Newsletter-JULY 2012

Happy Canada Day!!

Hi everyone,

We hope that you had a great Canada Day!! Vancouver was full of festivities, maybe you got out to enjoy the parade during the day or jumped on a boat or reserved a spot on the grass in Coal Harbour in the evening to watch the fireworks light up the sky. We watched Spain win the Euro cup in style, 4-0!!! Spain has now won the Euro cup twice and the world cup, must be something the food!!!

Our olives have become increasingly popular over the last month. Some of our existing clients, such as, Niagra Grocery, Nourish Market, The Market on Yates, Jenny's Fine Foods, and Little Town Market have started carrying our olives along of some of the next new clients.

Salmon is in season, so it's a great time to try the delicious salmon video recipe from Rouxbe that we have included below.

We have 7 new locations where you can find our products in Delta and on Vancouver Island. Check out where:

Superior Fish Market located at Trennant Park Square 5229 Ladner Trunk Road in Delta, B.C.
www.superiorfish.ca

Debbie and Kari are first cousins of two Ladner fisherman brothers, a five generation fishing family. Since 1981, Debbie and Kari have been selling fresh and frozen seafood at Superior Fish Market. Starting at a small store front on River Road and moving to several locations before finally settling in Ladner. Great staff with knowledge of product and helpful cooking suggestions, along with loyal customers has made the store a success. Expanding into meat and poultry such as free run unmedicated chicken, organic beef, kangaroo, ostrich, bison, venison, elk, free run unmedicated turkey and quail eggs has added a uniqueness to the store.

Cowichan Bay Seafoods located at 1751 Cowichan Bay Road in Cowichan bay, B.C.
www.cowichanbayseafood.com

Whether you’re looking for a fresh piece of fish or homemade bisque to take home for dinner, a plate of just-caught crab for lunch, or a source of local seafood for your grocery or restaurant, they can help. They sell fresh Dungenous crab and spot prawns from their own boats, a wide variety of fish and shellfish caught by local fishermen, and hand-made soups, bisques, and seafood pastas ready for your table. They can help source any special request – providing they are local, Oceanwise (sustainable) choices.

Feys and Hobbs Catered Arts Inc. located at 2249 Oak Bay Ave. in Victoria, B.C.
www.feysandhobbs.com

Whether it's gourmet take-out, a made-to-order cake or a catered party, Feys+Hobbs elevates your experience. Simply dream it and Feys and Hobbs can make it real, with sumptuous food, exacting attention to detail, and natural, sustainable ingredients, whenever possible.

Woodwynn Farms located at 7798 West Saanich Road in Victoria, B.C.
www.woodwynnfarms.org

Woodwynn Farms is a 193 acre organic farm for a therapeutic community for the homeless, offering an opportunity to change peoples’ lives with educational and work programmes based on responsibility, dignity, independence and the principles of peer-to-peer help.

The Worldly Gourmet located at 524 1st Ave. in Ladysmith, B.C.
www.worldlygourmet.ca

The Worldly Gourmet is a kitchen tool and gourmet food store located in a beautiful 1944 heritage building in Ladysmith, BC. Owner and operator Jenny Jarvis has a passion and love for food. She has worked for 9 years in the film industry as a chef, serving most major stars coming to B.C. As a certified baker, Jenny owned the Trincomali Bakery on Galiano Island for 10 years. She has traveled the world and taken cooking classes in all the countries that she’s visited.

Cowichan Meat Market located at 5191 Koksilah Road in Duncan, B.C.

The product is all really fresh, the store is very clean, and the staff are all extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The Cowichan Meat Market has a huge selection of local, sustainable and affordable top quality meats.

Stockham and Dawley General Store located at #7, 368 Main St. in Tofino, B.C.

Our video recipe from Rouxbe for July is ¨Warm Salmon Salad Nocoise¨

Since it's Salmon season, we took the liberty to bring you this delicious video recipe. Remember to use Cazorliva EVOO, our Aloreña olives with DOP and our Casanovas Barcelona fleur de sel, sea salts for great results. Learn how to cook at Rouxbe.com!! Olives and Things is pleased to offer you the next 14 days for free on the Rouxbe Online Cooking School. Click below to get great instructional cooking videos and video recipes!!

Enjoy!!

Newsletter-JUNE 2012 "BBQ Time!!" Hi Everyone, I don't know about you, but we have been using the BBQ regularly over the last couple of weeks. Indulging in all of our favorite recipes for the grill. It's a great time to try one of our Casanovas Barcelona flavored salts as a rub on your favorite grilling meats and don't forget to dab your meat with our family's EVOO, Cazorliva. Over the last month, we have updated our website to include more products and product details. Please take a moment to check it out: www.olivesandthings.com There has been great feedback with our new brand, "Roldan Olives" and we're happy to say that you can now find them in Meinhardt Fine Foods in Vancouver and Village Butcher in Oak Bay. We have 3 new locations where you can find our products in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. Check out where: Ulla Restaurant located at 509 Fisgard street, Victoria.   Ulla is situated in the Lupin Building at the bottom of Chinatown and brings a fresh, fun vibe to Victoria. Local ingredients, classic flavours and modern techniques sums up the food philosophy. Along with a commitment to using local organic products whenever possible they also aim to serve only ethically raised proteins. Each dish is balanced, well thought out and will leave you feeling perfectly satisfied. The menu truly offers something for everyone; from lighter seafood dishes to hearty and flavourful meats to exciting vegetarian dishes. Everything is stunningly presented and offers great value. The small wine list is carefully chosen to pair with the food and to offer excellent value. Many of the wines are available by the glass or the bottle. The concise cocktail list offers simple classics and seasonal concoctions.   SPUD Vancouver located at 1660 East Hastings in Vancouver.   In 1997, SPUD.ca was founded based on the idea that there was simply a great, really sustainable way to buy groceries.   Not only was there an opportunity to directly connect communities with local farmers and food producers, but ordering food online and using a just-in-time home delivery method means a great product for customers.    Organic produce and artisan groceries can be ordered and delivered in their peak freshness – providing customers with a superior tasting and highly nutrient rich product.    Whether it’s bringing the very best in local organic produce, or organizing field trips for school children to local farms, SPUD loves connecting you with local, organic and natural foods.   Tonolli's Deli located at 6991 East Saanich Road in Victoria. This little deli is a great place for some delicious food cooked with passion and care. The owners have taken care to select high quality local and mostly organic foods, and the coffee is fair-trade. They have great breakfasts and they cater to those who require gluten free, such as their gluten free chicken pot pie. Their pastries and cakes are delicious and they have a selection of home made frozen entrees to take home.   Our video recipe from Rouxbe for June is ¨Grilled Asparagus¨   It might sound so simple that you don't think you need the video, but there is even an art to grilling asparagus. Don't believe me, then check it out for yourself and remember to use Cazorliva EVOO and some Casanovas Barcelona salt with citrus for great results. Learn how to cook at Rouxbe.com!! Olives and Things is pleased to offer you the next 14 days for free on the Rouxbe Online Cooking School. Click below to get great instructional cooking videos and video recipes!!   Enjoy!!

Newsletter-MAY 2012

"The Olives are here!!"

Hi Everyone,

Spain's favorite olives have arrived in Vancouver!!!

Roldan Olives are a Spanish favorite, especially the Aloreña variety shown above, which is considered to be the "Pata Negra" (the best of the best) of olives because of the taste and nutritional benefits. We are very excited to be the first and only suppliers of the Aloreña olive with the denomination of origin of Malaga to Canada. This 100% natural olive is considered the best of the olives in Spain. It’s the only olive with D.O.P. from more than 260 different varieties to choose from in Spain. Its size, thick texture and ease of shedding the olive pit, allows the seasoning to penetrate, making it a unique olive that is highly appreciated by professional tasting palettes. To help offset their bitter taste, these olives are brine-cured by natural methods. The traditional and natural seasoning is composed of garlic and thyme. Free of cholesterol and trans fats. An amazing delight!!

We are also supplying another olive called Gordal shown above, which is one of the largest varieties from Spain and this is a great and fancy way to eat them, with a little pickle stuffed inside. The contrast of flavours is what makes this olive interesting. These olives are brine-cured and don’t have any extra seasoning. They’re free of cholesterol. Great for any occasion!!


We have 9 new locations where you can find our products in Vancouver, Calgary and on Vancouver Island. Check out where:

Green Soul Organics located at 150 Fourth Street in Tofino. 

Green Soul Organics is the conscious consumers choice for organic groceries and natural health related products and services.  A thriving health food store located in the heart of downtown Tofino, Green Soul Organics assists customers achieve wellness goals and enjoy vibrant health by being committed to a lifetime of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices while providing the highest quality of natural health products and organic food items.

Red Barn Market - Latoria Walk located at 611 Brookside Road in Victoria.

Red Barn Market - West Saanich located at 550 West Saanich Road in Victoria.

Red Barn Market - Matticks Farm located at 129-5325 Cordova Bay Road in Victoria.

Open year round, the Red Barn Markets have everything you need. Local producers supply them with farm fresh products every week. And every day, they're hard at work creating their own specialty line of smoked white cheddar, 13 different smoked meat products, pepperoni sticks and a wide variety sausages and deli meats. They even make Bison sticks!

Niagara Grocery located at 579 Niagara Street in Victoria.

Niagara Grocery is located in beautiful, historic James Bay. Victoria BC’s oldest grocery store; updated! The corner grocery is alive and well in Victoria. There’s still a place where you can buy local produce, daily bread, artisan cheese & sausage, and house-roasted coffees.

Cookbook Co. Cooks located at 72211 Avenue SW in Calgary.

This store is an ever-changing collection of specialty ingredients, choice kitchen wares, and of course, cookbook. They shop the world for hard-to-find ingredients and gourmet pantry items. Have you ever come across a great recipe with that one ingredient you just can't find? Well, they probably have it. Not sure how to use an ingredient? Their friendly, knowledgeable staff will be glad to help you.

Market Place IGA Bistro located at 489 Robson Street in Vancouver.

This Market Place IGA is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Close to numerous hotels and venues such as BC Place, GM Place and the Center for Performing Arts. They offer a variety of ready-to-eat meals and snacks. They also have a wide variety of imported products to tingle your taste buds. Grilled panini sandwiches, gelato, hot soup and BBQ chicken, coffee and tea beverages and a fully serviced Deli. They have an international staff from all over the world as well as locals - friendly and eager to help.

Hillary's Artisan Cheese located at 1034 Fort Street in Victoria.

Situated in the picturesque seaside village of Cowichan Bay, Hilary's Cheese & Deli offers visitors a chance to relax and savour cheeses they produce locally and those that are brought in from near and far. Check out the lunch counter which serves homemade soups daily paired with sandwiches made at the neighbouring bakery.

Eden West Fine Foods locted at 2500 Saint Johns Street in Port Moody.

Eden West Fine Foods and Gifts Ltd. is a gourmet boutique that brings a little bit of “downtown” to Port Moody. The store offers a wide variety of specialty foods, cookware, and tools. If you love to cook, you will enjoy our selection of gourmet essentials and hard to find housewares.

Our video recipe from Rouxbe for May is ¨Olivada¨

Similar to tapenade, this chunky mixture of capers, olives, red wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil pairs perfectly with grilled meats and vegetables. Make sure to use Cazorliva EVOO and Roldan Olives for great results. Learn how to cook at Rouxbe.com!! Olives and Things is pleased to offer you the next 14 days for free on the Rouxbe Online Cooking School. Click below to get great instructional cooking videos and video recipes!!

Enjoy!!

Newsletter-APRIL 2012- Easter Eggs and Olives!!!! Hi Everyone, Spring has sprung and things are starting to look just a little bit more colorful. I hope you get your fair share of chocolate easter eggs, but make sure you leave some room for olives!! Thats right, Roldan Olives, Spain's favorite, are coming to town!!! We'll let you know when they land. We have 7 great new locations where you can find our products in Whistler, Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. Check out where: The Grocery Store located at 4211 Village Square in Whistler. This great grocery store is commited to providing healthy choices for your food basket. Village Butcher located at 2032 Oak Bay Avenue, in Oak Bay. Specializing in local, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat, housemade sausages and other carnivorous delights! A great place to stock up on favorite cuts.   Jenny's Fine Foods, Gifts & Eclectica located at 3074 Kingsway Avenue, in Port Alberni. Jenny's is dedicated to supporting local and eco-friendly suppliers who care about the environment and sustainability. Each and every one of their product have been carefuly selected to meet their criteria for outstanding quality and uniqueness. Little Town Market located at   9752 Willow Street, in    Chemainus  . This is a great little artisan market and coffee shop.     Little Vienna Bakery located at   6726 West Coast Road, in    2851 Foul Bay Road 2851 Foul Bay Road   Sooke. They offer beautiful hand-formed breads, buns and baguettes, as well as lovingly prepared decadent pastries, pies and cakes.   Whole Foods Robson located at 1675 Robson Street, in Vancouver. This is a great place to find all of your natural and organic foods.     Charelli's Cheese Shop and Delicatessen located at 2851 Foul Bay Road, in Victoria. This is the biggest cheese shop in Victoria! They provide high quality products and service. The moment that you walk through the door you'll feel and smell the old European charm. Tastings this Month!!! Thursday April 5th (4-6 pm) 4 - 6 pm at The Grocery Store (Whistler) 4 - 6 pm at Whistler Marketplace IGA (Whistler) Saturday April 7th 11 am - 1 pm at Windsor Meats (Edgemont Village - North Van) Saturday April 14 11 am - 1 pm at New Apple Farm Market (Lonsdale Ave. - North Van) 3 - 5 pm at Jackson's Meat & Deli (West 4th Ave. - Kitsilano) Saturday April 21st 10 am - 12 pm at Ugo & Joe (East Hastings Street - Vancouver) Saturday April 28th Time to be confirmed at Nourish Market during the healthy living expo (Lynn Valley Village - North Van)   Our Spanish dessert recipe for April is: ¨Torrijas¨ Happy Easter!!! History: "Torrijas" is one of the more traditional Spanish desserts cooked during Lent, Holy Week and Easter. It dates back to as far as S.XV. We know it as "French Toast" in the western world. The book, "honey and many eggs to make torrijas", by Juan del Encina, is from the fifteenth century and it describes the Torrijas as a suitable dish for the recovery of women after giving birth. The earliest recipes date back to the books, "Maceras Domingo Hernandez" (1607) and "Art in the kitchen, pastries, and cannery of Motiño Francisco Martinez" (1611).  In the early twentieth century, Torrijas were very common in the taverns of Madrid and served with little wine glasses. Its association with Easter is perhaps due to the need to have bread when Catholic followers could not eat meat. "Torrijas" are also famous in France and some regions of Argentina, Uruguay and México. Our recipe is the "Torrija" of milk, sugar and cinnamon, which is probably the most traditional of all, but "Torrijas" can be made in many ways, with honey, wine, custard, cinnamon, etc.   Ingredients: (For 20 "Torrijas" for 10 people) 750 g of whole wheat Bread ( Alternative: rice bread, for those with allergies) 1 liter of cow milk (Alternative: goat, almond,...etc. for those with allergies) 100 g of Sugar 2 Cinnamon sticks 2 tsp cinnamon powder Cazorliva EVOO  4 Eggs Preparation: Preparation & cooking time: 30 minutes Cut 20 slices of bread, each one, over a centimeter thick. Heat the milk and cinnamon sticks while adding the sugar. Let the milk cool down before soaking the bread because if not it will soften the bread too much. Once soaked in milk, place the bread slices in egg batter. Fry them in a pan with hot Cazorliva EVOO at medium to medium high heat. Once they are golden brown, take them out of the pan and dab them with a paper towel to remove excess oil. The final touch is to dust them with sugar and cinnamon powder. Now, they are ready to be eaten!! Enjoy them!!!

New shops: Market On Yates, Ambrosia Fine Foods and Deli, Pete's Meat Butcher and Deli, Daniel's Patisserie, Choux Choux Charcuterie, Finest At Sea

We are excited to say that you can now find our products in stores in Victoria and Oak Bay on Vancouver Island, along with a great new location in Kitsilano!!

Ambrosia Fine Foods and Deli located at 1503 Wilmot Place, in Oak Bay, is now carrying our products. Treat yourself to one of the great sandwiches and an incredible coffee at Ambrosia.

You can now find our products in Market On Yates located at 903 Yates Street, in Victoria. This family owned market opened in 1999. You can find a great selection of organic goods and a variety of unique brands.

Choux Choux Charcuterie located at 830 Fort Street, in Victoria, has now started to carry our products. They Specialize in homemade pates, sausages, and smoked and cured meats. Their products are made on premise, using fresh, free range and unmedicated meats. They also have an impressive selection of cheese.

Find our products in Finest At Sea Seafood Boutique & Bistro located at 27 Erie Street, in Victoria. This is a boutique-style seafood store. They have a large selection of quality wild seafood, which they catch, so you always know where your seafood is coming from.

Our products are now available in Pete's Meat Butcher Shop and Deli located at 2817 Arbutus Street, in Vancouver. Find quality products and friendly service at Pete's Meat. They're happy to make custom cuts if you don't see what you're looking for.


Our products are now available in Patisserie Daniel located at 768 Fort Street, in Victoria. This European-style pastry shop offers pastries, cakes, chocolates and great gift baskets. Soups and fresh baked items are made daily.

New stores: Meinhardt Fine Foods, Whole Foods Market Park Royal & Lynn Valley Meats

We are happy to say that you can now find our products in 3 great new stores: Meinhardt Fine Foods, Whole Foods Market Park Royal and Lynn Valley Meats.

Meinhardt Fine Foods is located at 3002 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC. Find everything that you're looking for and some, in this great store. The shelves display a wide variety of gourmet, organic and other specialty fine foods and now you can find Cazorliva EVOO.

You can now find our products in Lynn Valley Meats, it is located at 1264 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC. This is a great place to come for those of you who are looking for a natural choice when it comes to choosing your meats.

Find our Cazorliva EVOO in Park Royal Whole Foods Market, it is located at 925 Main Street, West Vancouver, BC. This is a large store where you can find a wide variety of great natural and organic fine food products.

New products: Antonio Sotos Saffron & Cazorliva Spanish EVOO in Tin - 250 mL

Our brand, Antonio Sotos, presents the world’s most expensive spice: 100 % pure Spanish Saffron in filaments with D.O. La Mancha. The Saffron with D.O. La Mancha is described by experts as the best saffron in the world, grown only in the region of Castilla la Mancha in the areas of Albacete, Toledo, Cuenca and Ciudad Real.

Saffron has endless gastronomic qualities. It has a particular strong and exotic aroma, as well as a slightly bitter taste. It’s great for adding flavour, it is able to transmit deep aromas, but at the same time it is smooth, tender, etc.

It’s a great condiment in Paellas, Risottos, any kind of meat, seafood, fish, pasta, soups, eggs, etc.

The Spanish Saffron with D.O. La Mancha is characterized by its high coloring capacity (it is noteworthy that our Quality Technical Specification requires a minimum colouring capacity of 200 units), strong aroma and its exotic and slightly bitter taste.

To use the Saffron Threads you have to crush the saffron in a mortar and add to the water 10 or 15 minutes before the dish is cooked. (The recommended amount for 4 – 6 servings is 0,15 g )

For more information about D.O. La Mancha, visit: www.doazafrandelamancha.com

Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) was introduced in Spain during the Arabic domination in S. VIII. Arabic cooking was very rich in herbaceous flavourings and saffron was the most important. 

This spice became part of the  Spanish culture and tradition since then. Saffron has   been used by a long list of countries as an aromatic essence, excellent dye, excellent perfume, for medical prescriptions and even as an aphrodisiac.

Saffron is a bulbous plant that blooms  between one to three lilac-purple colour bulbs (the Saffron rose) during the months of October and November. From the ovary of the flower emerges three yellow stamens and a white filament, the style, which is divided into three red threads or stigmas:  the strands or cloves of saffron. 

More than 250.000 flowers are needed to obtain 1 kg of Saffron.

Saffron production is completely artisanal and based on the traditions passed down from generation to generation in La Mancha. Every step is done by hand, from  harvesting that has to be done at dawn, to “la monda” where a group of women get together to take the stigmas by hand, until the toasting, drying and packaging process. The soil and the climate of La Mancha are the main reasons why this Saffron is recognized as the world’s best.

Antonio Sotos, is known as one of the oldest and most experienced companies dealing with Saffron in La Mancha. Shortly after this family business was established in 1912, they became one of the pioneer companies in foreign trade and were recognized worldwide for the quality and reliability of their Saffron. Today, three generations later, the family business still delivers unmatched quality.

Our Saffron has obtained the I.F.S. certification (International Food Standard), the B.R.C. (British Retail  Consortium) and the Certification “La Mancha Saffron” D.O., which guarantees the origin of the product (pure 100% Spanish) and that it has been produced according to the requisites established.

Saffron with D.O. La Mancha, will always be freshly harvested Saffron,

as over the years it loses

quality, and will always be

presented to the consumer

in strands, never ground. 

 

   

This is, Albacete in Castilla La Mancha, Spain,  where our Saffron is born:

Another new product in our new container of Cazorliva. Most of you have already tasted our family's Spanish EVOO, but we wanted to bring it in a smaller container for those who prefer smaller sizes, a cute 250 mL tin can. Same quality, same variety of olive (Picual) but with a different container!

Enjoy them!!