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Curried Cauliflower

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

This is one of the easiest side dishes in my repertoire. Because curry powder is a blend of nearly a dozen spices or more (some of which are fairly exotic), feel free to use your favorite pre-packaged curry powder.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large head cauliflower, trimmed, cored, and cut into bite-size florets
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley leaves

Directions

Step 1

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil or parchment paper for easier clean-up.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and gently toss with your hands to evenly coat each floret with the spices and oil. (We recommend wearing food-safe disposable gloves to avoid staining your hands.) Tip onto the prepared sheet pan and spread out in a single layer.

Step 3

Roast the cauliflower for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tender-crisp and browned in spots, turning halfway through the cooking time. Transfer to a platter or bowl and top with the cilantro. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 4 to 6

Tiramisù

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Though tiramisù originated in Italy in the late 1960s, it didn’t take long for it to gain a legion of fans in Oz, especially in Sydney, where it’s said to have first appeared on menus in the ’70s. Because of concern about eating raw eggs, this version leaves them out, but it is no less creamy. Amazon sells authentic ladyfingers from Italy; Vicenzovo is an excellent brand.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups freshly made decaf coffee, preferably espresso strength
  • 2 cups chilled heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 16 ounces mascarpone, at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • About 24 ladyfingers
  • 2 ounces coarsely chopped dark chocolate
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

Step 1

Make the coffee in a wide measuring cup; set aside to cool. Whip the cream and sugar until the cream is stiff. In a separate bowl, whisk the mascarpone and olive oil, then fold into the whipped cream.

Step 2

Choose a serving dish about 12x7x3 or 8 inches square (you can use any similar-sized dish, or go a little bigger if you have extra ladyfingers). Before you begin, map out a ladyfinger pattern in the dish so you’ll know the direction to line them up.

Step 3

To start, place a dollop of the cream in the bottom of the dish and use a spatula to spread it out a bit. One by one, quickly dunk a ladyfinger in the coffee and place it in the dish. Repeat until you have your first layer. Use a large spoon to dollop half the cream over the ladyfingers and a narrow offset spatula to smooth it out, getting into the corners. Sprinkle the chopped chocolate evenly on top. Repeat the sequence to make a second layer. Use a fine strainer or shaker-top jar to sprinkle the cocoa over the top. Cover and refrigerate from 4 hours to overnight.

Serves 8

Lamingtons

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

This sweet morsel—a vanilla cake dipped in chocolate icing and rolled in coconut—is a beloved celebratory treat in Australia. There are many variations, including spreading a jam filling between two layers of cake, but this version is the easiest to make. The olive oil-based cake is light and airy, a wonderful counterpoint to the luscious icing.

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 4 large eggs, separated when cold
  • 1 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

For the chocolate icing:

  • 8 ounces bittersweet or dark chocolate
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder
  • 1 cup boiling water, or more as needed

To finish:

  • 8 ounces unsweetened shredded coconut

Directions

Step 1

Let the yolks and whites come to room temperature. Position a rack in middle of the oven and heat to 325°F. Line a 10×13 pan with parchment paper but do not grease it. Sift flour and baking powder together; set aside.

Step 2

By hand or in a stand mixer, whisk the egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl until pale and well combined, about 2 minutes. Whisk in olive oil, vanilla, and water, then fold in the dry ingredients.

Step 3

By hand or in a stand mixer, beat the egg whites, salt, cream of tartar, and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until egg whites are foamy. Increase the speed to high and beat until the whites are thick and glossy, about 8 minutes. Gently fold the whites into egg yolk mixture in 3 or 4 batches.

Step 4

Transfer the batter to the pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the surface. Bake for about 25 minutes, rotating the pan after 12 minutes. When done, the cake will start to shrink from the sides of the pan, and the tip of a sharp knife will come out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack, peel off the parchment, and let cool completely (it can be made a day in advance, wrapped when cool, and left on a counter).

Step 5

Once the cake has cooled, trim any rough edges and cut into approximately 1 1/2-inch squares. Place the squares on a rimmed sheet pan in the freezer for 30 minutes—this will help prevent any crumbling and shorten the time it takes for the icing to set.

Step 6

While the cake is in the freezer, make the icing: Melt 6 ounces chocolate in the microwave on low power. When nearly melted, remove from the microwave and add the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate; stir until fully melted. Stir in the olive oil, then the vanilla; set aside.

Step 7

Mix the powdered sugar, cocoa, and espresso powder in a large bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until smooth. Fold in the melted chocolate mixture and stir again; it should be fluid but not too thin. If too thick, add more boiling water, one tablespoon at a time. Set aside until the cake is ready.

Step 8

Set up your counter assembly line–style for dipping. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and place it to one side for the dipped cakes. Pour the coconut into a glass pie plate and place it next to the bowl of icing.

Step 9

Take half the cake squares from the freezer to the counter; leave the rest in the freezer until you finish the first batch. To dip, lower one cake square into the icing and use two forks to rotate it so that it’s completely covered in chocolate. Lift the cake out with a fork, tap the fork against the side of the bowl so any excess chocolate drips off, and place the cake square in the coconut. Use two clean forks or your fingers to cover it in coconut and transfer to the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with the rest of the squares. Note: If the icing gets too thick while you’re working, thin it with hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Step 10

Let the cakes sit until the icing is set, about 30 minutes. They can be stored in an airtight container on the counter.

Yields 48 lamingtons

Chicken and Leek Pie

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

The Australian take on American-style potpie gets wonderful flavor from the leeks and onions. Feel free to add 1/2 cup each peas and diced carrots if you wish.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, plus more for rolling the dough
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for the vegetables
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided use, plus more for the baking dish
  • 2 large leeks, halved, cleaned, drained, and white parts cut into 1/2-inch half-moons, about 4 cups
  • 1 large onion, peeled and diced
  • 1 bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into approximately 1 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, defrosted overnight in the fridge
  • 1 egg

Directions

Step 1

Place the flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and whisk together; set aside.

Step 2

Heat a large frying pan to medium-high. When hot, add 3 tablespoons olive oil, the leeks, onions, bell pepper, and celery. Sprinkle on a pinch of salt to sweat them. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are tender; don’t let them brown. Transfer to a large bowl.

Step 3

Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan. Toss the chicken in the flour mixture, shake off the excess, and add the pieces to the pan in a single layer (work in two batches if needed). Sauté the chicken, turning with tongs, until it is lightly browned on all sides. When the chicken is just about cooked through, return the vegetables to the pan along with the half-and-half, parsley, and thyme. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste, and add more salt and pepper as needed. Transfer to a 13x9x2 baking dish. Lightly brush the rim of the dish with olive oil.

Step 4

Heat the oven to 425°F. On a floured countertop, open the puff pastry sheet and gently roll out the seams. Using a cake spatula or a rolling pin, place the pastry over the chicken in the prepared baking dish. Use the tines of a fork to press the edges into the rim of the dish and trim off any excess. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush it over the pastry. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry puffs and turns golden.

Serves 8