At Villa Graziella, we are passionate about finding ways to substitute healthier options while cooking and baking.  Whether it is to cut calories, use an organic product or just use items already in our pantry – substitutions can be made to almost any recipe.

We were recently interested in finding a healthier breakfast muffin, using our organic olive oil, and delighted to find a recipe on food.com that also incorporated Greek yogurt.  High in protein, probiotics, B12, potassium, iodine, and calcium, Greek yogurt certainly added a punch of health benefits to these muffins.

Speaking of ‘good food’ substitutions, we are very excited to be participating in the 12th Annual Good Food Festival & Conference this weekend! The festival features three dynamic days that connect all the people active in the Good Food community – farmers, food producers, investors, trade buyers, policy makers, activists, families and Good Food lovers.  Buy your tickets today to shop, eat, learn, network and expand Good Food!

Ingredients

• 2 large apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (we used granny smith)

• 1⁄2 lemon, zest and juice of

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3 teaspoons baking powder

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 3⁄4 cup sugar

• 1⁄2 cup quick-cooking oats (plus a little extra for sprinkling on top)

• 1⁄2 cup Villa Graziella Organic extra virgin olive oil

• 1⁄2 cup Greek yogurt

• 1⁄4 cup raisins (optional) or 1⁄4 cup dried currant (optional)

• 1 dash salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1⁄8 teaspoon clove

Directions

• Preheat oven to 180c/350°F Line large size muffin tin with muffin liners.

• When you chop the apples, combine them immediately with the grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon to keep them from turning brown.

• Add all the remaining ingredients. Mix to just combine. Spoon into muffin liner (the chunky batter should reach the top of the liner). Sprinkle tops with some oatmeal.

• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

• Enjoy!

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

Who doesn’t love meatballs? Asian, Italian, Italian/American, Mexican or Swedish. Beef, chicken, lamb, pork, tofu or turkey. Large, small, baked, braised, fried or steamed, every culinary culture has a version & just about everybody enjoys meatballs. Historians trace their origins to 207 BC mainland China. We’re celebrating National Meatball month with a recipe from the talented home chef & our friend Laurel. The recipe is from The Crepes of Wrath & not just for spaghetti. Laurel used Villa Graziella Organic balsamic vinegar di Modena for a moist & flavorful meatball. Served with couscous & a mixed green salad for a healthy & delicious week night dinner. Extras went into a tasty sandwich with Laurel’s homemade ricotta. Makes 15 meatballs.

Simple Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons dried parsley

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 clove fresh garlic, minced

• ¼ cup milk

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 pound of ground chicken

• ½ cup fresh grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons Italian seasoned or regular bread crumbs

Balsamic-Tomato Glaze

• ¾ tablespoon Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar di Modena

• 1 tablespoon Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• ½ teaspoon sugar in the raw

Easy Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, parsley, tomato paste, garlic, milk, salt & pepper, making sure the tomato paste is completely dissolved.

3. Add the ground chicken, cheese & breadcrumbs.

4. Using clean hands, mix ingredients together to form medium size balls (approx. 2-3 tablespoons round), you can also use a small ice cream scooper.

5. Place meatballs onto a foil or parchment lined and/or greased baking sheet.

6. Make the glaze by whisking all of the ingredients together in a small bowl

7. Brush the glaze over meatballs (a soup or table spoon works too).

8. Bake approx. 30-35 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball registers 160 degrees. You can also test the meatballs with a fork.

9. Remove from oven.

10. Serve & enjoy using extra balsamic on a small plate for dipping.

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 GRAZIELLA
clientservice@villagraziellaorganic.com

Celebrate National Noodle Month with this easy, 5-ingredient, noodle dish. We bet you have all 5 ingredients in your kitchen right now! 

Ingredients: 

• Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Noodles of your choice (we used garlic and basil linguine)

• Cherry tomatoes

• Salt & pepper

• Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cut your cherry tomatoes in half and place on lined baking sheet.

2. Drizzle olive oil on top, salt and pepper

3. Roast tomatoes at 400 degrees for 10 minutes

4. Once your pasta is cooked, toss with olive oil, pepper, and roasted cherry tomatoes (add protein if desired)

5. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese & enjoy!

What, another celebration of pasta? How can we not celebrate National Noodle Day?

We decided to go with fresh fettuccine & went the classic route with a heart healthy red tomato sauce enhanced with a splash of red wine & our organic Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Why tomatoes?  Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene-a good for you, super anti-oxidant. Try whole organic canned tomatoes, slowly simmer over a low heat with diced vegetables or meat & a touch of extra virgin olive oil for a delicious & healthy sauce to go with your favorite noodles or pasta.     

We are so grateful to talented home chef & baker Laurel for sharing her recipe for delicious & lovely, Linzer cookies made with strawberry balsamic jam.  Just in time for Valentine's Day! Grazie Laurel!

Ingredients

• 3 c flour

• 1 t baking powder

• 1/2 t salt

• 1 c butter, very soft

• 3/4 c sugar

• 1 egg

• 2 T milk

• 1.5 t vanilla

• Jam of your choice; I used Strawberry Balsamic

Directions

1. Cream butter and sugar, add wet ingredients and then dry. Blend until dough forms into pellets.

2. Form 3 equal pieces, wrap in wax paper, and refrigerate for at least one hour.

3. Follow instructions below to make butter cookie dough. Preheat oven to 400 F. Roll out on floured wax paper about 1/4'' thick. Cut half the dough using large heart cookie cutters. Using the same large heart cookie cutter, cut the remaining dough then cut out the center using a smaller heart cookie cutter. Gently remove center to create a heart ‘frame.'

4. Cook 7-9 mins. The tops should not be brown, only the bottoms.

5. Once cooled, spread jam on the large hearts to form the bottom of your linzer cookie. Gently place heart ‘frame’ on top.

Why not try our recipe adapted from a past exhibit on Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Chicago? Healthy & delicious, these Balsamic Vinegar Roasted New Potatoes are an easy week night side dish. Perfect on a cold winter night, prepare with Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar & Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The rich caramelized natural flavors of the vinegar enhance chicken or meat, you’ll certainly want a second helping!

4 Servings

Easy Ingredients

• 2 pounds small, firm new potatoes washed, patted, dry & cut into quarters

• 2 tablespoons Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• ¼ cup Villa Graziella Organic Balsamic Vinegar

• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon shallot, minced

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced

• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced

• Sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Simple Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400◦F

2. Heat the oil in a 12” inch skillet over medium-high heat.

3. When hot, add potatoes, garlic, shallot & herbs

4. Toss to mix well

5. Cook until the potatoes are heated through, about 3 minutes

6. Transfer to cookie sheet & spread into single layer

7. Bake until the potatoes are golden& tender, approx. 25 minutes, turning once midway

8. Add the vinegar & toss well

9. Season with salt & pepper & return to oven until sizzling, about 7 minutes

10. Remove from the oven, toss again, serve immediately & enjoy!

DID YOU ADD ANOTHER INGREDIENT TO MAKE THIS RECIPE BETTER? PLEASE SHARE YOUR COMMENTS & FEEDBACK WITH US!

WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A HEALTHY & DELICIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH OUR PRODUCTS!

GRAZIE DA TEAM VILLA GRAZIELLA
clientservice@villagraziellaorganic.com

We're gearing up for the Big Game this Sunday by revisiting our top easy-to-make recipes from the blog! They are a "healthier" alternatives to the typical game day food but will delight your taste buds and help you cheer your favorite team to victory!

Popccorn Perfected!

Victorious Veggie Dip

Baked 4 Cheese Pasta

SAVORY HAM & GRUYÈRE CHEESE BREAD

Olive Oil & Sea Salt Brownies

Guests recently enjoyed a wonderfully delicious, truffle based dinner created by the passionate & talented Chef Giacomo Marinello. Graciously hosted by Giacomo Ferrucci of Archisesto Inc. Showroom & Vincent Anzalone of Genuine Chicago, the 5 course meal was paired with Villa Graziella certified organic wines while some dishes were finished with Villa Graziella Organic balsamic vinegar & extra virgin olive oil.

We are already wondering what Chef Giacomo has in mind for his next dinner!

Wondering what to cook for dinner on a hectic weeknight? How about balsamic vinegar braised chicken breasts? Easy to prepare, we made our version using Villa Graziella Organic 8 year aged balsamic vinegar di Modena.  We tweaked a recipe from allrecipes.com adding fresh mushrooms & cherry tomatoes for a healthy & delicious dish that can be served with pasta, orzo or rice.

Serves 2 to 4

Easy Ingredients: 

• ½ cup Villa Graziella Organic Vinegar di Modena

• 1 pound of fresh skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tablespoons of Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 15 ounces of fresh diced tomatoes (canned diced tomatoes work too)

• 1 cup of thinly sliced fresh mushrooms

• 1 onion thinly sliced

• 1 teaspoon basil

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• 1 teaspoon rosemary

• ½ teaspoon thyme

• Sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to season

Simple Directions:

1. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt & pepper

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat

3. Cook seasoned chicken breasts until browned, approx. 3 to 4 minutes per side

4. Add mushroom & onion slices

5. Cook & stir until browned approx. 8-10 minutes

6. Pour diced tomatoes & balsamic vinegar over the mixture

7. Season with basil, oregano, rosemary & thyme

8. Simmer chicken over a medium heat careful the meat does not dry. Until it is no longer pink & the juices run clear, approx. 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should indicate at least 165◦F (74◦C).

9. Remove from heat & allow to “rest” for 2-3 minutes

10. Serve with pasta, orzo or rice & enjoy!

At Villa Graziella Organic our team tries & taste every recipe we feature. While we love to share our family recipes & those 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 Graziella recipes. So try them in your kitchen, feel free to tweak them & please tell us what we think. We welcome your comments & feedback.  

Grazie!

Torta di Cioccolato di Olio di Oliva di Chef Rosa Hanslits’ Chocolate & Olive Oil Cake

Celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day with a recipe from one of our favorite people, Chef Rosa Hanslits of Nicole Taylor Pasta Shop & Back Room Eatery in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis. An easy to make winter time dessert, try swapping butter with a healthier choice using Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive. Use healthy Dutch cocoa powder & honey for the glaze. We adapted Rosa’s recipe for this healthy dark chocolate, & luxurious cake! 8 to 10 slices.

Easy Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Villa Graziella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, + more for the pan

• 2 cups King Arthur™ Unbleached, All-Purpose Flour, + more for dusting

• ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ cup sugar in the raw

• 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon finely grated lemon

• ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest

For the glaze

• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

• 2 teaspoons honey, plus more for drizzling

• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

• ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest

• Large pinch of sea salt

• ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper

Simple Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush a round pan or Bundt pan with olive oil & dust with flour.

2. Whisk the cocoa powder and ¼ cup hot water in a small bowl, let cool slightly & set aside.

3. Combine flour, salt, baking soda in a bowl.

4. Combine sugar, egg & egg yolk, vanilla & lemon zest, beat on medium high speed until pale & thick, approx. 1 minute.

5. Slowly drizzle in olive oil. Add the cocoa mixture & beat until combined.

6. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour mixture & beat until just incorporated.

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a rack.

8. Remove from pan & let cool completely on the rack.

9. Make the glaze, put the chocolate, honey, olive oil, salt in a pan, heat over a medium flame, stirring occasionally.

10. Drizzle over cake, sprinkle sea salt, cracked pepper & orange peel, let cake thoroughly cool before enjoying!

At Villa Graziella Organic our team tries & taste every recipe we feature. While we love to share our family recipes & those 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 Graziella recipes. So try them in your kitchen, feel free to tweak them & please tell us what we think. We welcome your comments & feedback.  

Grazie!