Did You Know?

“What’s hot about August?… EVERYTHING!… August is a sultry month that commands the main part of the ‘dog days’ of summer, a period of inactivity due to excessive heat. And what’s hot at Carlino’s?…. Well yes, of course, EVERYTHING, but especially some cool cheeses that are really refreshing. And none is more refreshing than cool, fresh mozzarella.

Mozzarella is said to have taken its name from the Italian verb mozzare, meaning ‘to cut.’ This is a reference to the procedure of cutting the curd into portions to achieve a variety of sizes. We spoke somewhat about mozzarella in the last Newsletter but since then we have had a great influx of new cheese club members, especially from our Ardmore store. (Welcome) And since this is the local tomato time of the year, the perfect mozzarella accompaniment, Mozzarella is always worth repeating. Mozzarella is a pure white pasta filata and is available at Carlino’s in both water buffalo and cow’s milk varieties. The Water Buffalo type of Mozzarella is from the Campania region of Italy and is offered in 250g. Balls. It is higher in fat content and a mossy, feral nose.

Carlino’s cow mozzarella is offered in a variety of sizes: the small, salad perfect, ciliegine, the slice able ¼ lb. ovaline and the ever popular 1 lb. Handmade mozzarella balls. Carlino’s also features Marinated Ciliegine, Pesto Ciliegine and Ciliegine Tomato Salad. We can’t even mention the number of Chef’s Kitchen entrees, sides and pizzas that incorporate fresh mozzarella but the Margherita Pizza must be mentioned, and tasted. Also a must-mention is the handmade Mozzarella Prosciutto, Mozzarella Pepperoni and Mozzarella Sopprasatta Roll-ups made in store by our cheese specialists.

Lastly, we must mention Burrata, a spectacular mozzarella filled with ricotta cream. It is grand with fresh tomatoes, basil and Carlino’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil or atop Bruschetta or Carlino’s Homemade Pasta.

Stop in during the Bow-Wow (dog) days of summer and try some refreshing Wow-Wow mozzarella… the perfect way to chill out.”

-Patty Church
Carlinos’s Executive Cheese Specialist

Featured Cheese

Spanish cheeses are, for the most part, regional and not sold on the world market. We are fortunate that there are some exceptions and the Manchego is one of them.

Manchego is Spain’s most famous cheese and is made in the plain of La Mancha. It is beautiful sheep milk cheese, with a firm, ivory to golden paste, dotted with a few tiny eyes. The sides of the finished cheese are impressed with braided esparto grass in a pattern that prompts some to say that it looks like a tire.

As with many Italian cheeses, Spanish Manchego is sold at various stages of maturity (it is aged in natural caves) and its use is dictated by its age. When young it is drizzled with honey and eaten for dessert; when older it can be cubed and fried in Carlino’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil or preserved in the same. Or you can “dream the impossible dream” for your own Manchego offering.

Just Arrived

Carlino’s Own Burger Toppers
Looking for something to bring some excitement to a summer barbeque or picnic? How about our new burger toppers? They are sure to liven up any barbeque, and show people you are at the Top of your game.

Sweet Pickle & Onion Burger Topper
A Real Show Stopper. Everything you need for a mouthwatering burger is in this jar. Carlino’s sandwich dressing melds superbly with crisp sweet pickles & crunchy diced onions, creating the perfect concoction to top your burgers & sandwiches. This sauce is also terrific as a dressing for pasta and potato salad.

Hot Pickled Pepper Burger Topper
This sauce will give your burgers some zing! Three types of hot peppers – banana, chipotle & jalapeno are blended beautifully with mayonnaise and pureed tomatoes to create the perfect topper for burgers and sandwiches. It also makes a zippy dip for finger foods.

Cheese Goes With Olives & Capers

The land throughout the Mediterranean produces not only a variety of world famous cheeses but also an abundance of olives, each unique and delicious. The olive, very similar to the grape, develops its flavor and style from its surroundings… soil, terrain, climate and cultivation all create each olives varietal unique characteristics.

The olive/cheese connection is age old. Carlino’s carries an international variety of olives including Italian Castlevetrano (from the Carlino’s homeland) and Cerignola in the Red, Green and Black types. The Cerignola are the Italian Giants, grown in the Puglia region of Italy and are the largest caliber olives available in the world. Grown in fertile volcanic soil, they are exceptionally mild and buttery. Other Italian offerings include Sicilian pitted Queens and Alfonsos. French Nicoise (the top choice of connoisseurs) and Picholine (never acidic, great with cocktails) and Greek Kalamata are popular parts of this International selection. The Kalamata is the most famous olive from Greece. It is aromatic, full-bodied and firm with a smokey, wine infused snap.

And if its stuffed olives that you are looking for, Carlino’s has olives stuffed with Feta, Provolone, or Blue Cheese. Come in and try these great cheese accompaniments…considered one of nature’s most perfect creations.

Recipe

Farfalle in a Spicy Tomato Sauce with Mozzarella

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:
1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp Carlino’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 lb cherry tomatoes cut in half
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tbsp capers*
5 basil leaves
1 lb/500 g Carlino’s Homemade farfalle pasta
4 oz/125 g Mozzarella cheese, diced

Preparation:
Saute the garlic in the oil. Add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Add the capers and basil and cook for 10 minutes more. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain, and toss with the sauce and Mozzarella. Let the pasta sit for a few minutes before serving.
All of the above Ingredients are available at Carlino’s Specialty Markets.

* Capers…the “jewels of the Mediterranean.” The piquant and salty flavor of capers adds dimension to sauces, pizzas and spreads…especially those containing cheese. Because of their tart and briny taste, capers are also the chosen garnish for many fish dishes.
The caper plant thrives in dry, mountainous areas of the Mediterranean. The flower bud is the caper. The caper berry is the larger, plumper fruit of the plant and is a WOW replacement for the olive in an ice cold martini. Carlino’s carries a large variety of these gems.

Coupon

Manchego is the perfect offering so we are presenting it to our members as our Cheese(s) of the Month. Please stop in our Cheese Department to receive your 20% Discount on Manchego. Alternatively, you may print and present the coupon below.