Random Thoughts

WHAT IS GOOD OIL AND WHAT IS BAD OIL

GOOD OIL CURES ALL and BAD OIL MAKES YOU SICK – Italian Proverb What is good oil? Good oil is fresh, new, well stored, bottled in dark bottles, and is extra virgin certified in California; passing both chemistry and taste panel certification. What is bad oil? An oil that does not pass the certification standards […]

FIGS GLORIOUS FIGS

NEVER ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO LOVE FIGS ENDLESS RECIPES TO ENJOY THE FALL ABUNDANCE   I have had many requests for some fantastic delicious and easy ways to preserve and present figs. We have 18 fig trees at IL Fiorello. Soon we will be known for figs as well as olives!! We grow a variety […]

IL FIORELLO BALSAMIC REDUCTION VINEGARS

The 2019 Central Coast Vinegar Competition Announces Winners   The Central Coast Vinegar Competition (CCVC) is proud to announce the award-winning vinegars from its 6th-annual blind-tasting event, held June 20 at the California Mid-State Fair. Best in Show went to IL Fiorello’s Winter Fruit – Orange and Pomegranate Vinegar. The honor came after judges awarded it a Double […]

WHAT TO DRINK AT IL FIORELLO DURING THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS

…AND WHAT TO EAT WITH THAT FABULOUS DRINK BEER SONOMA SPRINGS KOLSCH A German-style beer with grains and hops imported from Germany. It drinks like a pilsner, super crisp easy to drink. A really great summer beer. Pairs well with hamburgers and hot dogs on the back porch, or in the front yard, or on […]

THE COMPASS ROSE AT IL FIORELLO

Many things guide our way at IL Fiorello. The friendship and counsel of good people. The Suisun wind. The Seasons of the olives. When we began this journey, Mark and I always talked about a compass rose that would guide our way.  We have always wanted a compass rose for IL Fiorello.  To chart our […]

Climate Change is Here

Following our growers meeting a few Saturdays ago, I had a discussion with friends about climate change and how it is affects our olive trees. As I am writing this blog, we are facing a fantastic olive bloom, and very heavy rain. As I cannot hold an umbrella over all of our 3000 trees, I […]

FOOD IS LOVE ESPECIALLY ON MOTHER’S DAY

A Professor of Food Marketing in Philadelphia, John Stanton PhD, says Food is Love Not Medicine. Why do packages promote cures and not deliciousness and emotion? We are all about deliciousness at IL Fiorello. “Taste is another leading reason to buy food. Another reason is that it makes me feel good about eating and serving […]

FOCACCIA

Warm, delicious, versatile, easy to make, plays well with most foods.  Comfort food on a rainy afternoon, or for breakfast, as you see fit.  Stop buying prepackaged bread, try this yourself.  It is fun, and happy, and delicious.  I love the aroma of the yeast rising.  When I was making this focaccia, my entire staff […]

REAL GOOD FISH

REAL GOOD FISH three cooks three ways to serve fish. Real Good Fish’s motto is Here Fishy, Fishy. Today we were lucky to get Sand Dabs, Pacific Sand Dabs are a variety of flatfish. Small in size and are a sustainable fish in our Northern California waters.  How to prepare this fish? We present three […]

MARCH 2019

In like a lion and out like a lamb, or this year in like a lamb and out like a lion. Either way, Lake Berryessa is full and we will have water for irrigation beginning in April. That is impressive given the last few years of drought.  Each year is different, and a lesson in […]

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