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Villa Graziella recently traveled to Hong Kong for special Wine & Dine event.  February 19th welcomes the Lunar New Year of the Goat in the Chinese Zodiac. A symbol of peace, harmony & tranquility, experts say the positive aura of this goat year will focus on things money can't buy:  community, friends, family & love!

An important part of the celebration is to enjoy a special meal in the company of friends & family. Held at The exclusive Club 1 at Repulse Bay, a 10 course dinner of Cantonese delicacies paired perfectly with Villa Graziella certified organic, single estate, Italian wines from Tuscany. Villa Graziella certified organic balsamic vinegar di Modena was a delicious addition to Spring Rolls, Sticky Rice & Roasted Suckling Pig. 

A memorable evening was enjoyed by all thanks to the gracious hospitality of Villa Graziella Asia, The Tender Group, Club 1 Repulse Bay, Hoi Sang Hong Marine Foodstuffs Limited & The S.W.F. International Trading Co.

恭喜發財 KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!!

The Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri 2014/2015 world tour recently came to Chicago’s Union Station.  Considered the wine bible of Italy, Gambero Rosso (red shrimp) is published annually showcasing the year’s best Italian wines. The highest rating is awarded tre bicchieri (three glasses). More than 20,000 wines are tasted for the guide each year yet only 400 wines achieve the coveted tre bicchieri. The Chicago edition featured over 240 wines from 131 wineries. Notable wines Amarone, Barolo & Chianti, along with lesser known varietals-Pecorino & Vermentino were enjoyed by all. Salute!

Part of winter’s bounty of fruit, oranges pair perfectly with Villa Graziella Organic, extra virgin olive oil to make a moist, delicious, fruit flavored and guilt free dessert. Easy to make, enjoy it after dinner, while it tastes even better the next day at breakfast or as a snack.

8 Servings

Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 ¼  Cups all-purpose flour, plus more to dust the cake pan
2 Eggs room temperature
Juice (pulp included) and zest of 1 orange (approx. 3 tablespoons of juice, 1 tablespoon zest). Add additional orange juice & zest for extra flavor if desired. Reserve a few extra slices for garnish-optional.
¾ Cup of turbinado sugar  (Sugar In The Raw)
1 ½ Teaspoons sea salt
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
½ Teaspoon baking soda
½ Teaspoon salt
Unsalted butter to grease baking pan
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
1 sprig of fresh mint optional

1. Preheat oven to 350◦F

2. Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan

3. Mix together sugar, eggs in a medium bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed until thoroughly blended

4. Drizzle in olive oil and vanilla, mix until a smooth batter

5. Add orange juice and zest, mix well

6. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in another medium bowl

7. Add the flour mixture in small increments to the wet batter and mix on low to blend

8. Pour batter into prepared cake pan

9. Bake 25 to 30 minutes

10. Let cake cool, dust with confectioners’ sugar, add orange slices & mint for garnish

11. Serve and enjoy! Cover securely to prevent from drying out.

No matter who you want to win at this year’s BIG GAME, enjoy this tasty and healthy vegetable dip. Easy to make ahead, our savory dip pairs perfectly with carrot, celery, green & red pepper or zucchini sticks. You can also serve with bread sticks or toasted pita triangles.

Makes 2 ½ cups

Ingredients
½ Cup of Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 ½ Tablespoons of Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar
1 Large ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and quartered
8 oz. Cream cheese, low fat or non-fat cream cheese can also be used
1-2 Garlic gloves minced
2 Tablespoons minced green onion or scallion, discarding green tops and stringy roots
2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 Tablespoon Dijon style mustard
1 ½ Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 Teaspoon sea salt
1 Teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 Pinch of sugar

1. Place Dijon mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, pepper and sugar in a blender or food processor, blend until fully mixed.

2. Slowly add olive oil in a fine stream into the mixture, allowing it to fully blend & soften.

3. Add avocado, cream cheese, green onion and parsley to mixture, continue to blend, allowing it to emulsify until smooth and creamy.

4. Taste and adjust seasonings.

5. Serve chilled in shot glasses with assorted vegetable sticks & enjoy!

Olive oil is a key ingredient in a good marinade?

Olive oil “conditions” while it seasons and moistens meat or fish, without removing essential juices or aromas, which vinegar and wine can do. Olive oil enhances the flavors of herbs and spices in a marinade so that cooked meat or fish is savory, succulent & delicious.

Add Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil to fresh ground pepper, sea salt and your favorite fresh or dried herbs for an easy, healthy and tasty marinade before broiling, grilling or roasting chicken, fish or meat. 

Named Brussels Sprouts because they were first cultivated in Brussels, Belgium in the 18th century, they are part of the Brassica family of vegetables. Like miniature cabbages, Brussels Sprouts are small in size but big in nutrition as a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

One of winter’s gifts, don’t enjoy Brussels Sprouts just at Thanksgiving dinner. For a delicious and healthy side dish, serve roasted Brussels Sprouts prepared with Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar for an intense, caramelized flavor.

6 Servings

Ingredients
1 ½ pounds firm Brussel Sprouts, washed, trimmed and cut in halves
4 oz. of pancetta or turkey bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
¼ cup of Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 ½ Tablespoons of Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar
1 ½ Teaspoons sea salt
½ Teaspoon ground pepper 

1. Preheat oven to 400◦F

2. Place halved Brussels Sprouts in a baking sheet, add the loose leaves for extra crispiness

3. Add pancetta or turkey bacon pieces

4. Add olive oil

5. Add sea salt & pepper

6. Mix ingredients with hands and arrange on baking sheet in a single layer

7. Roast for 20-30 minutes, until browned & tender, when pancetta or turkey bacon is cooked

8. Toss once during roasting

9. Remove from the oven, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and toss again

10. Serve immediately & enjoy!

Because delicious tasting food can also be healthy for you, why use a store bought salad dressing when you can enjoy a tasty homemade vinaigrette that is also good for you? Try this easy to make, versatile vinaigrette recipe.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 3/4 cup Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Your favorite lettuce, salad mix or seasonal greens such as kale or Swiss chard

• Your favorite seasonal vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, chopped artichokes, carrots, celery & fresh fennel. Thinly sliced cucumbers or red onions. Add avocados, walnuts or crumbled Blue, Feta, or Gorgonzola cheese for garnish.

Directions

• Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the salt and pepper until the salt dissolves.

• Add in the oil a bit at a time, whisking constantly.

• Or place the vinegar, salt & pepper and oil in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.

• Taste and adjust the seasonings, makes approx. 1 cup.

• Toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the salad mix and desired salad ingredients, top with crumbled cheese, serve & enjoy immediately.

• If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.

Stephen Ho & Gary Tsui from the Tender Group in Sheung Wan-Hong Kong recently hosted Villa Gabriella organic wines for a tasting with Hong Kong Sommelier-Davy Leung.

Tender Group Gary Tsui together with Sommelier Davy Leung & Villa Gabriella wines.

Villa Graziella Asia hosted a wine dinner in The Orchid Room at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong.

Guests enjoyed classic Italian dishes prepared by Chef Caesar Chan using Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Organic Balsamic Vinegar. Single estate, organic certified Villa Graziella wines were paired with each of the 5 courses, complimenting the wonderful taste & flavors created by Chef Chan. The evening was one of many toasts among friends & families creating wonderful memories for all who attended.

Chef Tony Hanslits, National Executive Chef of The Chef's Academy & co-owner of Indianapolis Nicole-Taylor's Pasta and Market creating a delicious dish of homemade pasta & fresh seasonal vegetables from his garden using Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Organic Balsamic Vinegar.