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September 29th is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day & we’re celebrating with a perennial favorite, Pesto Genovese! Autumn is officially here yet there are still vestiges of summer with abundant pots of fresh basil & parsley on the patio. We modified the esteemed Marcella Hazan’s recipe using Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for an easy & delicious pasta sauce. Pesto originates from the northwestern port city of Genoa in the Liguria region & the Italian verb “pestare” is to pound or crush. Ancient Romans prepared the sauce with a marble mortar & wooden pestle using fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, parsley, pine nuts & sheep’s milk cheese. Pounding & crushing in a circular motion the thick paste topped bread, meat, vegetables & of course pasta. Serves 6. 

Easy Ingredients: 

1. 1/3 cup Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more to taste
2. 1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
3. ½ cup of fresh parsley leaves
4. 2 tablespoons fresh pine nuts, toasted
5. 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated or Pecorino Romano
6. 1-2 cloves fresh garlic
7. 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
8. 1 teaspoon sea salt
9. 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Simple Directions:

1. Combine basil leaves, parsley, pine nuts & garlic in a blender or food processor
2. Pulse a few times to roughly chop ingredients
3. Add cheese, lemon juice, sea salt & red pepper flakes
4. Blend for a 2-minutes or until ingredients are thoroughly mixed
5. Run the blender or food processor while slowly pouring in olive oil
6. Mix the ingredients
7. Add more oil if desired
8. Serve & enjoy warm or at room temperature over dry or fresh pasta
9. Store in a covered container up to 1 week in the refrigerator
10. Freeze by adding a layer of olive oil on the surface before sealing the container

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

Source: Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking Marcella Hazan - Ballantine Books

Ever wonder what makes wine or food organic? We sat down with our talented partner producer Luca Nesi to learn about organic wine, sustainable food & life in Montespertoli, Italy.  

Salmon season is almost coming to an end, and we are soaking up every piece we can get our hands on! We decided to make a simple grilled salmon recipe with only four ingredients. Our Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil paired nicely with some lemon juice and garlic. How do you like to prepare your salmon? 

Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup of Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
• 1 full lemon 
• 1 garlic glove 
• Fresh salmon 

Directions

• In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, half of the lemon juice and minced garlic 
• Preheat grill
• Cook salmon 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time will vary depending on size and thickness of salmon. 
• Squeeze remaining lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste 
• Enjoy! 

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 those crazy mornings trying to get out of the door. Many times breakfast is missed, even though it shouldn't be! Insert these delicious oatmeal cups. Make ahead and grab them on your way out the door. Store them in the refrigerator and you have breakfast for the week! 

BONUS: we used our Villa Gabriella organic extra virgin olive oil instead of butter so they are healthy too! 

Ingredients:
-2 eggs
-1/4 cup Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-1 cup brown sugar
-1/2 cup applesauce
-1 1/2 cup milk
-2 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 tbsp cinnamon
-3 cups oats
-2 tsp baking powder
-Toppings (chocolate chips, dried fruit, white chocolate, etc.) 

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees & line muffin pan with liners
-Whisk ingredients together starting with egg, sugar, and olive oil
-Add applesauce, milk, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon, then oats and baking powder & toppings
-Bake for 30 minutes 

Enjoy!

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? Olive oil is also good for our 4-legged best friends? We know the multitude of proven health benefits olive oil offers humans, but did you know the liquid gold also helps dogs?

Starting with great flavor our own pet pooches love, olive oil provides crucial anti-oxidant benefits, is an energy booster, helps to maintain healthy weight & is a natural moisturizer for a shiny coat. 

Want to learn more? Click Here!

We’re not ready to say “So long”….to summer! September is almost here but there are still a few warm days to enjoy. We tweaked a recipe for Spanish Sangria using artisan crafted Villa Graziella IGT Rosso Toscano red wine made with single estate, red berry rich Canaiolo, Colorino & Sangiovese organic grapes. Simple & not too sweet, no cinnamon or sugar, we used tangy citrus fruit & sparkling water for a refreshing libation. Makes 6 abundant servings. 

Easy Ingredients

• 1 750 ML (25.36 Oz) bottle of Villa Graziella IGT Rosso Toscano
• 2 oranges
• 2 lemons
• Peaches or apricots optional  
• 1 can carbonated water, flavored soda water or ginger ale.

Simple Directions

1. Wash oranges, slice & set aside
2. Wash lemons, slice, remove the seeds & set aside 
3. Chop peaches in thick chunks with skin on (optional)
4. In a large pitcher or bowl, stir together Rosso Toscano wine, orange & lemon slices
5. Add peach chunks & carbonated soda water
6. Stir briskly
7. Refrigerate two hours to overnight, allowing sangria to absorb the fruit flavors & citrus aromas
8. Serve in frosted glasses over ice (optional) 
9. Enjoy with your favorite lite bites or small plates
10. Refrigerate covered for 2 days  

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

“People Who Love To Eat Are Always The Best People” ~ Chef Julia Child

We could not agree more! As a youngster, I remember Chef Child’s ebullient & refreshing personality creating amazing dishes on her PBS television show The French Chef.  What a difference from today’s celebrity “chefs” who assemble food, taste for the camera then quickly spit for fear of gaining weight. Without any food stylists, hair & make up people, writers or publicists, Chef Child penned her recipes, prepped the ingredients, cooked the food & ate her dishes-enjoying every bite! 

Classically trained in post WWII France, an accomplished author, she introduced authentic, & healthy culinary traditions to Americans for 40 years. Chef Child’s generous spirit, humorous personality & genuine love of food make her the kind of person we’d want to share a meal with. 

We’re celebrating the culinary legend’s August 15th birthday with her classic & very delicious vinaigrette dressing using Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 8-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar di Modena. We added seasonal fresh ingredients from the farmers market for a luscious & satisfying salad. Makes approx. 1/2 cup dressing, for 2 ½-3 quarts salad greens or cooked vegetables. 

From Julia's Kitchen Wisdom-Julia Child. Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Easy Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic 8-year aged balsamic vinegar di Modena
• 8 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon
• Fresh cracked pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot &/or 1/4 teaspoon dried herbs-tarragon or basil

Simple Instructions

1. Either make the dressing in an empty salad bowl: Slowly beat vinegar, lemon juice, salt and mustard in bowl to dissolve the salt
2. Slowly beat in the oil by droplets to make an emulsion 
3. Add optional shallots & selected seasonings
4. Or place all ingredients in a covered jar, shake vigorously to blend & add seasoning
5. Test dressing-dip a piece of the lettuce into the vinaigrette. 
6. Correct seasoning by slowly adding drops of vinegar, oil, salt or pepper & beat
7. Serve in chilled salad bowls or plates & enjoy!
8. Store in the refrigerator up to 1 week 

Tip: Julia said the usual proportions of 1part vinegar to parts oil for a salad dressing are too acidic. Instead, use 1 to 5 proportions as per a dry martini since you can always add more vinegar but not take out!

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

Marinated chicken kabobs for a Sunday summer lunch or dinner? We modified a spruce recipe using Villa Gabriella Organic extra virgin olive oil, 8 year aged organic balsamic vinegar & fresh herbs for an easy, flavorful main dish. Using fresh, seasonal orange & yellow bell peppers with red onion for a healthy alternative. You can also use fresh mushrooms, zucchini or squash. The recipe called for marinating up to 12 hours, instead we marinated the chicken for 3 hours, long enough to absorb flavors without becoming too soft. Lemon & vinegar acids break down meat causing it to become mushy if marinated too long. Serve with a seasonal side salad, couscous, orzo or quinoa. Serves 2 to 4. 

Easy Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh, boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1-1/2" chunks
• 1/4 cup Villa Gabriella Organic extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons Villa Gabriella Organic 8 year aged balsamic vinegar di Modena
• 2 large bell peppers-1 each green, red, orange or yellow 
• 1 large red onion
• 1 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove fresh garlic, crushed & chopped
• 1 small shallot clove sliced thin
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• Fresh herbs-your choice of basil, marjoram, sage, rosemary, oregano or thyme  

Simple Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, garlic, shallot, sea salt & pepper-mix well 

2. Add chicken chunks to bowl, turn to coat, cover & refrigerate for 3 hours

3. Cut peppers into 1-1/2" chunks, cut onions into 2" chunks set aside

4. Soak bamboo skewers in cold water

5. Preheat grill to 160°F

6. Drain the chicken, reserving marinade 

7. Thread chicken & vegetable chunks onto skewers, do not over load skewers, leave 2 inches bare on end to turn skewers

8. Lightly brush marinade on skewers, discard remaining marinade

9. Place skewers on hot grill, cook 10-12 minutes, turn occasionally until vegetables are tender,  & chicken is thoroughly cooked-test the temperature with a food thermometer

10. Remove from grill, let rest for 5 minutes. Serve & enjoy with Villa Graziella Artisan Crafted IGT Rosato Toscano wine made with organic grapes 

HOW DID THIS RECIPE GO? PLEASE SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK WITH US! WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A HEALTHY & DELCIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH OUR PRODUCTS! clientservice@villagabriellaorganic.com