The Ultimate Guide to the Olive Oil Martini: How to Fat Wash Gin, the Best Martini Olives & More

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Pasolivo Olive Oil Fat Washed Gin Martini
There’s something undeniably chic about a martini. From the clean and crisp flavor to the iconic olive garnish, it’s easy to see why this cocktail has become a mainstay in the world of mixology. Are you a martini lover looking for a way to take your favorite drink to a whole new level of sophistication? Then allow us to introduce you to your new obsession: the olive oil martini.  Welcome to your ultimate guide to the olive oil martini (or “olive oil fat-washed martini”). We’ll dive into everything you need to know about this trendy twist on the classic: How to make an olive oil martini, how you can fat wash gin or vodka at home, which foods to pair your cocktail with, and much more. Read on for all the details.  What Is an Olive Oil Martini? An olive oil martini is a lot like a traditional martini, but with one big difference: Instead of standard gin, it’s made with olive oil fat-washed gin (or vodka, for those who prefer vodka martinis). Fat washing with olive oil gives the...

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How Do I Know If My Olive Oil Is Real? Everything You Need to Know About Olive Oil Fraud

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Olive oil pouring from press into tasting cup
In November 2023, Spanish and Italian authorities arrested 11 suspects discovered to be involved in a fraudulent organized crime ring. During the international bust, they seized 12 barrels containing more than 260,000 liters of the most counterfeited item in all of Europe: olive oil. It became the latest seizure in a long-running, scandal-ridden history of olive oil fraud. Rich in antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and robust flavors, it’s easy to see why extra virgin olive oil has earned the nickname “liquid gold.” But for as long as this sought-after oil has been a culinary staple, it has also been the subject of widespread fraud.  It’s a trend that spans across the food industry as a whole, and it impacts everyday shoppers just like you.  Do you find yourself asking, "How can I tell if my olive oil is real?" Wondering how you can identify a high-quality olive oil and keep fake EVOOs out of your kitchen? Read on for details about why olive oil fraud matters, how to tell if your olive oil is real, and the steps we take at...

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What Are the Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet?

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The Mediterranean Diet has been highly regarded and recommended by physicians for decades. This culturally focused healthy-eating pattern is known for its miraculous effect on cardiovascular health. There are many other benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, which includes foods like fish, veggies, and, of course, extra virgin olive oil. Why does the Mediterranean Diet come so highly recommended? Read on to learn more about its origins, what it includes, and how it can help you feel your healthiest. Plus, get your Mediterranean Diet meal plan with healthy recipes. Origins of the Mediterranean Diet The term “Mediterranean Diet” originates from a medical study conducted by Ancel Keys in the 1950s called The Seven Countries Study. This research compared the diet and cardiovascular health of cohorts from the USA, Finland, former Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Greece, Italy, and Japan over the course of 50 years. Keys and his team found that populations in Greece and Italy had 39% lower risk for coronary mortality, and 29% lower risk for cardiovascular mortality compared to the U.S. This phenomenon was attributed to the dietary habits of the...

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The Serotonin Salad: Nourish Your Mental Wellness

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Feel-Good Fuel About 90% of our serotonin is created in our stomach and intestines. It’s synthesized through the essential amino acid tryptophan which is sourced from our diet. It’s commonly found in chicken, eggs, dairy, fish, peanuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds, turkey, and soy products. Consuming high levels of tryptophan and other choice vitamins is a great way to improve mood stability and experience more joy. Talk about feel-good food! Based on these principles, I created The Serotonin Salad. It features ingredients high in tryptophan and a few other vitamins, minerals, and other compounds known to improve mental health. Let’s go over each featured ingredient and its effect on the brain. But First: What is Serotonin? Serotonin, A.K.A “the happy hormone,” is a neurotransmitter that sends messages between your nerve cells. It acts as a natural mood stabilizer. In addition to managing our emotional state, serotonin also plays a role in our ability to learn, form memories, control bowel movements, heal wounds, and regulate sleep and body temperature. Sourcing B-12 and Folic Acid B-12 and folic acid are essential vitamins...

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Baking with Olive Oil: Your Essential Guide

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Baking with olive oil can be tricky. Let’s go over the ground rules. Baking is temperamental and precise. I don’t enjoy the process; I find it tedious and restrictive. So many rules, less opportunity for customization. I know there are a lot of chefs/home cooks that would agree with me on that one! Customizing baking recipes is always a gamble– one small adjustment and the entire recipe is thrown off. It’s food science; One must understand the ingredients, their properties, and the role they play in the recipe before swapping out this for that. Let’s talk baking with olive oil! Here are the fundamentals: You can almost always swap oil for oil. Extra virgin olive oil is a fantastic heart-healthy alternative to vegetable or seed oil. Swapping EVOO for another oil will have no effect on the final texture of whatever dish you’re creating UNLESS the oil you intend to replace is Crisco or lard. Since they’re saturated fats and solid at room temperature, it’s not a good swap. Olive oil will perform differently due to density. Only use EVOO...

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What are Unique Corporate Gift Ideas for 2023?

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What are Unique Corporate Gift Ideas 2023?   Why do any of us send corporate gifts? We want to want to recognize, appreciate, or connect with a client or employee, right? So where do we start? We think about what kind of gift to send. We think about what options are out there and what that person would prefer. What are the first gifts that come to mind? Chocolate? Wine? Maybe Popcorn? These are nice options. They can be indulgent or elegant or even fun. But, what happens when the person opens the gift? Do you want them to be thinking, “Oh, yay, this is what I get every time. Thank you so much.”? Picture this: a truly unique gift that will surprise them and delight them at the same time! How can you make this happen? What makes a gift unique? Maybe it’s an uncommon or hard to find item. Maybe it’s from a small, family-owned company that mostly caters to their local area, making it like a well-kept secret and an amazing find when you happen upon it....

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Beyond your Basic Vinaigrette

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How to Step Up Your Salad Dressing Game Here at Pasolivo, we’re big believers in the Mediterranean Diet. Based on the traditional cuisine of Greece, Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Turkey, etc., The Mediterranean Diet is known to decrease risk of heart disease and increase longevity, as scientific studies have shown. These countries are part of the 5 Blue Zones of the world– regions where the average life expectancy is significantly higher than the average American thanks to the diet and lifestyle of each given culture. [caption id="attachment_2815" align="alignnone" width="620"] The Mediterranean diet is full of polyphenol-rich olive oil, seasonal fruits and veggies, and limited dairy and meat consumption.[/caption] Eat Like a Mediterranean The Mediterranean diet requires at least 4 servings of vegetables daily, going beyond the USDA recommendation of 2 to 3 cups of vegetables for the average adult. For those health-conscious foodies out there, salad is often a daily menu item to hit these goals. And since olive oil is the primary source of fat in the Mediterranean Diet, a vinaigrette to pair is a must. Which can get a...

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Valentine Date Night Guide

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  How to Host a Romantic Italian-Style Dinner The Pasolivo Valentine Date Night Guide There's no better to way to show affection than by cooking a meal for that special someone. Food is love, after all. Show your Valentine how much you care by putting together a beautifully romantic, thoughtful meal they'll never forget with a little bit of help from Pasolivo. Follow along to learn the ins and outs of hosting a formal, romantic dinner for your S.O. You'll be a pro by the end of this article!   Setting the scene Ambiance is everything. Creating the mood is the first and arguably most important part of hosting a dinner for your valentine. Here's some tips for establishing the Italian dinner party vibe:  No overhead lighting– stick to candles and lamps. You want to create a soft, ambient glow. These mini candles fit perfectly on the dinner table, and add a layer of warmth to the scene. Pull your best table cloth out of the linen closet– or how about one of these Parisian table runners as featured above? These are...

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The How To’s of Olive Oil

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Pasolivo Olive Oil Tasting
As Pasolivo’s level two olive oil sommelier and master blender, I’m sharing some tips and tricks the experts use for the how to’s of all things extra virgin olive oil. The California olive oil industry is fast growing, and there are many things consumers do not know when it comes to quality extra virgin olive oil. How To Taste Olive Oil: If you are a professional olive oil taster, or just want to experience how the experts properly taste, there is a process to follow. By following the steps below, you will be well on your way to properly tasting this liquid gold! • Experts always taste extra virgin olive oil in a dark blue tapered glass. It could almost be compared to a votive candle holder. The reason for this is to help trap the aromas in the glass and to not be able to see the color of the olive oil. Many people think that color of the olive oil is an indicator of the quality, but that is not true. • Once your oil is poured into...

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What are the best corporate gifts?

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Pasolivo Olive Oil Gifts
The term “positive workplace environment” is one most employees and working adults are likely aware of, and for good reason. The average person wants a job they are not only passionate about and enjoy, but also want to work in an environment where they feel valued, feel their work is valued, and where they can clock in to work each day knowing they are supported by their peers. As much as work is important, the people one works with are equally important and can arguably make or break job satisfaction. Finding a strong, supportive, and trusting group of people in a workplace is not always easy but thankfully, showing them your appreciation is. Thanks to Pasolivo’s personalized gifting, creating high-end custom corporate gifts has never been simpler or more thoughtful. There are a variety of corporate gifts to choose from, allowing you to find the perfect, high-quality gifts for every person who has made working more enjoyable and manageable. You can also choose to curate perfect corporate food gifts for clients, the possibilities are truly endless. Not only are there...

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