Celebrate Andalucia with Paella treats!

I love two things about our products at Oil & Vinegar.  First, they are easy to use, and second, they allow me to be creative with variations of my own.  Our chefs in Europe created this fun, Paella Appetizer for our Andalucia theme which is happening in stores now.

1 package risotto quattro formaggi
5 saffron threads
1 cup white wine
2 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 artichokes alla Contadina
2 pinches of smoked paprika

12 prawns, peeled
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic
50 ml sherry vinegar
salt and pepper to taste   

 Prepare the risotto according to the package directions. Add the saffron to the risotto with the first ladle of chicken stock. Chop the artichokes and add them and the smoked paprika powder. Check if the mixture is still moist if not add some liquid. Keep everything warm. Meanwhile, squeeze the garlic cloves with a press and saute in olive oil. Add the prawns and sherry vinegar and saute until pink. Season the paella to taste with salt and pepper and divide over appetizer spoons. Place a shrimp on each appetizer spoon and serve hot.   

 I created my own variation as a main course for dinner.  I prepared the four cheese risotto according to the directions, added the artichokes, but left out the saffron and smoked paprika.  Instead of adding the prawns to the risotto, I decided to prepare them as directed in the appetizer recipe, sprinkle a touch of the smoked paprika on them and serve them alone as an appetizer before the risotto!

To view these and other Oil & Vinegar products click here

Celebrate Spain!

Oil & Vinegar starts May by celebrating Southern Spain with our Andalucia promotion.  Andalucia has a varied diet due to the many world influences of its past; from Portugal, to the Moorish and Moroccan influences of Africa; there is truly something for everyone in Spain and Oil & Vingar shares our favorite selections with you all month.

We start our journey by introducing a new Single Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Alcuadete, in the province of Jaen.  This oil is made from 100% Picual olives, from a family owned and operated grove dating back to 1850.  To ensure the highest quality, the oil is made solely from olives grown on the estate and, from picking to pressing; the entire production is managed on the farm using entirely environmentally friendly techniques.  All of the byproducts generated throughout the process are turned into compost and used to fertilize the olive groves, there by closing the production cycle.

The olives enter the production process within two hours of harvest.  They are classified by quality level in different areas of receiving to ensure that the oils coming from the different qualities is separated, guaranteeing the highest quality of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

The mill is completely cleaned after the production of EVOO each day, leaving it in perfect condition for the next day.  Once extracted, the oil is stored in an underground cellar under optimum conditions in an inert atmosphere to preserve the aroma, flavor, natural antioxidants and vitamin complexes.  The oil is bottled only upon request to ensure the maximum quality is maintained.

This oil is unfiltered and has an acidity of 0.1%

Click here to purchase on line.  View more products from Andalucia here.

Our Olive Oil Promotion is in full swing and it is so exciting to revisit the colors, flavors, aromas and especially the stories of our existing estate oils.  We have taken such care in selecting not only the highest quality oils, but also capturing the passion of the families that produce them.  There are those that say that you can taste the wind, sun and rain in an olive oil as well as the passion of the person who made it!

One of my all time favorite oils and the most popular with our customers is our Bonsecco; a delicious, medium bodied, fruity estate oil from Tuscany.  Our relationship with Bonsecco goes back to the beginning of Oil & Vinegar to 1999; it was the start for both of us.  Oil & Vinegar was two stores, and Bonsecco was a very small farm producing only enough oil to enjoy, and not enough to sell.  As we have grown to 70 stores, Bonsecco has grown with us; and you can’t find it anywhere else!

Read all about Bonsecco, an interview with the producer, and our other extra virgin estate oils here, in this booklet about our oils, or stop in a store and receive the booklet free with a purchase of 250ml or more of extra virgin estate oil.

Extra Virgin

For the next few weeks Oil & Vinegar is returning to its roots with our Extra Virgin Olive Oil promotion.  After years of searching, Oil & Vinegar finally found a Moroccan olive oil that meets all the requisites to sit on our amphora wall.  Produced from olives grown on three family owned estates located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, the olives are constantly monitored to ensure optimal ripeness and make sure that there is only a 20 minute lapse between harvesting and grinding.  This oil is made with 30% Moroccan Dahbia olives and 70% Spanish Arbequina olives.  This oil has an acidity of 0.2%, a well-balanced taste and complex profile.  The initial bouquet is of ripe olives with secondary aromas of apple and banana.  It also has hints of almond, tomato, fennel and artichoke.  On the pallet it is slightly sweet, and reminds you of almonds with a fruity, slightly bitter finish.  It is kosher certified and has one an array of awards around the world. 

Use this or any of our oils with this recipe for Parmesan Twists:

INGREDIENTS

·        1 package puff pastry

·        1 tablespoon EV Olive oil

·        1 tin Parmesan Dipper herbs

PREPARATION

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Mix the Dipper herbs with some water and olive oil to make a paste. Spread the Dipper herbs on a sheet of puff pastry and cut this in strips about 1/2 inch wide. Twist the strips 2 times so they form a spiral. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes until golden brown. Try with all our dippers for an array of great flavors!

For a printable version of the recipe or to purchase ingredients on line click here!

Easy to do Bleu!

We recently introduced a scrumptious Roquefort Crème that is quickly becoming a favorite in our stores so I wanted to share some fun facts about Roquefort and delicious, easy recipes for you to try.

• Roquefort cheese is made exclusively from the milk of Lacaune Sheep.
• It takes 12 liters of milk to make 5.75 pounds of Roquefort
• A “master cheese ager” known as Maitre Affineur, cares for the cheese as it ages.
• Roquefort cheese is aged in caves.
• Roquefort cheese has a PDO and can only use the name if it is aged in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.

Our Roquefort Crème has all the strengths of Roquefort Cheese, but has a softer finish that is easier on the pallet and won’t overpower lighter dishes. You can serve it right out of the jar on our fornelli crackers or use it as an ingredient in a variety of dishes.

Roquefort Crème puffs

For the cream puffs:

• 3 1/2 tablespoons butter

• 1/2 cup flour

• 2 eggs beaten

• 1/2 cup milk

• pinch of salt

For the filling:

• 1 jar Roquefort crème
• 5 oz cream cheese
• 4 tbsp whipped cream
• Piment d’espelette
• fresh parsley to garnish

PREPARATION

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to400° F. Put the milk in a saucepan and add the butter and salt. Bring the milk to a boil. When the butter has melted add all the flour and stir. Remove from heat. Stir in the eggs one by one; add each one only after the previous one is mixed in. The dough should be glossy. Put the dough in a piping bag and pipe about 30 small balls on the baking sheet. Bake the puffs 15 minutes until golden. Bake 30 puffs and allow to cool completely. Create the mousse by mixing all the ingredients, and then spoon the mousse into a piping bag. Cut the puffs in half and pipe the cream cheese mixture in. Serve with fresh herbs on a serving

Make a gourmet salad dressing:

1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar IGP

3 Tablespoons Oulibo Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Roquefort Crème

3 Tablespoons of water

Salt & Pepper to taste

Try this vinaigrette over mixed greens with pears or dried cranberries with spicy walnuts

Looking for some other easy uses?  Stuff olives with the Roquefort Crème and garnish a Martini, or try my new favorite; spread it on a burger and make gourmet blue cheese burgers! Visit an Oil & Vinegar store near you, or order the Roquefort Crème or other highlighted products online at http://www.oilandvinegarusa.com/

Valentine's Day at Oil & Vinegar

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away I thought I would highlight some of Oil & Vinegar’s favorite choices for sharing your passion with that someone special. 

For the traditionalists, you can’t go wrong with our Belgian Chocolate Fondue, available in Milk or Dark Chocolate.  As we all know, chocolate fondue is delicious with bananas, strawberries, and pineapple, but why not try it this time with our Italian Amaretti Cookies, or Cantuccini?

Try something sweet with a twist with our Strawberry Balsam Vinegar.  It’s red, it’s tasty and you can gift it in a heart shaped bottle or even our signature Message in a Bottle with your own sweet message inside.  

Use the strawberry balsam vinegar with your favorite oil on a salad; our pairing of choice – white truffle oil; or, try this easy to make Strawberry Mascarpone Tart:

INGREDIENTS

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

1 egg, whisked

2 lbs strawberries, stemmed and quartered

1/2 cup strawberry balsam vinegar +

1 Tbsp strawberry balsam vinegar

12 ounces mascarpone cheese

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup confectioner's sugar

Roll out puff pastry sheet to 12x12 inches. Place on a baking sheet. Fold the edges over to form a border. Prick bottom of pasty with tines of a fork. Chill for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush on egg wash and place in hot oven.  Cook until evenly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven to a rack and let cool completely.

Gently combine strawberries, half of the orange zest, and the ½ cup of strawberry balsam vinegar in large bowl so that the strawberries are coated. Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes.

Mix together the mascarpone cheese, the remaining strawberry balsam vinegar and the vanilla in a medium bowl until well combined. Refrigerate until needed.

After the strawberries have soaked for 30 minutes, drain the liquid out of the strawberry mixture into a small saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil on medium high heat. Boil until the liquid has reduced to the consistency of syrup, remove from heat and let cool.

Spread the mascarpone mixture over the puffed pastry.  Arrange the strawberries on top of the mascarpone mixture and brush the strawberry glaze over the top.

Serve with a glass of sparkling wine with a drop of Strawberry Balsam Vinegar inside.

Want a bigger idea?  Put all these ideas in one gift basket and have it wrapped, complimentary, in our signature style!  

Passionate about 2011

2011 brings some fantastic new promotions at Oil & Vinegar and I can’t wait to get started. Of course we started the year with our exciting grab bag promotion, “Winter Specials”. They are moving fast, so be sure to stop in and pick one up while supplies last!

We are upping things a notch in March with an exciting olive oil promotion called Extra Virgin where we will be introducing an award winning oil from Morocco, a late harvest, Novello from Italy, both from the tap and a prepackaged EVOO from Italy made with 100% Moraiolo olives for a fresh, fruity taste.

After that we will be exploring the Andalucía region of Spain with wonderful new tapas, oils and table accents. There is so much more, but I don’t want to give it all away, so check back in a few weeks for an in-depth story about Extra Virgin and more news about upcoming products, recipes and events.