Baking Hermann
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Balsamic Pearls

With the help of agar flakes, a plant-based gelatin derived from seaweed, you can turn pretty much any liquid into semi-solid pearls. This works especially well with balsamic vinegar, giving each bite a pop of bright tanginess. It’s fine to use agar powder instead of flakes. Where I am, flakes are more accessible, but the powder will most likely dissolve better and you won’t need to soak or strain the liquid.

Ingredients

  • 2g agar flakes (1 tsp)

  • 120ml balsamic vinegar

  • 200 ml olive oil (don’t worry, you can reuse it afterwards)

Method

Add the agar flakes and vinegar to a pan to soak. Pour the olive oil into a jar or glass and place it in the freezer for 45 minutes.

Ten minutes before the oil is ready, bring the vinegar to a boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring regularly, until most of the flakes have dissolved. Strain the liquid through a small sieve to catch any remaining agar flakes and let it cool for 5 minutes.

When the 45 minutes are up, remove the jar of oil from the freezer. Fill a pipette with the vinegar mixture and add droplets of it to the cold oil (you can also let them roll off from a fork). The pearls will form immediately as they sink to the bottom of the jar. Once you’ve used all of the vinegar, strain the pearls into a fine sieve (you can reuse the olive oil). Then store them in a small container in the fridge, ready to use. They will keep airtight for around 2 weeks.

Balsamic Pearls

With the help of agar flakes, a plant-based gelatin derived from seaweed, you can turn pretty much any liquid into semi-solid pearls. This works especially well with balsamic vinegar, giving each bite a pop of bright tanginess. It’s fine to use agar powder instead of flakes.
5 from 1 vote
Active Time 45 minutes
Course Staples

Ingredients
  

  • 2 g agar flakes (1 tsp)
  • 120 ml balsamic vinegar
  • 200 ml olive oil (don’t worry, you can reuse it afterwards)

Instructions
 

  • Add the agar flakes and vinegar to a pan to soak. Pour the olive oil into a jar or glass and place it in the freezer for 45 minutes.
  • Ten minutes before the oil is ready, bring the vinegar to a boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring regularly, until most of the flakes have dissolved. Strain the liquid through a small sieve to catch any remaining agar flakes and let it cool for 5 minutes.
  • When the 45 minutes are up, remove the jar of oil from the freezer. Fill a pipette with the vinegar mixture and add droplets of it to the cold oil (you can also let them roll off from a fork). The pearls will form immediately as they sink to the bottom of the jar. Once you’ve used all of the vinegar, strain the pearls into a fine sieve (you can reuse the olive oil). Then store them in a small container in the fridge, ready to use. They will keep airtight for around 2 weeks.
Tried this recipe?Add a comment below.

 

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6 Comments

  1. Claire McNicholl

    5 stars
    Brilliant

    I tried it with balsamic and also with soy!
    Both worked fabulously

    Reply
    • Julius Fiedler

      I need to try it with soy sauce! Such a good idea!

      Reply
  2. Ana

    Hi, This is so interesting. I’d like to gift it and am wondering how far in advance I can make it. I’m guessing it doesn’t need to be refrigerated since its just vinegar, oil and agar agar? Thanks

    Reply
    • Julius Fiedler

      Yes I’d recommend storing them in the fridge. Sorry!

      Reply
  3. Ana

    Oh dear I just read the answer to my question at the end of the instructions. Please ignore my question!

    Reply
    • Julius Fiedler

      Yes, I’d recommend storing them in the fridge, unfortunately. Sorry, it’s a lovely gift idea!

      Reply
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