A Fall Twist on a Great Summer Salad

On a recent gathering with friends I took on the challenge to make a quick and delicious pasta salad that was to stand out and make the night memorable. I found such a recipe while looking for ideas online. While reading the recipe on Food Network's site, a couple of ingredients caught my attention - honey and red onions. These two ingredients that sparked my curiosity since I love both but never thought of combining them in a pasta salad.

When I served the salad some of my friends were pleasantly surprised because the taste of honey was unexpected. A few nights later I made the salad again for a family party and this time I made some very interesting changes that not only added to the feeling of Fall but also gave a touch of spicyness to the dish. I decided to add dried cranberries, Red Apple Balsamic Vinegar and jalepeno peppers. The cranberries and balsamic vinegar gave the dish a sweet-Fall taste while the hot peppers delighted your taste buds by making you very aware of the fresh herbs that were also in the mix. The end result was wonderful, but I couldn't have done it without the original recipe. Here's the altered recipe:

Orzo Fall Salad

4 cups of water
1 teaspoon of salt for cooking pasta
1 1/2 cups orzo
1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups red and yellow teardrop tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
¼ cup of chopped dried cranberries
¼ cup of finely chopped jalepeno peppers, seeded.
3/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
About 3/4 cup Vinaigrette, recipe follows
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Pour water into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring water to a boil over high heat. Add a teaspoon of salt. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.
Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, cranberries, jalepeno peppers, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.

Vinaigrette

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup of Red Apple Balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Mix the vinegars, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
Yield: 1 3/4 cups

Happy Fall!

Cavero

You can visit Carter & Cavero at their store in Red Bank and in Pier Village in Long Branch, New Jersey or shop online at www.carterandcavero.com.

Basil Fused Olive Oil

Basil is one of my favorite herbs of all time, especially in the summer. If you’re looking to use our Basil Olive Oil, here are some suggestions that will get your imagination going.

Drizzle your Basil Olive Oil in warm pasta. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese. Toss in some fresh basil leaves and top off the meal with salt and freshly ground pepper.

• Make a fabulous salad dressing by pairing up the Basil Olive Oil with our Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar. Toss in some fresh strawberries for all you berry lovers.


• Pour over tomato wedges, sprinkle with salt and pepper.


• Add the Basil Olive Oil to your pasta salads for a nice boost of herb flavor


• My favorite: Drizzle over tomato soup. It’s THAT good!

Happy Cooking!

Cavero

You can visit Carter & Cavero at their store in Red Bank and in Long Branch, New Jersey or shop online at www.carterandcavero.com.

Carter & Cavero Announces the Arrival of Tito, Award Winning Potter from Spain

Carter & Cavero is proud to announce the arrival of Tito, the award winning potter from Spain, to our Red Bank and Long Branch, New Jersey stores on June 26-28th, 2009.

The Spanish award winning artisan potter, Tito, whose exquisite clay pottery is displayed and sold exclusively in the United States at Carter & Cavero’s Red Bank and Long Branch, New Jersey stores, will be returning to the states for several events on June 26, 27 and 28. The first event will take place on Thursday, June 25th at the Red Bank store from 5pm to 8pm. On Friday, June 26th, Tito will appear at the Long Branch store from 6 pm to 9pm. On Saturday, June 27th, Tito will be in the Red Bank store from 11am to 1pm and from 5pm to 8pm. On the final day of his appearances, Sunday, June 28th, Tito will be in the Red Bank store from 11am to 1pm and in the Long Branch store from 3pm to 6pm.

As he did during his previous visit to Carter & Cavero in 2008, Tito will create vessels reminiscent of ancient times using a potter's wheel and clay. He will also be discussing the history of Spanish pottery while demonstrating the use of ancient tools and techniques. Tito was awarded the Spanish National Artisan Award in 2008.

Through his love and dedication, Tito, has developed a unique collection representing the golden age of pottery from the Renaissance period. His work is also greatly influenced by Persian origins where the green color is seen in many of his pieces indicating the most important legacy from this time. Tito's work demonstrates a high technical level of fretwork and shapes which are derived from Iberian times, as you will see in his work.

Carter & Cavero is an avid supporter of the arts. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact us at info@carterandcavero.com or call (732) 219-0506. For more information about Tito and his work go to www.alfareriatito.com.

You can visit Carter & Cavero at their store in Red Bank, New Jersey or shop online at http://www.carterandcavero.com/.

Antioxidants and Olive Oil

What are antioxidants?

Oxidation is a process that occurs not only when olive oil is being produced, but also inside our own bodies. Reactions occur continually inside the body, giving rise to the formation of free radicals. As a rule, free radicals do not cause severe damage thanks to the protection provided by antioxidants, which help to keep a balance up to a point. If the balance is spoiled, however, "oxidative stress" occurs, leading to deterioration of normal cell functions and even cell death.

Cell membranes contain a large amount of fat and cholesterol and their composition depends on diet. When the diet contains a lot of olive oil, the cells are more resistant to oxidation, they do not deteriorate as much and aging is slower.

Antioxidants in Olive Oil

Vitamin E, carotenoids and phenolic compounds are all antioxidants whose activity has been demonstrated in the prevention of certain diseases and also of aging.

The phenolic content of olive oils varies according to the climatic conditions in the producing area, when the olives are harvested and how ripe they are when picked. Oil production and storage methods also have an influence on phenolic content. Phenols have countless biological properties, which can have an anti-inflamatory, and in some cases, a strong anti-bacterial effect, in the human body.

The high antioxidant content of the Mediterranean diet appears to contribute significantly to its effect on human longevity.

Anti-oxidants are found in fresh fruit and vegetables. Because it is the only oil to be obtained from a fruit, olive oil retains a host of substances, antioxidants and vitamins that give it added nutritional value.

The explanation behind this high content of antioxidants is probably that because the olive is a fruit that is exposed to the air, it has to defend itself from oxygen. It therefore synthesises a larger amount of antioxidants, which pass through to the oil.

Extra-virgin olive oil, i.e. olive oil that has not been refined or industrially treated, is particularly rich in these substances and has a strong antioxidant effect, protecting against damage from free radicals and against the formation of cancer.

Information courtesy of the International Olive Oil Council

You can visit Carter & Cavero at their stores in Red Bank and Long Branch, New Jersey or shop online at www.carterandcavero.com.

Chipotle and Blood Orange Olive Oil Marinade !!!

I find the best time to write about food is when I'm hungry. So, as I sit here at 11:59 am with absolutely no possibility of getting anything to eat for the next two hours, I thought I would mention two of my favorite summer oils. I've got to tell you, I'm craving grilled food right now! I completely forgot the amazing flavor you can create by mixing the Chipotle and Blood Orange oils. I had pork chops with my husband the other night and I was mildly disappointed because I totally dropped the ball with the marinade. The smokiness and heat from the Chipotle Oil combined with the sweetness of the Blood Orange Oil create the perfect balance in your marinade. And so, before I break down from hunger and have run to that fast food joint around the corner (pleh! ), here's a quick recipe to add sooooo much flavor to your next meat or vegetables.

Chipotle Olive Oil 1/4 cup

Blood Orange Olive Oil 1/4 cup

Ground Cumin 1/4 tsp

Garlic powder 1/4 tsp

Course Sea Salt (a nice Hawaiian Red Sea Salt will do the trick)

In a small bowl whisk first four ingredients. Add the sea salt before and after grilling.

You can visit Carter & Cavero at their stores in Red Bank and Long Branch New Jersey or shop online at www.carterandcavero.com.

What's for Breakfast?

So... I was sitting in my kitchen thinking about our blog. There's so much to discuss about olive oil, I just didn't know where to begin.

And so, as I looked at my children fighting over the last piece of warm toasted bread with olive oil and tomato, I found my starting point. Do I give my kids good olive oil becuase I love them so much and want them to be happy with what they are eating? Well yes, I do love them and want them to enjoy their breakfast, but I do it for a more selfish reason, the highest on the list being the flavor and health benefits of the olive oil I am giving them. Here's how I make my children and myself happy every morning. Even though we are sitting in our kitchen in New Jersey, it makes me feel just like we are sitting at our favorite cafe having breakfast in Spain.

Breakfast of Champions

-French or Italian bread sliced;

-A good strong olive oil (e.g., Athenolia, Leccino, Hojiblanca);

-A juicy tomato, freshly grated (I just use a regular grater, it turns the tomato into a spoonable pulp);

-Course sea salt (Himalayan is my favorite, but any sea salt or kosher salt is just fine).

Just toast the bread, pour on a good amount of extra virgin olive oil (always poke the top of the bread with a fork so the oil penetrates the bread), spoon the grated tomato over the bread and sprinkle with sea salt. Enjoy!

Are you on your way to get that bread yet?!

Oh, talking about bread... on weekends, our Long Branch store is now selling bread from Balthazar's (yes, the Balthazar's on Spring Street in Soho)! So Grab yourself a nice loaf of Ciabatta or a baguette to enjoy with your favorite extra virgin olive oil and you're good to go.

More to come!

Cavero

You can visit Carter & Cavero at their store in Red Bank and Long Branch, New Jersey or shop online at www.carterandcavero.com.

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, which represents the optimal, traditional Mediterranean diet, is based on the dietary traditions of Crete and southern Italy in the 1960s. It underlines the importance of the foods making up the principal food groups. Each of these individual food groups offers some, but not all, of the nutrients one needs. Food from one group cannot replace that of another group. All the groups are necessary for a healthy diet.
The basic products of the Mediterranean diet, in descending order of quantity and frequency advised, are:

Grains:
These form the base of the majority of meals in Mediterranean countries - bread (wholemeal or otherwise), pasta, couscous and rice.

Fruit and vegetables:
Meals are more flavoursome when in-season products are selected and they are cooked very simply. In most Mediterranean countries the dessert is generally fruit.
Legumes and nuts:

A wide variety of legumes and nuts, such as chickpeas, lentils, haricot beans, pine kernels, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc. are used in cooking.

Olive oil and olives:
Olive Oil is used throughout the Mediterranean. Normally used for cooking, extra virgin olive oil, while appropriate for all uses, is excellent when consumed raw to best appreciate its aroma and flavour and to benefit fully from all its natural components.

Dairy products :
Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products, with no special mention of milk.

Fish:
Offered as a first class protein, before eggs and poultry.

The highest point of the Pyramid, meaning that its consumption is least advised, is occupied by red meat and just slightly below, but also of little importance, are sweets and pastries.
Regular physical activity is vital to maintaining good health and optimal weight.
Wine can be consumed in moderation, primarily with meals (1-2 glasses/day). It is optional and should be avoided whenever it puts the individuals or others at risk.

You can visit Carter & Cavero at their store in Red Bank, New Jersey or shop online at www.carterandcavero.com.