exta-virgin olive oil Archives

fresh mint grasshopper mocktail

by Jackie Newgent | May 22, 2017 | 1 Comment

When can a healthy drink do double duty as a dessert? When you whirl up this fresh mint grasshopper mocktail recipe! It’s inspired by the after-dinner Grasshopper cocktail that’s typically made with green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream. This virgin version is hangover-free and contains no added sugars and no artery-clogging cream! It has a just-right sweetness and creaminess and fresh minty flair. Cheers!

veggie scrap freekeh

by Jackie Newgent | April 21, 2017 | 4 Comments

April 22 is Earth Day! So, happy Earth Day, my fellow earthlings! Here’s my Veggie Scrap Freekeh recipe to help you celebrate anytime! Whenever I have extra veggie pieces (“scraps”) in my fridge (which is like always!), I often sauté them up, then scramble with eggs or toss with pasta. Other times I’ll roast or grill ’em, then blend into hummus. And here’s my other favorite use for those leftover (aka “vintage”) vegetables: Veggie Scrap Freekeh. Hint: Prepare it on a Friday so you can crack yourself up and call it Freekeh Friday! So, check your fridge. If you have veggie odds-n-ends on hand that might be ready for composting (or, ughh, tossing out), this recipe awaits! It works well...

spring “clean” orzo salad

by Jackie Newgent | March 22, 2017 | 1 Comment

It’s time for some spring cleaning! Don’t worry, the type of “housework” I’m talking about is not a chore at all. Just head on over to your kitchen where your tastebuds can actually benefit from this cleanup! I created this whole-wheat orzo recipe using ingredients that I already had on hand. If you don’t have all of the same ingredients, make swaps based on what you do have in your fridge or pantry. Challenge yourself to not shop for anything new. For instance, use about 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, brown rice, or other pasta if you don’t have orzo; try white wine vinegar if you don’t have lemon; and try garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic. If...