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Foods we can't live without!
The real question is, what can't you live without? Besides good water, there are truly only a few things that seem absolutely essential, but a week of bad will make you crave the good!
We are hardly ever without. (But then again, we have an easy source...) But, when we are out, there is a feeling of overwhelming panic. We need good olive oil; the flavor and the taste that only a good olive oil can bring. Of course, we have our favorites... on popcorn others will work, but Katz Rock Hill rocks. And, when making a cold summer salad, there is nothing quite like Colline di Santa Cruz. But, these are just a few of our personal favorites, and for sure our taste buds have changed over the years. Now we literally need these blends. But at the end of the day, the oil must must be great; that is the only requirement for us.
Here are a few of our favorite essential pantry items to make the summer spring to life.
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Cocoa Powder from Pernigotti
It is essential for a last minute double batch of brownies. Or if you need to bake a cake! A great, quick way to decorate a cake is to cutout your shapes and dust it with cocoa powder. Or add to your morning cup of coffee before you head out to pick up the lobster traps! Though it's not great to have in your back pocket, it is essential in your pantry! |
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Fresh Rainier Cherries
The Rainier Cherry is the sweetest of all the sweet cherries. With its characteristic cream-colored flesh, Rainier Cherry farmers will not pick them until the sugar brix (a measure of how sweet the cherry is) reach 17. But, some wait until they reach 20 brix. That is one of the reasons they are so memorable -- and addictive.
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San Giacomo Essenza Balsamic Vinegar
Essenza is the real deal, moments away from being certified as a Tradizionale. If you taste and compare this one, not to those that are priced the same, but to those that cost 3 to 5 times as much, you will be surprised at how special it is and how much you will want to get every single drop from the bottle. |
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D'Arbo Elderflower Syrup
This is sweet as it can be. Elderflower Syrup started out in proper circles as an addition to mixed drinks. Eliza has a spoonful in the afternoons as a pick-me-up, and Tony added it to his "imported" cannolis. Just a touch to a creamed dessert and it transforms. It crosses the divide between drink and dessert!
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Etruria Apricot Vinegar
Fruit Vinegars are in a category of their own. Honey vinegar is obtained by the double fermentation of honey and water. The first fermentation is alcoholic (also known as mead) and the second is acidic. In the case of fruit vinegars, the fruit, water and honey must first ferment together to became fruit honey wine, before it be can be used to make vinegars. |
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Blood Orange Olive oil!
In various parts of Italy, farmers sometimes press small amounts of olives together with fresh citrus fruit to create heavenly scented oils for family and friends. This bottle contains some of the most refreshing blood orange oil we've ever tasted. Unlike infused oils, which tend to lose flavor, crushing fruit and olives together maintains the pure flavor of each. |
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Chestnut Honey from Italy
Some of the finest honeys come from small family beekeepers in Italy. This Chestnut Honey is created from organic farming and is thick and rich in flavor. Perfection for savory applications! Honeys from "trees" are typically stronger in flavor, with a hint of sharp or woodsy flavor.
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Yuzu Kosho Red
Yuzu Kosho is a blend of the rind of the yuzu (a citrus fruit with notes of grapefruit, lemon and lime) and kosho (a spicy green chile), mashed together with a good deal of salt; three powerful flavors colluding into a ravishing relish. A simple combination, but the flavor is so savory-sweet-pungent that you might be tempted to slather instead of dollop! Use a little restraint, though; the stuff packs some intense heat.
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Les Terroirs De Marrakech Olive Oil
The most luscious bottle of all the oils we carry. It's not just the bottle that's great, as it's early fans already know. This oil is one of the best of the year! This elegant bottle begs to be held and when you pass it over to the host, they will feel like you handed them a bottle of Domaine Romanée-Conti. Only you will know that it costs less than $25! |
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Leccino - Frantoio - Ascolano - Taggiasca
To describe just one of Colline di Santa Cruz's olive oils wouldn't be right. Those of you who are already fans know that Chris Banthien produces one of the finest olive oils on the planet.
Pressed from hand-picked olives grown in the coastal hills of Monterey Bay, Colline is a wonderfully fresh, flavorful, unfiltered oil that has repeatedly won gold medals at the L.A. County Fair, including Best of Show.
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Etruria Classico Olive Oil
Those that know, have been using this oil everyday since we first carried it, oh so many years ago. With Moraiolo, Leccino and Frantoio blended to perfection, this is always an oil to have in your pantry. We often talk about the olive trees and the process for which they must be maintained. Giuseppe's Dad still hand prunes the trees every year so they will yield the best crop. It is the understated perfectionism that comes through in all of the Etruria line.
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Fabulous, extraordinary, real
We taste it all day in the store and it gets oohs and ahhhs every time! This early stage elixir is pulled from barrels that will eventually become a Tradizionale, making it the root for a balsamic headed to heaven! So, don't get it because it is inexpensive, have it in your pantry so you can use it every time your heart desires! It's perfect on BBQ'd vegetables, in a vinaigrette, on steak or on just a spoon.
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| Just-in-Updates - What's coming soon |
KATZ FARM - Apple Cider Vinegar
It's hard to imagine a summer meal without at least the option to have a little apple cider vinegar. Tasting this apple cider vinegar makes you understand what food is supposed to be like. Not only does it taste like something, it actually tastes like Gravenstein Apples. And, unlike other cheap grocery cider vinegar which often tastes like medicine, you actually find it refreshing.
It's Copper River Salmon time!
Call and ask for Eliza to get the best market price and the right amount to suit your needs! 800-596-0885
Stennes Family Farm - Beautiful Washington Cherries
A season of cherries is one of each variety. Can't decide which variety of sweet, dark cherry to order? You don't have to choose - buy an entire Season and get all three!
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| This Weeks Recipes |
Ham & Leek Frittata Recipe
Eggs are a perfect food -- complete protein, healthy fat, so versatile. This recipe calls for leeks, but you can also use wild ramps. Ramps are foraged in many places in the northern US and Southern Canada in early spring.
Adapted from Mirelle Guiliano's cookbook, "The French Women Don't Get Fat Cookbook" (Atria Books, 2010)
Ancient Grains with Summer Vegetables
This is an awesome recipe using a delicious and healthy grain, emmer (farro), and seasonal summer vegetables. Michel Nischan (James Beard award winning chef) prepared this recipe at the 2011 Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, CO in June.
Summer Farro Salad Recipe
This has got to be one of the simplest recipes you can make. It makes a wonderful side dish served hot or cold. I always make the full recipe no matter how many I am serving - just so I can have leftovers.
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