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 Apricots in Syrup from Prunotto Mariangela
Bordered by France to the east and the Swiss Alps to the north, Italy's Piedmont region (Piemonte in Italian, literally "land at the foot of the mountains") is a gorgeous, fertile area that is home to some of the greatest wines on the planet. It is also a bastion of world-class cuisine in a country noted for its food and cooking. Even at their most refined and elegant, the Piemontese maintain a tradition of simple wholesome cooking with a reliance on pantries of top quality ingredients - indigenous truffles, hazelnuts and rice, to name but a few.
Located in Alba on the southern plains of Piedmont is Prunotto Mariangela. Using the fruit from their own organically-grown trees, they can a variety of exquisite jams, whole fruit, sauces, antipasti and honey. Perhaps the best of all, however, are their Apricots in Syrup that have had us all swooning and clamoring for more. Prunotto takes great care with their delicious apricots, allowing them to ripen on the tree rather than in cold storage, and processing them immediately after they are picked. The tender little apricots, about the size of a walnut, are peeled, gently cooked and placed in glass jars in syrup made with nothing but the local Nebbiolo wine, for which the region is justly famous, and pure cane sugar. There are no preservatives or flavorings added, and indeed, no other ingredients whatsoever are used.
The result is luscious fruit bursting with sweet, nutty flavor, an über apricot, the like of which one could only match by eating the ripe apricots directly from the tree. But then you'd miss the lovely rich syrup that, because of its almond-like flavor, could find second life as a sweetener for cocktails. But don't stop there. Use these succulent apricots to top almost any dessert, ice cream, our Délice de l'Amandier cake, or an assortment of Piemontese cheeses. They are also the perfect complement to savory foods like pork chops, pork loin, duck breasts and even roast chicken. |
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 Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake
It is unlikely that the first oranges were eaten out of hand as they are today. Rather they were used primarily for their perfume and for flavoring. In fact, early Chinese records indicate they were often held in the palm, allowing the heat from one's own hand to release the orange's alluring aroma. In more recent times, dried, bitter orange peels from the Caribbean islands (most famously from Curaçao) have been used to flavor liqueurs like Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and, well, Curaçao. It is fitting then that we should use the intoxicating perfume of the world's most popular citrus fruit to flavor our Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake.
If olive oil seems an odd choice for baking a cake, remember that throughout the Middle East and North Africa, where butter was neither plentiful nor practical, olive oil has for centuries been the fat of choice for all sorts of incredible Arab pastries and confections. For our Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake we use a wonderful California extra virgin olive oil, specifically from Bozzano Olive Ranch, one of our favorite producers, imparting a lovely floral quality to the cake. Seductively moist and dense, our Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake is not too sweet, making it the perfect accompaniment to afternoon tea or after dinner coffee (it's even great for breakfast!).
Delicious on its own, we think it best topped with soft whipped cream and seasonal berries, but it can also be the basis for a Mediterranean-inspired ice cream sundae. Simply top a slice of Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake with vanilla ice cream, drizzle with good olive oil and finish it with a sprinkle of Maldon Sea Salt. Don't forget the tea. |
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FREE GROUND SHIPPING
Cyber Monday
Haven't begun your holiday shopping? Now we're giving you a reason to.
Monday, November 28th & Tuesday, November 29th
Enjoy FREE GROUND SHIPPING* On Orders $100 Or More.
*Some Restrictions apply. See website for details. |
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Take 10% off of any order placed online at MarketHallFoods.com.Enter coupon code FRUITFUL at checkout to receive the discount. Offer valid only online at MarketHallFoods.com. One redemption per customer. May not be combined with other offers, applied to past orders or redeemed for cash value. | |
Offer Expires: Monday, November 21, 2012 |
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