Steak and Eggs - Lomo a la Pobre
Lomo a la pobre

Meet the Chilean version of steak and eggs, a popular breakfast option throughout the country. The dish can be made on the stovetop or grill using a grill plate, a cast iron skillet, or a plancha—a very handy flat Spanish griddle you can use right on your grill without the risk of food falling through a grill basket or the grill grates—plus, its smooth surface distributes heat evenly. For a more substantial meal, serve the lomo with oven-roasted potatoes.

Serves 2, but can be multiplied as desired

Mushroom toast
Mushroom Toasts

This South American take on bruschetta gets its inspiration from marraqueta, the crusty bread wildly popular in Chile (often called pan francés), and the country’s penchant for white sauces.

Serves 4

ASPARAGUS WITH OLIVE OIL SABAYON
Asparagus with Olive Oil Sabayon

Fresh asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables, especially when paired with a luscious olive oil sabayon. If not using the asparagus immediately, trim the ends (as you would cut flowers) and stand upright in a tall glass of water. Cover the tips with a plastic bag and refrigerate for a day or two.

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from saveur.com

Cod with Chorizo and Breadcrumbs
Cod with Chorizo and Breadcrumbs

A splash of sherry or red wine vinegar cuts the richness of the chorizo and brightens the flavors. Find cured Spanish chorizo online or in the international aisle of your supermarket. (Do not confuse cured, salami-like Spanish chorizo with raw Mexican chorizo, which must be cooked before using.)

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from bonappetit.com

Pisto Manchego
Pisto Manchego

The cuisine of the Iberian peninsula was heavily influenced throughout history by its many conquerors. This dish, a popular one throughout Spain, was no doubt introduced to the country by the Moors. The key to its texture and flavors is to cook each vegetable slowly and individually. Your patience will be well rewarded!

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from food52.com

Olive Oil Lemon Tart
Lemon and Olive Oil Tart

Extra virgin olive oil is featured twice in this lovely lemon tart—in the crust and the filling. But if you’re short on time (or don’t own a tart pan), pour the lemony filling into a prepared graham cracker crust before baking.

Serves 8 — Recipe adapted from peteandgerrys.com

Marinated Pork Loin in Adobo
Marinated Pork Loin in Adobo (Lomo de Cerdo en Adobo)

The Spanish noun adobo means “marinade.” On the Iberian peninsula, where it has prehistoric origins, adobo refers to a flavorful marinade consisting of vinegar, olive oil, aromatics, and spices. Don’t be intimidated by the long marinating time of this dish. Do, however, use a nonreactive container such as a glass baking dish or large bowl. Pork tenderloin or chicken thighs can be substituted for the pork loin.

Serves 4 — Recipe from Delicioso! by Penelope Casas (Knopf, 1996)

Spanish Steak with Sherry Vinegar Steak Sauce
Spanish Steak with Sherry Vinegar Steak Sauce (Chuleton)

Spain has a vibrant steak culture, a surprise to tourists with tapas and paella on their minds. Rib steak, known as chuleton (“large steak”), appears on many restaurant menus and is typically cooked over a live fire. The rub and piquant steak sauce are very versatile and pair well with pork, chicken, or shrimp. (Find jarred piquillo peppers online or in the international aisle of larger supermarkets.)

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from foodnetwork.com

Olive Oil Ice cream with Chocolate Sauce
Olive Oil Ice Cream

Your ice cream freezer is likely an appliance you don’t use every day (or even every year). But this delectable recipe provides the incentive to retrieve if from wherever it’s stored. If you don’t have fudge sauce on hand, the ice cream is also wonderful when drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Top, if desired, with a few grains of coarse salt.

Makes 1 pint — Recipe courtesy of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Mango Gazpacho
Mango Gazpacho

Here’s a refreshing riff on classic gazpacho—perfect for a weekend brunch or as a prelude to lunch or a light supper. I like to serve it in small straight-sided Spanish sherry glasses called chatos.

Serves 6 — Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Olive Oil Fudge Sauce
Olive Oil Fudge Sauce

Delicious over homemade olive oil ice cream or premium store-bought vanilla, this decadently rich sauce forms a soft chocolate shell as soon as you spoon it on the cold ice cream.

Makes 1 cup — Recipe courtesy of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Spinach and Chickpeas
Spinach and Chickpeas (Espinacas con Garbanzos)

Especially popular in the Andalucían city of Seville, this dish can be served as a tapa, a light meal, or a satisfying side dish. Bagged baby spinach is usually sold washed. If your spinach is garden-fresh, rinse it well and drain itbefore adding to the chickpeas.

Serves 2 — Recipe adapted from spainonafork.com