Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club
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Roasted Pears

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

A quick trip to the oven intensifies the flavor of pears—no added sweetener needed. Labneh, a Middle Eastern cultured yogurt with the thickness of sour cream, enhances the pears when plated for dessert. For a hearty breakfast, enjoy them with plain Greek yogurt or its even-thicker cousin from Iceland, skyr.

Ingredients

  • 4 Anjou or Bosc pears, ripe but still firm
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup labneh
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped
  • Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice blend, to taste

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Halve the pears and use a melon baller or small spoon to remove the seeds; cut out any stem with a sharp paring knife. Cut each half lengthwise into 2–3 slices. Place the pear slices on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush both sides with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes or until the pears are slightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.

Step 2

Fan the pear slices on each of four plates and top with a large dollop of labneh, chopped nuts, and a light sprinkle of your chosen spice. 

Yields 4 servings

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

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

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.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme leaves, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon dry white wine, preferably Spanish
  • 1 tablespoon Spanish sweet paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
  • 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1 1/4 pounds boneless pork loin

Directions

Step 1

Combine the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add the meat and turn to coat on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning occasionally.

Step 2

Cut the meat into 1/2-inch slices, allowing some of the marinade to cling to the meat. Heat a griddle, skillet, or grill pan over medium-high heat. (The meat can also be grilled on an outdoor grill.) Coat the pan with olive oil. Brown the meat on all sides, reduce the heat to medium, and continue cooking until the meat is just done.

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

Spanish Steak with Sherry Vinegar Steak Sauce (Chuleton)

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

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.)

Ingredients

For the rub and steak:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 4 boneless rib-eye or strip steaks, each about 12 ounces
  • Extra virgin olive oil

For the sherry vinegar steak sauce:

  • 6 jarred piquillo peppers or 2 jarred roasted red bell peppers, drained and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup aged sherry vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, drained
  • 2 tablespoons honey or agave
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Make the rub: Combine the paprika, cumin, mustard, fennel seeds, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and whisk to mix. Fifteen minutes before cooking, generously brush each steak on both sides with olive oil and season with the rub.

Step 2

Make the steak sauce: Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water. Transfer to a small saucepan and warm over low heat. If not serving immediately, transfer the sauce to a covered jar or bottle and refrigerate. It will keep for up to 5 days. (Shake to re-emulsify if the sauce separates.)

Step 3

When ready to cook, set up a grill for direct grilling and heat to high. Brush and oil the grill grate.(Alternatively, heat a grill pan on the stovetop.) Grill the steaks on one side for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn with tongs and grill 5 to 6 minutes more for medium-rare. Serve with the warmed steak sauce.

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from foodnetwork.com

Olive Oil Ice Cream

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

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.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup cane sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Make the ice cream base: In a medium saucepan, bring the cream and milk to a simmer. Remove from the heat, then add the sugar and salt; whisk thoroughly until the sugar and salt dissolve. Whisk in the olive oil. (It’s okay if you see tiny beads of oil in the base.) Allow the base to come to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until cold.

Step 2

When ready to freeze, quickly re-whisk the base. Transfer it to your ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Serve, if desired, with Olive Oil Fudge Sauce or your favorite toppings.

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