Never in a million years would I have thought that I would get excited about vinegar. Vinegar, of all things. Either my life has gotten that dull (lol!) or this vinegar is really that exciting. An eternal optimist, I’m going with scenario two. :)
A couple months ago I received a few oil and vinegar samples from Vom Fass. Right away the name intrigued me; it means “from the cask” and it conjures up an old-world, artisanal feel, doesn’t it? I don’t know what I was expecting when I tried the samples, but whatever it was, everything I tried exceeded all my expectations. Scratch that; everything blew my mind.
2 Teaspoons Calamansi Vinegar + 1 Cup Sparkling Water = Ultimate Refreshment.
I started with the Waldburg Balsam Calamansi Vinegar. Vom Fass recommends adding 2 teaspoons of this vinegar to 1 cup of sparkling water. I’m not altogether unfamiliar with concoctions like this – I’ve been drinking ginger switchel in the morning for a long time now – but still, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. I chalk my skepticism up to the fact that any time someone tells you to add a shot of vinegar to your drinking water I guess it’s normal to be a little leery at first.
So anyway, since I’m all about trying anything once I happily obliged. I measured out my vinegar and water, gave it a quick stir, and then it was bottoms up. Or maybe more accurately, I took a little sip with trepidation. The lovely scent hit me first; it was beautifully bright and citrusy. One taste and I was completely hooked; hands-down, it is the most refreshing beverage I’ve had in a long time. Its flavor is fresh and citrusy with subtle flavor notes, and the bubbles from the sparkling water made it perfect. It tastes like the best fancy soda you’ve ever had, only minus the sugar and plus the fact that it’s actually refreshing to drink (soda always leaves me thirsty for water, not feeling refreshed). The wee sample bottle I received was the first to disappear from my pantry, as I couldn’t help make this drink just about daily.
I recently discovered that rosemary is fantastic paired with pistachio. And of course cheese doesn’t hurt either.
Next up was the Aceto Balsamico de Modena Maletti. Here’s what it says about this vinegar on the Vom Fass site: “A true work of art, Aceto Balsamico di Modena – Maletti is patiently aged in oak barrels to create a thick, natural reduction and its signature aroma, rich with notes of molasses and fruit. “Maletti” is a full-bodied vinegar with a rich taste of fig and dried cherry, finishing with hints of oak. This vinegar is the perfect complement to fresh fruit, aged cheeses, and ice cream. Try a few drops on seared tuna or flank steak, or drizzled over grilled asparagus. When combined with any of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils in dressings, don’t be surprised if you only want salad for dinner.”
I can fully attest to that description. This vinegar is unlike any balsamic I’ve ever had; it’s lusciously thick and rich, with various fruity notes. Really, if you’re trying to eat more salads this vinegar is the way to go. (But don’t stop there – I drizzled a little bit of this vinegar on strawberry-vanilla ice cream and it was amazing, and I can think of about 100 different equally delicious uses for it.)
The fruity Waldburg Balsam Pomegranate Vinegar not only made its way to a few salads (most notably a salad with dried cherries, almonds, and chicken that was pan-seared in oil and a touch of this vinegar), but I also used it in a Sweet Honey-Pomegranate Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Now onto the treat I used in today’s recipe: Pistachio Oil. Open this bottle and you’ll think you died and went to heaven; its sweet, nutty aroma is nothing short of captivating, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself thinking of new ways to use it that the rest of the day. I’ve been using this oil a lot lately in different dishes, and I’m finding that it can be the perfect finishing touch for both sweet and savory dishes. It certainly added the perfect special something to this delicious pizza.
Ingredients
- 1 premade (8 to 9-inch) frozen thin pizza crust
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) ricotta cheese
- 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 pinch each salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon Vom Fass Pistachio Oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- A few arugala leaves, torn (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Read the pizza crust directions to see if you need to thaw it first or not (the directions on the package I used said the crust didn’t have to be thawed).
- Spread the ricotta onto the pizza crust, then top with the onion, pistachio, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Bake until the pizza crust is crisp and the onion is starting to brown in spots, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Drizzle on the pistachio oil and top with the parmesan cheese and arugala. Serve immediately.
Of course I couldn’t give such a glowing product review and not share the product with you, so here’s the giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the Classic Variety Sampler Set pictured above, which includes samples of the following products: FassZination Hazelnut Oil; Waldburg Balsam Raspberry Vinegar; Chili Infused Sunflower Oil; Waldburg Balsam Mango Vinegar; Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil; Waldburg Balsam Apple Vinegar; Agora Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Aceto Balsamico ‘Gold’ Vinegar.
You do not need to have a blog to enter this giveaway! To participate, you can do any of the following (please leave a separate comment for each so I can count them as separate entries):
- Leave a comment telling me the most refreshing beverage you’ve ever had (other than pure water!).
- Leave a comment telling me how you’d use pistachio oil.
- Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment here telling me.
- Tweet this giveaway on Twitter and leave a comment here telling me.
This giveaway ends Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 5AM EST. After that the winner will be randomly selected and notified by email. Good luck to all!
Disclaimer: I received samples of the vinegar and oil that I discussed in this post for free from Vom Fass, and they are also providing the prize pack for this giveaway. I was under no obligation to review this product, and as always, opinions stated are my own.
Tags: Giveaway, Pistachio Oil, Product Review, Recipe, Ricotta, Rosemary, Thin Crust Pizza, Vom Fass
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I love Teavana tea (more refreshing iced). The Cascal fermented sodas are good too. I need to try the vinegar/ sparkling water thing with some of the fruit infused white balsamics I have…
My homemade lemonade
Iced Tea with lemon.
For me it’s just iced tea with muddled mint leaves.
With the oil, I’d probably make a vinaigrette using balsamic vinegar and honey.
I shared on FB
I tweeted this out
The most refreshing beverage I’ve ever had is Watermelon juice.
I would use the oil to make fabulous bread and hummus!
I posted this to Facebook
Lemonade made from fresh lemons and ice
My most refreshing drinks are Mexican aguas frescas, especially watermelon! Honeydew is a close second.
I think pistachio oil on bread and salads would be phenomenal.
Posted to Facebook!
The most refreshing beverage in my opinion is a tall glass of ice cold lemonade (extra pucker) on a hot day. Great giveaway :)
I would make some yummy bread and just dip it in this pistachio oil, maybe add a splash of balsamic vinegar. Mmmm.
I tweeted about the giveaway!
I think the most refreshing drink would be lemonade or limeade
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I would use Pistachio Oil to make salad dressing
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I shared on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MsCarolsueA/posts/104448306398948
Tweet
https://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/290399687184379905
My favorite for refreshment is orange juice and diet seven up
Most refreshing? COLD passion fruit juice! SO good, tart and sweet!
The most refreshing drink that I’ve ever had is the lemonade Starbucks refresher
I’d love to use it in risotto – a cheesy risotto, roasted nuts, and a drizzle of this…amazing!
I think pistachio oil would be a good complement to leafy veggies
I shared on FB
I tweeted!
I shared on Facebook and Pinned!
Coconut water is my current favorite….but I am an unsweetened ice tea devotee
I think I would use it in a waffle recipe…then as a dressing for salads…then drizzled over pasta or risotto…
Retweeted under BenjaminTwiggs.
Pistachio oil as a salad dressing.
The most refreshing beverage and the one that makes me smile the most is my mom’s lemonade with marachino cherry juice.
Hmm, pistachio oil, I think I’d find some complementary flavors and use them to bake a beautiful fish dinner.
shared giveaway with my Facebook Friends.
Water with lemon and cayenne pepper!!!!!
I shared it on Facebook.
I would (and do) use pistachio oil in homemade salad dressings.
You are SO right about the aroma when you open the bottle. It’s truly heavenly.
The most refreshing drink I have ever had is sodium free club soda with just a splash of orange juice in it.
Those vinegars & oils all sound amazing! I think I might try the pistachio oil in a warm potato salad.
the most refreshing drink i have ever had is a peach iced tea and after drinking it i literally said that was so refreshing
how i would use pistachio oil is with some vinegar to make a salad dressing, sprinkle some meat while cooking or after for an added flavor
One of the most refreshing drinks to me is San Peligrino or Pierrer. I love mineral water with bubbles. It actually helped me stop drinking soda all together and it’s so refreshing.
If I won the pistachio oil, I would definitely make a salad dressing with it. Yum!
My most refreshing drink was coconut water from freshly picked coconut, on a ziplining trip in Jamiaca.
Tried to tweet it with the button above but got a blank screen on twitter so I tweeted the link @wrapping4change. I hash tagged #pistachio too.
I shared this giveaway on Facebook.
I shared your giveaway on twitter.
My fresh juiced Beet juice. It’s amazing!!