For Immediate Release:

Allow Nielsen-Massey Vanillas to add a delicious touch to much-needed quality time

WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS (Jan 3, 2015) – With busy work, school and social schedules, family dinners have become an ideal rather than a reality for many families. In 2015, make a resolution to set aside Sunday nights as a time for good food and even better conversation with loved ones.

"Since ancient times, sharing a meal has been a form of building community," said Craig Nielsen, CEO of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. "Family dinners are a great way to strengthen bonds and provide support while enjoying delicious food. Spending time around the table together is a New Year's resolution that everyone will enjoy keeping."

Ease the burden of meal planning by using this meatball recipe from Nielsen-Massey. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste and Extract are popular products that add a creamy, savory dimension to main dishes. In the recipe below for Breaded Veal Meatballs with Vodka Sauce, the extract is added to vodka, cheese and cream, and an assortment of vegetables, herbs and spices for a rich sauce that pairs nicely with a variety of pasta. The mellow qualities of the paste enhance the full flavors of veal and herbs to create meatballs that are far from bland.

Breaded Veal Meatballs with Vodka Sauce
(Serves 6)
Makes 1 1/2 dozen meatballs

Ingredients
Meatballs
1 pound ground veal, thawed (may substitute with grass fed beef)
1/4 cup whole milk ricotta
1/4 cup finely grated carrot
2 small green onions, thinly sliced
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon organic garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
fresh Italian parsley, chopped (garnish)

Breading for Meatballs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2cups plain panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
2 tablespoons butter, melted

For Meatballs
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack inside the foil lined baking sheet and coat the rack with cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine meatball ingredients. Form mixture into meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter; set aside.

To bread meatballs, three bowls will be needed. In a first medium bowl, add flour. In a second medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. In a third medium bowl, add bread crumbs, Romano cheese and melted butter; stir to combine. Dust each meatball with flour, dip in egg wash, and coat with bread crumbs. Place breaded meatballs on wire rack and cook until done, about 30 minutes.

Vodka Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup vodka
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1 1/4teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon organic garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup freshly grated Romano
1/2 cup whipping cream, warmed

For Vodka Sauce
Add olive oil to a large sauté pan, and heat over medium heat. Add onions and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add vodka, basil, salt, vanilla extract, oregano, garlic powder and pepper; cook until reduced by half.

Place whole tomatoes in container of food processor or electric blender. Add reduced sauce mixture; cover and process or blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a large saucepan and place over medium heat.

Add grated Romano cheese and cream; stir until thoroughly combined. Simmer for 3 minutes, or until heated through. Serve vodka sauce with meatballs.

Serve Nielsen-Massey's Vodka Sauce with other family favorites. Drain cooked pasta and toss with Vodka sauce and fresh basil.

Yield 4 cups of sauce

About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey's Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are All-Natural, Allergen-Free, GMO-Free, and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

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Photos are available upon request. For more information about Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, contact:
Gardi Wilks, gwilks@savoragency.com
Savor – the food agency, 847.556.7511