In a perfect world, we would all be able to walk into a store and taste test everything before we purchased. You can do just that when you visit Navidi’s Oils and Vinegars in Camas. Their store offers you the chance to taste every olive oil and every balsamic vinegar before you buy. Just like wine, balsamics are made from pressed grapes and aged in wood barrels, thus each one can have a different character. Try dipping a bit of bread into a Sicilian lemon olive oil, or a pomegranate balsamic. What would the two taste like mixed together? Maybe go Pacific Northwest style by pairing some dark espresso balsamic with Washington hazelnut oil. They also offer a variety of nut oils from French roasted walnut oil to roasted pumpkin seed oil. The workers are always there to offer suggested pairings or give you recipes on new ways to use their products.
Perhaps you are trying to eat more salads but if you have to have one more salad with the same old dressing again, you’ll scream. Flavored oils and vinegars are a great way to mix it up and create an entirely new experience that might just help you keep eating your veggies.
Do you come home from work and need a quick dinner without much effort? Try pasta with their wild mushroom and sage infused olive oil. That with a lovely green salad couldn’t be quicker.
In short, we all need help adding some variety and inspiration into the daily chore of cooking. The wonderful thing I love about Navidi’s is that you can buy a small bottle of several varieties to add some spice to your cooking, or a large bottle of your very favorite. My personal favorite is the black cherry balsamic (large bottle for me!) and the Sicilian lemon oil. I have smaller bottles of several different varieties in my pantry.
The store also offers loose leaf tea, flavored sea salts, seasonings, and giftware. They do ship gift packages if you are looking for a welcome and customized holiday gift idea. You can choose the flavors to include in your gift package or one of their variety packages.
I recommend a visit to pretty little downtown Camas, visit the many shops, and stop by Navidi’s for your take-home dinner plans. or if you live near Bend, stop by their store there.
Camas: 322 NE Cedar Street, Camas 98607
Bend: 120 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend 97701
www.NavidiOils.com
M-F 11-6
Sat 11-6
Sun 12-5
