Chicken Wings - Hearty Party Food...Happy New Year!!!!!!

Well, here we are saying good-bye to 2012. 

Chances are you'll be having friends over tonight or sometime during the next weeks to celebrate, watch football games or just visit. This dish is a perfect food to serve.  It's easy to prepare and will appeal to the men in your group as well as the ladies.

        Balsamic Soy-Glazed Chicken Wings

          Makes 4 main courses or 6-8 snack servings

Ingredients:

4 pounds chicken wings
2 tablespoons Joe and Son’s Chipotle Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup Joe and Son’s Artisinal Honey Balsamic Vinegar OR Coconut Balsamic
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Thinly sliced scallions for garnishing

Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing for dipping, if desired.


Preparation:

Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Line 2 large shallow baking pans (17 by 11 inches) with foil. Put pans in oven and preheat oven to 500°F.

Pat wings dry, then toss with Chipotle Olive Oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and divide between preheated pans, spreading wings in 1 layer. Roast, without turning, until golden and tender, about 35 minutes.

While wings roast, simmer Balsamic Vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1/3 cup, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.

Remove roasted wings from oven and let stand in pans 1 minute (to make wings easier to remove from foil), then transfer with tongs to a clean large bowl.

Pour balsamic mixture over wings and toss to coat well. Let stand 5 minutes, then toss again.

　

THANK YOU......

                                               

On behalf of Joe and Son's Olive Oils I'd like to say, "Thank you" to all of our wonderful customers who came into the store this past year.

 We are truly blessed to have the friendliest, nicest people come into our store every single day. We are thrilled that you come in as customers and leave as "friends". You are the reason that our business is thriving. 

We wish you the best during this Holiday Season and may the New Year bring you Happiness, Peace and Good Health.


The Favata/Messina/Gebbia family

                                              

Pork Loin Roast with Balsamic and Garlic

 

 

 

The holidays are right around the corner.  You're busy and you have company coming.  You need a quick and easy, but tasty meat dish that would be right at home at the dinner table or as part of a buffet offering.  This roasted pork loin is your answer.

 

And you thought Olive Oils and Vinegars were just for salads, didn't you?

 This goes to show you just how wrong you were.

 

 

 

 



                   Balsamic Roasted Pork Loin

 

　

2 tablespoons steak seasoning rub

½ cup 18 Year Balsamic Vinegar

½ cup Joe and Son’s Garlic Infused Olive Oil…..but Tuscan Herb or Chipotle would work well, too

2 pound boneless pork loin

Directions:

　

1. Dissolve steak seasoning in balsamic vinegar, then stir in olive oil. Place pork into a sealable plastic bag and pour marinade overtop. Squeeze out air and seal bag; marinate 2 hours to overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3. Place pork into a baking dish along with marinade. Bake in preheated oven, basting occasionally until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees … about 20 to 25 minutes.

Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to cut carbs in Holiday Pies

                                                                   

Desserts are always a problem for those watching carbs, but especially for persons dealing with Diabetes.

Because of the piecrust, even sugar-free pies can be  high carb desserts.

Here's an easy, tasty no-carb pie crust suggestion...and it's Gluten-free as well.

1 to 1 1/2 cups pecan pieces (or almonds or walnuts)
1 Tablespoon Joe and Son's Butter Olive Oil ( add a little more if the mixture appears too dry to press)
1 pkg Sweet n Low or other sweetener

Place the nut pieces in a food processor and process into fine mealy sized pieces. Place in a small bowl and add the butter oil and sweetener.  Stir and combine until the nut pieces are coated.  Press into a pie plate that has been lightly sprayed with cooking oil.  Bake at 350 degrees for 6-7 minutes or until the crust begins to turn golden.

Remove from the oven and cool slightly before proceeding with your pie recipe.

Chocolate Salami ....How to have some fun with dessert

                                                 Who says you can't play with your food? 

                    I say that you can, and that the Art of Deception can apply to foods you prepare.
                                  Fool your guests as you serve them "Italian Salami" for dessert.

                                                         This is a perfect example.
                                                                 
                                                              Chocolate Salami

                                                     

8 ounces of semi-sweet baking chocolate
4 ounces of sweet baking chocolate
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup Joe and Son's Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
3/4 cup chopped pecan pieces
1/2 cup roughly chopped shortbread cookies (I used Goya's Maria cookies)

Plastic (Saran) wrap for rolling
Powdered sugar for rolling

Place the chocolate in a heat proof bowl over a pot of simmering water until the chocolate has melted. Stir to help with the melting. Set aside to cool slightly.

Stir in the Raspberry Balsamic vinegar and then add the condensed milk, cracker pieces and chopped pecans.  Stir until well combined.

Place the mixture onto the plastic wrap and use the wrap to form it into the shape of a salami. Crinkle the paper to form creases on the surface of the chocolate.

Wrap tightly.  Chill until firm, at least 1 hour. Gently roll the "salami" as it's cooling so it retains  rounded sides like the real thing.
Remove from the refrigerator and rub powdered sugar over the surface.

Serve at room temperature.  Slice into thin slices as though you were slicing Italian Salami.

A new twist on Onion Soup

                                                                  
This isn't a new recipe for French Onion Soup, but it is a suggestion for giving it a slightly different and enhanced burst of flavor.

Follow any tried and true recipe you usually use to make your French Onion Soup..but substitute 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Joe and Son's Mushroom Sage Olive Oil for 2 Tablespoons of butter your recipe calls for.

For example, if your recipe calls for 4 Tablespoons butter, instead use 2 Tablespoons of butter and 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Mushroom Sage Olive Oil.

I even took it a step further by combining the Olive Oil and the butter to saute the onions and then added a cup of sliced mushrooms to the onions before adding the flour.

Try it; you'll like it.

Veggies were never better than this!

I'm of the opinion that people's perception of a prepared dish is influenced by its appearance.  Thus, the expression, "Eating with your eyes".  So, having said this I'm telling you that this vegetable casserole will have your friends or family ready to dig in at the first sight of the dish.

Again, this is another simple, quick and tasty recipe that will have guests believing you're a gourmet cook  even if you're not.

                                                            

                                         Provencal Zucchini and Yellow Squash Medley

　

1 Tbsp. Joe and Son’s Mushroom Sage Olive Oil
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 large zucchini, cut into 1 inch cubes or sliced into rounds
1 large yellow squash, cut into 1 inch cubes or sliced into rounds
½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp. dried rosemary
½ tsp. dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ crumbled feta cheese

Preheat oven broiler.
Heat the olive oil over low-medium heat in a large skillet.
Add the onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, yellow squash and tomatoes  and saute for 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to saute for another 2 minutes. Do not overcook the veggies; you want them cooked but firm. Add the next 3 ingredients. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a casserole dish and sprinkle with the feta cheese.
Place the casserole dish under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese melts.

Makes 4 servings.
　

Chocolate brownie Bites.......A Spectacular Nibble!

                                            Where can these tempting delights be found?

                                                     At  Joe and Son's Olive Oils 
                                                   3401 W. Bay to Bay Blvd 
                                                           Tampa, Florida

If you came by Joe and Son's today you were treated to a delicious and easy dessert. Imagine the rich tastes of decadent chocolate and blood orange combined in a way to just melt in your mouth.

To those unlucky souls who missed out...........Come by tomorrow and purchase the ingredients to make these tasty morsels.
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RECIPE:

Take a regular brownie mix and substitute our Blood Orange EVOO for the vegetable oil that it calls for.

Add 3/4 cup of chocolate chips to the batter and bake for the least amount of time your mix suggests. (Don't overbake the brownies.)
When they come out of the oven and are still warm, break up the brownies with a fork and incorporate the melted chocolate chips.
Add about 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of our Dark Chocolate Balsamic to moisten the cooked brownie mixture and then roll into 1" balls. If the mix is too dry, add more Balsamic.

Coat with Sugar In The Raw or  cocoa powder.

HINT:  They taste good the first day, but are extra good on the second.
 It is that easy!

You can even change the taste by using Raspberry Balsamic rather than the Chocolate Balsamic.

Cream Cheese Dessert Ball...........Easy Holiday Entertaining

  

Entertaining doesn’t have to be difficult and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of time to make a delicious appetizer or dessert. This cheese ball can be used for either purpose and your guests will marvel at how good it tastes.

                                                     

                                              

                                                                                           

 1  8 oz package cream cheese
 1/3  cup powdered sugar

 3 Tbsp Joe and Son’s Blood Orange Olive Oil
 3/4  cup mini chocolate chips
 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

 Goes well with graham crackers, banana bread, date nut bread or apple slices

Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature.
 In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients except for the pecans.and mix until well combined.
Place in a serving dish or form into a ball. (Line small bowl with plastic wrap if shaping into a ball).
Allow to chill for 2 hours and remove wrap before rolling the ball or topping it with the pecan chips.
              

Mango Chutney - A Wonderful Accompaniment To So Many Foods....

                               And you're wondering what I could possible be talking about.

                                                          


                                                         Mango Pineapple Chutney

                                         This is sweet with some heat and you're gonna love it!


3 Tablespoons Joe and Son's Chipotle Olive Oil
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup diced onion
3 Tablespoons Joe and Son's Serrano Honey Vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar or Splenda brown sugar subsitute
1 16 ounce package of frozen mango pieces, thawed (or fresh if in season)
1 8 ounce can pineapple tidbits (drained)

Pour the Chipotle Olive Oil into a sauteing pan and warm to low heat.  Place the bell pepper and onion in the pan and cook for about 20 minutes until the onions become slightly transparent.  Stir while cooking.  Add the Serrano Honey Vinegar and brown sugar.  Continue cooking over low heat until the vinegar has reduced and the mixture has thickened.
Add the mango and pineapple pieces; stir to evenly coat the fruit.  At this point you can slightly mash the fruit to create a chunky puree or leave as is.

This chutney is delicious with seafood, chicken, pork or ham.  In addition, it's great with plain ol' tortilla chips.

Pecan Pie Muffins--Baking made easy

                                                    PECAN PIE MINI-MUFFINS

                            Only 5 simple ingredients combine to make a "can't eat just one" dessert.

 This is a recipe that's sure to become one of your favorites...not only because it's so darned good, but because it's so easy to put together.  Notice it only calls for 1/2 cup of flour...that's not a misprint.
                                                               

                                                               



1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup Joe and Son's Organic Butter Olive Oil
2 eggs, beaten

Preheat over to 350 °.  Spray muffin tins with cooking spray* or line them with foil lined baking cups.

Mix together pecans, sugar and flour.  Beat the eggs and Butter Olive oil until foamy.  Pour this into the pecan mixture and stir until just blended.

Fill the muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for 9-10 minutes.  Do not overbake; you want the centers to be a bit soft and gooey.

Makes about 28-30 mini-muffins and the recipe may be doubled.

*If using cooking  spray rather than foil cups, run a sharp knife around the edge of each muffin to ease in releasing it from the baking tin.

A wonderful "Go To" meal that's quick and delicious!

 

You folks know I like good food.  But I like good food even better if it takes little time to prepare.

This is one of my "go to" recipes that's quick and easy to prepare and never disappoints.

If you have fresh fish, that's great. But if you don't, then frozen, thawed filets work just as well.

 Ingredients:

        4   5-7 oz.  Tilapia fillets or Orange Roughy filets
        1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
          1/2  cup olives green or black
           1/4 cup capers, drained
           2-3 cloves crushed garlic (I use 6-8 cloves, but we really love garlic.)
           2 tablespoons Joe and Son’s Eureka Lemon Oil

Directions:
     Cut the tomatoes and olives in half and cook with garlic, capers and Lemon Oil for  5 minutes on medium heat – until tomatoes start to soften.
        Add fish and cover, cooking for 5 more minutes until fish flakes with a fork.
    Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with a side dish of rice or risotto. 

 Add a salad and you have a meal that looks as though you spent hours preparing it.

 

Goodness !!! What a week!!!

We were really excited to have Charlie Belcher from our local channel 13 come to the store on Monday morning as he taped another segment of Charlie's World from Joe and Son's Olive Press.  As a result, we have had a lot of new customers come into the store to try some of the oils and vinegars he and Andrea talked about.                                                               

They were also very interested in tasting some of the goodies we had out for Charlie. You can see some of them in the above picture.  They tasted, got the recipes and bought the oils and vinegars they needed to make them.

For some reason, we seem to get the friendliest, nicest customers in the store.  By the time you folks leave, it's like we've known each other for years.  Just let me thank all of you for taking the time to come in, visit with Michael, Andrea (or me) and giving our oils and vinegars a try.

We just introduced a new and easy recipe that has become a favorite of our customers.  It's a recipe for Roasted Cinnamon Pear Bruschetta. Trust me; this one's a keeper!!!
                                                                 

Roasted Cinnamon Pear Bruschetta

1 baguette, sliced into rounds (or purchase pre-sliced and toasted bread rounds)
2-3 pears, chopped and peeled
2 1/4 teaspoon Joe and Son’s Butter Olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
2 tablespoons Joe and Son’s Cinnamon Pear Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 cup mascarpone or whipped cream cheese
1 teaspoon honey

Preheat oven to 400. Lay baguette rounds on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and toasted. Set aside.

Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add Joe and Son's Butter Olive Oil. Add pears, then sprinkle with salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Allow to caramelize slowly – for about 10-15 minutes. Mash the pears slightly so they form a sort of puree.

In a bowl, combine mascarpone and honey. Spread on baguette slices.
Once pears are caramelized, add balsamic vinegar and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Add spoonfuls of pear mixture on top of mascarpone on baguette. These can be served warm or cold.

Now, don't think this pear mixture is only for this recipe.  Let me tell you that it is delicious over vanilla ice cream.  Also, when added to brie in pastry, it's another fantastic appetizer.

Enjoy!  And let us know how you liked it.

                                                                       

Soooo quick; Soooo easy ; Soooo tasty!

                                                   

 Now, I ask you…Don’t these words make you curious about this recipe?  I fixed this for the family last night and they all raved about it. It was delicious, but it also looked so pretty when I plated it for serving.  I happen to think the presentation of a dish adds to its appeal, don't you?

                         Give it a try and let me know what you think.

                                                    

                                             

                                       

Lemon Basil Shrimp with Pasta

3 quarts salted  water

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti  

1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp  

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

3 tablespoons drained capers

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, not oil packed

2 tablespoons  Joe and Son’s  Garlic Olive Oil  

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4  teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 cups baby spinach

Preparation:

Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add pasta; cook  until al dente and drain. Set aside in the pot.

Heat Garlic EVOO over medium heat and add shrimp to pan. Cook 2 minutes, then add fresh basil, capers, lemon juice, pepper flakes, tomatoes and fresh spinach. Cook for 1 minute until spinach has wilted.

Add the shrimp mixture to the pasta and stir until the pasta is well coated and ingredients are combined.

Serves 4.



Why should I eat Kale? And what is it, anyway?

Top 10 Health Benefits of Eating Kale

By Alison Lewis

Kale is being called “the new beef”, “the queen of greens” and “a nutritional powerhouse.” Here are ten great benefits of adding more kale to your diet:

1. Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat. It is great for aiding in digestion and elimination with its great fiber content. It’s also filled with so many nutrients, vitamins, folate and magnesium as well as those listed below.

2. Kale is high in iron. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef. Iron is essential for good health, such as the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more.

3. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and the prevention of blood clotting. Also increased levels of vitamin K can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids help protect against various cancers.

5. Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help, fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.

6. Kale is great for cardiovascular support. Eating more kale can help lower cholesterol levels.

7. Kale is high in Vitamin A.Vitamin A is great for your vision, your skin as well as helping to prevent lung and oral cavity cancers.

8. Kale is high in Vitamin C. This is very helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and your hydration.

9. Kale is high in calcium. Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk, which aids in preventing bone loss, preventing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility

10. Kale is a great detox food. Kale is filled with fiber and sulfur, both great for detoxifying your body and keeping your liver healthy.

 

So now you know why it's good to eat Kale, but you don't know how to cook it.

 

Well, here's a real easy way to fix Kale.  Trust me, you'll like it.

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                                               Kale with sausage and beans. 
2 tablespoons Joe and Son's Olive Press EVOO...I like using Arbequina

1/2 large green bell pepper...diced
1 large yellow onion          ...diced
2-4 cloves garlic            ..  minced
1 bag Kale...I buy Glory Kale and it can be found at your local grocery store in the produce section
2 small cans beef broth + 1 can of water for each can
Turkey Kilbasa, if desired
1-2 cans Northern beans...with juice
 

1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add bell pepper,onion and garlic. Cook until
translucent.
2. Add broth, water and Kale. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer. Cook for 40 minutes.
3. Add beans and sausage and cook for another 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

 

Serves 4-6
 

Tasting EVOO's and Balsamic Vinegars

We have over 50 different Evoo's and Balsamic Vinegars in stock at Joe and Son's Olive Press.  Many are infused flavors which you never knew existed.  So, how do you decide which "taste" you like?  By tasting them, of course.

But you may be wondering just how to do this.  Our store encourages you to taste before you buy.

If you have ever been to a wine tasting or any sort of a wine education class, an olive oil tasting is very similar. You receive tastings of olive oil with a description of what you are drinking, where it is from and what you should be tasting. You smell it first and then drink it the first taste. After waiting a moment, you finish the taste with a second drink. The first taste coats the mouth, while the second taste is the “true” taste.

Our EVOO's  are called varietals. A varietal olive oil is like produce in season: different varietals are fresh at various times of the year. Right now, the freshest oils are coming in from Spain, California and other locations in the Northern Hemisphere. So just like any fresh product, it has a shelf life of 1 year. We recommend storing our olive oils in a dark bottle for the longest shelf life.

The type of olive oil you get at the grocery store is not a varietal, it is a blend. We would compare it to drinking an excellent  wine versus drinking a blended table wine.

Our Olive Oils are the freshest olive oils on the market, and you can definitely taste the difference.

Joe and Son’s Olive Press also carries Infused Balsamic Vinegars. The thought of taking a shot of vinegar may be intimidating, but it goes down like a taste of wine. It is smooth with much flavor. Unlike the oils, a bottle of vinegar can last forever.

We encourage you to taste the EVOO’s and the Balsamic Vinegars either individually or as suggested pairings. You may either sip directly from a tasting cup, or dip a piece of bread in the oil or vinegar to savor the taste.  The choice is yours.

Shopping at Joe and Son’s Olive Press is a tasty experience.  We look forward to having you come in, meet the staff and learning wonderful new ways of cooking healthy and delicious meals for family and friends.

Our Olive Oils

Extra Virginity author, Tom Mueller, has listed Joe and Son's Olive Press as a wonderful place to buy good, fresh and authentic extra virgin olive oil.

 

 

Great olive oils of the world

 

Tom Mueller says:

"This list is work in progress, and will grow and evolve a great deal over the coming months and years, so check in again soon for updates.  What follows is my personal first cut at places to get great olive oil in America, and brands from various parts of the world to watch for.  For now my focus is on the US market, though this will also evolve with time."

Florida
	Aventura	Sur la Table (5 additional locations)
	Boca Raton	Williams-Sonoma (21 additional locations)
	Cocoa Village	From Olives and Grapes
	Fort Meyers	Fort Meyers Olive Oil Co.
	Ft. Lauderdale	Jean Pierre Cooking School
	Jacksonville	Olive Oil Store
	Lakewood Ranch	Katy Rose Olive Oil
	Naples	Naples Olive Oil/Health Wize
	Punta Gorda	Bella Balsamic
	St. Petersburg	Kalamazoo
	Tampa	Joe and Sons
	Venice	Venice Olive Oil Co.
	West Palm Beach	Oil & Vinegar
	Winter Park	The Ancient Olive

 

Strawberry Spinach Salad With Walnuts

   Three Superfoods:  walnuts, strawberries and spinach, team up to create a fresh-from-the-garden flavor when  you want to welcome Spring with a nutritious lunch or side salad.

                                                 

                                             Strawberry Spinach Salad

• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (May be omitted, if desired)
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 cup Joe and Son’s Olive Press Roasted Walnut EVOO
• 1/4 cup Joe and Son’s Olive Press Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

          Makes 6-8 generous portions

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Cover, and chill for one hour.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, sliced onion and walnuts. Pour the dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.