News from il Fustino oils & vinegars

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Why Do Moms Repeatedly Cook the Same Meals?

Recipes

Events

Question
Why is California Olive Oil better?

Answer
It is better because it is fresher. Olive oil is essentially fruit juice. All things being equal -- the closer to the source of the product, the fresher and hence the better it is.

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December 2010 Newsletter

Greetings!

Personal, Indulgent, Convenient and Fun:
Holiday Gift Suggestions

The holidays are here. For the truly tasteful gift, il Fustino has an extensive international selection of products to fill the needs of any holiday list.
Gifts image

Once again il Fustino has scoured the world to bring the truly unique to Santa Barbara and your holiday gift giving. Most products are available only at il Fustino. Our knowledgeable, in store, culinary staff will be available to assist you.

20 Different Oils - Featuring the highly coveted and rare Olio Nuovo - picked and pressed two weeks ago.
10 Extraordinary Vinegars
Olive Oil Club
Chocolates from Belgium
Cooking Class Gift Certificates
Dishware from Italy and France
Soaps made by Master Soap Maker
Handcrafted Body Crèmes & Scrubs
Cookbooks
Handmade Pastas from Italy
Sauces and Dips - International Award Winners
Olives from Spain
Two Bottle Gift Sets cradled in Handcrafted Branded Wooden Box
Gift Certificates
Locally produced spices and herbs

Ask about Flat-Rate Holiday Shipping

Olio Nuovo - New Oil

Literally "new oil," Olio Nuovo is your chance to experience the purest flavor and aroma that an olive oil can produce. This is truly one to be savored. Intensely round and smooth in the mouth, delivering fruity, peppery notes on the palette, it contains the highest concentration of antioxidants, color, and taste that an olive can give. Limited and exclusive supply.

All New Cooking Classes for 2011

Check out the slew of new and exciting cooking classes we have scheduled for the New Year.

Why Do Moms Repeatedly Cook the Same Meals?

I recently read a study on the cooking habits of Mother's in Britain. I realize all countries are different but I found this particular study to be fascinating and probably a reasonable assessment of what also occurs here in the United States. The study also alarmingly reminded me of my own childhood! So...before I provide a short synopsis I want to let you all know, this doesn't have to happen to you. Access il Fustino's extensive collection of recipes, easy, healthy, and delicious. Available at ilfustino.com

Researchers have found that the average mother relies on just nine recipes for feeding her family.

A recent British study has found that nine out of ten mothers admitted cooking the same meals repeatedly, while four out of ten respondents confessed to cooking the same meals on the same day of the week, every week. Despite the average mother having eight cookbooks in her house, they had tried just five recipes. (I couldn't figure out from the study if this was five per book or five total from all eight books. Geez, I hope it's at least five per book!)

The most common meal among mothers was spaghetti, followed by roast, a Shepard's pie type casserole or other pasta.

Researchers found that mothers, due to the hectic demands of modern life and increasingly fussy partners and children, are simply reverting to recipes they know.

One of the surprise findings of the study was that eight out of ten respondents claimed to make two or more meals a night to accommodate eating habits of individuals in family. (I can't count the number of times I had to make something special for my son when I had fish on the menu.)

Three quarters of the mothers chose their meals based on how quick they were to make rather than based on how healthy the meals were. The average mealtime took 35 minutes from start to finish.

Healthier meals were perceived as taking longer to prepare, although two thirds felt guilty that they didn't make time for a greater variety of healthy meals.

New Products

Olio Nuovo image A truly tasteful experience:

Olio Nuovo

Italian for "new oil," this is an extra-virgin oil less than 3 months old. Intensely green, with a pungent, vibrant taste, it quickly loses its bite, so use it right away. California Olio Nuovo appears in late fall, soon after the harvest, and often sells out quickly!

Olio Nuovo is Here!