Did You Know: Enjoying Organic Food

Did you know? There are more reasons to enjoy organic food!  Scientific research studies continue to indicate the health & environmental benefits from cultivating & eating organic food. From increased anti-oxidants levels, healthier diet practices, better early childhood development, the decreased risk of disease & lower pesticide residue levels in our food and in the soil. Want to learn more?  Visit The Organic Consumer’s Association to learn more!  

 

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Strawberries & Balsamic

Looking for a special Valentine's Day dessert? Healthy & delicious, our 8-year aged organic balsamic vinegar di Modena with fresh strawberries are guaranteed to delight your loved one.

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Sriracha-Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Are you getting ready for the big game and looking for a healthier alternative to some game day bites? These Sriracha-Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are a delicious meat alternative that is sure to make a touchdown this Sunday! High in Vitamin C, these cauliflower bites are a great healthy alternative to Buffalo wings. Serve as an appetizer with carrot sticks and your favorite ranch dressing. 

What to enjoy with your sriracha cauliflower bites? Villa Graziella Toscano IGT Trebbiano white wine fruit flavors pair with spicy sriracha heat for a perfect combination. 

Ingredients

  • 8 cups 1 1/2-inch cauliflower florets
  • 2 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
  • 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper 
  2. Toss cauliflower, olive oil and salt in a large boil. Spread on the prepared baking sheet; reserve the boil. Roast the cauliflower until it's starting to soften and brown on the bottom, about 15 minutes. 
  3. Meanwhile, combine hot sauce, Sriracha to taste, butter and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add the roasted cauliflower and toss to coat. Return the cauliflower to the baking sheet and continue roasting until hot, about 5 minutes or more. 

*Recipe adapted from eatingwell.com

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

Winter Spaghetti with Lemon, Peas & Olive Oil

Fresh lemon juice & zest bring an energizing fruitiness while shallots rich in vitamins B, C, iron & potassium offer a mild yet flavorful taste. Using equal parts Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil & cream, we added a cup of peas to this cooksillustrated.com recipe for a delicious winter weather pasta dish. Serve as a 1st course or a side dish to broiled chicken breast or fish. Serves 4-6. 

Simple Ingredients

  • 1 pound of spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olio Nuovo olive oil, plus extra to flavor
  • 1 cup of frozen peas
  • 1 medium shallot minced 3 tablespoons
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest & ¼ cup lemon juice-3 lemons
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt & cracked pepper 

Easy Directions

  1. Cook frozen peas in salted water per package directions, drain & set aside.
  2. Bring 4 quarts of cold water to boil in a large covered pot or Dutch oven. Salt the water, add the pasta & cook until al dente, firm.
  3. Reserve 1 ¾ cup of cooking water, drain pasta into a colander, set aside.
  4. In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat, add shallots, cook until soft & translucent, about 2 minutes.
  5. Whisk 1 ½ cups of pasta cooking water & cream into pot.
  6. Add peas, simmer 3-5 minutes stirring gently.
  7. Remove pot from heat, return spaghetti to pot & stir completely coating the pasta.
  8. Stir in remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, lemon zest, lemon juice & cheese.    
  9. Season with salt & pepper to taste
  10. Serve & enjoy with Villa Graziella artisan crafted Toscano Bianco white wine made with organic grapes.

Tip: Let the pasta mixed with sauce stand covered for 3-5 minutes allowing the sauce to thicken & the flavors to fully blend.

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

Winter Fruits & Vegetables

Winter offers an array of fresh seasonal fruits & veggies to brighten dreary January & February days. Ward off the chill with versatile fruits & vegetables that taste delicious baked, braised, roasted sautéed or steamed. Use in pasta, soups, salads, stews, stir fry’s or simply enjoy them on their own.

Think Apples, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Fennel, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichokes (sunchokes), Kale, Leeks, Micro-Greens, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Shallots, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Winter Squash & Yams.

For a complete list visit http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/whats-in-season-winter

 

Morgan ShepardComment
Easy Chicken Sausage with Cannellini Beans & Kale

Chicken sausage, fiber rich cannellini beans & vitamin packed fresh kale make this a deliciously, hearty, cold weather dish. We tweaked the amateur gourmet recipe adding Villa Gabriella Organic 8 year aged Balsamic Vinegar for a flavorful finish. 

Serves 4-6

Simple Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds organic chicken sausage about 8 links
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh kale
  • 1 15 ounce can of cannellini beans drained
  • ¼ cup Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olio Nuovo olive oil, plus extra to flavor
  • 3 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic 8 year aged Balsamic Vinegar, plus extra to flavor
  • 1 ½ cups chopped onion
  • 1 ½ cups chopped celery
  • 1 ½ cups chopped or shredded carrots
  • ½ cup water or chicken stock
  • 3 garlic gloves peeled & chopped removing the green inner center
  • Sea salt & cracked pepper 

Easy Directions

  1. Remove the thick stems from kale, chop coarsely, wash, dry & set aside.
  2. Cut sausage links into thick rings, cook in olive oil in a large pan or skillet. Brown on both sides for about 8-10 minutes.  
  3. Remove sausages from pan & set aside. 
  4. Add onions, carrots & celery to pan, lower heat & cook through until onion is golden brown. 
  5. Add garlic to pan & cook for about 2 minutes over low heat.
  6. Add drained cannellini beans & kale with ½ cup of water to pan, season with salt & pepper.
  7. Cover pan, cook over medium heat until kale is wilted & beans are tender about 10 minutes.
  8. Add sausage back to pan sprinkle with vinegar & cook uncovered, tossing gently about 3-4 minutes. 
  9. Season with salt & pepper to taste
  10. Serve & enjoy with Villa Graziella artisan crafted wine made with organic grapes.

www.amateurgourmet.com

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

Did You Know: Origins of our earth's crops

Did you know spicy Thai chiles actually came from Central America, tomatoes from the Andes Mountains in Peru (not Italy) and sunflowers from North America instead of South Africa? Scientists published a recent study titled The Origins of Food Crops Connect Countries Worldwide. The fascinating report reveals the origins of our earth’s crops and the adverse effects of increased mono-crop farming.  To learn more visit https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/where-did-your-favorite-food-come