I’ve long enjoyed going to Pasquesi Home and Gardens in Barrington for unique houseware items, when I need to buy a gift and, of course, for my flowers and gardening supplies. Now I enjoy it for one more reason – it helps me make great food by carrying products by the Olive Tap.
The Olive Tap Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar emporium, located in Long Grove, has gotten me hooked on using their delicious oils and vinegars to make the salads from my 30 Spectacular Salads cookbook and many other dishes. I work with the Olive Tap often, creating great pairings with their oils and vinegars and my foods and demoing them at various events. The only problem is, when I run out, I don’t always have time for a trip to Long Grove…
Knowing I can get my favorite oils and vinegars here in Barrington is one more way to make cooking success stress-free. Stop by Pasquesi’s and grab some for your summer cooking. You won’t be disappointed. And I bet you, like me, will be inventing new ways to use these delicious ingredients. I love their Serrano Pepper Honey Lime Vinegar as a seafood marinade, in Ceviche and in Black Bean Asparagus Salad. The Pomegranate and Strawberry Balsamic vinegars are divine in salads with avocados, beets and of course pomegranates and berries. I also use the Pomegranate, Strawberry and Cinnamon Apple vinegars as meat marinades and mops for the grill.
The Walnut flavored Olive Oil adds a rich and savory balance to any salad with sweet vegetables and fruits. Use the Olive Tap Peach White Balsamic in both the Shrimp Mango Salad, and in this summer favorite:
Chickpea Mango Salad
Ingredients
1 teaspoon minced parsley
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons minced rosemary
1 clove minced garlic
1 pound cooked or canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 mango, peeled and diced
½ cucumber, peeled, seeded and cubed
3 tablespoons Peach White Balsamic Vinegar
Combine all ingredients and chill.
30 Spectacular Salads includes recipes that pair fresh ingredients in fresh ways with fantastic flavor. The book can be purchased for $14.99 at OrganizingDinner.com.
Visit TheOliveTap.com to learn more about their many products. Pasquesi Home and Gardens is at 990 W. Northwest Highway in Barrington, you can reach them by phone at 847-381-5511 and you’ll find them online at Pasquesi.com.
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About the Author
Kelly Donlea is a Barrington mom, chef, cookbook author the owner of Organizing Dinner, a company that brings sensible cooking solutions to busy people. She has published several cookbooks and one of her specialties is helping parents plan family meals with fewer trips to the grocery store. Kelly also offers cooking classes and demonstrations in your home or public facility. To learn more about Kelly, her recipes and her services, you’ll find her Facebook page by clicking HERE and her website at OrganizingDinner.com. Kelly is going to be sharing recipes, cooking tips and special features about chefs and popular menu items at area restaurants right here at 365Barrington.com.
Please join us as we discover local culinary treasures and new kitchen classics in our new, local and regular food feature here at 365Barrington.com called “Barrington Eats” with Kelly Donlea!
If you’d like to us to feature you favorite chef or restaurant or if you have a food related question that you’d like Kelly to answer, make a quick stop at the 365 Barrington Suggestion Box and leave us a note in the form which you’ll find by clicking HERE.