinegar ¾ cup Koroneiki or Leccino Extra Virgin Olive Oil Directions: Buzz garlic in food processor.  Add herbs and buzz a few more times.  Drain olives and...