Real Food. Excellent Flavor.

We have a love for homemade, delicious food in our house. We cook all day every day with fresh ingredients. It feels natural to us because Ryan and I enjoy the craft of cooking – experimenting with flavors and cuisine.

Giving our children a variety to eat has, thankfully, given them a diverse and open palette. We’re constantly making new things and they’re always eager to eat.

One of our recent dinners was wild caught sockeye salmon that Ryan smoked on his Rectec Grill and marinated in Signature Balsamic and Basil EVOO (from Queen City Oils and Vinegars) among a few spices, black pepper vitality and maple syrup, coupling it with organic white rice. For veggies we had roasted brussel sprouts, zucchini and yellow squash tossed in Parmesan Garlic Rosemary EVVO (my go-to easy button for quick, full flavor) and Himalayan sea salt.

It was AMAZING!

We’ve been using small batched, high quality oils and vinegars from a small, family owned company out of Oklahoma called Queen City Oils and Vinegars (@queencityov on Instagram). We’ve been so happy with the quality and I’ve talked to the owner a few times. She’s so kind!! We use our oils and vinegars at least 2-3 times a week to increase depth in our recipes.

Their packaging is sleek and eco friendly (which you KNOW I love so much about it.) I would feel fantastic sending anyone these oils and vinegars straight from Queen City as a gift because the presentation is so good. They come carefully wrapped if brown crate paper sealed with a black thank you sticker inside a brown box. Simple, yet incredibly well done.

I’ve been using the Parmesan Garlic Rosemary EVOO on so many things! Veggies, brushed on homemade breads, on our air fryer fries, in all kinds of dishes. Legit, amazing. Since I cook at home every day from scratch I love changing up the flavors but also having easy “go-to” easy button flavors. That’s exactly what this is for me!

Both of the Balsamics have made it into pasta dishes, in marinades. The flavor is rich and balanced. Both the signature and raspberry flavors are unlike anything you have bought in a store. Just like the EVOO, you can taste the quality of their small batches in the flavor presented inside each of the bottles.

So, while I don’t know of any specials they are currently running, I’ll tell you these are a must have in your kitchen. They offer a Sampler Set that allows you to try their top sellers – two EVOOs and two Balsamic Vinegars. I highly recommend it.

I’d love to hear what new small businesses YOU have discovered in the last couple months! I love finding new small businesses to support.

Also – tell me your favorite meal time “easy button” ingredients!