Cheese Wiz

Vinegar & Oil

Take Kelly's advice to spiff up an ordinary salad with flavorful vinegar, oils, and cheese.

'Summertime, and the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high.' There are many sounds of summer, for many of us it may be a special song, as in my case, I always has associated this song of Gershwin with long, hot summer days. For others it might be the music of The Beach Boys or songs of Seals & Croft—Summer Breeze comes to mind. Whatever your choice, we certainly take the summer months at a different speed. The days are longer and the colors reflect the intensity of the heat, this is especially noted by the shades of the seasonal fruits and vegetables. The raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are all bursting with color- along with tomatoes and peppers blushing in all their glory.

Many people cringe at the idea of a steady diet of salads during the summer. I can remember my father saying that he got awfully tired of lettuce and feared that his nose would start to twitch any day. But there is really so much more to salads than just lettuce. One can be very inventive when it comes to salad creations. There is a myriad of wonderful ingredients in our stores to inspire you and you can custom tailor your dressings with various balsamic vinegars and olive oils.

I know that as the weather heats up I want to spend less time in the kitchen and the oven is considered off limits. One of my favorite balsamic vinegars is from Villa Manodori. It states on the box that this artisanal vinegar is a labor of love for Massimo bottura, chef at Osteria Franesnana in Modena. Italy. This syrupy balsamic with it's lush burgundy color and heady aroma is perfect for glazing pork or chicken. This heavenly liquid makes for a delicious dessert alternative; anoint fresh berries and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Another way to enjoy this sumptuous nectar is to pair it with Pecorino Gran Cru. This cheese is a combination of three elements: the richness of Sardinian sheep's milk using a production method based on the Parmigiano method and 20 months of aging. This is a sweet and well-balanced cheese that caries a bouquet of milk foam- a rare feature in mature cheeses. This is perfect cheese to dip into a small pool of balsamic after dinner.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy Mozzarella is in the form of a caprezze salad. We carry Paula Lambert's Texas Mozzarella; plain or smoked and either one is delicious when dressed with a rich olive oil, salt and pepper and fresh basil. Not only does this salad look luscious but also it really is the perfect summer salad to take for a picnic, as there isn't any mayonnaise. Just keep on the top layer of a cooler and nibble away.

The legend surrounding how mozzarella was first made is that the cheese curds accidentally fell into a pail of hot water in a cheese factory near Naples and shortly after the first pizza was made. What distinguishes a superior fresh mozzarella from the rest is the taste. The cheese should taste fresh and reminiscent of milk and there should be a hint of sourness, but very mild. If it tastes too tart or sour the cheese has lost its prime. The color should be white however it varies seasonally due to the cow's diet.

The perfect olive oil is from New Zealand, Moutere Grove. This olive oil is produced on a tiny organic farm. Moutere Valley is an area that is known for the fine quality of the fruits and vegetables. The unique climate and clay soils produce oils with flavor layers. The olives are taken from the trees and pressed on the estate within a few hours of picking. The taste is rich, and mellow and fruity with a long finish that starts out peppery and finishes slightly sweet. This olive oil is perfect on marinated tuna, roasted vegetables and aged cheeses. Also as a healthy alternative, use on baked potatoes instead of butter or sour cream.

Enjoy your summer dining and remember that there are many delicious ways of dressing up even the simplest of salads, grilled veggies and berries. Don't be afraid to experiment with new olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

As always, we look forward to seeing you in our store this summer!