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.