Deep dish, thin crust, pan, stuffed or square, did you know pizza did not originate from Naples as the legend goes? Historic records from the town of Gaeta, in Lazio Italy indicate the earliest mention of pizza appeared in a rental agreement in AD 997. The Dark Ages document stated tenants were to include 12 pizzas as part of their rent payment on both Christmas & Easter for land where a mill was built.   

What to enjoy with your pizza? Like a marriage made in heaven, pizza & wine are the perfect match! Villa Graziella artisan crafted wine made with organic grapes 2015 Rosso Toscano bright acidity marries well with the rich cheese & ripe tomato sauce for a delicious dinner!

Tried, Tasted & True! At Villa Gabriella Organic our team tries & tastes every recipe we feature. While we love to share our family recipes & those of talented home cooks & chefs, sometimes we adapt them so they are even easier to make. As with our products, our goal is for you to have a healthy & delicious experience using Villa Gabriella recipes. So try them out in your kitchen, feel free to tweak them & please tell us what you think.

We welcome your comments & feedback!
Grazie da Team VILLA GABRIELLA
clientservice@villagabriellallc.com

Have you ever thought about swapping out butter in a brownie recipe for olive oil? We tried using our Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the result: delicious. The olive oil subtly shines through and complements the nutty flavor from the pistachios. Not to mention, it is much healthier & makes it okay to eat three...or four brownies in one sitting! 

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup dark or Dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/3 cup Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
5 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate (70-75%), finely chopped
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
1/3 cup shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8 in. baking pan with parchment paper, lightly butter parchment. 

Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 

Combine olive oil & chopped chocolate in a saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolate is almost melted. Remove from heat & continue to gently stir until smooth. 

Whisk in granulated sugar until incorporated.

Whisk in eggs (one at a time), whisking until batter is smooth. Whisk in vanilla extract. 

Sprinkle dry ingredients over top of melted chocolate mixture & stir together. Stir in chocolate chips & most of pistachios-- saving a tablespoon for topping, if desired. Spread into prepared pan, smoothing batter at the corner. Sprinkle with pistachios, as desired. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Cool for 1 hour before slicing into squares. 

Tried, Tasted & True! At Villa Gabriella Organic our team tries & tastes every recipe we feature. While we love to share our family recipes & those of talented home cooks & chefs, sometimes we adapt them so they are even easier to make. As with our products, our goal is for you to have a healthy & delicious experience using Villa Gabriella recipes. So try them out in your kitchen, feel free to tweak them & please tell us what you think.

We welcome your comments & feedback!
Grazie da Team VILLA GABRIELLA
clientservice@villagabriellallc.com

*Recipe adapted from: http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2015/10/olive-oil-pistachio-brownies.html

Fall is officially in the air! Which also means that it is now acceptable to eat anything and everything pumpkin flavored. A great way to make use of all of those pumpkin seeds after carving your pumpkins is to roast them! These make the perfect healthy snack and are so easy. We boiled them in salted water first, and then toasted them with Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

Ingredients

• One medium sized pumpkin
• Salt
• Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

1. Cut open the pumpkin by cutting a circle around the stem end with a sharp knife, and pull off the top.
2. Scrape the insides of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and strings.
3. Place the pumpkin seeds in a colander and run water to rinse and separate the seeds from everything else.
4. Measure the pumpkin seeds and place them in a medium saucepan. Add 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to the pan for every ½ cup of pumpkin seeds. If you like your seeds a little saltier, add more salt. *The seeds are boiled in salted water to get the salt inside the shells to the seeds
5. Bring the salted water and pumpkin seeds to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat and drain.
6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (about a teaspoon). Spread the seeds out in a single layer, and toss them to coat with the oil. *You can sprinkle with spices such as smoked paprika, cumin, or chili powder before they go into the oven!
7. Bake on the top rack until the seeds begin to brown (5-20 minutes) depending on the size of the seeds.
8. When lightly toasted, remove from oven and let cool.
9. Enjoy!

Recipe source: Simply Recipes

Tried, Tasted & True!At Villa Gabriella Organic our team tries & tastes every recipe we feature. While we love to share our family recipes & those of talented home cooks & chefs, sometimes we adapt them so they are even easier to make. As with our products, our goal is for you to have a healthy & delicious experience using Villa Gabriella recipes. So try them out in your kitchen, feel free to tweak them & please tell us what you think.

We welcome your comments & feedback!
Grazie da Team VILLA GABRIELLA
clientservice@villagabriellallc.com

One thing that we get asked about a lot is, "Can I grill with your Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil?" Our response: "OF COURSE!!" Many people are afraid to use our olive oil on the grill, but please don't be! We make the perfect steak with just a few ingredients. 

All you need: Juicy steaks, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and our Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

Don't forget to pair your delicious steak with Villa Graziella Chianti DOCG! Made with Sangiovese Organic Grapes, it is the perfect wine to pair with your dish. 

Tried, Tasted & True!

At Villa Gabriella Organic our team tries & tastes every recipe we feature.  While we love to share our family recipes & those of talented home cooks & chefs, sometimes we adapt them so they are even easier to make. As with our products, our goal is for you to have a healthy & delicious experience using Villa Gabriella recipes. So try them out in your kitchen, feel free to tweak them & please tell us what you think. We welcome your comments & feedback!

Grazie da Team VILLA GABRIELLA

clientservice@villagabriellallc.com

Friday, September 30th is International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day! Celebrate this ancient, noble, liquid elixir with delicious & easy Bruschetta.  Culinary historians maintain the word bruschetta originated from the Italian verb “brusciare” to burn. Originally considered a working man’s food using day old bread, flavored with 4 fresh, simple ingredients; extra virgin olive oil, tomato, basil & parsley. Garlic, cheese & spices were added over the years depending on the season & ingredient availability.  No set recipe, we just stayed true to the original using Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin IGP Olive Oil, this season’s best fresh tomatoes, quality country style bread, our backyard planter of basil & parsley, sea salt & cracked pepper.  Prepare ahead & serve at room temperature as a healthy half time snack, delicious appetizer, or side bread for soup & salad.

Serves 6-8 as an appetizer or side condiment

Simple Ingredients

·       Fresh, in season, cluster of on the vine, room temperature cherry tomatoes, chopped

·       1 baguette loaf country Italian or French bread, sliced

·       4-5 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin IGP Olive Oil, plus extra to flavor

·       1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

·       1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

·       Sea salt & cracked pepper (to taste)

Easy Directions

1.     Stir together tomatoes, basil, parsley & olive oil in a bowl, set aside.

2.     Add salt and pepper to taste, salting at the end, as it tends to break up the tomatoes.

3.     Brush both sides of bread with olive oil, place on the grill top or preheated in an oven at 300°F.

4.     Turn slices over when brown, heat other side.

5.     Remove from heat, spoon tomato mixture on to bread.

6.     Serve & enjoy with Villa Graziella artisan crafted wine made with organic grapes.

Tried, Tasted & True!

At Villa Gabriella Organic our team tries & tastes every recipe we feature.  While we love to share our family recipes & those of talented home cooks & chefs, sometimes we adapt them so they are even easier to make. As with our products, our goal is for you to have a healthy & delicious experience using Villa Gabriella recipes. So try them out in your kitchen, feel free to tweak them & please tell us what you think. We welcome your comments & feedback!

Grazie da Team VILLA GABRIELLA

clientservice@villagabriellallc.com

Back to school, back to books & after school snacks. Award-winning author of  the Let’s Eat Out Around the World Gluten Free and Allergy Free travel series of books, talented speaker & global expert on gluten free & food allergy lifetsyles, Kim Koeller recently shared her mother Vivi’s Gluten Free & Dairy Free Apple Coffeecake Learn more here!

My mom, Vivi, loved to bake, one of her favorite recipes which had been passed down for generations is her apple coffeecake. Once I was diagnosed with celiac as well as an allergy to dairy, it was trial and error until she perfected the family recipe to be gluten and dairy free with the same great mouth-watering taste!

Enjoy this delicious coffeecake with friends and family. Hint- they will never even guess that it’s free from gluten and dairy!

Ingredients to mix:
3 tablespoons of Villa Gabriella olive oil
3/4 cup organic sugar
1 egg, extra large
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup gluten free flour (I love King Arthur’s gluten free flour)
2 tsp gluten free baking powder

Toppings:
3 apples (you can also use peeled apples in a bag if you’re short on time!)
1/4 cup organic sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:
1. Mix olive oil and sugar well.
2. Beat egg into mixture and add almond milk. Mix well
3. Add salt, gluten free flour and gluten free baking powder. Mix well.
4. Spread batter into 9 inch greased square pan.
5. Peel and cut 3 apples into slices and arrange in rows on top of batter.
6. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.
8. Cool & enjoy! 

To learn more about Gluten Free visit GlutenFreePassport.com and at GFAFPassport on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Villa Graziella Organic had a wonderful weekend at the Windy City Wine Festival! Perfect weather, great crowds, Chicago's lakefront & Buckingham fountain, what could be better?

What separates a panini from just a “normal” sandwich? The grilling! Grilling or toasting bread is the hallmark of panini! Perfect panini by brushing Villa Gabriella Organic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top & the flip side of bread for extra crunch!  Use your favorite meats, cheeses, veggies & brush Villa Gabriella Organic Aged Balsamic Vinegar for added flavor. Healthy & delicious!

Makes 4 sandwiches 

What to pair with your perfect panini? Protein rich cheese & cured meat taste even better with the crisp golden apple & luscious pear flavors of Villa Graziella Bianco Trebbiano artisan crafted white wine made with organic grapes.  

Ingredients:

• ½ cup Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil plus extra to flavor
• ¼ cup Villa Gabriella Aged Balsamic Vinegar di Modena
• 4 Italian ciabatta or country bread rolls split
• 8 slices of fresh Italian Mortadella or slices of your favorite capicola, ham, salami or turkey
• 8 slices of Smoked Provolone cheese or your favorite slices of American, Cheddar, Gruyere, Havarti, Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese
• Fresh ground pepper

Directions:

1. Brush grill or panini machine with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, heat to medium heat
2. Brush olive oil along the inside center of each roll with ½ tablespoon olive oil
3. Turn over & repeat the process on the other side of the bread with ½ tablespoon of oil   
4. Assemble sandwiches starting with meat, followed by the cheese, brush ingredients evenly with ½ tablespoon of vinegar
5. Season with pepper.
6. Cook 5 to 7 minutes.
7. If using a frying pan, press sandwich down with a lid & cook sandwiches approx. 3-4 minutes on each side or until bread is fully toasted
8. Serve & enjoy!

Useful Panini Tips

• Use 1 or 2 day old bread instead of  fresh baked bread as it will hold up ingredients better & grills evenly
• Cut bread with a straight edged knife not a serrated one to ensure a smooth separation for cooked panini
• For a crustier, toasty panini without burning, cook on lower heat for longer time, instead of a higher heat
• Avoid mushy panini by adding the greens after grilling. Add Arugula, basil, cilantro, lettuce or spinach leaves, red onions or ripe tomatoes & insert right before serving for a soggy free sandwich.
• If using bulkier or “wet” fillings such as avocado chunks, roast beef or tuna fish place ingredients in the middle of the bread 

HOW DID THIS RECIPE GO? DID YOU ADD ANOTHER INGREDIENT TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER? PLEASE SHARE YOUR COMMENTS & FEEDBACK WITH US! WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A HEALTHY & DELICIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH OUR PRODUCTS!

GRAZIE DA TEAM VILLA GABRIELLA
clientservice@villagabriellaorganic.com

Ever wonder how else you can use balsamic vinegar? Talented home Chef George shares his secrets on using this liquid gold elixir on more than just salad. Learn more here!

This delicious recipe pairs summer’s bounty of fresh, seasonal plums with Villa Gabriella organic, extra virgin olive oil for a moist, delicious, guilt free dessert. Easy to make, enjoy it after dinner or in the afternoon with an iced coffee, while it tastes even better the next day for breakfast!

9 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb. red or Italian plums (about 6)
• 1 ½ Cups all-purpose flour, + extra to dust the cake pan
• ¾ Cup of turbinado sugar(Sugar In The Raw)
• ½ Cup milk
• 3 Eggs room temperature
• 5 Tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, + 1 teaspoon to grease pan
• 1 ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ Teaspoon baking powder
• ½ Teaspoon sea salt
• ½ Teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325◦F
2. Grease a 9’’ round or square pan with 1 teaspoon olive oil & flour
3. Cut plums into thin wedges
4. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg & sugar
5. Add oil, blend until the mixture resembles coarse meal
6. Combine milk, eggs & vanilla
7. Stir in dry ingredients, mix until moistened
8. Pour into prepared pan
9. Push plums into batter in rows leaving skin side exposed
10. Bake about 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
11. Let cake cool
12. Serve & enjoy! Cover securely to prevent from drying out.

HOW DID THIS RECIPE GO? DID YOU ADD ANOTHER INGREDIENT TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER? PLEASE SHARE YOUR COMMENTS & FEEDBACK WITH US! WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A HEALTHY & DELICIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH OUR PRODUCTS!

GRAZIE DA TEAM VILLA GABRIELLA

clientservice@villagabriellaorganic.com