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Ottolenghi’s Burrata with Grilled Grapes and Basil

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Delight family or dinner guests with this decadent cream-filled cheese (a member of the pasta filata, or “pulled cheese,” family). Here, it’s partnered with sweet grilled grape skewers and exquisite best-quality olive oil. For the salt, I recommend Australia’s flaky, apricot-colored Murray River salt.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces seedless red grapes, pulled off the vine
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed, divided use
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dark or light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted fennel seeds, lightly crushed, divided use
  • Flaky sea salt, such as Murray River (see above) or Maldon
  • Coarsely ground black pepper
  • 3 balls of burrata or buffalo mozzarella
  • Small basil sprigs, for serving

Directions

Step 1

Put the grapes in a medium bowl with the vinegar, olive oil, garlic, sugar, 1 teaspoon of the fennel seeds, 1/4 teaspoon of flaked salt, and plenty of pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. Thread 5 or 6 grapes onto each of 12 skewers. Reserve the marinade for serving.

Step 2

Place a grill pan over high heat and ventilate your kitchen well. Once hot, add the grape skewers in batches and grill for 2 to 3 minutes, turning after 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Step 3

To serve, tear the balls of burrata in half and place one-half on each plate. Lean 2 grape skewers against each piece of cheese and spoon 1 1/2 teaspoon of the marinade over the cheese. Or arrange the cheese and grape skewers on a platter. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seed. Garnish with basil before serving.

Serves 6 as a starter — Recipe adapted from food52.com

Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Muffins

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Extra virgin olive oil makes these muffins tender on the inside and crunchy on top. Using pastry flour creates a finer crumb, and the addition of white whole-wheat flour adds fiber and protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups plus 1/3 cup pastry flour or all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup white whole-wheat flour 
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder 
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 scant cup sugar 
  • 2 extra-large eggs 
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt 
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the muffin tin 
  • 1/3 cup milk 
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 12 ounces dark chocolate chips or chunks

Directions

Step 1

Heat your oven to 350ºF. Grease a 12-muffin tin (including the spaces between the cups) with a small amount of olive oil.

Step 2

In a very large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine.

Step 3

In another large bowl, whisk the sugar and eggs until well incorporated, and then whisk in the yogurt, followed by the olive oil, milk, and vanilla extract.

Step 4

Slowly pour it into the flour mixture, folding with a spatula as you go until the dry ingredients are mostly incorporated. Add the chips and continue folding until you no longer see any traces of flour. 

Step 5

Use a large ice cream scoop to fill the muffin cups just about to the top (the muffins will nicely rise over the rims as they bake).

Step 6

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, depending on your oven—they’re done when the tip of a dinner knife inserted into the center of 2 or 3 muffins comes out clean. Cool the pan on a wire rack before turning out the muffins.

Yields 12 oversized muffins

Smoked Salmon and Nori Rolls

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Luscious hot-smoked salmon is a specialty of the island of Tasmania, an offshore Australian state. A bit of wasabi gives these colorful rolls a “devilish” flavor profile. If you prefer, replace the edamame spread with a schmear of cream cheese mixed with wasabi paste. A mandoline is a handy tool for slicing the cukes.

Ingredients

For the edamame wasabi spread:

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen shelled edamame
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
  • 2 teaspoons wasabi powder mixed with 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste

To assemble the rolls:

  • 8 sheets of nori (dried seaweed)
  • 1 cup edamame wasabi spread
  • 8 ounces of smoked wild salmon
  • Sixteen 1/4-inch slices of English cucumber, cut lengthwise
  • 16 thin strips stemmed and seeded red bell pepper
  • 16 slices ripe but rm avocado (about 2 large, pitted and peeled)
  • 24 fresh mint leaves
  • 24 fresh cilantro leaves
  • White or black sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Make the edamame wasabi spread: Put the edamame, sea salt, water, olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, and wasabi paste in a small food processor and process until smooth. Add more lime juice, salt, or wasabi, if needed; you want well-balanced flavors.

Step 2

Place a sheet of nori on a work surface with the rough side facing up. Carefully spread 2 tablespoons of the edamame wasabi mixture over the nori, leaving 1 1/2 inches bare along the bottom edge of the nori (the edge facing you) and 1/2 inch bare along the top edge.

Step 3

Place 2 pieces each of the salmon, cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado about 1 1/2 inches from the bottom edge. Top with 3 mint leaves and 3 cilantro leaves. Starting with the bare edge, roll the nori around the fillings, pressing gently to make a compact roll. Run a water-moistened finger along the inside edge of the nori and press gently so it adheres to the roll.

Step 4

Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Cut each roll into 8 pieces using a sharp serrated knife. Sprinkle the cut sides with sesame seeds, if desired. Can be made several hours ahead.

Serves 8 — Recipe adapted from drweil.com

Spice-Rubbed Greek-Style Lamb Burgers

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

My wife, Meghan, and I love the bold flavors of these grilled lamb burgers. We suggest a Greek salad (greens, tomatoes, sliced cucumber, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta, and a vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar) as a side dish. If you’re avoiding carbs, you can serve the burgers atop the salad.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds well-chilled ground lamb, or 1 pound each ground lamb and ground beef
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, preferably toasted
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and finely grated or minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Pita bread or hamburger buns, for serving
  • Crumbled feta cheese, for serving
  • Tzatziki, for serving (optional; see below)

Directions

Step 1

Set up your grill for direct grilling and heat to medium-high. Alternatively, use an indoor grill pan or a cast iron skillet.

Step 2

Place the meat mixture in a large bowl. Work in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Divide the meat into 6 equal portions and form into patties. Place on a rimmed sheet pan.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine the parsley, dill, oregano, cumin, both paprikas, the onion powder, garlic, and salt and pepper. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and stir until well combined. Evenly spoon the wet spice rub over both sides of each burger patty, coating all sides.

Step 4

Brush and oil the grill grate and arrange the burgers on it. Grill over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side, turning once. The internal temperature should be 160°F. Allow the burgers to rest for 3 minutes.

Step 5

Serve in pita bread or on a bun with feta and tztaziki (see below), if using.

Tzatziki: Combine 3/4 cup plain Greek-style yogurt with 1 tablespoon of finely minced fresh dill and/or mint, 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 4 inches of a hothouse cucumber, grated over a clean dish towel on a Microplane, then squeezed dry.

Serves 6 — Recipe courtesy of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club