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Explore Recipes Appetizers Page 9

Ricotta “Spoonable”

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Creamy ricotta, purchased or homemade, is transformed into a savory dip with the addition of shallots and fresh lemon zest and juice. Serve it with raw vegetables or crackers.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole-milk ricotta, drained, if necessary
  • 1 large lemon, or more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup minced mixed fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, tarragon, thyme, cilantro and/or basil

Directions

Step 1

Put the ricotta in a medium bowl. Finely grate the zest of the lemon over it, then halve and squeeze the lemon and blend in the juice. Stir in the shallots, olive oil, salt and a healthy pinch of pepper. Taste for salt and pepper, then stir in the herbs. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour; adjust for salt, pepper, and lemon juice before serving.

Step 2

A dollop of this on a cracker or sliced baguette makes a good appetizer; more of it on dark bread with roasted tomatoes, charred lemons, or sliced cucumbers makes a tartine; and a lot of it stirred into pasta makes a dinner.

Step 3

The spoonable is best the day it is made, but you can keep it for up to 2 days tightly covered in the refrigerator. Stir well before using.

Makes 2 cups — Recipe adapted from food52.com

Spicy Roasted Almonds

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Add some spice to the healthful nuts you’re snacking on. Roasted almonds also make a great addition to a charcuterie or cheese board. Feel free to substitute other nuts such as hazelnuts, cashews, walnut halves, or pistachios for the almonds. If you own a smoker, try smoke-roasting the nuts the next time you fire it up. 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole skinless almonds (about 7 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarsely ground sea salt to taste
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón de la Vera) or ground cumin 

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Put the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until they are evenly coated, then spread them out in a single layer. Roast the almonds until they are a light golden brown, about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every five minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Step 2

Transfer the almonds to a bowl, season with salt and paprika, and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Yields 6-8 servings

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

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