Eat Well, Live Happy

To cook in Italian... Mangia bene, vivi felice

Verona Appliances Celebrates Apple and Apricot Month

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Here at Verona Appliances, we don’t just want to spotlight our products – we also want to spotlight what you can do with our products, and that includes cooking and baking for you and your family.

This month, we put the spotlight on apples and apricots because January is Apple and Apricot month. You might wonder why these fruits are paired (or should we say pear-ed?) together because other than their shape, they look nothing alike. Apples can vary in color from red to yellow to green and can be quite large, while apricots are more orange in color and are smaller. Apricots have large stones at their centers, while apples have seeds in a signature star pattern at their core.

These two fruits actually both belong to the rose family, or Rosaceae. They also both have versatility in cooking and can be used in several dishes. So, to honor Apple and Apricot month, we have a full three-course meal planned for a cozy night in.

Photo Credit: Kristy Hayes

Appetizer: Apple Brie Crostini

It will be hard to eat just one!

Ingredients

  • 16 crostini
  • 1 wedge brie
  • 2 honeycrisp apples
  • 2 tbsp apricot jam
  • 1/4 cup basil (lightly packed)
  • Sea salt

Directions

  1. Slice apples into fine wedges and chop the basil. You can use your Verona cutting board if you have one.
  2. Spread brie on crostini, then top with sliced apple, a dollop of apricot jam and basil.
  3. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Pro Tip: You can pre-heat your Verona oven for the next recipe while you’re working on the crostini.

Photo Credit: Beth Bryan

Dinner: Apple and Apricot Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Veggies

This chicken dish is packed full of flavor – literally!

Ingredients

  • 2 slices uncured bacon
  • 1 Gala apple
  • 1 tbsp. avocado oil, divided
  • 2 tbsp. chopped, dried apricots
  • 1 tbsp. orange juice
  • ¼ cup chopped, raw pecans
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat your Verona oven to 400°F.
  2. Chop bacon and apple. You can use your Verona cutting board if you have one.
  3. Sauté bacon and apple in ½ tbsp. of hot oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or until bacon is crisp.
  4. Transfer to a bowl, and stir in apricots, orange juice and pecans.
  5. Pound chicken to ½-inch thickness.
  6. Cut a 2-inch slit horizontally into each breast. Stuff apple mixture into each pocket, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  7. Cook chicken in ½ tbsp hot oil in skillet for 2 minutes per side or until browned.
  8. Transfer skillet to oven, then bake 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is done.

Pro Tip: To cut down on prep time (and dishes), pop a cook-in-bag vegetable in the microwave. Green beans or broccoli would pair well!

Photo Credit: Amy Davidson

Dessert: Apricot Apple Crisp

This twist on a classic recipe gets a hint of sourness from the apricots.  

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons softened butter or margarine
  • 2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
  • 8 medium tart sliced cooking apples (we recommend Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
  • 2 cups chopped dried apricots

Directions

  1. Heat your Verona oven to 350°F. Mix flour, sugar, butter and macadamia nuts in a large bowl.
  2. Place apples in an ungreased rectangular 13 x 9-inch pan. Top with apricots. Sprinkle flour mixture over top.
  3. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until apples are tender.
  4. Serve warm with vanilla or cinnamon bun ice cream if desired.

Pro Tip: Use the Convection Cooking Mode during baking for even cooking. You can check out our Simple Guide to Oven Functions for information on this setting, or you can refer to your product manual. 

Share your recipes and pictures of you enjoying apples and apricots on social media with the #AppleAndApricotsMonth and #VeronaAppliances hashtags. And if you tag @VeronaAppliances, you might be featured on our social channels!

For more projects, products, trends, recipes and news, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn or visit www.veronappliances.com.

Save $200 on the Verona CHEFS PAK with the purchase of any Verona Range!

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A chef-worthy range calls for chef-worthy accessories. The Verona CHEFS PAK includes a cast iron griddle, maple cutting board, steamer pan set, beveled spatula, digital meat probe and two protective oven mitts. Save $200 with the purchase of any Verona range! Promotion valid from February 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2023.

Savvy Consumers Turn from Trendy to Friendly as High Prices Motivate More Sophisticated Purchase Decisions

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In the world of appliances brands, smart consumers are finding entry-level luxury brands like Verona Appliances whose style, quality and functionality are on par with trendier brands, but come at a more accessible price and are in-stock!

First there were no appliances to be found and then came the price increases due to supply chain issues and inflation. While manufacturers have shouldered some of the costs, consumers are seeing at minimum a 13% increase in appliance pricing from 2021 to 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and in some cases, they could be as high as 20% more given that many promotional plans and rebates have been discontinued. Moving from high-priced brands to an “entry-level luxury brand” can go a long way right now for the customer that needs to balance their budgets.

Fortunately, there are hidden gems in the market that are beautiful, functional and reliable – but they do not carry the same high price point as trendier brands. These entry-level luxury brands are getting more than a second look as savvy consumers are ditching brands whose pricing has risen astronomically for companies who have items in stock, come at a lower price and often prove to be more feature rich for the money. With a little research and persistence, consumers are unearthing these gemstones and turning them into hot commodities overnight.

“As a family-owned company since 1958, we are seeing a lot of interest in our brand recently,” states Melissa Haber, vice president of Verona Appliances. “Verona is crafted in Italy, but made for the U.S. market. We don’t spend millions of dollars in marketing – so it takes a little extra effort to find us – but feature-by-feature, our products are on-par, if not better than brands that can charge more because they have more status in the market. Our office still answers phone calls in person, in New York, and our customers really appreciate the one-on-one connection, service and help. There are definite benefits beyond price for picking brands like Verona.”

“Consumers should also be wary of ‘made-in-China’ copycat brands that have recently come on the market – they lack quality and features but their price points are low, so they are grabbing the sale,” states Haber. “They do not compare in features and quality to established brands like Verona that have a good track record for service and quality. Consumers really have to look to find not just a good price, but a great value.”

Verona Appliances recently introduced their Prestige collection with seven new 36” electric ranges. The new 36” electric double oven ranges are an industry exclusive, with an upgraded look that is only surpassed by its high-powered capabilities. The single ovens are offered in four colors (Stainless Steel, White, Matte Black and Burgundy) and the double ovens offered in three colors (Stainless Steel, White and Matte Black).

A Matte Black Range Sets the Mood for this South Florida Kitchen

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Verona Appliances partnered with Haley Jones of Me and Mr. Jones to craft a moody black kitchen for her South Florida home. To her surprise, Haley didn’t realize that so many homes in the Florida area didn’t have gas hookups available, but she found a great alternative with an electric range from Verona.

“I wanted a gas range look and stumbled across the Verona Designer Series Range,” she says. “This was the first appliance we picked out after weeks of searching for a range that would fit the aesthetic of our modern kitchen.”

Continue to read below for more details on Haley’s experience with her Verona range.

Photo Credit: Haley Jones of Me and Mr. Jones

The Brand

Haley and her husband wanted a range in matte black with sleek and modern lines. The model they went with is the 36” Designer Series Electric Range. “The size is great and fits our space perfectly,” she says. “The home originally had a 30” range, but we wanted something a little bit larger to anchor the space and we love how substantial it looks!” Haley also liked how there were several Verona retailers near her, so she felt comfortable choosing the brand in case a repair was needed in the future. 

Note: If you’re interested in a Verona appliance or need repair assistance, you can use our store locator to find a licensed retailer near you. 

Photo Credit: Haley Jones of Me and Mr. Jones

The Design

According to Haley, the overall design of the range is what drew her and her husband in immediately. “It’s so sleek, simple and modern, which is exactly what we wanted for our kitchen remodel,” she says. “We opted for the single door instead of the double-door because I wanted the option to cook sheet pan meals on a large baking sheet.”

Another design feature she appreciated was the feet. “I know that’s oddly specific, but it’s one design feature that I love,” she says. The range in her previous home in California was lower to the ground, so it was more difficult to get under the appliance to recover lost baby and dog toys. The feet on the Designer Series Electric Range raises the appliance higher, therefore, it’s easier for her to sweep, mop and recover toys from underneath.

Photo Credit: Haley Jones of Me and Mr. Jones

The Cleaning

Haley also mentioned how simple her appliance was to maintain. “The cooktop is incredibly easy to keep clean in comparison to other electric ranges that we’ve owned,” says Haley. “In addition, the soft-close oven door actually can come off completely! It’s one of my favorite things about this appliance.”

Note: Instructions for how to remove the door on this model is found on page 22 of the user manual. Cleaning and maintenance instructions start in page 17.

Photo Credit: Haley Jones of Me and Mr. Jones

The Functions

The electric cooktop on the 36” Designer Series range has five burners. “I typically only use two at one time, but I love the larger burner in the center of the stove,” says Haley. “All the burners heat up quickly and cook evenly.”

As for the oven cavity, Haley says she typically cooks with the normal convection function, which cooks evenly as well. A fan and multiple heating elements help cook anything, from a roast chicken to a batch of brownies, with ease since it encourages even heating. 

Photo Credit: Haley Jones of Me and Mr. Jones

Review Summary

Overall, Haley says she and her husband absolutely love their electric range. “The size, the design, and the functionality of it are all really great. The design alone makes it worth the money in my opinion!” She also appreciates how she can customize her range with different colored knobs. “We have a Matte Black set that I plan on installing, but these knobs are also available in Burgundy.”

Are you ready to add an electric Verona range to your kitchen? Explore our many options at www.veronappliances.com. For more products, projects, trends and news Verona Appliances, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Why Choose Electric Cooking?

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Verona Appliances Stays Ahead of the Curve with Stylish Single and Double Oven Electric Ranges

36″ Designer Electric Range in Matte Black
Photo Credit: Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective

Electric ranges and cooktops are increasing in popularity among homeowners and designers. Why? According to a growing body of research, gas appliances, which long reigned as the supreme cooking method and hailed by professional and home chefs alike, are proving to be harmful to the environment – and us.

Research shows that living with a gas appliance has led to increased risks of asthma and other illnesses – especially in children – due to harmful air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and methane. And it’s not only while the appliance is boiling a pot of water for a pasta dinner. In fact, more than three-quarters of emissions occur while the appliance is not in use.

In addition, those same pollutants are harmful to the environment. Yearly emissions from U.S. gas cooktops are equivalent to the emissions transmitted from half a million cars. Overall, homes and buildings are directly responsible for about 13 percent of the country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from the natural gas burned by furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers, and gas-powered stoves and ovens.

Gas appliances may become a thing of the past. Some cities are banning new gas hookups for appliances to reduce air pollution and emissions to help in fighting climate change. “Electric cooking will become more of a player in the market as cities and states across the country start to eliminate the possibility of gas appliance installations,” states Melissa Haber, Vice President of EuroChef USA, the exclusive importer of the Verona brand.

A ban on gas appliances has already happened in New York City, where new buildings under seven stories cannot have gas hookups starting in 2023. The ban on taller buildings will go into effect in 2027. In fact, the State of New York is considering a version of this ban in 2027, as well. The San Francisco Bay Area has already had a similar ban in place for the past year.  

“We noticed our electric appliances have been increasing in sales,” says Haber. To keep up with changing market demand, Verona released a stylish electric range model with single and double oven options to suit varying tastes. “Our new Prestige 36-inch electric ranges offer the highly sought-after pro look without compromising on performance,” says Haber. “There are very few electric options in the market that are both feature- and style-rich at this price point, so we’re sure our new collection will spark a lot of interest.”

Electric appliances are safe, easy to clean and will make any kitchen renovation easier ­– which is a welcome relief considering supply chain issues and labor shortages are still impacting the kitchen and bath industry today.

Easy to Clean

For Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective, who’s used to cooking with gas, an electric cooktop was a learning curve. However, her opinion on this cooking method was transformed.  “For starters, it’s shockingly easy to keep clean,” she says, as the cooktop surface is entirely flat. “Without all the metal grates to fuss over, I can just let it cool and wipe up any spills or splatters.”

Appliance owners can effortlessly clean an electric cooktop with a damp dish rag and soap. For caked on messes, a little warm vinegar can go a long way.                             

Safe

While an electric appliance doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of burns or fires, it does lower the risk because there’s no open flame. For extra safety features, the appliance often comes with “power on” lights and residual heat warnings to inform appliance owners when the surface is still hot to the touch.

Induction is also a form of electric cooking that is often purchased with safety in mind. With the Verona Designer Induction Range’s electric magnetic coils, the surface does not retain or give off heat since only the pot is directly heated.

Less Fuss with Renovating

Home renovations have increased dramatically in the past few years, and it’s a shift that will continue to increase in the years to come. But with supply chain issues and labor shortages still impacting the industry, renovating any room in the home, such as a kitchen, can be a headache for all parties involved.

If a homeowner doesn’t have a gas line already set up, installing a hookup can be a costly and time-consuming process filled with inspections and installation appointments. But with an electric appliance, the installation process is easier and less expensive. “Once things were in place, we simply plugged things in and put them straight to use—electric appliances for the win,” says Anastasia Casey.

Solutions for Gas Cooking

Not everyone is able to, or has the means, to replace their gas appliances with electric. So, what to do if the switch can’t be made? Invest in a range hood, which can cut the appliance’s air pollution in about half. Range hoods are critical components for every kitchen, as they work to pull the air into filters or a duct to remove odors, grease, moisture, smoke, and harmful particles (such as greenhouse gasses) during cooking.

Going electric is the way of the future. Choosing an electric appliance will not only help the environment, but will improve air quality in the home and make life easier and safer.

About Verona: Verona Appliances’ stylish line of ranges, ovens, cooktops, ventilation, dishwashers and refrigeration have been featured in upscale kitchens around the world since 1958. Designed and manufactured in the suburbs of Venice, Italy, each Verona cooking appliance is held to the highest standards of quality and is made to U.S. market specifications. Verona’s new 36” electric double oven ranges are an industry exclusive, with an upgraded look that is only surpassed by its high-powered capabilities. EuroChef USA is proud to present the Verona line of appliances through an authorized network of U.S. distributors and retailers, suitable for any sized kitchen.

For more information visit https://veronaappliances.com/

A Modern, High Contrast Lake House Kitchen with The Identité Collective

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Verona Appliances recently partnered with Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective to create a modern, high contrast kitchen for her off-the-beaten-path lake house in east Texas. “As I considered the mealtime logistics of our trips to the lake, I knew we’d be putting the kitchen appliances to good use,” says Anastasia. “But here’s the catch: our lake house [didn’t] have gas, so we needed to find electric appliances that fit our modern tastes.”

Continue to read below for more details on Anastasia’s kitchen renovation and why she loves cooking with electric!

Photo Credit: Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective

A Trendy, Matte Black Electric Range

Anastasia knew that Verona Appliances had a reputation for quality, but the matte black finish is what sealed the deal. “Finding a beautiful electric range was priority number one,” she says. “I wasn’t willing to compromise aesthetics, so after days and days of research, I was ecstatic to find this matte black option from Verona.” For Anastasia, the 36” Designer Electric Range in Matte Black reminded her of the cooking appliance she had at her primary residence. Even better, it perfectly matched the paint color (Tricorn Black SW 6258 by Sherwin-Williams) on her cabinetry for a seamless, moody look – which is something nicely unexpected in a lake house!

For Anastasia, who’s used to cooking with gas, an electric stovetop was a learning curve. However, her opinion on this cooking method was transformed.  “For starters, it’s shockingly easy to keep clean,” she says. “Without all the metal grates to fuss over, I can just let it cool and wipe up any spills or splatters.”

Photo Credit: Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective

Seeking Balance with a Low Profile Range Hood

When the cabinetry and range colors were finalized, Anastasia had second thoughts about her plans for a range hood. “I felt like we needed some black up top to balance the space,” she says. She decided on the 36” Low Profile Range Hood  that could be mounted under a custom-built header with shiplap trim and then painted the same black shade as the rest of the kitchen cabinetry.

Photo Credit: Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective

A Large, French Door Refrigerator Built for Families on the Go

If you’re on vacation at a lake house, you’re likely spending most of your precious hours in the great outdoors or on the go. Anastasia can agree. “We’re constantly coming and going from the lake house,” she says. A large, 36” French Door Refrigerator with clear interior storage bins can easily show you what’s stocked, what needs to be tossed and what can be stowed away in the freezer to avoid food waste. “I love that the doors each have deep compartments, plus it came with a standard freeze drawer AND deep freeze drawer option,” says Anastasia. The counter-depth fridge from Verona was given a built-in look by reusing and refinishing the existing upper cabinet box, adding a faux side panel of pine plywood and trimming everything in to tie it all together.

Photo Credit: Anastasia Casey of the Identité Collective

Dishwashers as a Necessity

No one wants to do dishes while on vacation. That’s why dishwashers can be the true workhorses of any vacation home. To round out the kitchen, Anastasia added a brand-new 24” Tall Tub Built-in Dishwasher to the lake house. “With clean lines and a stainless finish, it feels very top-of-the-line, and there’s also a handy light that turns on whenever it’s open,” she says.

Overall, the kitchen renovation was a breeze and Anastasia is thrilled with the results. “Once things were in place, we simply plugged things in and put them straight to use—electric appliances for the win.”

Are you ready to add a Verona kitchen suite to your home? Explore our many options at www.veronappliances.com. For more products, projects, trends and news Verona Appliances, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.