Thank You Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze, Thank You

As you might be able to infer from this blog’s title, Healthy Obsession is all about us celebrating the healthy things that we’re obsessed with—in a good way, not a crazy way. Okay, so maybe we’re a bit crazy about it, but still. It’s in a good well-balanced way. Promise. Take this first Healthy Obsession post about balsamic glaze as an example…
Yes, I said balsamic glaze. I am utterly smitten with the stuff—especially this kind that comes in an easy squeeze bottle from Trader Joe’s and costs just $2.99. Not only is it fantastically delicious on so many things, but it also allows me to make endless “wheezing the juice” references, with “wheezing” being squeezing and “juice” being the balsamic glaze. Pretty sure Stoney and Link would be okay with that.
A little sweet with a rich balsamic flavor, this glaze is basically just a bottle version of a balsamic vinegar reduction, plus some sugar and starch to thicken it up. With 40 calories in a tablespoon, I drizzle it over salads, top crackers with it, enjoy it as a dipping sauce on roasted Brussels sprouts (that might be my favorite application of all) and even enjoy it over fresh strawberries. It can also be used as a meat marinade, but I haven’t gone there—yet. Give me time.
Now, I’ve seen on the interwebs that this stuff can be pretty hard to find at Trader Joe’s—and pretty pricey if you don’t have a TJ’s near you (sad face). So in the coming weeks, I plan to do a quick little tutorial on how to make your own balsamic reduction at home. But in the meantime, go ahead and wheeze the juice!
Are you a balsamic glaze or reduction fan, too? How do you enjoy this healthy obsession? I’d love even more reasons to be obsessed… —Jenn