Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Goat Cheese & Pesto Torta

  • 2 (5.3-oz) containers soft goats milk cheese
  • 1 jar of Stonewall Kitchen Basil Pesto
  • 1/2 c oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained & chopped
  • 1/4 c pine nuts, toasted
  • 1/4 c Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a 24 oz. baking dish, spread the goat cheese.  Layer the Basil Pesto, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, ending with Parmesan cheese. Bake for approximately 20 min., until the dip bubbles. Serve with French bread toasts or crackers.

Vine & Olive

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Grilled Romaine Hearts

  • 3/4 c Herbes de Provence Olive Oil
  • 2/3 c Traditional Balsamic Vinegar
  • 6 romaine hearts, halved lengthwise w/ cores intact
  • Salt & pepper to taste
In a small bowl, whisk oil & vinegar.  Generously brush over all surfaces of romaine.  Grill romaine, uncovered, over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes until slightly charred & wilted; turning once.  Salt & pepper to taste.

Vine & Olive

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Sautéed Mushrooms

  • 2½ T butter olive oil
  • ½ T traditional balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/8 t dried oregano
  • 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
Heat the oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Stir in remaining ingredients and sauté 20-30 min. until tender.

Vine & Olive

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Arugula Salad w/ Manchego, Apples & Caramelized Walnuts

  • ½ c Traditional Balsamic Vinegar
  • ½ c Walnut Olive Oil
  • 3 T Champagne Vinegar
  • 8 c arugula
  • 2 Red Delicious or Fuji apples, unpeeled, cored, thinly sliced
  • 6 oz Spanish Manchego cheese shaved
  • 1½ c pitted dates, sliced
  • 1 c carmelized walnuts
  • 4 large shallots, minced
Boil balsamic vinegar in small saucepan over medium-high heat until syrupy & reduced to ¼ cup (about 4 min.).  Whisk oil & champagne vinegar in bowl.  Season with salt & pepper.  Toss arugula, apples, half of cheese, dates, walnuts & shallots in large bowl with enough vinaigrette to coat.  Season salad with salt & pepper.  Mound salad in center of each plate.  Drizzle balsamic syrup around salads.  Sprinkle remaining cheese atop salads.  Makes 6-8 servings.

Vine & Olive

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Chocolate-Raspberry Balsamic Glaze

Great for cake or brownie glazes!
  • 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped or in chip form
  • 1 c heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tbs Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
In a microwave proof bowl, heat the cream on high for 1 min.  Add the chocolate to the bowl and allow to sit for 2 min. without stirring.  Whisk well until all the chocolate has melted & there are no lumps.  Add the balsamic and whisk well.

Vine & Olive

Monday, January 26, 2015

Super Bowl Popcorn

Making delicious (healthy!) popcorn is easy with our flavored oils.  Heat 3 tbs. of oil in a 3 qt. saucepan, add 1/3 cup of popcorn and cover.  Season generously with salt. 

Try these flavors:
  • Butter
  • Chipotle (add our Amazing Heat Rub for even spicier flavors)
  • Coconut (drizzle Dark Chocolate Balsamic on top)
  • Garlic (throw some parmesan on top)
Vine & Olive

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Spicy Balsamic Caramel Corn

  • 2 bags plain microwave popcorn, popped OR 1 1/2 c regular popcorn, popped in oil, kernels removed
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/3 c Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/4 c dark corn syrup
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 c chopped pecans (or other nuts)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a large saucepan melt butter & stir in brown sugar, salt, vinegar & corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring until well blended. Stir in cayenne pepper, then add baking soda (will foam up). Place popcorn in a large bowl & pour balsamic mixture over, stirring to coat. Stir in pecans. Spread 1" thick into two-9x13 baking pans or cookie sheets. Cook for 1 hr., stirring every 15 min. Finish with sea salt to taste. Dry on waxed paper.

Vine & Olive