It's Party Time 0

Super Bowl 51 kicks off Sunday night in Houston, TX.  Are you hosting a party this year?  We've got everything you need to start your party prepping and planning.  Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Recipes

Our oils and vinegars are the perfect ingredients or finishing touches to take your Super Bowl snacks from good to great.  

Slow Cooker Smokey Italian Pulled Pork Sliders

1 pork tenderloin
buns
Garlic EVOO
Hickory Dark Balsamic Vinegar
salt and pepper

1.  Heat up slow cooker on lowest setting.  Season pork tenderloin with salt and pepper, on all sides.  Place in the slow cooker.

2.  Drizzle EVOO and vinegar over pork tenderloin.

3.  Cook on low for 4 hours.  Check every 30 minutes and turn over, so that all sides are covered with oil and vinegar.

4. At 4 hours, remove pork from slow cooker, and shred or "pull" with a fork.  Serve on buns with desired condiments and sides.

Spinach and Caramelized Onion Dip
(adapted from Real Simple)

1.  Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.  Transfer to a medium bowl, and let cool.

2.  Add sour cream, spinach, vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the onions and stir until combined.

3.  Serve with fresh veggies and crackers.

Kickin' Chicken Nachos

2 cloves garlic, crushed
6 green onions, thinly sliced (green and white parts separated)
3 tablespoons Jalapeno EVOO
1 whole cooked chicken breast, shredded
Chile Lime Margarita Salt
pepper
1 cup salsa
1/2 large bag of tortilla chips
1 (8 ounce) package shredded cheddar/Monterey jack cheese blend
1/2 large tomato, diced
Garlic Cilantro Balsamic Vinegar

1.  Preheat oven to 350F.

2.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add EVOO and allow to heat.  Add garlic and white parts of the green onions and cook until tender.  Add shredded chicken, salt, and pepper.  Stir to mix until coated with oil.  Stir in salsa.

3.  Arrange tortilla chips on a baking sheet.  Spoon chicken mixture over chips.  Top with shredded cheese and tomato.  Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Remove from oven.  Sprinkle with green parts of sliced green onions and drizzle with vinegar.  

Other ideas:

-- Drizzle hummus with Meyer Lemon EVOO and serve with fresh veggies, crackers, and pita chips.

-- Add our Serrano Chili Honey Vinegar to your hot wings recipe

-- Make a pot of chili with our River Road Chili Mix and garnish with our Crimson Hot Sauce from Bravado Spice Company.

-- Serve Mom's Veggie Dip with your hot wings.

-- Try our dessert cheeseball mixes with fresh fruit, gingersnaps, vanilla wafers, and graham crackers.

We can help you plan a spectacular Super Bowl spread.  Come down to the shop today.

Just a Few More Days 0

You've heard the saying...the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  We just wanted to let you know the shop will be closed a few more days while we complete updates to the facility.  As always, you can shop online to purchase all your favorite flavored and infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

If you haven't already tried our best selling olive oil, now is a great time.  Garlic Mushroom EVOO is a favorite of both staff and customers.  One of our regular customers described it like this, "The Garlic EVOO tastes like fresh, raw garlic, while the Garlic Mushroom EVOO tastes like a rich, roasted garlic."  That is the perfect description.  The mushrooms add a earthiness that takes the garlic to the next level of yumminess.  

Garlic Mushroom EVOO can be used tossed on pasta or vegetables, rubbed on steak, drizzled on popcorn, or as a bread dipper.  It pairs well with 25 Star Dark Balsamic, Fig Dark Balsamic, and Italian Lambrusco Red Wine vinegars.

Here is my favorite way to use it:

Cut up some fresh onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and any other veggies you like.  Do not dice them or cut into small pieces. Keep the pieces about 1".  Toss them in a Ziplock bag and drizzle in 1 or 2 tablespoons of Garlic Mushroom EVOO, and add some salt and pepper.  Toss vigorously, then spread in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking pad or parchment paper, and roast in the oven at 450F for 30-35 minutes.  Toss the veggies with cooked pasta and a little more Garlic Mushroom EVOO (if needed) and enjoy!

Time for an Update 0

Please pardon the interruption, but Evilo will be closed Monday, January 9 through Thursday, January 12.  We are completing a few updates to our historical building in downtown Hot Springs.  

But don't despair!!  You can still order all your favorite oils and vinegars online. We'll see you soon.  Stay tuned for updates.

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.

Flavors of the Week, 1/2/17 2

We're starting off 2017 with a BANG!  We featured some incredible flavors this week.  Run, don't walk, downtown to the shop and try out these tasty delights!

-- Lavender and Basil:  So fresh and light, yet full of flavor! Basil EVOO and Lavender Dark Balsamic Vinegar are a match made in EvilO heaven.  This combo will take salads, roasted veggies, and chicken to the next level.  

-- Spicy Garlic:  This combination of Garlic EVOO and Jalapeño White Balsamic Vinegar is perfect for anything you want to throw on the grill.  Individually, this jalapeño vinegar tastes incredible drizzled on tacos, pico, guacamole, salsa, and fajitas.  

-- Tuscan Peach:  My favorite pairing this week brings together Tuscan Herb EVOO and Peach White Balsamic Vinegar.  This tastes simply divine.  Perfect for bread dipping, salads, veggies, chicken, pork, you name it.  This is a must-taste pairing.

-- Citrus Dipper:  We poured our Tres Oliva EVOO from Spain and sprinkled it with the Mediterranean Citrus Herb Bread Dipper.  It makes a yummy and flavorful appetizer or snack.

-- Cheeburger Cheeburger Soup:  In the crockpot, we are featuring this cheesy take on the All-American dish.  It is perfect for these rainy days we've experienced lately.

-- White Chocolate Peppermint Pie:  We often sample our White Chocolate Peppermint Cheeseball, but this week we made it into a pie.  Game. Changer.  Mix thawed Cool Whip, softened cream cheese, and this mix for a delicious filling.  Next, pour it into a chocolate graham cracker crust.  So easy, so delicious.

Here's to a great 2017.  Let us know which oil or vinegar is your favorite for the new year

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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