What to serve while watching the Oscar ceremony? Crostoni! Large bread crusts in Italian, crostoni are thick bread rounds, toasted & topped with a meat or cheese garnish. We modified a recipe from the reluctant entertainer, using Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil & a reduction of Villa Gabriella Organic 8-year aged organic balsamic vinegar. Prepare ahead, pop in the oven & enjoy the show!  

Makes 8-10 Crostoni

Simple Ingredients

• French bread baguette, sliced diagonally (about 2 inches thick)
• 4-5 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra to flavor
• Reduction of Villa Gabriella Organic 8 year aged, balsamic vinegar  
• 3-5 tablespoons fresh goat cheese 
• ½ cup Gorgonzala cheese
• 1 medium Honeycrisp apple, finely diced
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 3 teaspoons honey
• Sea salt & cracked pepper (to taste)

Easy Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to broil. 
2. Brush bread rounds with olive oil, place on a parchment lined baking sheet
3. Broil for 3 minutes, until toasty, remove from the oven 
4. Spread each toasted round with goat cheese & set aside
5. Combine gorgonzola cheese, chopped apple & walnuts in a bowl  
6. Add honey & mix together
7. Spoon the mixture on top ofcrostoni rounds
8. Return to the oven & broil 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted
9. Remove from the oven, drizzle each crostoni with balsamic vinegar reduction (recipe here) 
10. Serve & enjoy! 

Pair with Villa Graziella artisan crafted Bianco Trebbiano IGT 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

We used our 8-year aged organic balsamic vinegar to make a luscious reduction. No need to add sugar or other ingredients, we slowly simmer the vinegar for 60 minutes over a low heat.  Bursting with complex, natural flavors coming from the various woods the vinegar ages in, we drizzled our reduction on Apple Walnut Crostoni. A glaze on grilled steak or chops, dress steamed or roasted veggies, top fresh avocado slices & shaved fennel or on spring greens; the delicious & healthy combinations are endless!

Ingredients

• 1 cup Villa Gabriella Organic 8 year aged, balsamic vinegar  

Easy Directions

1. In a medium sauce pan, add balsamic vinegar
2. Simmer over medium heat 10-15 minutes or until vinegar begins to bubble
3. Stir slowly & reduce heat to low for 45 minutes until vinegar thickens & reduces
4. Place a spoon in the reduction, if vinegar coats the spoon remove from the heat
5. Set aside & allow to cool
6. Pour into air tight jar or container, store in cupboard away from heat, light & air. Vinegar can be re-heated over low heat, add a small amount of water if necessary.

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? 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!  

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.

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

Jan. 27th kicks off the Lunar New Year & the Year of the Rooster according to Chinese zodiac. Known for it's punctuality, loyalty & resourcefulness, the Red Fire Rooster is also nature's alarm clock. Gong Hey Fat Choy 恭喜發財

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 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.