THE CLASSIC BREAD DIP

There may be no simpler way to taste what FRESH extra virgin olive oil and barrel-aged balsamic can do together. EVOO brings the richness, aged balsamic drops in a silky sweet acidity, and crusty bread does the rest. Add a little sea salt and shards of Parmesan and you have the quintessential Italian-inspired appetizer, ready in about a minute. And a side of jumbo olives doesn't hurt. Get creative and mix it up with any oil + balsamic duo. Here are a few that start with the essential extra virgin olive oils with a suitable mate:

Robust EVOO + Traditional dark balsamic
Robust EVOO + Fig dark balsamic
Mild EVOO + Black Cherry dark balsamic
Basil EVOO + Sicilian Lemon white balsamic
Mild EVOO + Peach white balsamic

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup fresh EVOO
1 tbsp Traditional dark balsamic
Plain or herbed sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper, optional
Fresh Parmesan, shaved or broken into shards
1 loaf crusty rustic bread

DIRECTIONS:

Pour olive oil into a shallow bowl or rimmed plate. Drizzle aged balsamic over top. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, if using.

Serve immediately with thick slices or torn pieces of crusty bread and shards of fresh Parmesan.