This basic vinaigrette can be used as a dressing or a nice marinade. Use our flavor infused Cassata Sonoma Olive Oils to try variations of this recipe. Be creative!
In a large bowl, using a hand wisk, blend together the oil and sugar. Add the egg and the extract and beat until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, stir together the ground almonds, flour, baking soda and baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the sugar and oil mixture and blend thoroughly. Take very small handfuls of dough and squeeze firmly in your fist. Roll into 2 ” balls and place on a cookie sheet 3″ apart. Flatten the balls to 1/2 ” thick wafers. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 12 minutes. Let cool before taking cookies from cookie sheet.
Click here to see a nice article on Erice almond pastries.
Add these wonderful carmelized onions to all of your favorite dishes.
Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add onions and cook until they soften. Add salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium. Continue cooking, stirring periodically until the onions begin to brown.
This basic marinade uses our Cassata Sonoma olive oils. You can use our flavored oils and add herbs to change the taste or customize it for meat, fish or vegetable dishes.
Using Infused Olive Oil will significantly enhance flavor. Be creative. For more information, read our cooking techniques section.
These meatballs are tasty and versatile. In red sauce, they can be eaten with spaghetti or they can be made into a hearty sandwich. Leftovers can be frozen and used for a quick dinner on a busy day.
Meatballs
Red Sauce
(Note: for a chunkier sauce, substitute one large can of diced tomatoes for one can of tomato sauce)
Grate or finely chop onion into a large mixing bowl. Reserve half of the grated onion in a separate bowl for the sauce.
Add bread crumbs and one tablespoon of EVOO.
Add two eggs and mix until the eggs are scrambled and the mixture is consistent.
Add ground beef and ground sausage to the mixing bowl by breaking the meat into small pieces and gently mixing and tossing the pieces with the egg mixture. Combine the mixture thoroughly but avoid squeezing the meat together as much as possible to avoid over-working the meat.
In a large sauce pan or dutch oven, place three tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium flame. Form meatballs into approximately 1 ½” balls without overworking the meat. Brown the outside of the meatballs by gently turning them every few minutes. I find it easiest to cook in batches.
When brown, remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Continue until all of the mixture has been used.
Once all the meatballs are cooked, add the remaining onions to the saucepan and cook until the onions soften.
Add one small can of tomato paste. Fill empty can with water, add to pan and blend ingredients.
Add two large cans of tomato sauce to pan and mix ingredients thoroughly.
Season sauce by adding garlic, basil and oregano.
Add meatballs and allow sauce to simmer for at least one hour.
Adjust final seasoning with salt and pepper.
Melt butter with olive oil in wide pan with peppercorn. Add sausage and cook, breaking up the meat, until slightly brown. Lightly purée whole tomatoes in a food processor. Add farfalle to boiling water and cook until al dente.. Add cooked pasta then the vodka, tomatoes and cream. Stir and add salt to taste. Cover and cook on high for one minute. Serve immediately.
Per each pound of grilling steak:
In a bowl or jar, mix thyme, pepper, garlic, vinegar and olive oil thoroughly.
Add mixture to thawed steaks with basting brush, covering all surfaces.
Wrap steaks tightly in plastic wrap.
Let steaks sit for 2 hours at room temperature or for 4 hours in refrigerator. Rub steaks through the plastic wrap every 30 minutes.
Grill steaks at 400˚F. For medium rare, 1 1/2”, room temperature steaks: grill 5 minutes on one side and 3 minutes on the other side. Only turn steaks once and do not puncture the surface of the meat.
After steaks have been turned, squeeze the lemon to cover the surface of the meat.
Once the steaks are removed from the grill, add butter with basting brush to surface.
Salt to taste.
Note: Always let steaks set for 5 minutes before serving.
These scrambled eggs feature tomato and basil to give it a delicious Italian flavor for breakfast or a quick and light meal.
Scramble eggs in a mixing bowl with a small amount of water. Place olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add eggs, diced tomato and diced basil to the pan. Stir eggs in pan so that they cook evenly. Eggs should be removed from heat before the surface of the eggs are completely dry. Place eggs on a plate. Garnish with tomato slices and fresh basil. Drizzle garlic infuses olive oil over the top of the eggs. Serve immediately.
This creamy soup is easy to make and delicious!
Creamy Leek Soup
Garnish
Melt the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the leeks and the onions. Cool until soft, but not brown, approximately 10 minutes.
Add water. Cook an additional 10 minutes.
Add potatoes and cook until tender, 15-20 minutes.
Puree in blender (in batches) or with an immersion blender. Add milk and whipping cream. Heat until very hot but do not allow to boil.
To garnish: Sauté a few slices of leeks in 1 teaspoon EVOO for about 4 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with sautéed leeks, chopped chives and a leaf or 2 of flat leaf parsley. Drizzle EVOO over garnish for additional flavor.
My Sicilian Grandmother always had the ability to whip up an antipasto plate whenever guests came to visit. Caponata was one of my favorites. It’s a sweet/sour eggplant salad that’s sure to please as a spread on bruschetta, crackers or mini sandwiches. This is one of the best ways to enjoy eggplant.
This is a great appetizer to serve to company and features fresh ingredients.
Peel eggplant and cut 3/4-inch cubes. place cubes in a colander and add 3 teaspoons salt and mix thoroughly. Put paper towel on top of eggplant and add a few pounds of weight on top for an hour or two to drain in sink. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and add onions and celery. Sauté until onions become soft (take care not to burn). Add tomatoes to skillet and simmer with cover for 15 minutes with occasional stirring occasionally. Uncover pan add eggplant and the remaining ingredients, except for the remaining olive oil. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes and cool to room temperature. When cool, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil ( Rosemary Basil Infused) and serve. Keep in refrigerator in covered container for a quick treat to serve when company stops by.
