Sadie's Summer Sicilian Tomato Salad

Our Best Tomato Salad (Easy) Serves 6-8 This recipe has been an easy summer staple with my family since the 1960s. The recipe came from my Grandma Rose's Friend Sadie Calabrese, years before.  Growing up, my Mom often had this on our Summertime dinner table, served with tomatoes from her and my Dad's garden. This is a very healthy and simple tomato salad, but packs a delicious flavor punch. The key to this tomato salad is using fresh tomatoes, not skimping on the amount of herbs, garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar & giving the salad time to...

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Warm Butternut Squash and Orzo Salad

Ingredients 1 small butternut squash (about 1 pound), peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice 1/2 pound small shiitake or Baby Bella mushrooms, stemmed and quartered 5 tablespoons O’Live A Little’s Roasted Butternut Squash Seed Oil, divided Kosher salt and black pepper 1 cup (8 ounces) uncooked Orzo 2 tablespoon O’Live A Little’s Sweet Cider Vinegar 2 TBSP O’Live A Little’s Blood Orange Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions, white and light green parts 7 ounces grated aged Cheddar (about 1 3/4 cups) Method Of Prep Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash with 2 teaspoons oil;...

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Unique Gifts for the Holidays and Other Special Occasions at O’Live A Little

We have more than just Olive Oil – Amazing Gift Baskets made to impressIs it just us? Or do the holidays get busier and “crazier” every year!?It never hurts to have some creative ideas to turn to in the waning days before the big celebrations begin. If you have a loved one who happens to be a “foodie”, our stores in South Windsor and Canton have an eclectic selection of delicacies from around the world.Need something to impress that certain host or hostess who has “everything”? Perhaps you could use some “out-of-the-ordinary” gift baskets to thank business clients and “A-List”...

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Traditional Lebanese Hummus with Za’atar Chips

This creamy chickpea dip has become so popular over the past 10 years. All one needs to do is observe how much space in your local grocery store is devoted to it… its original form and all the new varieties of flavors… many people are enjoying this most basic of Middle Eastern foods.The most delicious hummus comes from soaking and the cooking dried chickpeas. However, in our “not enough time” culture, using canned chickpeas is the fastest and best option. Making hummus at home is so incredibly fast and easy. It tastes better than store-bought and the cost to make...

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The Perfect Marinated Mushrooms

This marinade is a delicious combo of Southern Italian flavors: lemon, chile, olive oil, oregano. However, if you like, feel free to add and/or replace it with your favorite herbs and flavorings.  Meaty style mushrooms are best for this recipe. If you don’t have freshly foraged mushrooms, look for store-bought ones such as cremini, shiitake or king trumpets. The recipe is easy and straightforward but does require a little time to complete. But, the results are so worth it! Ingredients 3 to 4 pounds meaty mushrooms 4 Cups of O’Live A Little’s Sweet Cider Vinegar Kosher salt or pure sea...

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Swiss Chard Cheese Pie

This is an easy and delicious appetizer or main course which uses a vegetable that for many people is seldom or never used… Swiss Chard. This “pie” doesn’t require a crust and once all mixed up, is simply poured into a greased baking dish and then baked off.It is yummy cold, room temp or hot and freezes extremely well. I always make a big tray at the beginning of the summer and freeze so I know we always have something to take boating, to a last-minute party or picnic or for a trip to the beach. Cut it into 1”...

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