il Fustino, oils & vinegars
In This Issue
Recipes
New Products
Events

Q & A Image
Question
What is polenta?
Polenta image  
Answer 
Polenta is coarsely or finely ground yellow or white maize (cornmeal)  used as a foodstuff. It is cooked by boiling to a paste in water or a liquid such as soup stock, and may be eaten with other ingredients. After boiling, it may be baked, fried or grilled.
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December 2012 Newsletter
First issued: December 1, 2012Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFind us on PinterestView our videos on YouTube
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CAD image Customer Appreciation Day Sale December 6

From 3PM to 7PM 

We are excited to announce once again we will be holding our Customer Appreciation Day Sale on

December 6 from 3PM - 7PM only.

During this time all of our oils and vinegars will be 20% off the regular retail price. We will be serving a tasting menu conceived by Chef Andres Alulema of El Cielito restaurant. See the menu here

  

This month James explains how a classic Italian peasant food can be combined with roasted vegetables to create a memorable meal. If you've got a culinary emergency give him a shout at james@ilfustino.com   

 

Olio Nuovo image Olio Nuovo Has Arrived

 

Savor the flavor. Our special "new oil" has just arrived and we are really proud to say it is the best we have ever offered. Olio Nuovo is the freshly pressed oil of the new season. It is cloudy with olive particles and very pungent and flavorful. It only lasts for a few months so pick it up as early as you can and enjoy it. 

      

Questions To Ask at your Olive Oil Store  

 

5 liter and olives image Where was the olive oil produced?
The words imported from are entirely meaningless. Olive oil may be imported from Italy, but produced in Spain. By far, Spain produces more olive oil than any other country in the world. But Italian olive oil garners higher prices. Olive oil may be blended in Italy but actually hail from many orchards across several countries. Seek fresh, authentic extra virgin olive oil from those who are truthful about its origins.

  

Where was the olive oil produced?
Listen for a person or family's name. As with wine, estate olive oil is prized. Estate oil is produced with olives from a single orchard, allowing greater control over quality. Also highly valued are single-origin oils produced with olives from a small geographic area.

   

Why extra virgin?
Curators of premium olive oil should be able to explain its unique health benefits, why it is so different from vegetable oils and from other grades of olive oil.

  

What harvest year?
Flavor and nutrition decline over time. Extra virgin olive oil should be consumed within two years of harvest. If not handled properly, this time-frame is vastly shortened.

 

Which olive cultivar(s)?
Similar to wine, varietal olive oils are generally more valued. A varietal extra virgin, also called monocultivar, contains only one variety of olives, such as koroneiki, arbequina or mission.
  

 

Are these folded metal or seamless fustis?
Folded metal tanks are cheaper, but the seams form pockets where food particles may become trapped and are difficult to clean.

 

 
James image
Technique
By Chef James R. Kirkley, IV

Polenta with Oven Roasted Vegetables

 

The other night we had an employee dinner at our house. Our store manager, is a vegetarian so we wanted to make something she could eat. Plus the weather is finally cooling down here in Santa Barbara and we felt like having something a bit more hearty.

 

First, let's talk about about polenta. I think it intimidates people and sounds "exotic" and "difficult." It is actually super simple and delicious. You do not need to go out and buy expensive imported Italian polenta. Polenta is what we call "cornmeal mush" -- polenta just sounds better doesn't it? You can make it with water, but I like to use a nice chicken or vegetable stock for added richness and flavor. You will need a quart for a cup of cornmeal. The trick is to mix the cornmeal with a cup of stock before adding it to the boiling liquid, this helps prevent lumps from forming. Another trick I recently learned is to add a pinch of baking soda before cooking. Called nixtamalization, the addition of an alkaline helps to break down and gelatinize the cornmeal, reducing cooking time and increasing the creaminess and nutritional value. Sauteing some onions and garlic before adding the liquid adds great flavor. You can finish it on the stove-top or in the oven. And for extra calories, a bit of butter and Parmesan cheese right at the end.   

 

Polenta recipe here 

     

Polenta with Veg imageThe roasted vegetables are done in a large roasting pan in a very hot oven. The trick is knowing when to add each item so everything gets done at the end. Then it is just a matter of tossing it all around and watching until it is done.

 

Doesn't this look yummy?--------> 

 

 

 

Oven Roasted Vegetables recipe here 

 

For the carnivores, we did some Italian sausages on the grill, but everyone agreed that they were pretty much superfluous.

 

New Products

Chocolate Mouse image Twas The Night Before Christmas
Chocolate Mouse 
 

Davids Chocolates Christmas collection, Twas the Night Before Christmas Chocolate Mouse. Fine Belgian Chocolate makes the perfect stocking stuffer.

 

 

 

   

 

All Natural Candy Canes image All Natural Candy Canes 


From Hammond's Candies. We offer:
  • Cherry
  • Butterscotch
  • Cinnamon
  • Mint
Mint Chip Maltballs image Mint Chip Maltballls

Marich makes the best. These are perfect stocking stuffers. We also have their Natural Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortbread imageLightly Salted Rosemary Shortbread Cookies 

 

It's a fact that 9 out of 10 adults love shortbread. A 2011 sofi™ Silver Finalists, this shortbread is crisp and buttery and thinner than most. The fragrant rosemary and sprinkling of sea salt raises the bar to perfect. If you like shortbread, this is the cookie for you.
  

 

Events
il Fustino, oils & vinegars Customer Appreciation Day 
December 6
3:00PM to 7:00 PM
 
Last year the line was out the door so get there early.


20% off on all oils and vinegars.
Tasting menu here.


Cork and Fork Radio Program
il Fustino, oils & vinegars

Join Jim and Host John Henigan as they discuss food and wine in this wide-ranging talk program. It airs every Sunday at 10AM on AM 990. Also available streaming at the website.


 
Find us on Facebook  to enjoy postings alerts immediately. If you have any requests on topics you passionately want to see covered please contact us:

sales@ilfustino.com
805.845.3521

 
STORE HOURS

Monday - Friday: 11:00 - 6:00
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 - 5:00
Will Close at 2:00 Christmas Eve Day
Closed Christmas Day - December 25, 2012
Closed New Years Day - January 1, 2013

Happy Holidays!

Jim, Laura, and James

il Fustino, oils & vinegars