Olive Oil and Balsamic Salad Dressing Recipe

A simple, delicious Italian salad dressing is the perfect way to elevate any dish, and with a few high-quality ingredients, you can bring the authentic taste of Italy to your table. The secret lies in a good 'Il Paio' (The Pair), a combination of premium extra virgin olive oil and a mature balsamic vinegar.

Real Italian Ingredients: Quality and Tradition

At the heart of Italian cooking is the belief that great food starts with great ingredients. Carluccio's selection of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegara exemplifies this philosophy, each product with a rich history and unique character.

L'oro di Calabria, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Homer famously called olive oil "liquid gold," and its history spans millennia. The olive tree is one of the oldest cultivated trees, with its origins traced back to Asia Minor around 6,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks believed the olive tree was a gift from the goddess Athena, and the Romans spread its cultivation across their empire.

Carluccio's L'oro di Calabria, meaning 'the gold of Calabria,' is a testament to this history. It's made from Carolea olives grown on centenary trees in the Calabria region, the "toe" of Italy's boot. The olives are handpicked and cold-pressed within hours of harvest, a meticulous process that preserves the oil's intense, green, and fruity flavour. It has notes of tomato and fresh grass, a round and full taste, and a rich aftertaste of almonds, chilli pepper, and citrus. This superior category oil, obtained solely by mechanical means, is a hallmark of quality and is perfect for finishing salads, soups, or grilled meats and fish.

Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP

Balsamic vinegar also has a storied past, with roots in ancient Roman times when grape must was boiled down to create a sweet syrup. The art of ageing and fermenting this must in wooden barrels was perfected in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, particularly in Modena, where the Carluccio's balsamic vinegar is from. The term "balsamic" was first officially recorded in a ducal cellar register in 1747, and the vinegar was highly prized by local nobility, who even used it as a medicine or "balm."

Carluccio's Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP is a '3 coin' quality, mature, and full-bodied balsamic vinegar. It's aged through a series of nine oak barrel passages, which gives it a perfect blend of sweet and sharp flavours. Its IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) status guarantees that it is produced in Modena using local grape varieties, a tradition passed down through generations.

Recipe: Olive Oil and Balsamic Salad Dressing

This simple, classic Italian dressing highlights the quality of the ingredients, a reflection of the 'less is more' approach to Italian cooking. The key is the ratio, and letting the products shine.

Ingredients:

• 3 parts L'oro di Calabria, Carluccio's Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 part Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP, 250ml

• A pinch of sea salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper until the salt has dissolved.

2. Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil, whisking continuously until the dressing is emulsified.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The dressing should be well-balanced, with the sweetness of the balsamic vinegar complemented by the fruity notes of the olive oil.

4. Drizzle over your favourite fresh salad and enjoy the simplicity and quality of a true Italian classic.