Liquid Gold

Let me tell you about a little something I like to call liquid gold. It wasn't until I moved to Italy did I realize the richness and sultry flavor of olive oil.  It was on a cheese farm, where the farmer produced Pecorino de Pienza cheese, (best cheese EVER!!) that I truly understood why Italians call this stuff liquid gold. After learning about how Pecorino was made, the farmer treated us to a feast in his living room. It was the simplest pairings: cheese, honey, fruit, cold cuts, bread and glorious olive oil, but it made me appreciate the simplicity of Italian cuisine. So as I indulged (rightfully so!) I dunked crusty rustic Italian bread in a bowl of olive oil and was forever changed (okay I may have had a foodie moment, but you would have to, trust me).

Ok back to where I was getting at: Once a year at the end of November, I place an order for something so spectacular that I thought it's time I share.  I introduce to you California Olive Ranch's Limited Reserve olive oil, known as olio nuovo in Italy. Olive harvest takes place in the month of November (or until January, like in California) where olives are collected from tress, awaiting to be pressed. What makes this oil so special is that it's bottled within hours of the olives being pressed.  Most olive oil is stored in large tanks for up to 2 months to allow the sediment to settle and the flavor to mellow, before it is bottled.

The deep green color and nuty pungent flavors of this olive oil are not like your everyday type of oil.  It is used as a finishing oil. Drizzle it on top of pasta, salads, over roasted vegetables after they come out of the oven or, my favorite, on crusty oven toasted bread, or with bruschetta on top! Oh man, I could go on and on but I won't.  (I definitely look forward to olive harvest as much as a kid looks forward to Christmas).

For an everyday olive oil, I like to use this oil.  You can find this almost anywhere now including Sprouts, Mother's Market, and Whole Foods.  A little tip when buying olive oil, always purchase it in a dark glass container because light and air can cause rancidity. 

Now that you've learned a bit more about olive oil, order up this liquid gold! Its perfect gift for your foodie friend ;)

Love,
B