What is everyone’s favorite Olive? It’s not an easy question to answer since we are using the word “everyone”. Considering that factor…here is the answer that popped up first on my computer off of www.quora.com “Kalamata olives because of their distinctive flavor”. This is just one response among many…however the health benefits of the nutrient rich kalamata olive is, in my opinion, another very good reason as to why the Iliada brand is my favorite beyond taste. They contain a wide range of antioxidants, which are molecules that fight free radicals in your body and reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke and arthritis.. Among them, a group of plant compounds called polyphenols stands out.
*POLYPHENOLS: A Class of compounds found in plants that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
I just loved these little Kalamata, Green and olive blend Magic Mist snack packs.
How about some original recipes from Iliada 😊
https://www.iliada.co.uk/olive-oil-recipes/
OK…Now…A little story that introduced me to Iliada’s products and that can also been seen here:
It goes like this with a click of this “The Best of The New York Fancy Food Show 2017″…..and a scroll down to Iliada!
“My friend Eva Rajwans owns a clothing company by the name of DIGS in NYC.”…
Click here now:
Continuing on…
Over many years and primarily starting in 2013 with my first Fancy Food Show, I’ve tasted quite a few olive oils. My perception was that the best was in Italy and the bottle needed to say “Product of Italy” in order for it to be worthy. Even the visual appeal of olive oils from Provence, France impressed me while touring France for the first time back in 1993. So many small producers of EVOO on the left and right side of the road had my head and taste buds spinning. For a long time I’d try to secure those Provence (EVOO) olive oils in the USA, but they were simply unavailable outside of France. If I did find one of these oils. the prices were prohibitive…thus I wound up enjoying the oils from Italy until 2017 and then my introduction to Greek Gold in Iliada!
OK…So getting back to this year’s Fancy Food Show at the Jacob Javits Center…
Each time I have gone in the past going back to 2013, I write about many of what I feel are my best food finds, Since, however, I had only one day for the show this year, I chose to put a focus on some of my new food finds and my favorite olive oil…ie…Iliada and balsamic vinegar…ie…Massimo Bottura’s Villa Manodori. A quick sidebar here: While cruising the show in 2013, I stopped to talk to a chef by the name of Massimo Bottura. He was in his booth alone and I was curious to talk to him about the products he was offering. It was at that time he graciously invited me to come to his restaurant in Modena on our next trip to Italy. I didn’t know at the time how long it would take to get there…but Sandy and I ultimately made it to Modena. He was sincerely excited that we remembered and we made plans to have dinner and see him once again. Crazy…but we had to change our plans at the last minute and missed him at the restaurant. He did, however, make sure his associates knew we were coming and the end results were indelible! What’s even more astounding, astonishing, flabbergasting and jaw-dropping is that his restaurant was ultimately voted The World’s Best Restaurant…YES…THE World’s Best Restaurant in 2016 and 2018! From that time on our vote for the best balsamic anywhere goes to Massimo’s VILLA MANODORI !! Now all you have to do is imagine what your salad will taste like with Iliada EVOO and Villa Manodori, Trust me…have I ever led you astray in the world of food? Teleios & Perfetto!
Meet the folks at DeMedici Imports… www.demedidi.com …my source for Massimo Bottura’s Villa Monodori Balsamic!
Now let me introduce you to Kostas…proud proprietor of Iliada. I truly look forward seeing Kostas every time I get to the Fancy Food Show. As well, his cast and crew with their Iliada olive oil based tastings added another dimension to this visit.
Here’s the link to liquid gold!
https://www.agrovim.gr/iliada-olive-oil/
…and validation from the “go to” Greek market in Mattituck in the heart of Long Island’s Wine Country!
Next up…The VIP of Italian deli meats with a unique and unmistakable taste and texture that will capture your senses…ie…a tender indulgence in absolute mildness. Simply put, it is at the top of all Prosciutto di Parma. You may not see the name Galloni on the packaging as they do private label around the world. If you want to enjoy it here in New York, just find your way to any Citarella Gourmet Market in New York City, The Hamptons on Long Island and in Fairfield County in Connecticut.
BTW…you know what they say about happy people…Yes?
It’s been a habit of mine over the years attending the Fancy Food shows to find what I feel is the best pasta sauce in a jar. It’s really no so much for me as I always make mine fresh…but more for my readers who may not have the time to prepare a sauce when they get home from a long day at work. One of my favorites is Michaels of Brooklyn. Another is from Rao’s, a brand most folks favor. In my opinion, the most important ingredient is the choice of tomatoes and for sure if D,O,P, San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy are used, it will produce the best flavors. Of course it also depends on what other ingredients are used. San Marzano’s are really quite special. It’s a tomato that is grown with passion, harvested only by hand and worked to produce a unique, high-quality product whose production is limited to a very specific area of the Campania region in Italy because of its physical characteristics, which have to be respected, protected and safeguarded.
Either way, you can’t go wrong. I love San Marzano’s, however I do, as well, have a special place for taste with my California produced Stanislaus tomato products.
For this 2024 show I found wonderful Marinara variations, Bolognese and pastas that even though they have been in business for 40+ years…it was new to me. Live & learn. Either way…their sauce tastings were really wonderful!
With that intro folks…please meet Gabriella, Laura & Alexa. For sure…you know what they say about happy people. It totally filters down into a wonderful product!
How about a little flavor break?
Can anyone guess what’s coming up next?
Unchanged: HINT: Virtually everyone’s favorite!
Yup…Pastaaaaah 😊
You may have noticed when pasta is served in Italy, it is served with less sauce than most of us are used to here in the states. The reason for that is because the focus is on the quality and taste of the pasta itself. Sauces are used in this manner to enhance the flavor of the pasta…not mask it. The Italian foodies look for the taste of the high-quality pasta itself to be prominent, rather than being overwhelmed by the sauce. This is why you often hear the phrase “al dente” when making or ordering Italian pasta, as the pasta should have a firm texture that compliments the sauces and not be hidden by it.
That said…these are among my favorite Italian pasta brands. Mangia bene’ folks…ie…Eat well, Laugh Often, Love Much!
And now…saving the best for last…or should I say…the last of the BEST!
Thank you Kostas for not only being the best in the world of EVOO…but just for being YOU!
Here’s a couple of smiles:-) 😊
