Friends with Benefits: Meet EV Originals
I love that feeling when a friend accomplishes something wonderful.
Maybe because I'm a only child and thus friends often feel like family, or maybe it's just because we all need a little more raising up these days.
So when I heard that a friend from the Nashville, TN area who co-founded and operates a catering business decided to share her culinary talents with the masses and create a line of bottled products, EV Originals, I did a big ol' happy dance.
A native of Memphis, TN and part of a large Greek family and community, Eleni Vavouris draws on her family's heritage, Southern sensibilities, and business acumen to make good food. I've enjoyed Eleni's dishes and recipes at informal friend gatherings and more formal events like weddings. It's always fresh, flavorful and distinctive.
In 2016 Eleni rolled out a line of bottled sauces, salsas and marinades. Last year I begged a friend from Nashville to buy a few bottles for me. I'm not too embarrassed to say that the one bottle of Original Famous Salsa lasted less than 24 hours in my kitchen. I put it on tacos for dinner, I added it to my eggs at breakfast, and on my salad at lunch. Eleni rightly won't give up a recipe, but I have a feeling this one has a nice amount of lime and cumin.
Next on my list to try was EVO Greek Marinade. I added about 1 1/2 cups to my slow cooker with several chicken breasts and in a few hours I had a fragrant and fresh dish, paired with roasted potatoes and a salad of spinach, feta, cucumber and kalamata olives. As Scott told me, "Your chicken is dry, but the marinade is GOOD." (Thanks?) With tangy and bright flavors that pack a heavy dose of lemon, this marinade would be incredible for fish or shrimp, to baste grilled summer vegetables like eggplant or squash, and to dress a pasta or grain salad.
Since Scott barely had an opportunity to try the Original salsa the first time, I needed to share it and the EVO Spicy Roja Salsa with him. They paired so well with pork carnitas with cilantro, guacamole, corn tortillas, and black beans and rice. The Original salsa was as good as I remembered it, with that bold and zesty flavor. The Spicy Roja has a kick to it. Scott, who pales at the taste of pepper said, "They're both pretty authoritative." Neither salsa is overpowering with heat, and they're a nice medium consistency - not too chunky nor runny. I'd recommend both right away.
Someone in our household coined the infamous question, "Is it sweet, or is it savory?" and this someone can't handle chocolate and peanut butter together, or sweet cornbread. I respect Scott's food boundaries, but it meant that we did not cook with the Chipotle Peach Sauce. Eleni recommends this sauce for a wide range of things - from a dipping sauce for veggies and meats to a topping for waffles and even ice cream. I'd trust her, and tell Scott's he's plumb (or peach?) crazy to miss out on the fruit flavor bombs dropped by EV Originals.
Overall, these products easily help home cooks up their game for everyday dishes and for special occasions, and I can't wait to see what my friend Eleni develops next for this product line. If you're interested in purchasing EV Originals, visit the website or if you're in Middle Tennessee, check Facebook for tastings and events.
Have a friend rocking the food scene or making something special? Let us know in the comments section of this post.
Maybe because I'm a only child and thus friends often feel like family, or maybe it's just because we all need a little more raising up these days.
So when I heard that a friend from the Nashville, TN area who co-founded and operates a catering business decided to share her culinary talents with the masses and create a line of bottled products, EV Originals, I did a big ol' happy dance.
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| Courtesy of EV Originals |
A native of Memphis, TN and part of a large Greek family and community, Eleni Vavouris draws on her family's heritage, Southern sensibilities, and business acumen to make good food. I've enjoyed Eleni's dishes and recipes at informal friend gatherings and more formal events like weddings. It's always fresh, flavorful and distinctive.
In 2016 Eleni rolled out a line of bottled sauces, salsas and marinades. Last year I begged a friend from Nashville to buy a few bottles for me. I'm not too embarrassed to say that the one bottle of Original Famous Salsa lasted less than 24 hours in my kitchen. I put it on tacos for dinner, I added it to my eggs at breakfast, and on my salad at lunch. Eleni rightly won't give up a recipe, but I have a feeling this one has a nice amount of lime and cumin.
Next on my list to try was EVO Greek Marinade. I added about 1 1/2 cups to my slow cooker with several chicken breasts and in a few hours I had a fragrant and fresh dish, paired with roasted potatoes and a salad of spinach, feta, cucumber and kalamata olives. As Scott told me, "Your chicken is dry, but the marinade is GOOD." (Thanks?) With tangy and bright flavors that pack a heavy dose of lemon, this marinade would be incredible for fish or shrimp, to baste grilled summer vegetables like eggplant or squash, and to dress a pasta or grain salad.
Since Scott barely had an opportunity to try the Original salsa the first time, I needed to share it and the EVO Spicy Roja Salsa with him. They paired so well with pork carnitas with cilantro, guacamole, corn tortillas, and black beans and rice. The Original salsa was as good as I remembered it, with that bold and zesty flavor. The Spicy Roja has a kick to it. Scott, who pales at the taste of pepper said, "They're both pretty authoritative." Neither salsa is overpowering with heat, and they're a nice medium consistency - not too chunky nor runny. I'd recommend both right away.
Someone in our household coined the infamous question, "Is it sweet, or is it savory?" and this someone can't handle chocolate and peanut butter together, or sweet cornbread. I respect Scott's food boundaries, but it meant that we did not cook with the Chipotle Peach Sauce. Eleni recommends this sauce for a wide range of things - from a dipping sauce for veggies and meats to a topping for waffles and even ice cream. I'd trust her, and tell Scott's he's plumb (or peach?) crazy to miss out on the fruit flavor bombs dropped by EV Originals.
Overall, these products easily help home cooks up their game for everyday dishes and for special occasions, and I can't wait to see what my friend Eleni develops next for this product line. If you're interested in purchasing EV Originals, visit the website or if you're in Middle Tennessee, check Facebook for tastings and events.
Have a friend rocking the food scene or making something special? Let us know in the comments section of this post.
Heyyyyyy I love Evo!
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