Find out how to make Balsamic Pearls (also known as Balsamic Caviar) using just 3 plant-based ingredients. Get the recipe below.
Molecular gastronomy - an intimidating phrase that describes using a scientific approach to creating exciting food. Today I'm sharing a recipe for Balsamic Pearls which uses chemistry to transform 3 simple vegan ingredients into little bursts of flavour.
Vegan Balsamic Pearls taste just like balsamic vinegar but with the texture of caviar. They are perfect for topping salads and other dishes as they add flavour and make the dish look rather fancy!
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Ingredients
The ingredients list is surprisingly short. You need just 3 ingredients to make Vegan Balsamic Pearls:
- Balsamic vinegear
- Agar powder (also known as agar agar)
- Olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these vegan balsamic pearls might be easier than you think! Just follow these 4 simple steps.
- Step 1: Chill the oil in the freezer for up to 30 minutes
- Step 2: Whisk the agar powder and balsamic vinegar together in a saucepan, place on a medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Step 3: Remove the oil from the freezer and transfer the balsamic vinegar to a bottle with a small nozzle and drop the balsamic vinegar into the oil. It will set as it hits the oil.
- Step 4: Drain the oil from the balsamic pearls and rinse off the excess oil before serving.
Hint: don't leave the oil in the freezer too long or it will set!
Substitutions
Don't have the right ingredients? Then it's time to head to the shops. Unfortunately you can't make any substitutions except using another neutral oil in place of the olive oil.
Equipment
Freeze the oil in a bowl or Tupperware that is freezer-proof.
You will need a saucepan to heat the agar powder and balsamic vinegar.
You will also need a bottle with a small nozzle to drop the balsamic vinegar into the oil. A funnel will also make it easier to transfer the balsamic vinegar from the saucepan to the bottle.
Last but not least you will need a sieve to drain the oil from the peals.
Storage
Once you've drained the oil from the balsamic pearls they will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Store them in an airtight container.
Top Tip
Drop the balsamic vinegar into the oil slowly. If you drop it in too fast you will get very large pearls. It's ok if they are different sizes but I think smaller pearls are nicer.
FAQ
Agar is a good vegan replacement for gelatin and is derived from seaweed.
Yes! They are all the same thing.
You can buy agar powder in some health food stores, Asian supermarkets, and online!
One of two things has happened - either the agar and balsamic vinegar didn't get hot enough and boil, or the oil isn't cold enough.
They taste like balsamic vinegar. The agar doesn’t affect the flavour at all. Make sure you use a neutral oil otherwise the oil will affect the flavour.
The recipe
Vegan Balsamic Peals (Balsamic Caviar)
Equipment
- 1 freezer-proof container
- 1 saucepan
- 1 squeezy bottle with small nozzle
Ingredients
- 150 ml balsamic vinegar
- 2 g agar powder
- 200 ml olive oil
Instructions
- Chill the oil in the freezer for up to 30 minutes.
- Heat the balsamic vinegar and agar powder over a medium high heat and cook until it comes to a boil.
- Chill the balsamic vinegar slightly before transferring to a squeezy bottle with a small nozzle.
- Drop the balsamic vinegar into the oil creating little balsamic pearls.
- Drain the oil from the balsamic pearls and rinse.
- Serve on salads, blinis and more.
Nutrition
More recipes using agar powder
Intrigued by how agar powder can be used in your cooking? Then try one of these other recipes. It's so versatile it can be used in sweet and savoury dishes.
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