Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Pairings
How to Dip Bread in Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
Pour a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil into a shallow dish. Add a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar — dark for richness, white for brightness. Add a pinch of sea salt and cracked pepper if you like. Tear fresh crusty bread and dip. The ratio is personal, but start with about 3 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic. The key is using genuinely fresh cold-pressed EVOO and a quality aged balsamic — the difference from grocery store versions is immediate.
Not sure which combination to start with? Come taste them all free at 103 Focis Street, Old Metairie — Tue–Fri 10–5:30, Sat 10–4.
Bread & Dipping
Dipping Pairings
The simplest way to experience the combination. Pour, dip, repeat.
Traditional Balsamic & any Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The classic combination. Rich, slightly sweet balsamic against the pepper and fruitiness of a fresh EVOO. Start here if you’re new to specialty dipping.
Traditional Balsamic & Black Truffle Olive Oil
Earthy truffle oil with deep aged balsamic. Remarkable on crusty bread or bruschetta. One of our most popular dipping combinations in-store.
Fig Balsamic & Garlic Olive Oil
Sweet fig and savory garlic is a combination that surprises people every time. Outstanding with sourdough, focaccia, or a cheese board.
Salads & Dressings
Salad Pairings
Whisk 3 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic, add salt and pepper, done. Better than any bottled dressing.
Champagne Wine Vinegar & Any Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Light, bright, and clean. The most versatile salad dressing base we carry. Works on anything from arugula to a simple tomato salad.
Sicilian Lemon White Balsamic & Basil Olive Oil
Bright, herby, and summery. Perfect on caprese salad, grilled zucchini, or pasta salad. One of our top sellers in warmer months.
Raspberry Balsamic & Fused Lemon Olive Oil
Sweet-tart raspberry with a bright citrus base. Exceptional on spinach salad with goat cheese, pecans, and fresh berries.
Honey Ginger White Balsamic & Fused Blood Orange Olive Oil
Warm and citrusy with a ginger kick. Beautiful on an Asian-inspired slaw or mixed greens with mandarin oranges and sesame.
Peach White Balsamic & Tuscan Herb Olive Oil
Sweet peach with savory herb. A crowd-pleaser on a summer salad or as a marinade for grilled chicken.
Sicilian Lemon White Balsamic & Garlic Olive Oil
Bright lemon and savory garlic. A go-to dressing for roasted vegetable salads, grain bowls, and grilled fish over greens.
Meats, Seafood & Vegetables
Cooking & Finishing Pairings
Cook with the olive oil, finish with the balsamic — or use both as a marinade. Add the balsamic in the last few minutes to avoid burning the sugars.
Espresso Balsamic & Chipotle Olive Oil
Bold, smoky, and slightly sweet. A standout marinade or glaze for steak, pork ribs, or grilled portobello mushrooms.
Espresso Balsamic & Wild Mushroom & Sage Olive Oil
Deep, earthy, and savory. Exceptional with roasted mushrooms, lamb chops, or a risotto finish. One of our most sophisticated pairings.
Fig Balsamic & Coratina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Elegant and complex. Fig’s natural sweetness against the robust intensity of Coratina EVOO. Perfect with duck breast, pork tenderloin, or roasted root vegetables.
Black Cherry Balsamic & Persian Lime Olive Oil
Fruity and bright. Outstanding glaze for salmon, shrimp, or grilled chicken. Also works as a finishing drizzle over tacos.
Jalapeño White Balsamic & Chipotle Olive Oil
Double heat with a sweet backbone. Use as a marinade for chicken wings, shrimp skewers, or as a dipping sauce for grilled corn.
Strawberry Balsamic & Basil Olive Oil
Sweet strawberry and fresh basil. A beautiful finishing glaze for grilled chicken or pork, or drizzled over fresh mozzarella.
Sweet Finishes
Dessert Pairings
This is where people are always surprised. A drizzle of balsamic or flavored olive oil over the right dessert is one of the easiest upgrades in your kitchen.
Raspberry Balsamic & French Vanilla Ice Cream
Our single most popular dessert pairing. The sweet-tart raspberry balsamic drizzled over vanilla ice cream stops people in their tracks every time. Simple and extraordinary.
Dark Chocolate Balsamic & Chipotle Olive Oil
Rich chocolate with a smoky heat. Drizzle over brownies, chocolate cake, or use as a dipping sauce for fresh strawberries. Unexpected and addictive.
Cinnamon Pear Balsamic & Fused Blood Orange Olive Oil
Warm spice, sweet pear, and bright citrus. Drizzle over pound cake, pancakes, French toast, or a cheese plate with brie.
Cara Cara Orange-Vanilla White Balsamic & Butter Olive Oil
Bright orange and creamy vanilla with a buttery base. Outstanding drizzled over waffles, crepes, angel food cake, or fresh fruit.
Maple Balsamic & Butter Olive Oil
Rich maple sweetness with a smooth buttery finish. The best thing you’ll ever put on pancakes, waffles, or roasted sweet potatoes.
Strawberry Balsamic & Fused Lemon Olive Oil
Sweet strawberry and bright lemon. Drizzle over cheesecake, panna cotta, or fresh strawberries with whipped cream.
