Evilo Blog — Blood Orange EVOO

Going, Going, Gone 0

As we move into 2017, we're discounting Fall Flavors to make way for everything the new year has to bring.  While supplies last, all things pumpkin are 50% off.  This includes:

-- Pumpkin Pie Spice White and Dark Balsamic Vinegars:  These are both perfect for drizzling over roasted sweet potatoes or roasted butternut or acorn squash.  They also taste great poured over ice cream.  One of our regular customers adds a tablespoon to her pancake batter.  Pairs well with Cinnamon Infused EVOO, Butter Infused EVOO.

-- Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Mix:  Add softened cream cheese to make a delicious cheeseball to serve with gingersnaps, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or fruit.  Or, for a real treat, add softened cream cheese and Cool Whip to make a pie filling.  

We're also discontinuing 500 ml bottles of our oils and vinegars.  However, we have a few bottles left, which are discounted 20%, while supplies last.  We have the following available:

-- Mocha Almond Fudge Dark Balsamic Vinegar:  Drizzle over berries or ice cream. Also add a little to coffee.  Pairs well with Blood Orange EVOO, Chipotle EVOO.

-- Maple Dark Balsamic Vinegar:  Drizzle a little over pancakes or waffles, or add some to the batter.  Also makes a great glaze for pork or bacon.  Pairs well with:  Blood Orange EVOO, Chipotle EVOO, Cinnamon Infused EVOO, Butter Infused EVOO, Basil EVOO, and Meyer Lemon EVOO.

-- Espresso Dark Balsamic Vinegar:  Use as a marinade for steak, chicken, or pork chops.  Drizzle over finished steaks before serving.  Also adds flavor to stews.  Pairs well with Blood Orange EVOO, Chipotle EVOO, Garlic EVOO, Meyer Lemon EVOO, and Tuscan Herb EVOO.

-- Lavender Dark Balsamic Vinegar:  Makes a delicious marinade for chicken.  Also great for roasting new potatoes or using in vinaigrettes.  Pairs well with Herbs de Provence EVOO, Persian Lime EVOO, Basil EVOO, Blood Orange EVOO, Tuscan Herb EVOO, and Meyer Lemon EVOO.

-- Vanilla Dark Balsamic Vinegar:  Delicious drizzled over berries, brownies, ice cream, or all three together!  Makes an incredible vinaigrette with Blood Orange EVOO.  Also pairs well with:  Chipotle EVOO, Butter Infused EVOO, Meyer Lemon EVOO, and Persian Lime EVOO.

-- Lemongrass Mint Dark Balsamic Vinegar:  Brings an enticing Thai flavor to any dish, and also enhances Asian dishes.  Perfect for dressing cold noodles, salads or in a dipping sauce for spring rolls, lettuce wraps, etc.  Pairs well with Basil EVOO, Persian Lime EVOO, Chipotle EVOO, Basil Lemongrass EVOO, and Meyer Lemon EVOO.

-- Cinnamon Infused EVOO:  Absolutely wonderful for baking muffins or quick breads.  Also a great addition to pancake or waffle batter.  Use for roasting sweet potatoes, yams, butternut squash, or acorn squash.  Pairs well with Pear White Balsamic Vinegar, Maple Dark Balsamic Vinegar, Pumpkin Pie Spice Dark or White Balsamic Vinegar, Vanilla Dark Balsamic Vinegar, or Pecan Praline Dark Balsamic Vinegar.

Happy Hour 0

Plans are in full swing for New Year's Eve parties, bowl game watch parties, and other celebrations.  And the beginning of the new year is the perfect time to try new things.  You may be surprised to learn that olive oil and vinegars can be used as ingredients to create delicious and refreshing cocktails.  If you are unsure about how to use these unconventional ingredients, keep reading.  We've included suggestions and recipes for outstanding cocktails that your guests will enjoy.

Olive Oil Cocktails

Gin and vodka can be "washed" or infused with olive oil to give an extra richness to your cocktails.  You can use an unflavored olive oil or any of our infused olive oils.

Oil-Washed Vodka or Gin

(from Imbibe)

250 ml. vodka
45 ml. high-quality extra virgin olive oil

Combine vodka and oil in a freezer-safe container and let sit at room temperature for 5 days to infuse. Place the container in the freezer. Once the oil has solidified, scrape it away and discard.

Extra Virgin Martini

(from Chef Todd English)

1 orange segment
3 to 5 fresh basil leaves
3 oz vodka 
½ oz dry vermouth
½ oz Cointreau
¼ oz simple syrup
¼ oz extra virgin olive oil

Muddle the orange segment and basil leaves in a mixing tin. Add the vodka, Cointreau, vermouth, simple syrup, olive oil, and ice, and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and float an additional drop of olive oil over the top.

The Extra Virgin Cocktail
(from The Fig and Olive)

2 ounces cucumber vodka
1 ounce blood orange
3/4 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce Blood Orange EVOO
1/2 celery sprig

1. Chop up celery sprig and muddle inside mixing tin; then add in blood orange olive oil after the celery is muddled
2. Add juice and syrup to mixing tin
3. Add 2 ounces cucumber vodka
4. Add ice
5. Shake and strain over fresh ice
6. Add splash of soda
7. Add celery sprig for garnish

Cocktails with Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic Lemonade and Vodka Cocktail

(from What's Gaby Cooking)

10 lemons, juiced, approx 1 cup of lemon juice
3/4 cup super fine sugar
4 cups water
1 - 2 tsp 25 Star Balsamic Vinegar (start with 1 tsp, test it, and add more if desired)
1 cup vodka 

Combine the lemon juice, sugar and water in a large pitcher and mix to combine. Add the Balsamic Vinegar and taste. Adjust amount of balsamic if needed. Add the vodka and stir.

 

Strawberry Basil Balsamic Shrub with Gin

(from Gizmodo)

A bunch of strawberries, very ripe
Sugar
Strawberry White Balsamic Vinegar
Fresh basil
Gin
Sparkling water or club soda

Cut the strawberries into chunks and toss them with sugar in a bowl until they’re well-coated. Put it in the fridge overnight until the sugar has dissolved.

Strain the syrup out, squeezing out the solids, and mix with an equal part balsamic vinegar. Put it in a jar in the fridge and shake it once or twice a day.

Make a basil simple syrup, by combining one cup of water with one cup of sugar and add a ton of basil to and let sit until it dissolved.

In a tall glass, add equal parts gin and strawberry balsamic shrub and about half the amount of the basil syrup. Top with sparkling water for a little fizz and add a festive straw.

 

Dark Chocolate Balsamic Martini

(from Scout Mob)

Vodka
Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar
Lavender sugar

•Rim two chilled martini glasses with lavender sugar
• Chill approximately 3 ounces of vodka in the cocktail shaker
• Add 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate balsamic vinegar
• Shake all ingredients and strain into glasses

For the Glass

We also have the perfect garnishes for your cocktail glasses.  From hot and spicy to smokey to savory, you're sure to like one of these:

-- Ghost Pepper salt

-- Chili Lime Margarita salt

-- Bloody Mary salt

-- Vintage Merlot salt

Flavors of the Week, November 7th 0

As we dive deeper into Fall, we continue to highlight flavors of the season.  Our pairings this week will be perfect for all your Fall gatherings whether it's tailgating, watching the game on TV, Thanksgiving dinner, or refueling after a marathon day of holiday shopping. As a matter of fact, while you're out shopping, stop by the shop to taste these flavors yourself.

French Toast:  We've paired Cinnamon EVOO and Maple Dark Balsamic to capture the flavors of warm French toast.  This combination works well with other Fall foods such as sweet potatoes, winter squash (butter nut, acorn, etc), or Brussels sprouts.  They also go well in baking breads, muffins, pancakes, waffles, or scones.

Peach Cobbler:  Tempt your taste buds with our Butter Infused EVOO and Peach White Balsamic Vinegar.  Tastes just like the desserts your grandma made.  This combination complements chicken really well.

Spiced Orange:  This unique combination of Blood Orange EVOO and Honey Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar tastes great on salads, roasted vegetables, chicken, and pork.

The Bestseller:  You won't be able to get enough of our best-selling EVOO and our best-selling vinegar:  Garlic Mushroom EVOO and 25 Star Dark Balsamic Vinegar.  This combination is simply irresistible and versatile.  It will go with almost anything you plan to cook.  It even tastes delicious as a bread dipper.  This combination makes a great gift for every foodie on your gift list.

Flavors of the Week 10/3/16 0

Get ready to have your mind blown. We’ve paired some unexpected flavors together for some amazing tastes. You are going to love these!!

-- Strawberry Fields (Rosemary EVOO and Strawberry White Balsamic Vinegar): I cannot tell you how much I love this pairing. It’s fresh and flavorful and I can’t leave it alone. It will be perfect on salads, pork, and chicken.

Strawberry Fields Roasted Chicken

1 (3.5 to 4 pound) roasting chicken
Rosemary EVOO
Strawberry White Balsamic Vinegar
6 fresh rosemary springs
6 bunches fresh sage
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2. Strip leaves from 1 spring of rosemary and 1 bunch of both thyme and sage. Chop the herb leaves.
3. Empty the cavity of the chicken and pat chicken dry with paper towel. Rub chicken with EVOO and vinegar. Sprinkle on half the chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Rub chicken to evenly distribute herbs.
4. Place half the remaining herbs on a roasting tray and place the chicken on top of the herbs. Stuff the remaining herbs inside the cavity.
5. Roast the chicken approximately 1 hour at 375F, or until meat thermometer reads 165F at the deepest part of the thigh, and juices run clear.
6. Transfer to serving platter.


-- “HOT” Chocolate (Jalapeno EVOO and Mocha Almond Fudge Dark Balsamic Vinegar): This unique and delicious pairing hits the mark of sweet and spicy. I use jalapeño EVOO on almost everything, and I love a spot of Mocha Almond Fudge Dark Balsamic Vinegar in my coffee. However, pairing these two together takes things to another level. Delicious!! This will be perfect with berries for a light, yet decadent dessert.

Mexican Chocolate Brownies

1/4 cup Avocado Oil
1/4 cup Jalapeno EVOO
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Mocha Almond Fudge Dark Balsamic Vinegar
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together oils, sugar, vanilla, and vinegar. Beat in eggs. In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until brownies begin to pull away from the edges of the pan. Let cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares.


-- Cherry Limeade (Persian Lime EVOO and Bordeaux Cherry Dark Balsamic): This seriously tastes like a cherry limeade. I love it! This is another pairing that will compliment salads, chicken, and fruit.

Cherry Limeade Chicken
(makes 4 servings)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Bordeaux Cherry Dark Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 cup Persian Lime EVOO
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon lime zest

1. In a small bowl, add vinegar, EVOO, salt, and lime zest. Mix thoroughly with a whisk.
2. Add chicken and marinade to a ziplock bag and close it. Turn the chicken several times to make sure it is well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours.
3. Prepare grill.
4. Remove chicken breasts from marinade and place them on the prepared grill. Discard marinade.
5. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Chicken is done when it is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear.

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-- Twist of Orange (Blood Orange EVOO and Garlic Balsamic Vinegar): These two flavors work so well together and make a delicious marinade for anything you want to grill. They are also a good choice for stir-fries.

Orange and Garlic Roasted Asparagus

1 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons Blood Orange EVOO
Garlic Dark Balsamic Vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF.
2. In a bowl, toss asparagus with EVOO.
3. Arrange asparagus in a single layer on a roasting pan on baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt.
4. Roast asparagus for ~20 minutes, or until tender. Turn asparagus at 10 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and drizzle with vinegar.

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Flavors of the Week, 9/26/16 0

Even though the temperature dropped today, things are heating up at EvilO. We have some hot new pairings this week, and we know you are going to love them.

— Lime in the Coconut: Get tropical with Persian Lime EVOO and Coconut White Balsamic Vinegar. I am a summer girl, and I love the warm weather. So this helps me keep summer alive for a few more weeks. Tastes great on salads, white fish, and shrimp.

Tropical Salad
(makes 4 servings)

8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 cups mandarin orange slices, packed in water
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 avocado, cubed
1 large red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 cups black beans, drained
1/2 cup Persian lime EVOO
1/4 cup coconut white balsamic vinegar

Add lettuce, fruit, vegetables, seeds, and beans to a large bowl and toss.
In a small box, mix EVOO and vinegar. Pour over salad and toss.


— Candied Bacon: Sweet, salty, and addictive. We paired Bacon Infused EVOO and Maple Balsamic Vinegar for an unforgettable experience. This is perfect for roasted vegetables and salads. Plus, I could dip bread in this all day.

Bacon and Maple Brussel Sprouts
(adapted from I Heart Eating)

1 pound fresh or frozen Brussel sprouts (thawed, if frozen)
2 tablespoons bacon infused EVOO
3 strips bacon
4 tablespoons maple balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Halve Brussel sprouts, put in a large bowl, and set aside.
Cook bacon until it is crisp. Drain, chop, and add to Brussel sprouts.
In a small bowl, mix EVOO and vinegar. Pour over Brussel sprouts and toss to coat.
Spread out Brussel sprouts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges start to brown and crisp.


— Spiced Lemonade: Another GREAT option for those who are reluctant to give up the lazy days of summer. Meyer Lemon EVOO mixed with Serrano Chile Honey Vinegar for a sweet and spicy citrus explosion. Makes a delicious marinade for chicken and a bright dressing for salads.

Roasted Lemon Drumsticks
(adapted from Yellow Bliss Road)

10 drumsticks
1/2 cup Meyer lemon EVOO
1/4 cup serrano chile honey vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a small bowl, mix EVOO, vinegar, and garlic. Set aside.
Place drumsticks in a roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Pour EVOO and vinegar mixture over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, and preferably overnight.
Remove chicken from refrigerator, and bring to room temperature (about 20 minutes).
Preheat oven to 425ºF.
Bake chicken for 20 minutes, turn drumsticks, and cook for 10 more minutes.


— Orange Flower: A delicate, floral combination of Blood Orange EVOO and Lavender Balsamic Vinegar. Drizzle this combination over fish, fruits, and salads. A fresh and wonderful combination.

Roasted New Potatoes

1 1/2 pounds small red potatoes, halved or quartered
2 tablespoons blood orange EVOO
1 tablespoon lavender balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 450ºF.
In a bowl, drizzle EVOO and vinegar over potatoes. Toss to coat.
Spread onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook for 40 minutes.

EvilO Recipe: Orange Spiked Double Chocolate Muffins 0

One of our favorite pairings is Blood Orange EVOO with Chocolate Dark Balsamic Vinegar. As our manager Derek says, it tastes just like a chocolate/orange Tootsie Roll. Blood Orange EVOO pairs well with all things chocolate. Use it in brownies, chocolate cake, or chocolate cupcakes. Here is a recipe for delicious chocolate muffins featuring our Blood Orange EVOO. Let us know how you like them!


Orange Spiked Double Chocolate Muffins
(adapted from Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s Mocha Chip Muffin recipe)
Makes 12 muffins

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup Blood Orange EVOO
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, sift together dry ingredients (flour through salt).

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients (milk through yogurt).

4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin tins almost to the top.

5. Bake 18 – 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

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