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February 2005 Market Report [click for PDF]
Department Features - Recipes - Monthly Prizes

For past issues of the Market Report, visit our Market Report Archive!

Eat Italian, Get Happy

Mention Italian food and the first thing you think of is pasta. It’s only natural. Who of us didn’t love eating Italian growing up because it meant a big helping of “bascetti” when we were kids? Yes, to be sure, pasta is ubiquitous in Italy, and we carry some excellent ones for you to enjoy. Few foods match the simplicity and comfort of a steaming plate of pasta combined with a well-made tomato sauce or a generous drizzle of flavorful extra-virgin olive oil and some fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. I think of the lip-smacking lasagna with glistening green noodles I had in a bustling, but decidedly non-fancy restaurant in Bologna, the birthplace of lasagna. Also, there was that bowl of tagliatelle with slowly marinated duck in Arezzo, Tuscany. Mmmm.

Having said that, however, when you visit Italy, you quickly find that pasta is usually a side dish. There is much more to la cucina Italiana. Why may you too want to move your horizons beyond that plate of penne? One reason is that there is so much more to experience. Further, if you happen to be a carbophobe and are consequently cutting out “Italian”, you can eat well and still eat Italian outside of spaghetti. Italians I know have, what seems to me, a very diverse and healthy diet. Depending on the region and time of year, Italian cuisine means abundant fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and other seafood, legumes, rice, polenta (corn), and well-prepared meats: from beef, pork, and chicken to wild boar, lamb, and rabbit. And it’s all accented with innumerable cheeses, cured meats (think Prosciutto and salami), olive oils, vinegars, and wines. Even the sea salt from Italy is special. I’m getting hungry. If your mouth is watering too, come in and pick up some of the Italian specialties we have highlighted this month. We are sure that all this good food will bring you molto piacere!     

 

Winter 2005 Harvest of
Vera Jane’s Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

If you love good oil, then you must try our own Vera Jane’s from Tuscany, and please do so soon! Why? Because we have just received our first shipment of this winter’s harvest. Right now our best selling Vera Jane’s is at its freshest of the year...in all its cloudy, fruity, peppery Tuscan glory. Short of drinking it straight out of the bottle, add this flavorful, healthy oil to all sorts of your winter dishes. Enjoy it drizzled over meats, steamed greens, or squash. Toss it with pasta, drizzle it in soups, and put out a bowl of it at the dinner table with a little sea salt and fresh ground pepper for bread dipping. Pick up a few bottles soon at this special price! 500 ml bottle $10.99 save $1.00 Limit 3 bottles please!     


Department Features

Every month, we feature select items in our stores and provide you with detailed descriptions. Many are new items and/or on sale!

 

 

DELI

 

Unibon Prosciutto di Parma

Few foods are as original, simple, and as flavorful on their own as genuine Prosciutto di Parma (ham from Parma). The region of Parma, in the mid-northern part of Italy, has been producing great ham for a long time, centuries in fact. While we can’t go into the history of the product here, you would have to agree that a food, or any other product for that matter, produced in the same place for that long must have a rich tradition, and must be very special. Taste a slice of Prosciutto di Parma, and as your eyes roll back in your head from the sheer pleasure of taste, you realize that it is indeed an extraordinary food.

What makes it so? A group of us collected a few clues on a trip through the plant of our Prosciutto supplier, Unibon. First we learned that carefully selected breeds of pigs are raised to make the ham. Years ago, producers of the ham discovered that an excellent feed for the pigs was the by-product of another famous food produced nearby: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The pigs love the protein-rich whey, and serendipitously this by-product (whey) contributes to the flavor of the ham. The diet is also supplemented with cereals that help to naturally fatten up the animal.

Once the leg of pork arrives at the Unibon plant, it begins its journey through various stages of salting and aging under strict humidity and temperature control. You see on the tour that transforming a leg of pork into Prosciutto di Parma is a carefully mapped journey. We learned how all impurities are drawn out of the meat during the 400-day salting and curing process. The only ingredient ever added to the ham is sea salt—period. Nitrates? Nitrites? Zip! Nothing of the sort ever touches real Prosciutto di Parma. In the world of meat products, this ham is as clean and pure as it gets. At the end of the curing process, the consortium (cooperative) inspects each ham, and if the ham passes inspection, they stamp it with the distinctive ducal crown that officially and proudly identifies the ham as Prosciutto di Parma.

As for Unibon, it is the largest producer of genuine Prosciutto di Parma, and yet it is difficult to get it here in the U.S. No matter to us…we fell in love with it in Italy, and found a way to bring it here. We have carried real Prosciutto di Parma for several years, but we think Unibon is the best. Ask us for a sample, and pick some up soon. Try it alone, on sandwiches, in stuffing, on pizza, and other ways. To best enjoy it as is, ask us to slice it paper-thin for you. Allow it to come to room temperature just before you eat it, when the fat starts to glisten. Savor the aroma as you would with a fine wine. Then slowly chew it and let the flavors roll around your palette. Come to our Deli, ask for Unibon Prosciutto di Parma, and have a taste of la vita bella! $19.99 lb save $2.00 lb     

 

Molinari Salami

I don’t eat salami, neither would I recommend it to you. Let me be more specific. I don’t like mass-produced supermarket salami. But traditional salami from Italy? Now you’re talking. I would eat them all the time, but I don’t live in Italy. You see, to have real Italian salami, you have to go to Italy, since it is illegal to import it here. Last night I was in Middletown at my friend Chip’s house, and as he cooked up some fantastic cannelloni, his wife, my sister and brother-in-law, and I sipped a little Montepulciano and munched on chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano, DLM Paesano Bread, and thin slices of . . . guess what? . . . salami! Before you think I’m contradicting myself, let me explain.

The salami, or better said, “salame”* in question was Molinari Sopressata. And why was I eating it? Molinari is one of a handful of U.S. producers of traditional Italian-style salami. What is different about Molinari, compared to the greasy supermarket stuff? Molinari is a small family operation that uses traditional methods. The key step in the manufacture is slow natural dry curing. After blending the meats and spices, and stuffing them into casings, the salami are hung by strings and allowed to naturally cure for about 4 weeks. During this time, a white mold forms on the outside, and the meat, spices, and natural mold go to work developing the complex flavors inside. This aging process is akin to how wine develops in the barrel. You can quickly tell a traditionally-made salame by its shape. It will be cylindrical, yet a little fatter at one end, the result of the effect of gravity during the curing process.

How do Molinari salami taste? Compared to the one-dimensional salami of a typical supermarket, Molinari salami have a complexity of salty, sweet, and musty aromas and flavors.It simply has more chararcter. Give Molinari a try and you will see what I mean. Simply take a sharp knife, score around the salame, peel off the casing and mold, and slice thin. It goes well with fruit, cheese, crusty bread—and friends. We are pleased to bring you several varieties, such as Sopressata, Salametti, Finocchiona, Italian Dry Small Salame, and Toscano Style Dry Salame. Try them all for a real Italian flavor experience. 10% off all Molinari Salami     

 

 

BEER & WINE

 

 

February Wines

Antinori 2003 Campogrande Orvieto
From the southwestern part of Umbria, this wine is as vivid as it is dry, and is the ultimate delicate fish dish wine! $12.99

Le Corti 2002 Chianti Classico
A great nose! This wine exudes Tuscan earth and sun! A bold, rich blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo with tons of deep cherry and raspberry fruit, with hints of violet and soft approachable tannins in the finish. Try paired with du Breton herb-crusted pork medallions for a real treat. $18.99

Altare 2003 Barbera d’Alba
Elio Altare is universally acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest winemakers and his tiny vineyard in the La Morra region of Piedmont is a blessed, sheltered horseshoe-shaped perch with southeastern exposure. His Barbera d’ Alba is immensely rich and well-developed, with layers of ripe fruit, herb, and oak, due to aging in small French oak barrels. $19.99

 

Riedel Sale

Professor Claus Josef Riedel was the first designer to recognize that the bouquet, taste, balance, and finish of wines are affected by the glass shape. He began his pioneering work almost forty years ago to create stemware which matched and complemented different wines and spirits.

You don’t have to be a wine writer, a winemaker, or an expert to taste the difference Riedel can make. We invite you to share this fascinating and unique experience. $29.99 Chianti Vinum two pack, save $10.00     

 

 

BAKERY

 

Paesano Bread

One of the fun things about our way of eating Italian is bread dipping. Somewhat surprisingly, Italians I know don’t do it as much; most do not have access to great bread, with a few notable exceptions. Our hand-made Paesano Bread is one I think you will love. The Italian word “paese” translates as “country.” “Paesano” therefore roughly translates as “hometown friend”, “buddy”, or even “good ol’ boy”, if you will. This style of bread originates from Puglia (the heel of the “boot”). This part of Italy, as my Pugliese friend Armando often reminds me, is a place of unspoiled, unpretentious, yet great food tradition. Our Paesano Bread is another hand-crafted bread that our Artisan Bakers produce using traditional methods. From start to finish, it takes two days to produce a batch of this great bread. It is unique. First, its shape is round and puffy-looking; it looks like a big mushroom cap. It also has a totally different texture and flavor from many of our other Artisan breads. Its crust is thin, yet still chewy, similar to a well-made hand-tossed thin pizza crust. And the fragrant interior has lots of holes and a savory, slightly musty flavor. So how do you enjoy Paesano? Sandwiches? Nope. Sliced and toasted? Not that either. What Paesano is best for is dipping. In fact, it’s the ultimate dipping bread. It’s made for setting in front of a convivial group at the dinner table, ready for tearing off in chunks and dipping in olive oil, tomato sauce, meat drippings, etc. It goes equally well with a hearty roast or a simple meal of hot pasta and sauce. Pick up a loaf for tonight and tear it up with a few hungry friends. $2.99/loaf save $1.00     

 

 

SPECIALTY CHEESE

 

The Softer Side of Italy

Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino-Romano, the grated cheese you sprinkle on spaghetti…these are all Italian cheeses, but did you know that Italy also produces some of the best soft cheeses? Soft, spreadable, buttery, and fruity all describe some of the wonderful soft cheeses that come out of Italy. I want to introduce you to three of my favorites, all for different reasons.

Taleggio. Need I say more? Well, I will. Taleggio is the softest, creamiest member of the famous Italian Stracchino cheeses. Taleggio was first made in the valley of the same name, located in the historic province of Bergamo. Its rough, rosy crust (inedible), pale yellow interior, and rich and buttery, fruity, slightly salty flavor are what give Taleggio its individuality. Taleggio’s soft, incredibly flavorful interior is creamy in texture and has a pungent aroma. The cheese imparts the essence of the Italian countryside in such a way that you could swear you were sitting among the cows on a grassy hillside in Lombardy. $10.99 lb save $1.50 lb

Asiago Fresco. A fresh, sweet, cow’s milk cheese from Asiago. It originated in the village of Asiago in northern Veneto, where it has been made for centuries. Although it was originally made with sheep’s milk, it is now made with cow’s milk. Fresco means “fresh” or “young”, which means this Asiago has been aged for only a few weeks (as opposed to aged Asiago’s six to seven months). This sweet and tangy semisoft cow’s milk cheese has a slightly salty aftertaste. It is firm in texture, easy to cut, and pairs wonderfully with salami and crusty bread. Try it sliced or cubed into salads, and sliced or melted onto sandwiches. $8.99 lb save $1.00 lb

Gogonzola Dolce. From Italy’s Lombardy region comes the most imitated blue cheese in the world. Many cheeses falsely claim to be Gorgonzola, but they always leave you singing the blues. Authentic Italian Gorgonzola comes in two varieties: Dolce, meaning sweet, and Mountain - the sharper and firmer version. Dating back to ancient times, this member of the Stracchino family is one of the world’s classic cheeses. Almost spreadable, Gorgonzola dolce is the younger, milder, creamier version that cheese aficionados love to scorn. Gorgonzola dolce is supple and luxurious, with an unmistakable tangy creaminess. Its pale white interior is laced with streaks of blue, giving Gorgonzola dolce a striking appearance to match its piquant flavor. Like White Zinfandel, Gorgonzola dolce is approachable, not particularly complex, and easy to like. Some would call it a starter cheese, an entry point for novices who, the theory goes, will eventually progress to serious Gorgonzola. Enjoy Gorgonzola dolce as a table cheese, spread thickly on a piece of crusty baguette, or as an ingredient in your favorite salad dressing. $9.99 lb save $2.50 lb

So, as you can see, there is definitely a softer (not to mention delicious) side to Italian Cheeses. So try some today!     -Randy

 

 

HEALTHY LIVING

 

Aromatherapy for Health and Wellness

The Healthy Living Department at our Washington Square store, where I perform my duties, is located directly in front of our Chef’s Express kitchen. Now that, in and of itself, is no big deal…until they start frying our DLM bacon! That wonderful smell penetrates my department, and my nose, totally distracting me from my work. My mind wanders back to Christmas mornings when I was young. After Mom fried up loads of bacon for the family, our house carried that wonderful smell all day long. And then there’s Boston Stoker in front of my department. Omigosh! I think the scent of freshly ground coffee beans actually lifts my mood, giving me a sense of warmth and comfort.

We all encounter scents and odors every day that provoke a reaction. They may stimulate emotions, memories, and even physical sensations. For me, for example, the smell of diesel fuel takes me back to weekend ski trips in junior high when we traveled by bus to the mountains in upstate New York. The skiing was great, but I’m one of those queasy road travelers and, even years later, the smell of diesel still stimulates that queasiness. Our noses can tell us what our eyes may not, from the mouth-watering fragrance of chocolate chip cookies baking, to the alerting odor of a fire brewing.

Our sense of smell is, in fact, more refined than our vision and hearing, although as humans we rely on it much less than animals do. But humans are capable of differentiating thousands of smells, and remembering them. The olfactory nerve ends directly in the higher centers of the brain, which, according to research, connects our instincts with our conceptual thinking, memory, and emotions. This may explain the fact that smells can influence us physically and emotionally.

And herein lies the foundation of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the use of the essential oil of plants for therapeutic purposes. Each essential oil has its own characteristic aroma and profile of therapeutic properties. These oils are primarily contained in the flowers and leaves of the plant, but may also be found in the fruit, bark, seeds, or roots. The essential oils are formed with the help of solar energy acting on the plant’s secretory cells. The plant keeps the oil in tiny glandular pockets which burst open, for example, when a leaf is rubbed. Oils can be extracted from plants in several ways, but steam distillation is the most common.

Like most complementary therapies, aromatherapy works on the whole body to improve general health and well-being. Some oils are soothing and relaxing, others stimulating and invigorating. Essential oils can be used to lift depression, reduce anxiety, or enhance mental clarity. They can possess anti-inflammatory or antibacterial properties. They can promote digestion, relieve headache or pain, and reduce symptoms of common infections such as colds or flus. Some oils can also be used topically for skin conditions, but should be diluted with a “carrier” oil (like jojoba), as their high concentration may cause irritation. Essential oils, as a rule, are not recommended for internal use.

To learn the correct use of essential oils in health and healing, please join us as we welcome Patti McCormick, RN, Ph.D., to our Springboro location on Tuesday, February 8th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Dr. McCormick is the founder and past president of the Ohio Academy of Holistic Health and has been involved in holistic education since 1978. She has served as a specialist in the field of integrating holistic care into various industries such as educational, corporate, and medical. Dr. McCormick also serves as a consultant to a variety of companies and medical facilities on the implementation of protocols for the safe and appropriate use of aromatherapy within specialty settings.

The cost is $10.00 and each participant will receive a gift bag which includes a coupon to the Healthy Living Department. Registration is required as seating is limited.     

Register Online!

For more information, contact:
Joy Kemp (937) 748-6800 (Springboro)
Lori Kelch (937) 434-1294 (Washington Square)

 

 

SCHOOL OF COOKING

 

 

February Class List

Eating Well — Naturally!
Learn nutrition basics through whole-food cooking.

It’s a Guy Thing! — For Men Only
Find yourself all alone in the kitchen? Just you, the cat, and the frozen dinner? Then this is the class for you!

Dim Sum & Chinese Appetizers
Discover how easy it is to make dim sum and other popular Chinese appetizers.

All About: Simple Pan Sauces
Simple pan sauces are easy to make by deglazing the pan with wines and vinegars.

Provençal Party Fare
Affordable French wine and party appetizers.

February Couples
Cook together as a couple while preparing an elegant 5-course dinner party menu.

Soup Party!
Stir up some fun at a casual party perfect for cold winter entertaining!

Bread Basics: Breakfast Breads —
Coffee Cake & Rolls
Bring your apron, roll-up your sleeves, and dig right into our flour canister!

A Day in the Kitchen
An exceptional opportunity to work side-by-side with chefs from Eclipse and the Blue Moon.

All About: Pasta
How to properly cook pasta and pair shapes and sauces for best results.

Seafood Basics
Basic skills for selecting and preparing various fish and shellfish.

All About: Vegetables
Basic preparation of fresh vegetables and best cooking techniques for optimal results.

Check out the School of Cooking page to register, or for a complete list of all Winter/Spring Classes!


Club DLM card is required for all sale prices. Prices herein are valid through February 28, 2005. In the event of a typographical error, in-store prices will prevail. All sale items are limit five with Club DLM card.


 

Recipes

For a printable version of the recipes listed below, click here.

 

 

Tom Valenti’s Lamb Shanks
From his book, Welcome to my Kitchen

  • 6 lamb shanks
  • 8 whole black peppercorns
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 anchovy fillets
  • ¼ cup plus 3 Tbsp Vera Jane’s Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 whole head garlic, cut in half crosswise
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 3 cups mirepoix (about 1 lb) available in Produce (celery, carrots, and onions combined)
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Preheat oven to 325ºF. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb shanks and brown well on all sides, using tongs to turn them. Remove shanks to a roasting pan. Add remaining 3 tablespoons of oil to the pot. Add mirepoix; cook until very soft, 8-10 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add the thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, anchovies, and garlic; cook 3 minutes.

Add the wines, vinegar, and sugar; raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium, add the broths, and continue cooking for about 15 minutes. Pour this braising liquid over the lamb shanks. Cover with foil and cook in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Remove foil and cook 2 ½ to 3 hours more, turning shanks over every half-hour until the meat is very tender.

Remove the shanks from the braising liquid and strain the liquid. Skim any fat that rises to the surface, then use liquid as a sauce. (For a thicker sauce, cook skimmed sauce over medium heat until reduced to desired consistency). Serve lamb shanks in shallow bowls atop White Bean Puree (recipe follows) or mashed potatoes, passing sauce separately. Makes 6 servings

Per serving: 846 calories (53% calories from fat); 49g total fat; 15g saturated fat; 244mg cholesterol; 940mg sodium; 11g carbohydrates; 68g protein

White Bean Puree

  • (2) 12-oz jars pea beans (or 2 15-oz cans navy beans)
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, chopped
  • Vera Jane’s Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • Chicken Broth

Drain beans and mash them. Season with salt, pepper, and basil. Drizzle with olive oil. Heat gently, thin with chicken broth to desired consistency. Makes 6 servings

Why not start the meal with Classic Bruschetta?
(pronounced broo-SKEH-tah)

The Italian method is quite simple. Start with a loaf of our Classic Italian bread. Cut it at home into thick slices (at least ¾-inch). Grill the bread in a grill pan or an outdoor grill on both sides until the lines of the grill are visibly dark. Rub the cut side of a garlic clove several times over the grilled bread and drizzle with good quality olive oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Buon Appetito!

 

DLM School of Cooking Favorite!
Eggplant Rollatini
This do-ahead recipe from Chef David Glynn is a decided favorite! An outstanding teacher and chef, be sure to check out his upcoming A Day in the Kitchen class on our April schedule.

  • Olive oil for sautéing
  • 2 Tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1½ pounds eggplant, peeled and sliced lengthwise into (12) ¼-inch slices
  • 2 Tbsp dry sherry
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups flour seasoned with salt and pepper
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
  • 12 thin slices of Provolone cheese
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 lb fettuccini, cooked and drained
  • 1½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (recipe follows)
  • 1 Tbsp chives, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Heat oil in large sauté pan. Dip eggplant slices in seasoned flour and then into the egg mixture. Immediately place into skillet and brown on both sides until golden. Remove from skillet and place on baking sheets lined with paper towels until cool enough to handle.

Combine ricotta, onion and garlic powders, chives, parsley, sherry, and all but 1 tablespoon of Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Place a slice of provolone on top of the eggplant. Place a generous tablespoon of the ricotta mixture at the widest short end of the eggplant. Roll the eggplant up like a cigar. Repeat with remaining slices.

Place eggplant over fettuccini in a 9 x 13 inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Top with marinara sauce and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Garnish with remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly – cheeses should be well-melted and golden brown. Makes 6 servings

 

 

DLM School of Cooking Favorite!
Marinara Sauce

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 to 4 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 12 oz tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 1½ Tbsp finely chopped garlic
  • 28 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat olive oil in a large heavy pan. Sauté onion, green pepper, and garlic until soft. Add herbs and 2 tablespoons sugar. Add tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes, stirring. Add wine and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring. Add remaining tomato products and water. Season to taste with salt, freshly ground pepper, and remaining sugar. Cook slowly for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Reserve 2 cups sauce for recipe. Freeze remaining sauce for later use. Makes 8 cups.

Timesaving Tip: Baking the eggplant slices is more convenient than sautéing and the slices will absorb less oil. Follow these simple directions.

Preheat oven to 375° F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Peel eggplant and slice lengthwise into (12) ¼-inch slices. Arrange slices in a single layer on prepared baking sheets and lightly rub with olive oil (about 3 Tbsp per 1½ lbs of eggplant). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.

 

 
Monthly Prizes

Throughout the month of February, each time you use your Club DLM card you will be given a chance to win...

  • $60 Gift Certificate to Lincoln Park Grille
  • St. Patrick’s Day Basket (value $50.00)
  • Half Heavenly Ham® (value $45.00)

One set of prizes will be awarded at each store location unless otherwise specified. No purchase necessary to enter.

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