What is my alternative to balsamic vinegar when making a pomodoro sauce?

[CookLikeJulia]

I would really want to make some shrimp pomodoro pasta..... is there any alternative ingredient to balsamic vinegar when making the pomodoro sauce?

Here is the recipe for the sauce:

diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
Basil 1 leaf
olive oil 1tsp-1tbsp (your choice)
balsamic vinegar 1 tsp-1tbsp (your choice)
garlic 2 cloves
shallots 1 tbsp

Any suggestions?

[Alix]

Blech! I'm not a fan of balsamic vinegar at all so I would use just about anything else in its place.

Try red wine vinegar in that particular recipe. I think it will perk it up nicely for you.

[ChefJune]

I do like Balsamic, but not on everything, and I think not in that dish. I have a "thing" for seafood with Sherry vinegar, so I might sub that one. Red wine vinegar is a good choice, too.

FWIW, Heinz makes one of the best at a very reasonable price. (it's easy to find in the supermarket, too!)

[justplainbill]

1/8 tsp sweet marsala to each 3/4 tsp wine vinegar

[ChefJune]

Originally Posted by justplainbill

1/8 tsp sweet marsala to each 3/4 tsp wine vinegar

curious why you would sub that? It would make the item considerably sweeter, without adding the acid of the vinegar.

[justplainbill]

Many balsamic vinegars are a tad sweet and of more than 5% acidity.

[Janet H]

How about adding some pickle juice? You could use juice from some bread and butter pickles for a load of flavor and some sweet and a little sour.

[Andy M.]

Just leave it out. Balsamic vinegar is not a critical component of tomato sauce.

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

If you ever see it (look in specialty and gourmet shops) pick up a bottle of Spectrum Naturals brand Organic Balsamic Vinegar. It'll change your ideas of what to use a balsamic vinegar for. It is sweet & syrupy, without being cloyingly so. It is not the $90 per bottle stuff, but is made from barrel-aged balsamicvinegar mixed with concentrated grape must, and costs about $20 per bottle. It is a complex and wonderful flavor. I've been nursing this bottle for a year or better. I use it sparingly. It's special.

Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

[justplainbill]

Sounds good GoodWeed. Hope it's not like the Spectrum that Sears & Roebuck used to sell for 30 cents a quart.

[LPBeier]

I agree that you can substitute red wine vinegar or leave it out.

[CookLikeJulia]

Originally Posted by Andy M.

Just leave it out. Balsamic vinegar is not a critical component of tomato sauce.

I was thinking about that too, but just thought that it might taste a little different since the recipe has the balsamic vinegar.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I don't know which ones to try out though

I'll probably try the Sherry vinegar just like what ChefJune said...is this good for seafoods?