From Naples, Florida: Savor the Authentic with Old World Market

Carnaroli rice is a short-grain rice used primarily for making risotto. Compared to the more widely available Arborio, it has a smaller grain with a super-high starch content. What that means is that it can absorb huge amounts of liquid without overcooking, creating the ultra-creamy texture. I tried this Carnaroli rice risotto a few years ago for the first time when visiting dear friends from Italy. It is an authentic Italian recipe. If you are a risotto lover you will notice the difference Carnaroli rice brings to it. Creamy Mushroom Risotto with Carnaroli rice (4 servings) Ingredients: 4-5 cups chicken or vegetable broth 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup dried porcini 1/3 cup onion, finely chopped 1 1/2 cup Carnaroli rice 1/3 cup dry white wine 2 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese salt to taste ground black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1. Wash and soak the dried mushrooms in hot water for 20-25 minutes. Dra...

A few months ago we introduced some Olives quick facts .  Now is time to talk about health benefits of olives. Here are some of them. Cardiovascular Benefits The antioxidant nutrients in olives impede oxidation of cholesterol, thereby helping to prevent heart disease. Olives do contain fat, but it's the healthy monounsaturated kind, which has been found to shrink the risk of atherosclerosis and increase good cholesterol. Cancer Prevention Olives are a great source of vitamin E, which has the brilliant ability to neutralize free radicals in body fat. Studies have shown that a diet supplemented with olive oil leads to a lower risk of colon cancer, almost as low a risk as a diet rich in fish oil. Research on whole olives and cancer has often focused on breast cancer  where special attention has been paid to the triterpene phytonutrients in olives. These olive phytonutrients have been shown to help interrupt the life cycle of breast cancer cells.   ...

Sangria is a delicious and simple wine punch well known in Argentina, Uruguay, Spain and Portugal. You can make Sangria with red wine, white wine, and even sparkling wine. It is great indulgent drink on the hot afternoons.  Classic Sangria 1 bottle (750 ml) of red wine (we recommend Bodega Elena de Mendoza Malbec) 1 sliced orange 1 sliced lemon  2 sliced apples 2 sliced peaches 1/3 cup sugar (or sugar substitute) 1 shot brandy 1 bottle club soda ( 16-18 oz)   Preparation: Combine the fruits (leaving out seeds if possible) , sugar and brandy in the pitcher and cover them with wine. Chill for several hours or overnight to develop the flavors. Add club soda before serving. Serve over ice. If you'd like to serve it right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice. But remember that the best Sangria must be chilled at least several hours allowing the flavors to really marinate into each other. In additi...