Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Peach Pebre

Pebre is the delicious Chilean spin on salsa. This recipe brings in sweetness from peaches and makes a terrific summer accompaniment to grilled chicken or fish.

Ingredients

  • 1 jalapeño or aji pepper, seeded and minced
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems), chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely minced
  • 1 large ripe red tomato, diced small
  • 1 small sweet onion, such as Vidalia, diced small
  • 2 ripe peaches, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 1 scallion (white and green parts), chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4

Classic Berry Bowl

Whether you have a busy or leisurely day ahead, this healthy berry bowl will sustain you.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain or your favorite flavor
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/4 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1/4 cup walnut halves
  • Optional: honey, agave, maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener

Directions

Stir the oil into the yogurt in a wide bowl (a soup bowl works great). Arrange the berries and walnuts on top. Drizzle with honey or your preferred sweetener, if desired.

Serves 1

Double Strawberry Mousse

This dessert features strawberries in the mousse and in the topping. The berries are first macerated — tossed with sugar and allowed to sit — to draw out and intensify the fruit’s flavors.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh strawberries 
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • Optional: 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 

Directions

Step 1

Hull the strawberries, then dice them and place in a large glass bowl. Add the granulated sugar and toss well; set aside for 30 minutes. Drizzle on the olive oil and mix well. Reserve 1/2 cup of the berries, cover, and refrigerate. Place the rest in a food processor and run the machine until the berries are puréed. You should have about 1-1/2 cups.

Step 2

Place the heavy cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer. Beat on low speed, then gradually increase to high. Whip until the cream reaches medium (not stiff) peaks, then use a spatula to fold in the strawberry purée. Taste and add the confectioners’ sugar if desired. Serve right away or refrigerate the mousse in the mixing bowl for up to 4 hours — it will firm up more as it chills.

Step 3

To serve, spoon equal portions of the mousse into 8 goblets or bowls and garnish with equal amounts of the reserved berries.

Serves 8

Halloumi Skewers

Besides its great taste, halloumi holds its shape well under high heat and, unlike beef, chicken, and other proteins, it takes only as long as the vegetables to grill so all the ingredients on your skewers will be done at the same time.

Ingredients

For the marinade:

  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, and flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar of Modena such as Condimento Barili Exclusivi 
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the skewers:

  • 1 pound halloumi cheese block, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes 
  • 1 medium zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch rounds
  • 1 medium red onion, peeled and cut into 6 wedges 
  • 2 large bell peppers, any colors, cut into 1-1/2-inch squares
  • 8 cremini or white mushrooms, cleaned as needed

Directions

Step 1

Place the garlic and herbs in a mini chopper and process until finely chopped. Add the vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper and process until smooth. 

Step 2

Place the cheese and all the vegetables in a large bowl and add the marinade; toss well. Let marinate for 20 minutes, then shake off excess marinade and thread equal amounts onto four 12-inch skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes first).

Step 3

Grill over medium-high heat, turning the skewers every 2 to 3 minutes to char all four sides (8 to 12 minutes total). Remove from the grill as soon as you see a light char. 

Serves 4 as an appetizer or 2 as a main dish