1. A loaf of bread (This one happens to be sourdough).
2. Balsamic vinegar (Nothing fancy, this is just a big bottle from BJs or Costco).
3. And some olive oil (This stuff is special to me)!
I first enjoyed blood orange infused olive oil at Ryan's house in Fort Collins a few years ago. I didn't think I'd be able to get a 13 oz. bottle of it past TSA in carry-on luggage, so I figured I would just order some online when I got home. Imagine my surprise when I found out that shipping was more than the oil itself. While I do love the stuff, even I couldn't justify almost $50 for a precious bottle of blood orange olive oil.
I had errands to do in PA earlier this week, and when I came back across the bridge into NJ, I had to slow down for a police car turning left. Imagine my surprise when I spied a brand new olive oil store right in front of me. I quickly parked, ran in, and almost jumped for joy when I saw that they did indeed carry my beloved blood orange olive oil. I went home, mixed some oil and vinegar, cut a slice of bread, and sat down and savored a little bit of heaven. I've enjoyed this delight along with a salad for dinner the past two nights, and while I was writing this it dawned on me that I could use this same oil and vinegar mixture to dress my salad. So that's what's for dinner tonight!
I don't know what it is about the blood orange olive oil, but it is just a perfect taste combination with balsamic vinegar, and I'm thrilled to finally have a local source. I've also been saving this recipe for the past few years, and if I can still find blood oranges in the grocery store, I'll be trying it soon. Here's hoping you've also got something simple in your life that makes you inordinately happy!
Now I'm hungry. What time is dinner??? ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I did not even know there was such a thing as Blood Orange EVOO! It has now moved to my "must try" ASAP list! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYum! This is completely new to me. I pass an olive oil & balsamic vinegar place everyday on my way to/from work. I've always bought flavored vinegar but never oil. INTERESTING!
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of Fort Collins... there's a 99% chance that one of my kids will be one of your kids' neighbors in late summer when she moves to Denver!
Blood orange olive oil sounds delightful and I bet it makes a great salad dressing, I'm going to keep my eyes open for some!
ReplyDeleteYummy! Some flavors of EVOO are better than others and you're happened upon one of the best! It makes fabulous salad dressing, too!
ReplyDeleteOMG that looks/sounds SO good. I love bread dipped in EVOO with herbs, but I've never tried it dipped in EVOO & balsamic vinegar. And, I've never heard of blood orange EVOO. MUST try - lol. One of my favorite balsamic vinegars is one flavored with fig. Yummy!!
ReplyDeleteI love when simple things make us happy. I'll keep my eye out for that olive oil.
ReplyDeleteOh my that does sound good and the cake looks even better! (I love a little loaf cake.) And speaking of loaf cakes...a simple thing that makes me inordinately happy!
ReplyDeleteI love all the infused olive oils. Garlic, blood orange, meyer lemon, etc, all float my boat. I make a Maialino olive oil cake every 10 days or so since my husband eats it for breakfast. I have made it with lots of different flavors, but I haven't gotten to blood orange yet, even though I have blood orange olive oil! Must do that! The simple pleasures really are the best ones for me. I'm so glad you are mindful enough to enjoy yours! Happy Thursday, Bonny!
ReplyDeleteOh, YUM!!!! Last year, I got a sampler collection of various infused olive oils for my birthday (sadly, no blood orange. . . ). It was such a treat -- either with bread or as vinaigrette. Now . . . I'm keeping my eyes open for blood orange infused olive oil. That sounds fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful combination. I will also be on the look out for blood orange infused olive oil. At one time there was an olive oil store in Omaha. Hmmm - that is just down the road.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting hungry from this post. How nice for the police car to accidentally lead you to your oil :) :)
ReplyDeleteIf you want some really fine balsamic, try this: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/fini-balsamic-vinegar/?pkey=e%7Cbalsamic%7C66%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C3&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH
ReplyDelete