Happy March to everyone! Sometimes, we try to focus our newsletters on the holidays in each month. Well, March has a wealth of special days. World book Day is March 4th, Employee Appreciation Day is the 5th, and no scholarly person could leave out PI day on 3.14. People worldwide celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick on the 17th. St. Patrick was best known for driving the snakes from the Emerald Isle. So let’s see what we can match each of these days with at the Olive Oil. Co.
In addition to our selection of oils and balsamic vinegars, let us create a special basket for each of your wonderful employees. We could add chocolates from Seattle Chocolates or truffles from Alter Eco chocolates. For a special touch on World Book Day, we suggest adding one of our recipes books featuring recipes with oils and balsamics from all over the world.
PI Day just screams for your favorite pie – possibly made with fresh spices from our shelves or topped with a fruity balsamic such as strawberry, coconut, or plum.
Of course, St. Patrick’s Day is typically associated with green. We have quite a variety of green teas, and oh! All those jars of green olives. We can make just the perfect gift basket for a hostess or friend wrapped in green.
Nearly everyone loves chocolate, so we have a few recipes to share with you which use cocoa powder. It is available in bulk at the Olive Oil Co. and of course, Karla only stocks organic and fair-trade certified.
Creamy Chocolate Pudding recipe
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup sugar
¼ cup cocoa
3 Tbsp corn starch
¼ tsp salt
2 ¼ cups milk
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
Stir sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in saucepan, gradually add milk. Cook over med.
Heat stirring until thick. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Pour in dessert dishes.
“Perfectly Chocolate” chocolate icing
Ingredients
½ cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup powdered cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
Melt butter, stir in cocoa. Alternately, add sugar and milk. Beat to spreading consistency.
We can’t let March pass without a few good green recipes!
Green Goddess Dressing
Ingredients
1 clove minced garlic
¾ cup mayonnaise (Hellman’s, Duke’s, or classic mayo)
¾ cup sour cream
Salt and black pepper to taste
Juice of one lemon
3 tbs. chopped chives
¼ cup chopped tarragon
½ cup chopped parsley
Directions
Blend all the ingredients in a blender or food processor until it is of a smooth, creamy consistency. Probably 35 45 seconds.
Serve s a dip or over a tossed salad. Will stay fresh in refrigerator for 5 – 6 days.
This recipe uses one of our newest teas – green matcha, which has some amazing health benefits such as evening out your energy level, enhancing the collagen in your skin, and help cardiovascular health.
Sparkling Matcha Mint Cocktail
Ingredients
½ cup hot water
3 tsp matcha powder
3 tsp honey
8 mint leaves
8 ounces sparkling water or sparkling white grape juice
Garnish: lime twist
Directions
Whisk first three ingredients in a small bowl or cup until matcha powder dissolves. Let cool completely.
Crush mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker (or glass with lid) with a teaspoon or knife handle. Add the matcha mixture and add crushed ice and shake vigorously. Strain into two glasses and fill to brim with chilled liquid. Garnish if desired and enjoy!
Wishing you the luck of the Irish! The crew at the Paducah Olive Oil Co.