Prep time 5 min: Cook time 6-8 min:
The Chinese have sweet and sour sauce, the French have aigre doux and the Sicilians reputedly introduced agrodolce; agro is Italian for sour and dolce for sweet, pronounced agro-dolcé as in sauté).
I first had this simple sauce/relish in the bustling Caseificio Borderi market restaurant in Siracusa in Sicily.
There are infinite variations to the recipe and you can play around with different vinegars – fig balsamic or sherry and different sweetners like honey or maple syrup. A small handfull of golden raisins or tart cherries early on while the vinegar reduces adds even more richness when used with pork. You can even add a little heat with Aleppo pepper or your favorite chillie.
How runny you make it depends on how you will use the agrodolce. Keep it slightly runny if you plan to use it as a sauce. If you are going to use it as a condiment with cheese or as a base for grilled chicken or fish, cook it down further till it turns into a thick paste.
Agrodolce Sauce
by
Derek Farwagi
Equipment
- small frying pan for sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup red onion coarsely chopped (yellow onions also work but are less sweet)
- ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter.
- 1 Tsp sugar
Instructions
- Coarsley chop the onion.
- In a small saucepan, add the onions and 3/4 cup of balsamic vinegar and a 1 tsp of sugar. On a medium heat bring to a simmer and cook down on medium heat until the vinegar is almost gone (about 4-5 minutes). It will lose its acidity but still be tangy.
- Remove from heat, blend in a cold tbsp of unsalted butter and set aside. As the balsamic cools down it will thicken further and if it gets too thick to pour as a sauce, stir in a teaspoon or two of water. Serve at room temperature.
- Salt to taste and serve on any grilled meat or poultry or thick filets of fish.(See recipe notes below).
Notes
Nutrition
VARIATIONS
Seared Salmon With Agrodolce
Prep 15 cook time 20 min
This simple recipe of sautéed red onions cooked in a balsamic and sugar reduction is a very intense yet perfect balance to the oily richness of a seared salmon filet. See recipe
Salmon Cakes With Spicy Agrodolce
Prep time 15 min cook time 5 min
Serve these salmon cakes with a delicious and spicy sweet and sour Agrodolce sauce and you will have a flavor packed light dinner ready in under 20 minutes. See recipe
Chicken Agrodolce
Prep time 10 min Cook time 20 min
The combination of red wine vinegar, golden raisins and mild green olives gives you a light dish full of intricate flavors. See recipe
Spicy Agrodolce
Prep time 5 min Cook time 5 min
Agrodolce’s sweet and sour flavor pairs well with grilled beef, poultry and pork. It is also great as a condiment with a strong hard cheese. See recipe.
Sandi
I made this for my banquet and it turned out great thank you so so much.
Derek Farwagi
Sandi,
I am so glad it worked for you.
Regards
Derek
Jacquie Wise
Thank you, Derek, for making all your recipes so accessible for rushed people like me. Your recipes are all fabulous, and make life worth living!!!
Derek Farwagi
You are too kind. Enjoy
Marina Fischer
Mabrouk Derek!
This sauces section is so helpful. Makes a boring grilled chicken breast and insipid cod into something special with your “gourmet quickies”. The photographs are fantastic, makes me want to try every recipe in every section.
I never tried an agrodolce at home. I’ll make it for dinner and let you know,
Derek Farwagi
Thank you Marina. Yes please let me know how you get on and any improvements you think I should make to the recipe.