Heinz Ketchup with Balsamic Vinegar!

Ketchup contains vinegar so why not try a new formula with other vinegars? Heinz tested their ketchup with balsamic vinegar and came up with a delicious new flavor that I got to enjoy at a blog event the other day.

We were introduced to many recipes using the Heinz Balsamic Ketchup by Chef Spike Mendelsohn, from Washington, D.C. I mention that because our President has dined in his restaurants – I was duly impressed! He is also a Top Chef contestant and all around artist in the kitchen.

First, some Heinz information. They own all the tomato seeds used for the tomatoes that are grown for their ketchup: “In a time when complex food supply chains can make it difficult for consumers to know where their food comes from, consumers can rest assured that each tomato in a bottle of Heinz Ketchup, from seed to vine to bottle can be chronicled through a code on the cap. A simple look at this code allows Heinz to determine the exact farm the tomatoes were grown on, the details of where the ketchup was bottled and even what variety of HeinzSeed seeds were used.”

To be honest, before I had a child I did not have ketchup in the house. Then when I first started serving my famous chicken nuggets (shaped as dinosaurs) we started giving ketchup to our son. I buy what is on sale and it became quickly apparent that my son would only use Heinz ketchup. That’s why I asked to be invited to this event, I was not on the original list. This is the only brand in our house, I have 3 large squeeze bottles on hand at any time, I stock up when there is a sale. In my family’s opinion it tastes the best.

And I am what my dad refers to as a “food yuppie.” My salads are always simple with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Adding balsamic vinegar to ketchup to me is a brilliant idea. It adds a kick to the ketchup which is great.

And useful as an ingredient in so many things! Chef Spike used the balsamic ketchup on several dishes and it was a great lunch, he even mixed it with caramel for the sauce on top of apple pie!

The Balsamic Vinegar Ketchup is coming out soon, follow Heinz on Facebook to find out the exact date! It will be a limited time only, so stock up!

You know those tiny packets of ketchup you get at the fast food type restaurants? Hard to open and you need several packets? Well, Heinz test marketed and came up with a better and larger packet. The dip and squeeze is available now and quite convenient for school lunches!

Next! Soon to be available on the Heinz website, make your own label for a ketchup bottle! What a great idea for a present! I am awaiting delivery of my bottle, I had my son’s name put on it, won’t my family be excited!

Lastly, Heinz told us that they are working with Coca-Cola on more sustainable packaging. The theory is simple. Plastic bottles are currently made out of a variety of petroleum-based materials. What the chemistry folks in Coca-Cola’s labs have done is replace some of those with plant materials. Less fossil fuels used helps the planet.

Visit the Heinz website to see all their products, not just ketchup!

Disclosure: I received some Heinz ketchup for attending the event. I was also fed very well by a famous chef. In any case, all opinions are 100% my own and honest.

My paparazzi pic with Chef Spike!