June- Fresh New Flavors

June- Fresh New Flavors

June 1st begins as my favorite time of the year visiting Farmers Markets. We discover many creative food artisans, make new friends, and offer new products in our store. The market schedule is robust.  Brookline is Thursday, Copley is Tuesday and Friday. Cambridge Kendall Square is Thursday, the South End is Sunday. Roslindale and Newton is Saturday and the list goes on in every town close by. Supporting local food purveyors is what our store is all about. It’s all about the hunt…ours and yours.  And it’s fun!
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June also is a time to celebrate the end of the school year and thank the teachers who have influenced our children.  Wine is not appropriate, but a bottle of fabulous olive oil might be. Along with tasting notes and history of whatever olive grove chosen, its a great gift.

Olive Oil soap and small bottle of Basil EVOO

Olive Oil soap and small bottle of Basil EVOO

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Whether you want to spend $10, $20, or $50…we have choices and the gift wrap is special too…all for that special teacher.

Gift Basket, tea, honey, raspberry/chocolate jam, lime wafers and olive oil

Gift Basket, tea, honey, raspberry/chocolate jam, lime wafers and olive oil

June 19th is Fathers Day so combining a group of delicious ingredients whether Dad is a grill master or not, would be a great choice. Everyone loves hamburgers and we have lots to enhance the all-mightly burger.  Cheddar cheeses from Vermont, bacon rubs, hot pepper bacon jams, smoked olive oils, mustards, Hot and Nasty BBQ sauce and rubs for every type of taste…
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Artisan Ketchup is a trend, less sugar, more flavor, and we have an award winner that also has truffle…pretty yummy

Regular Ketchup, Grill Smoke Ketchup and Truffle Ketchup

Regular Ketchup, Grill Smoke Ketchup and Truffle Ketchup

Our customers tasted the Ketchup samples last month and picked these 3 as their favorites…they just arrived! There is a lemon zest cocktail sauce for seafood in addition…not to be missed.  That one won an award too!

We can suggest a personalized gift basket for Dad

We can suggest a personalized gift basket for Dad

Pretzel Crostini, Creamy Garlic Pretzel Dip, Mesquite Smoked Salt, Herbed Coffee Rub for Steak, Citrus Habanero Extra Virgin Olive Oil perfect for grilled vegetables, 18 Yr Balsamic Vinegar, Arbequina Olives for his next martini or just to snack!  More choices on the web.

Event Report…
Chef Debbie shared her simple recipes of salad dressings using our ingredients in the store the last 2 Saturday afternoons. This was fun and informative. Who would have known how delicious the Vanilla Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar is coupled with Sicilian Lemon Olive Oil. Portions 1 vinegar to 3 oils made all the difference. As well as the basics of oil, vinegar, with dijon mustard and a little honey…an every day special with any type of greens. The heartier olive oils coupled with dark leafy greens as well as the fruity olive oils with the light sweet bib lettuces…Again the 3 to 1 ratio works best!  As tomato season is near, we will have more taste sensations with the abundance of produce from farmers markets.  Debbie returns on Friday afternoon July 1st.
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Jody Adams, owner and chef of Trade Restaurant invited her team to our store for a private tasting of olive oils and vinegars. They were a fun and energetic team of people who obviously love working together. Guisippe, owner of Taibi Olive Oil from Sicily helped teach the class, as his olive oils just won awards in Sicily. His early harvest organic Nocellara and Biancolilla varieties are delicious.

We have been getting inquiries about renting our space for private events…so now we will make it official. Cocktail parties, birthday parties, receptions, fund raising and business networking opportunities…our space is perfect.
Beautifully appointed, we can host your event. It can be a private foodie connection partnering with some local caterers. $250 for 2 hours…we can work out the details. Colleen at Rifullo, Vanessa at Vanessa’s Kitchens, Lisa at Vine Ripe, local caterers that would love to partner with you.  We can obtain a special event liquor license as needed too.

Our windows are changing this month, BBQ, charcuterie, new ingredients, so stop on by…we promise not to disappoint.