Called cicchetti in Venice, their birthplace, these appetizers are a favorite around the world, especially among the large Italian population in Australia. They’re also quick to assemble from pantry ingredients. For more recipes popular Down Under, check out the Pressing Report in this quarter’s shipment of fresh-pressed olive oils.
Ingredients
1 baguette, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces, about 24 slices
Extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for topping
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons finely chopped basil, divided use
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Make the crostini (toasts): Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on the pan and brush both sides of each slice with olive oil. Bake, turning once, until the bread is golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Step 2
Heat a wide saucepan over medium-low heat. When hot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan along with the garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the garlic is soft but not brown. Stir in the pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute more. Reserve about 1/2 cup chickpeas and add the rest along with the beans to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the beans are warmed through, then mash them with the back of a wooden spoon, a potato masher, or a fork. Stir in half the basil, the lemon juice, and lemon zest. If the beans seem dry, add more olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3
Top each crostini with a spoonful of the bean mixture, then drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with the rest of the chopped basil, the reserved chickpeas, and more red pepper flakes if desired. Refrigerate any leftover bean mixture; it will keep for two days.
My longtime friend and colleague Melissa Wong, a consummate foodie from Melbourne, shared this flavorful recipe with me—see the Pressing Report for all the fun we had preparing it. Dumplings are surprisingly easy to make at home with either square or round dumpling wrappers. The pinching technique isn’t complicated, but a dumpling press makes quick work of it. (See a vegetarian version from The Olive Oil Hunter Newsletter.)
Ingredients
For the dipping sauce:
2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
2 teaspoons ground Sichuan red pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 small fresh chile, chopped, such as banana or Anaheim (optional)
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons black vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced
For the filling:
Piece fresh ginger, 1 1/2 inches, peeled
2 garlic cloves
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
8 ounces prawns
2 teaspoons white pepper
2 heads bok choy
1 pound finely ground pork
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 package dumpling wrappers (about 50)
Directions
Step 1
For the dipping sauce, dry toast the sesame seeds until fragrant, about 2 minutes; transfer to a small dish and set aside. In the same pan, dry toast the ground pepper, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, swirl in the olive oil, garlic, ginger, chile (if using), cilantro, and sugar. Whisk in the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, scallions, and the reserved sesame seeds. Pour into a serving bowl and set aside.
Step 2
For the dumplings, place the ginger, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil into a small food processor and blitz to a rough paste; set aside.
Step 3
Peel the prawns and finely dice them. Marinate in a bowl with the remaining tablespoon olive oil and the white pepper.
Step 4
Separate the bok choy leaves, rinse, and trim the ends, if needed. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the bok choy. Once the leaves are wilted, drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Squeeze as much water as possible from the leaves and chop them finely.
Step 5
Place the pork in a large bowl and add the ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, salt, sesame oil, and bok choy. Mix thoroughly, then add the marinated prawn pieces and cornstarch and mix again.
Step 6
Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Place a bowl of water next to your work area. Open the package of wrappers and cover with a damp kitchen towel so they won’t dry out.
Step 7
Place a generous teaspoon of filling in the center of a wrapper (don’t overfill or the dumplings won’t stay closed). Dip a fingertip in the water bowl and moisten the outer edges of the wrapper, then fold it and press the edges together to seal them. For round wrappers, crimp the edges together with 7 or 8 folds to make a crescent shape. For square wrappers, use your fingertip to wet the two bottom corners, then overlap them slightly and press together to form a shape like a bishop’s hat. As you finish each dumpling, place it on the sheet pan under the towel. There should be enough filling to make about 50 dumplings.
Step 8
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop in 12 to 16 dumplings at a time and cook for 7 minutes (they will float to the surface). Use a Chinese strainer to transfer them to a large bowl; cover with a pot lid to keep them warm. Repeat until all the dumplings have been cooked. Serve with the dipping sauce.
Psoriasis, acne, and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are chronic inflammatory skin conditions characterized by systemic inflammation and periodic flare-ups. The Mediterranean Diet (MeDi), which emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, and EVOO, has proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Here, we present recent evidence1 supporting that the MeDi, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, may reduce the severity and flare-ups of these chronic skin conditions.
Psoriasis typically presents as itchy, red skin plaques, sometimes painful, with silvery borders. About 40% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which can lead to irreversible joint damage.
Several studies show that closely following the MeDi is linked to lower psoriasis severity. (MeDi adherence was measured by scores on the 14-item PREDIMED food questionnaire.) People with the least adherence to the MeDi had the most severe psoriasis.
Notably, higher intake of EVOO and more consumption of fish (a main source of omega-3 fatty acids) were independently linked to less severe psoriasis and lower levels of CRP (C-reactive protein), a measure of inflammation. These findings suggest that both the MeDi as a whole, and the individual components of EVOO and fish, exert anti-inflammatory and protective effects in psoriasis via bioactive compounds, in particular MUFAs and vitamin D.
Acne has multiple contributing factors (genetic, environmental, bacterial) and, although it often emerges during adolescence, persists into the 20s and 30s in many people.
In a case-controlled study, participants with acne had significantly lower PREDIMED scores than did controls. Those with less severe acne were significantly more likely to consume EVOO, fish, and fruit; more severe acne was linked to lower adherence to the MeDi. (Another case-controlled study showed no significant association between the MeDi and acne severity.)
A separate study found that participants with higher MeDi adherence had lower systemic levels of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), a protein that plays a key role in the development of acne.
HS is marked by painful lesions (boils) that often form in body areas with skin folds, such as the armpits, chest, and groin; these lesions can lead to scarring. Of all chronic skin conditions, HS has the most debilitating impact on quality of life.2
Three studies have confirmed a link between close adherence to the MeDi and lower HS disease severity. A large cross-sectional study found that consuming EVOO and choosing poultry over red meat were the main factors linking the MeDi to less severe HS in participants. Evidence indicates that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components of the MeDi—in particular, MUFAs, omega-3s, and polyphenols—can help reduce the severity of HS.
Key takeaway: The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits of the MeDi distinguish it as a valid medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for the management of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, as a holistic complement to pharmacological treatments.
References:1. Annunziata G et al. Curr Nutr Reports. 2025;14(1):42. 2. Balieva F et al. Br J Dermatol. 2017;176(5):1170-1178.
Peach Upside-Down Cake Recipe, Spotlight on Parchment Paper, Why Your Brain Sends Mixed Messages About Hunger, and Movement Over Meds for Insomnia
There’s nothing quite like juicy ripe peaches at the height of summer…unless it’s combining them with my other love, tender olive oil cake. This twist on pineapple upside-down cake makes a spectacular dessert or breakfast cake for your next brunch. I’m also sharing two intriguing studies that could help people address common concerns: overeating and insomnia.
Juicy peaches and tender olive oil-based vanilla cake make the perfect summertime sweet treat. Feel free to get as artful as you’d like with the peach arrangement, but there’s no need to peel them.
Ingredients
For the peaches:
4 medium peaches (more if needed)
1/2 lemon
1/4 cup brown sugar
For the batter:
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
1-1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup white or golden whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup Greek yogurt
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla
For serving:
Vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream (optional)
Directions
Step 1
Halve the peaches and slice each half into thin wedges. Place in a large bowl and squeeze on the juice from the lemon half, then toss with the brown sugar.
Step 2
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly brush the bottom and sides of a 9″ springform pan with olive oil, line with parchment paper, and lightly brush the parchment with olive oil. Starting from the outer rim, arrange the peaches in concentric circles on the bottom of the pan; set aside.
Step 3
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
Step 4
Beat the eggs and sugar until thick and light yellow in color (if you have a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment for all the mixing). Slowly add the 3/4 cup olive oil, yogurt, ricotta, and vanilla. On the lowest speed, add the flour mixture and beat only until incorporated, scraping down the bowl as needed.
Step 5
Carefully pour the batter over the peaches and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Bake for about 60 minutes, until the cake is golden and firm to the touch and the blade of a sharp knife inserted in the center comes out clean (start testing after about 45 minutes). Let cool on a rack for 15 minutes, then carefully run an offset spatula around the pan ring, then take off the ring. Place a 10″ or 12″ serving dish over the cake and invert it. Lift off the pan bottom and gently peel away the parchment. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream or cold with whipped cream if desired.
Yields 10 servings
Healthy Ingredient Spotlight
Parchment Paper
While not an edible ingredient, parchment is integral to numerous recipes, from baked goods to roasted vegetables. When many of us grew up, foil was the go-to for lining pans, but we now know that some of its metal can leech into foods. What’s more, foil needed oiling to keep food from sticking. I love parchment because it’s safer, plus it already has nonstick properties and can be used for cooking methods up to 400 or 450°F (check the label information before buying).
Foil remains a great way to line a rimmed sheet pan when you’ll be elevating food with a rack, like a V-shaped one for roasting a turkey or a flat woven one for making bacon—easy-peasy cleanup.
Quick Kitchen Nugget
Prepping with Parchment
It can be confusing: You use parchment to avoid sticking, yet some cake recipes say to oil or butter the pan and the paper. What gives? Lightly prepping the pan before placing the parchment gives the paper an anchor so it won’t slip out of place when you add batter, for instance. Oiling the paper makes it that much easier to peel it off after cooking. This is especially important with an upside-down cake because you’re trying to keep the fruit pattern intact. It also helps when making layer cakes—you want each layer to be as smooth and uniform as possible, without any nicks that could mar the finish.
For Your Best Health
Why Your Brain Sends Mixed Messages About Hunger
A team of scientists from University of Southern California (USC) has identified specialized neurons in the brain that store meal memories, encoding not just what food was eaten but when it was eaten to help the brain remember eating times and foods and regulate eating behavior by communicating with hunger-related areas of the brain. When these memory traces are disrupted, we’re more likely to overeat because we can’t recall recent meals, like the lunch we ate just a few hours earlier, triggering excessive hunger and leading to disordered eating. The research, published in Nature Communications, not only uncovered a critical neural mechanism but could also lead to new strategies for treating obesity by enhancing memory around food consumption.
During eating, neurons in the ventral hippocampus region of the brain become active and form what the team of researchers called “meal engrams”—specialized memory traces that store information about the experience of food consumption. “An engram is the physical trace that a memory leaves behind in the brain,” said Scott Kanoski, PhD, professor of biological sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and corresponding author of the study. While scientists have long studied engrams for their role in storing memories and other experiences in the brain, the new study identified engrams dedicated to meal experiences.
“Meal engrams function like sophisticated biological databases that store multiple types of information such as where you were eating as well as the time that you ate,” added Dr. Kanoski.
To reach their findings, the research team used advanced neuroscience techniques to observe the brain activity of laboratory rats as they ate, providing the first real-time view of how meal memories form. The meal memory neurons are distinct from brain cells involved in other types of memory formation. When researchers selectively destroyed these neurons, lab rats showed impaired memory for food locations but retained normal spatial memory for non-food-related tasks, indicating a specialized system dedicated to meal-related information processing. The study revealed that meal memory neurons communicate with the lateral hypothalamus, a brain region long known to control hunger and eating behavior. When this hippocampus-hypothalamus connection was blocked, the lab rats overate and could not remember where meals were consumed.
Dr. Kanoski said it can be assumed that a human’s brain would undergo a similar phenomenon. When someone’s attention is focused elsewhere, like on a phone or television screen, these critical encoding moments are compromised. “The brain fails to properly catalog the meal experience,” said Lea Decarie-Spain, PhD, postdoctoral scholar at USC Dornsife and the study’s first author, “leading to weak or incomplete meal engrams.”
The discovery has immediate relevance for understanding human eating disorders. People with memory impairments, like dementia or brain injuries that affect memory formation, may often consume multiple meals in quick succession because they cannot remember eating. Distracted eating, like mindlessly snacking while watching television or scrolling on your phone, may impair meal memories and contribute to overconsumption.
Dr. Kanoski said the findings could eventually inform new clinical approaches for treating obesity and weight management. Current weight management strategies often focus on restricting food intake or increasing exercise, but the new research suggests that enhancing meal memory formation could be equally important. “We’re finally beginning to understand that remembering what and when you ate is just as crucial for healthy eating as the food choices themselves,” he said.
Fitness Flash
Movement Over Meds for Insomnia
Having trouble sleeping? According to a large analysis comparing various treatments completed by Asian scientists and published in the online journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging may be some of the best natural remedies for improving sleep and tackling insomnia.
Characterized by difficulties falling and staying asleep along with early morning awakening, the prevalence of insomnia ranges from 4% to 22% of the population, noted the researchers. It is associated with heightened risks of various mental and physical health conditions, including dementia and cardiovascular disease. Drug treatments for insomnia are not without their side effects, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), while effective, isn’t always available due to the shortage of trained therapists.
An emerging body of research has suggested that exercise is helpful, but current guidelines don’t specify which types of exercise might be most beneficial. The researchers set out to plug this knowledge gap. They scoured research databases for relevant randomized clinical trials published up to April 2025 and included 22 in a network meta-analysis, a statistical technique used to simultaneously compare multiple interventions.
The trials totaled 1,348 participants and 13 different treatment approaches to ease insomnia, seven of which were exercise-based: yoga, Tai Chi, walking or jogging, aerobic plus strength exercise, strength training alone, aerobic exercise combined with therapy, and mixed aerobic exercises. These programs ranged from 4 to 26 weeks in length. The other approaches included CBT, sleep hygiene, Ayurveda, acupuncture/massage, nothing, and existing treatment, such as usual care and/or lifestyle changes with durations ranging from 6 to 26 weeks. Validated scoring systems for sleep quality and insomnia severity, as well as subjective and objective measures of total sleep time, sleep efficiency (percentage of time spent asleep while in bed), number of awakenings after going to sleep, and time taken to fall asleep (sleep latency) were used to assess sleep patterns.
Compared with existing treatment, CBT is likely to result in a large increase in total sleep time based on subjective sleep diary data. It may also improve sleep efficiency and shorten the amount of time spent awake after falling asleep, as well as sleep latency, with sustained improvements, the findings suggest. But some of the exercise-based interventions also seemed to be effective when compared with existing treatments.
Yoga may potentially lead to an increase in total sleep time of nearly two hours and may improve sleep efficiency by nearly 15%. It may also reduce the amount of time spent awake after falling asleep by nearly an hour and shorten sleep latency by around half an hour.
Walking or jogging may result in a large reduction in insomnia severity of nearly 10 points, while Tai Chi may reduce poor sleep-quality scores by more than four points, increase total sleep time by more than 50 minutes, and reduce time spent awake after falling asleep by over half an hour. It may also shorten sleep latency by around 25 minutes. Further in-depth analyses revealed that Tai Chi performed significantly better on all subjectively and objectively assessed outcomes than existing treatments for up to two years.
There are potentially plausible biological explanations for the findings, said the researchers. With its focus on body awareness, controlled breathing, and attentional training, yoga may alter brain activity, thereby alleviating anxiety and depressive symptoms that often interfere with a good night’s sleep. Tai Chi emphasizes breath control and physical relaxation and has been shown to decrease sympathetic nervous system activity, dampening down hyperarousal. Its combination of meditative movement and mindfulness may promote emotional regulation, deactivate mental chatter, and reduce anxiety. It may also help curb the production of inflammatory chemicals over longer periods. Walking or jogging may improve sleep by increasing energy expenditure, curbing cortisol production, improving emotional regulation, boosting secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin, and enhancing the amount of deep sleep.
The researchers acknowledged that 15 of the included trials contained design and methodological flaws. And there were no standardized, quantifiable metrics for the frequency or intensity of exercise interventions, while the sample sizes of some of the studies were small. Nevertheless, they concluded, “The findings of this study further underscore the therapeutic potential of exercise interventions in the treatment of insomnia, suggesting that their role may extend beyond adjunctive support to serve as viable primary treatment options…Given the advantages of exercise modalities such as yoga, Tai Chi, and walking or jogging—including low cost, minimal side effects, and high accessibility—these interventions are well suited for integration into primary care and community health programs.”
