CUISINE
COOKING WITH ROBERT
A love of good food, olive oils and other gourmet accoutrements led to the opening of
Di Olivas, a specialty olive oil and balsamic vinegar-tasting emporium with two locations
– one in St. Louis’ West County Mall and the other at 617 S. Main Street in St. Charles.
Robert Palleja and his wife, Shama, were once customers of the same type of shop in
Chicago – falling in love with the products and incorporating visits to the store as part of
their dating life.
After marrying, Robert brought his wife back to his hometown of St. Louis to open the
first store in 2009, creating their own market for the products, followed by the St. Charles
location in 2011.
Robert’s love of cooking goes back to when he was 9 years old, and his aunt gave him
a Betty Crocker cookbook for kids. Now he loves to incorporate Di Olivas unique flavor
profiles into dishes inspired by products like maple bourbon balsamic vinegar that has
become a store favorite, or the new margarita white balsamic.
BAKED BALSAMIC PEACHES
1 Semi-Firm, Y Ripe Peach Per Person
et
Feta Cheese
1 to 2 Toasted Pecans or Walnuts Per Peach
Di Olivas Ripe Summer Peach Balsamic
Di Olivas 18-Y
ear-Old Traditional Balsamic
Di Olivas Arbosana Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Fresh Ground Pepper
Fresh Chives, Cut Into Thin Slices
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Fahrenheit. Wash and cut the peaches
in half. Remove the pit and with a
teaspoon, scoop out a small amount
of the peach (take down until the
peach pit bumps are gone, do not
break through the skin). Toast the
walnuts or pecans over low heat until
lightly browned. Crush with the back
of a spoon. Fill each peach half with
crumbled feta and nuts. Add one
teaspoon Traditional Balsamic over
the peach, followed by a drizzle of
the Ripe Summer Peach Balsamic.
Add a turn of a peppermill and one
to two slices of chives. Spray with Di
Olivas Arbosana Extra Virgin Olive
Oil. Assemble remaining peaches
the same way. Place all peaches on
a lightly oiled baking pan. Bake until
slightly tender (cheese is not melted
all the way), about 10 to 15 minutes.
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