[Lisa]

This is a quick question. Do you all feel comfortable ordering restaurant Balsamic Dressing on your salads?

I think this is glutening me. Sometimes I bring you own dressing, but today I ordered the restaurants dressing.

Last nights dinner was ribs with Emeril's Original and Lindberg wild rice blend (both gluten-free according to Delfi)

"D" issues today after salad at lunch.

Whacha think?

Lisa B

[mookie03]

Lisa Baker, on Nov 22 2005, 06:43 PM, said:

This is a quick question.  Do you all feel comfortable ordering restaurant Balsamic Dressing on your salads?

I think this is glutening me.  Sometimes I bring you own dressing, but today I ordered the restaurants dressing.

Last nights dinner was ribs with Emeril's Original and Lindberg wild rice blend (both gluten-free according to Delfi)

"D" issues today after salad at lunch.

Whacha think?

Lisa B

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I only feel comfortable having oil/vinegar at restaurants b/c I too have had problems w/ dressings. One place everytime i go i ask for oil and vinegar and instead i get balsamic vinagrette- there is def gluten in it b/c i get sick everytime! needless to say i stopped eating lunch there!

[tarnalberry]

Depends on the restaurant... Sometimes, no. Balsamic *can* be made with caramel coloring (then it's not balsamico any more, but balsamic vinegar - slight differences), and caramel coloring *can* be made with gluten. It doesn't happen often, but it can happen. Additionally, additives may be added to vinaigrettes to get them to be a bit "creamy" or "thicker", and while I've never heard of anyone using wheat, there could be something that's contaminated that gets used. (I use garlic or mustard powder, myself.)

[Felidae]

I was just taken out to a five star restaurant the other week. The chef was aware that I was Gluten-free Casein-free. So the salad on the menu stated balsamic dressing, but the chef only put oil and some cracked salt and pepper on the salad. He must have thought the balsamic was unsafe. I left everything in his hands and I did not get sick. I think he was more informed than I was.

[Lisa]

Thanks Tiffany, major glutened today, can't spell, can't walk straight, don't want to do anything and feels like a zombie.......I don't know what else to say, be I think this a good thing that I am going to bed, Good night, and happy Thankgiving to all in the US and also wishes for those in Canada.

[lovegrov]

Balsamic vinegar itself is always gluten-free, but dressing that includes balsamic isn't necessarily. You need to ask.

richard

[pixiegirl]

Oh I don't think you should say that balsamic vinegar is always gluten free. I've read that some inexpensive ones are not aged very long so they don't get the nice dark color that they should have from aging so they add coloring to it to make it appear aged. And who knows if the coloring is gluten-free.

When I buy it at the store I buy one of the more expensive brands that has been aged for years and who's ingredients specifically only says: vinegar.

Susan

[Kasey'sMom]

Lisa,
I love balsamic dressing as well. I purchased a case of Annie's Balsamic Vinaigrette packs. I keep some in my purse when I dine out. The dressing is pretty good. Not exactly what you would get when it's prepared by a chef or what I make at home but I know it safe, when I dine out.

Sometimes I get a plain baked potato and put the salad dressing on it.

[jerseyangel]

Another option, if you are unsure or not comfortable with the vinegar, ask for oil and lemon wedges and use those instead.

[Lisa]

Thanks all of you. I guess I need a bigger purse.

[jenvan]

Lisa-hope you feel better soon!

[tarnalberry]

pixiegirl, on Nov 23 2005, 03:01 AM, said:

Oh I don't think you should say that balsamic vinegar is always gluten free.  I've read that some inexpensive ones are not aged very long so they don't get the nice dark color that they should have from aging so they add coloring to it to make it appear aged.  And who knows if the coloring is gluten-free. 

When I buy it at the store I buy one of the more expensive brands that has been aged for years and who's ingredients specifically only says:  vinegar.

Susan

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lol... us purists would say, then, that the cheap stuff isn't actually balsamic vinegar at all. (the italians wouldn't let them call it that either. ;-) )

[lovegrov]

OK, I'll change what I said. In four years I've never found a balsamic vinegar that isn't gluten-free and I've never heard of anybody else who has found one. If anybody has found one, please post the brand name here so we'll know.

richard