Raksha Bandhan Celebrations

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated to commemorate the everlasting bond between brothers and sisters. While sibling relationships are to be treasured daily all year round, having a special reason to celebrate them is wonderful.

The tying of rakhi bands and presenting of gifts are the highlights of this festival with plenty of attention on the gift.

For this special occasion, Olive Tree Trading has indulgent yet healthy treats for gifting. Take a stroll through our gourmet online store to select products of your choice and create an exclusive gift hamper with your selection. You could also use some of our products to transform a traditional recipe into something spectacular for your brother or sister this Raksha Bandhan and surprise your sibling with your ingenuity!

Festivals are all about embracing traditions but they are also about adding a unique, personal touch to create new and unforgettable memories. Twist a traditional recipe using our gourmet products / ingredients sourced from all over the world. Give your Rakhi special recipes a signature touch making them into wonderful new dishes.

Gift your loved ones health this festive season.

Happy Raksha Bandhan!

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Blackforest Cake

Blackforest cake topped with Olea Europaea Blackcherry jam & Amarena Cherries

A Black Forest Cake is nothing without a splash of Kirsch and good cherries. Erase all images and tastes of the excessively cream-laden chocolate cakes masquerading as Black Forest Cakes in the market. Make yourself an indulgent treat using the whole Amarena cherries and Olea Europaea Black Cherry Jam in combination with good quality chocolate and cream and watch as your creation becomes the star of every potluck party!

 Ingredients for the cake:

• ·         150 grams flour
• ·         50 grams unsweetened cocoa
• ·         200 grams soft brown muscovado sugar or brown sugar
• ·         150 grams butter, softened
• ·         4 eggs
• ·         ¼ cup natural yogurt
• ·         1 teaspoon baking powder
• ·         ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ·         ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
•      Ingredients for the filling and decoration:
• ·         1 can of Amarenacherries
• ·         4-5 tablespoons OleaEuropaea Black Cherry Jam
• ·         2 tablespoons Kirsch (optional; replace with cherry syrup from the can)
• ·         300 mililiters whipping cream
• ·         100 grams dark chocolate, chopped (or use dark chocolate callets)
• ·         50 mililiters heavy cream (for ganache)
• ·         50 grams icing sugar        
•   ·      Fresh whole cherries for garnish (or use Amarena cherries)

Method:

 Preheat the oven to 160 degrees centigrade. Grease and line a 7 or 8-inch round baking tin (with tall sides). To make the cake, sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl. In a food processor or blender or in your stand mixer, place the eggs, butter, and sugar, and beat well until light and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and beat again until combined.

Whisk the yogurt in a separate bowl, adding a little milk, if required, to make it smooth.  Pour the egg mixture and the yogurt alternately in the flour mix and fold gently to mix. Pour the batter into the tin and bake in the center of the oven for 35- 45 minutes or until well risen and a skewer inserted in its center comes out clean. When done, allow the cake to cool completely. When cool, slice the cake horizontally into three.

Mix the Kirsch with 2-3 tablespoons of the syrup from the Amarena Cherries jar. Use this liquid to brush the tops of each of the three cake portions.

In a small mixing bowl, add the jam and half the cherries. Make a chocolate ganache by mixing the chopped chocolate with the heavy cream and microwaving for a minute in two installments. Stir well to ensure there are no lumps. Allow to cool at room temperature. Whisk the whipping cream and icing sugar together until sift peaks form.

 On two of the cake portions, first spread a liberal amount of the whipped cream and top with the jam mixture. Place one cake portion on another.  Place the last cake portion on top and pour the chocolate ganache over, allowing it to drip a bit on the sides.

 Top with cherries and chocolate curls to decorate. Serve cold. 

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Art Of Antipasti

There isn't a better way to start a meal than with an abundant antipasti platter, artfully arranged with hand stuffed  olives, capers with stalk, roasted red peppers, sliced artichokes and mushrooms, fresh mozzarella..... Antipasto (plural antipasti) means "before the meal" is the traditional first course of an Italian meal. It stretches back to medieval times in Italy, when diners used to mingle over finger foods, before sitting down to eat. The aim is to excite rather than fill, along with an aperitif! Over the years, home cooks and chefs have gotten craftier with their antipasti, incorporating more color and a range of flavors and textures. The antipasto course can be the host's culinary valentine, a sumptuous invitation to the feast that is to follow
                                  

Olea Europaea's antipasti toppings

At our gourmet online store olivetreetrading.com, we offer a wide range of antipasti and toppings - Artichokes Hearts, Capers with Stalk, a range of stuffed Black and Green Olives, Sundried Tomatoes.... Top these on our crostini and enjoy it with our home-made style Black Olive Pate, Rustic bruschetta or our Italian Pasta sauces. An antipasti platter wouldn’t be complete without some good cheese and some fresh vegetables.

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Looking at going gluten free...??

For some, its a choice.  For others,  a necessity. But regardless of the reasons, gluten-free has become a huge food trend in the last few years. Whether it's due to a celiac disorder or to adapt to a gluten free lifestyle, more and more people are adopting a gluten-free diet. If you haven’t removed 100% of the gluten in your diet, you won’t realize the full benefits and, especially in the case of autoimmune disease, you may continue to experience symptoms from very trace amounts of gluten.

When you first decide to go gluten free, you’ll probably immediately realize that you need to eliminate wheat based foods like bread and pasta, but did you know that gluten is also found in soy sauce, licorice and artificial crab? Also,  "Wheat-Free" does not necessarily equal "gluten-free".

Switching to a gluten-free diet is a big change, and like anything new, it takes some time getting used to. But you may be pleasantly surprised to realize how many gluten-free products are now available making the transition to a gluten free diet more attainable. Many specialty grocery stores sell gluten-free foods. You can also find gluten free products on our gourmet online store.

Many people come to a gluten-free diet because of a particular health issue. Instead of simply replacing gluten containing processed foods with gluten-free processed foods, put the emphasis on whole foods that are naturally gluten-free like meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds.

These foods help reduce inflammation and in conjunction with the elimination of gluten can have a huge impact on how you feel overall. 

However, personal care products, cosmetics, vitamins, supplements which might not seem as obvious to people who aren’t used to dealing with food restrictions, but is a common source of accidental gluten. Even though you aren’t eating them, personal care products and cosmetics can still enter the body. Be particularly careful with eye and lip products, as they sometimes contain vitamin E that is derived from wheat germ.

Those on a gluten-free diet must forgo all products containing wheat, barley, rye, and the various ingredients that contain derivatives of these grains. Those who are gluten-free, embrace a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, beans, and legumes. Nuts and most dairy products are naturally gluten-free, and safe for individuals who do not have allergies to these respective food groups.

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Olive Oil - Better than Butter! (Introduce the goodness of olive oil in your daily diet)

Until a few years ago, Indians used Olive Oil either to apply it generously on hair for lustre or  to massage new born babies with it. But today, olive oil has its fair share of consumers and is growing to become an essential ingredient in a variety of recipes. Whether raw or heated, olive oil is one of the healthiest foods that we can consume because it has no cholesterol and thus actively promotes good health. When consumed in moderate quantities along with a healthy lifestyle,  it has shown to lower cholesterol levels.

Olive Oil should be a vital ingredient of every kitchen, but buying olive oil is a  tricky business as there is a huge difference between an inferior product and a good one.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, derived from the first press of olives is an all purpose ingredient that has a greenish tinge. Olive Oil which has an acidity level of less than one percent is classified as extra virgin. Most foods that are consumed uncooked or fresh such as salads can do with a dash of extra virgin olive oil.

Pure Olive Oil - golden in color, is derived from the second pressing and is also of a high quality. It can be used from sautéing meat to marinating it before braising, from brushing roasts or fish before grilling to deep-frying and baking. Sautéing food in olive oil imbues the ingredients with the oil's aroma and flavor.

                                                          

There are variants of Olive Oil that are best suited for different dishes.  Extra virgin Olive Oil is great not only when drizzled over fresh salads or toasted bread, but also when it adds the final touch to already-sauced pastas or creamy soup. Pure Olive Oil goes best in cooking  pasta, rice and roasts.

All Olive Oils are best kept away from heat and light. Once the bottle is opened the oxidization starts and hence Olive oil should be consumed as quickly as possible. To preserve the freshness of your extra virgin olive oil at home, store it in a cool, dark place. Tinted glass and porcelain are the best materials for containers, olive oil should never be stored in plastic or in reactive metals.

Adopt the oil into your diet - gorge generously on the fruit as well - and let the goodness of olives seep in, to give your food a distinct flavor.

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Tofu - A Healthy Ingredient in Your Diet

In an age where healthy cooking is gathering more significance with each passing day, one ingredient that's really standing out due to its high protein and nutritious nature is tofu. For those who are still in the dark about it, its the healthier alternative  to the wholesome  paneer, of course minus all the fat. That's essentially because  tofu, unlike paneer, has no cholesterol content and is dairy-free  since its made out of soya.

Tofu is not just a health food. It is tasty, light and an extremely versatile  ingredient with many health benefits.  Tofu, or bean curd, is made by curdling fresh soya milk, pressing it into a solid block and then cooling it – in much the same way that traditional dairy cheese is made by curdling and solidifying milk. The liquid (whey) is discarded, and the curds are pressed to form a cohesive bond. A staple ingredient in Thai and Chinese cookery, it can be cooked in different ways to change its texture from smooth and soft to crisp and crunchy. Tofu is natural, preservative free and 100 percent vegetarian with a long shelf life.  It is a good source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals -  manganese, selenium and phosphorous. In addition, tofu is a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1. Tofu is an excellent food from a nutritional and health perspective. It is thought to provide the same sort of protection against cancer and heart disease as soya beans.

Mori-nu Silken Tofu

Cholesterol  free and low fat, Mori-nu Tofu fits your lifestyle. Choose a variety and use in your favorite recipe. Whether you want eggless salad, non-dairy fruit smoothies and cream pies or traditional stir-fry, Mori-Nu has the perfect tofu. Taste a world beyond stir-fry with Mori-Nu. The tofu is sold in airtight tetrapaks - ensuring that the fresh taste is retained; the product requires no refrigeration till it is opened.

Given its neutral taste and range of consistency, tofu has an amazing ability to work with almost all types of flavors and foods. Extra firm tofu is  best for baking, grilling and stir-fries, while soft tofu is suitable for sauces, desserts, shakes and salad dressings. Of course, it is up to you to experiment! Try slicing, marinating and grilling it or chopping it up into smallish pieces and frying it with garlic until golden

 Visit www.olivetreetrading.com to choose your range of lite firm, firm, nigari organic  and extra firm tofu. Its time to get into the habit of healthy eating.

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Benefits Of Honey

Olea Europaea's Honey

Kendall Powell wrote in the journal Nature that "natural honey kills bacteria three times more effectively  than an artificial honey solution of the same thickness and sugar concentration".

Honey has had a long history in human consumption, and is used in various foods and beverages as a sweetener and in  flavoring. Flavors of honey vary,  based on the nectar source, and various types and grades of honey are available. Honey contains a treasure chest of hidden health benefits, nutritional and medicinal value for centuries. The sweet golden liquid from the beehive is a popular kitchen staple loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties. Because of its unique composition and chemical properties, honey is suitable for long-term storage, and is easily assimilated even after long preservation.  

Honey is considered as a most digestible carbohydrate compound and its health benefits go beyond its great taste. But what makes honey so popular? Most probably it is because of the ease with which it is consumed – whether it is direct consumption or mixing honey with bread or adding it to lukewarm water, it is deliciously savored. Honey is  used in various medicinal traditions to treat ailments. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, often enhancing its use as a natural antiseptic in traditional medicines.  Benefits of honey include its usage since a long time in the  treatment of  various ailments including gastric disturbances, ulcers, skin wounds, and skin burns and is considered as an instant source of energy especially in kids. Daily consumption of one spoon of pure honey in lukewarm water will help you reap its benefits better.Phenolic content correlates with the color of honey, where dark colored honey has greater antioxidant capacities. Polyphenols in honey fight oxidative stress and counter memory deficits, which helps in boosting memory. Honey is also considered a rich source of vitamins and minerals; depending upon the kind of flower it is extracted from. It  contains calcium, iron and vitamin C. Honey can be the all-natural cure when it comes to pesky colds. A persistent cough that won’t go away can easily be remedied with two teaspoons of honey. Despite tasting sweet, honey is NOT the same as white sugar. Its exact combination of glucose and fructose helps the body in regulating the blood sugar level to a great extent. Honey is also applied directly to the skin for the glowing effect. It is also considered as  a natural remedy to obesity by lowering cholesterol levels in the body.Reap the benefits of honey with a medley of Olea Europaea`s range of pure, raw, natural, unpasteurised Chestnut, Acacia Eucalyptus, Orange and Wildflower honey, all produced in Italy. Their delectable, authentic fragrances are reassurance that good health comes with great flavor too.Chestnut honey - It  has fantastic restoring, tonic and antiseptic properties.

Acacia honey - Known to revive appetite and have a detoxifying and calming effect.

Eucalyptus honey - It is enriched with antiseptic, anticatarrhal and expectorant properties. It alleviates and soothes pain in joints and muscles. Orange honey - It is a rich source of trace minerals and works as an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, sedative and calming effects.

Wildflower honey -  It can be useful to relieve seasonal allergies and helps build up immune system

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