That was until I found the Olive Oil store. Olive oil stores have popped up throughout the U.S., and here in Raleigh, we have the Midtown Olive Press, located in North Hills - a growing trade area with trendy shops, restaurants and condos for those work/live/play types. You walk in this small shop filled with tables set up with silver barrels of a variety of olive oils and balsamics. There are your standard olive oils, oils infused with herbs like basil and garlic, and fruit-infused oils like blood orange. The balsamics run the gamut from a standard 12 year aged dark balsalmic, to jalapeno white balsamic. All oils and vinegars drums have spigots and can be tasted, as sample cups and fresh bread samples are available for tasting. Recipes and suggested balsamic/oil combinations are available to expand your culinary horizons.
My eyes has been opened to this wonderful world, and subsequently, my pantry has now been stocked with several olive oils and balsamics. My personal favorite is strawberry balsamic, which I eat with some goat cheese and fresh bread. I could eat this as a dessert every day.
The new items in my pantry help me experiment with different flavors to change every day dishes. I encourage you to find your local olive oil store and explore. If you don't have one in your town, check the web - my store has a very interactive website with recipes. You'll never buy the 20 lb drum of olive oil at Costco ever again.
Midtown Olive Press
The Lassiter at North Hills
4421-205 Six Forks Road
Raleigh NC 27609
www.midtownolivepress.com
