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Quick Wednesday Antipasti

antipasti

Sometimes, you get home from work and can’t even begin to think about making dinner, despite hearing your stomach roar.

Do you give up, and order out? Do you flop on the couch with a king-size popcorn for “dinner?” While these can both be acceptable from time to time, a simpler option can be to pour yourself a glass of wine, assemble a two second antipasti platter for you and your dining partner, and slowly unwind while the flavors and possibilities of dinner float across your mind (while your immediate hunger is abated). Time for antipasti.

We swear this antipasti platter takes two minutes to make, and will keep you going until you can muster up a real dinner.

antipasti platter

Assemble:

cherry tomatoes

green olives 

two types of cheese you have on hand

salami from Norcia

 

The thought of dinner still making you tired? Check out our 15 minute recipes:

Orange caprese salad 

Pasta with zucchini, tomato, and ricotta 

Trofiette with pesto 

Tagliatelle with mushrooms and sausage 

 

Ci Vediamo!

 

Via Umbria

Sometimes, you get home from work and can't even begin to think about making dinner, despite hearing your stomach roar. Do you give up, and ...

Food & Drink, Recipes, Tastes of Italy
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Cocktail Corner – Classic Spritz

In the past, we have lauded the important of the ritual of aperitivo. 

This Sunday, we think you should slow down your evening with a classic Aperol Spritz.

Aperol Spritz

•3 parts prosecco

•2 parts Aperol

•1 part soda water

•Slice of orange

Aperol Spritz

Pour the prosecco into your tall glass, and pile on the prosecco. Add your soda water and garnish with a slice of orange. Cheers to the beginning of a relaxing night.

Aperol Spritz

Once you have mastered the classic, you can trying adding a little whisky. Cheers!

Send your favorite Spritz o Clock photos to elsa@viaumbria.com or @viaumbria on Instagram #spritzoclock for a chance to be featured!

–Via Umbria

In the past, we have lauded the important of the ritual of aperitivo.  This Sunday, we think you should slow down your evening ...

Food & Drink, Tastes of Italy
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Tasty Taralli

Taralli

When opening our store last fall, we knew the taralli would be popular. What we didn’t expect is that every person that sampled one would buy a bag. One of our sales people imposed a three taralli a day rule in fear of eating the whole bowl.

The taralli is a typical salty food originating in southern Italy, mainly Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Campania. The name probably comes from the greek Toros (toroidal), because of the donut-y nature of the taralli.

A few years ago the Atlantic ran an article (in the Health section…) called “Taralli: Italy’s Superior Snack.”

“If you aren’t familiar with taralli–and most Americans, of course, aren’t-they’re little bagel-shaped (but much smaller) rings of dough that are…omnipresent in bakeries and at parties when you hit the right regions of Italy…

The secret, to making a good tarali, which is really no secret at all, is the quality and quantity of the olive oil you use to make the taralli with…

When you bite into one of these it’s right there with eating a super flaky pie crust, or, I imagine what a croissant would be like if you could compress it down into a compact little disc.”

 

While adults have an aperitif at their local bar or cafe in Italy, children will snack on these crispy disks. Here in the US, set them out with a bowl of olive and nuts at cocktail hour for an instant hit.

People loved them so much we completely sold out before spring arrived.

taralli

Now back in stock, we have original EVOO, chili pepper, fennel, rosemary, and tomato and oregano. And we have added a flavor this shipment – onion. How could we not, with our connection to Cannara.

 

While they will be featured in the store when we re-open, for now you can snatch them up on Emporio. Happy snacking!

Ci Vediamo!

—Via Umbria

When opening our store last fall, we knew the taralli would be popular. What we didn’t expect is that every person that ...

Dinner, Food & Drink, Recipes
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15 Minute Recipe: Orange Caprese Salad

We know Labor Day has come and gone, but we are still on a fresh summer tomato high. This update of a classic caprese combines heirloom tomatoes, basil from our garden, mozzarella and the kicker: orange-scented olive oil. Grab it at Emporio, and then get into the kitchen!

Orange Olive Oil

INGREDIENTS

1/2 baguette, cut into 1-inch pieces

5 tablespoons orange extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

Five heirloom tomatoes, halved or cut into 1/2-inch wedges

Large ball of buffalo mozzarella cheese, cut into large pieces

Fresh basil

Baguette Italian IMG_0756 copy

Preheat the oven to 350°. On a large baking sheet, toss the baguette pieces with 2 tablespoons of the extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake, tossing occasionally, until crisp and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.

Heirloom Tomato Recipe

In a large bowl, gently toss the tomatoes with the remaining 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter. Top with the croutons and drizzle with the orange oil. Garnish with the basil and serve.

Basil Caprese

Gather your ingredients at Emporio, and then savor this delicious combination.

Adapted from Food and Wine magazine.

 

Ci Vediamo!

 

–Via Umbria

We know Labor Day has come and gone, but we are still on a fresh summer tomato high. This update of a ...

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Cocktail Corner: Plum and Brandy Shot

What have you been doing this long weekend? Here at Via Umbria we are celebrating this Federal Holiday with one of the stone fruits of the summer, the plum.

We have been wanting to create something with Pisaroni’s Plum Nectar for a while. This Nectar is all natural and made from the simple ingredients of fresh plums, sugar, water, and a touch of lemon juice. With no artificial colors or flavors, this delicious nectar is the perfect cocktail mixer. For generations, the Pisaroni family has been harvesting their own crops using environmentally sustainable methods.

We take this delicious mixer and add a little brandy.

INGREDIENTS:

• one part plum purée

•two parts French Brandy (we know)

 

Plum Whisky shot

 

IMG_1580 copy IMG_1586 copy IMG_1591 copy IMG_1594 copy

 

Combine both in a grappa glass, garnish with fruit, and enjoy! It’s that simple!

 

Cheers! Ci Vediamo!

 

— Via Umbria

What have you been doing this long weekend? Here at Via Umbria we are celebrating this Federal Holiday with one of the ...

Culture, Dinner, Experience Italy, Food & Drink, Lunch, Tastes of Italy, Wine
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Spritz O’Clock

There comes a time around 5-7PM when a little break is needed from life.

Elsa Bruno Italy

The sun begins to make its journey down, the heat from the day lets up, the stores begin to think about closing, and the only thing I need is a Spritz.

Not exactly a before-dinner drink, instead more of a late-afternoon drink, the Spritz is perfect for the transition from a long day to a leisurely evening. A relatively new invention (for Italy), the Spritz took the whole boot by storm, and is now ubiquitous in piazzas all over Italy in the early evening.

Joe Pinsker Italy

Unlike some USA style happy hours, the idea of a Spritz is not to get you buzzed. Aperol is only 11% alcohol, and is an appetite stimulant. Though your body still tastes alcohol, this cocktail is undeniably light.

The bitter, zesty taste of a Spritz always signals to my taste buds that the work for the day is essentially over. With a glass full of orange liquid, you can nestle into your chair on the piazza, take a deep breath, and appreciate a mental pause in the day.

It’s Spritz o Clock in Italy.

IMG_2738

 

Ci Vediamo!

–Elsa at Via Umbria

Italian-style Happy Hour Read more

There comes a time around 5-7PM when a little break is needed from life. The sun begins to make its journey down, the ...

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15 minute recipe – Zucchini Ribbon Antipasti

 

Ribboned zucchini

A favorite of Simone, this is a recipe we love every time. Simple to prepare yet elegant, put this on a platter before dinner and watch the compliments flow in.

Instructions:

Shave one zucchini and place in a container with white wine vinegar. Let marinate for a few hours.

Place arugula on the plate, and place your ribbons of zucchini on top. Garnish with high quality Italian olive oil, feta, salt, pepper, and a few sprigs of oregano.

Enjoy your simple yet elegant starter!

–Via Umbria

  A favorite of Simone, this is a recipe we love every time. Simple to prepare yet elegant, put this on a platter ...

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15 minute recipe: Tomato and Zucchini Salad

 

summer salad

The long August days of summer have arrived. In a continuation of our zucchini posts this summer (also found here, here, and here), we create a fresh salad perfect for lunch or a side.

 

Ingredients:

One zucchini

One large tomato

Pistachios, to taste

1/2 cup feta cheese

Pistachio Pesto 

Sea Salt 

Olive oil 

 

Gather your ingredients at Emporio and then lets get chopping!

tomato summer salad Chop your zucchini…IMG_1429 And your tomato…IMG_1438 Barrage the pistachios IMG_1458

 

 

pistachio pesto

Assemble in your bowl, and sprinkle on some Sale di Cervia…

summer salad umbria Add the pesto…IMG_1480

And the olive oil…

Italian ceramics, appetizers

And the cheese!

add the feta

 

This salad is perfect to serve as a side on a hot summer night, and then tuck into the refrigerator for lunch the next day.

 

Ci Vediamo!

 

Via Umbria

 

 

 

 

  The long August days of summer have arrived. In a continuation of our zucchini posts this summer (also found here, here, and here), ...

Dinner, Food & Drink, Lunch, Recipes
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15 minute lunch – Zucchini Bruschetta

IMG_0971

Summertime, and the cooking is easy. This simple lunch came to us direct from the garden, with a little help from Umbria.

Grab the zucchini, which is flowing out of every produce stand this time of year. Get the pesto you made (or bought)  a few days ago out of the fridge.

Slice up that zucchini, and throw it it a bowl with some good Umbrian olive oil, sea salt and bruschetta seasoning. These three embellishments really make or break the recipe when working with such paired down ingredients!

Zucchini Bruschetta

 

Italian Umbria Zucchini

 

 

 

Bruschetta seasoning Pesto zucchini toast IMG_1093

Spred the pesto on a good piece of bread, and top with the tossed zucchini. This is an excellent super fast lunch, or a pleasant bite to enjoy before dinner with a cocktail.

 

Enjoy summer’s bounty while it lasts!

— Via Umbria

Zucchini Pesto

Summertime, and the cooking is easy. This simple lunch came to us direct from the garden, with a little help from Umbria. Grab ...

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Sangria Saturday

This Saturday, we are sipping white Sangria. While we normally reach for white wine on these hot days, Saturday deserves a little something extra. We amp up the usual sangria with our fruit nectars, which are concentrated and not too sweet. Via Umbria Sangria

Trebbiano Spoletino Pardi

White Sangria

Sangria Georgetown

Ingredients
Half a bottle Trebbiano Spoletino

Half a bottle of your favorite prosecco

1/4 cup superfine sugar

1/4 cup triple sec

1/8 cup apricot nectar

1/8 cup peach nectar 

1 ripe grapefruit, three ripe nectarines, blackberries, one ripe peach
Directions
In a large pitcher, combine the wine and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients, and mix well.
Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and let the sangria sit for at least 1 hour (and up to 4 hours). The sangria will sweeten with time, so the longer it sits, the better.
Freeze the center of your pitcher, and serve with ice.

The pitcher really pulls it all together. With an inside part that can be frozen to keep your drinks cool, not watery, and a built in stirrer, it is our choice for the summer. It comes in five colors and is only $13, and selling fast on Emporio.

 

We hope you enjoy some Sangria on this lovely Saturday!

 

Ci Vediamo!

 

Via Umbria

 

 

This Saturday, we are sipping white Sangria. While we normally reach for white wine on these hot days, Saturday deserves a little ...

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Aperitivo Time – Whisky Spritz and Truffled Zucchini Bruschetta

Spritz Aperol

The classic Aperol spritz is one of our go-to drinks before dinner. In Italy, around 5 PM, the piazzas and patios fill up with beautiful orange colored glasses full of the refreshing and palate-exciting cocktail.

We decided to add a bit of whisky, rosemary from the garden, and wildflower honey syrup (which the taste-testers agreed was the key to binding all of the flavors together) for this smashing take on the classic.

Whiskey Aperol Rosemary Honey Prosecco

This updated version just might be our new go-to before dinner. As stimulating as the original Spritz, but with more depth of flavor, it is a drink we will reach for again soon.

But your perfect aperitivo drink needs some food, of course! The abundance of zucchini has us slicing some very thin pieces, then drizzling them with olive oil and and pinch of truffle salt. A three minute luxury well-deserved at the end of a long workday. We’re taking some olives and artichokes to nibble on as well, and heading outside to enjoy the long hours of summer.

Here’s how to recreate the Whisky Spritz and our Truffled Zucchini Bruschetta.

Aperol Spritz with Rosemary

Spritz:

Bourbon whiskey

Aperol

Prosecco

Wildflower honey

Rosemary and Grapefruit for garnish

Via Umbria Aperol Spritz IMG_1621 IMG_1631 IMG_1638

For the Drink:
Place 3 long sprigs of fresh rosemary, and ice, in a glass.

Pour one part whisky and two parts Aperol into the glass, stir.

Take 1 tablespoon of highly flavored wildflower honey, drizzle into a canning jar. Heat water until almost boiling, and pour a bit into the glass.  Mix well until you have a syrup.

Pour the honey syrup into the glass and stir.

Top with prosecco, garnish with a grapefruit slice. Enjoy!

 

For the Antipasto:

Zucchini Bruschetta IMG_1405

Slice your bread thinly, and your zucchini even more thinly. Drizzle high-quality olive oil over the zucchini (we used Mancino for its slightly spicy flavor) and top with a generous sprinkle of truffle salt.

Enjoy with marinated artichokes and olives.

Aperitivo Italian Style

Gather your ingredients for the perfect aperitivo from Emporio now, and elevate your evening.

Ci Vediamo!

—Via Umbria

 

 

 

 

 

The classic Aperol spritz is one of our go-to drinks before dinner. In Italy, around 5 PM, the piazzas and patios fill ...