Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Huevos a la Flamenca (Spanish Eggs)

Traveling, even vicariously, will whet your appetite for alternative breakfast or brunch dishes enjoyed in other parts of the world. Similar to Middle Eastern shakshuka, this Spanish marriage of mostly pantry ingredients plays to a sophisticated weekend audience. If served for brunch, lunch, or dinner, complement these eggs with a dry Spanish wine and crusty bread. Note: If you cannot find passata, a very smooth tomato purée usually sold in jars, grate 5 or 6 large tomatoes on the largest holes of a box grater, discarding the skins. Or you can purée high-quality canned tomatoes, such as San Marzano.

Ingredients

For the potatoes and garnish:

  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon pimentón or sweet paprika, depending on taste
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 slices very thinly sliced serrano ham or prosciutto

For the sauce and eggs:

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 small Spanish onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 ounces Spanish chorizo, casing removed, diced 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, preferably Pedro Ximénez (optional)
  • 2 cups passata (see note above)
  • 1/2 cup fresh shelled or frozen peas
  • 4 large eggs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh curly or flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium mixing bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil and pimentón, then season with salt and pepper. Tip onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out in a single layer. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning once or twice with a spatula. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Step 2

Lay a fresh sheet of parchment on the baking sheet and arrange the ham on it in a single layer. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until the ham begins to crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool. Break into pieces and set aside.

Step 3

Meanwhile, on the stovetop, heat a large lidded skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and chorizo; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the vinegar, if using. Quickly add the passata. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce reduces slightly. Stir in the peas and the reserved potatoes.

Step 4

Using the back of a large spoon, make four indentations in the sauce. Break an egg into each, then season with salt and pepper. Place the lid
on the skillet and cook the eggs over medium-low heat for 5 to 6 minutes, or until done to your liking. Top with the crisped pieces of serrano ham and the parsley. Serve hot, with drizzles of extra virgin olive oil.

Serves 2 robust appetites

Apple Spice Muffins

These muffins are extremely moist and high in fiber as well as being gluten-free. Whole flaxseeds are easy to grind into a meal in a coffee bean or spice grinder. Do this right before you use them. Always store whole or ground flaxseed in the fridge or freezer to preserve the nutrients.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups ground golden flaxseed
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 large apple such as Honeycrisp or Fuji,
  • unpeeled
  • 4 extra-large eggs
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar or sugar substitute
  • equivalent
  • 2 ounces walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 12-cup muffin tip or fill with paper liners; set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the flaxseed, baking powder, spices, and salt.

Step 3

Use a box grater or the grating disc of a food processor to grate the apple.

Step 4

In another large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until light in color, then add the grated apple and the rest of the ingredients. Fold in the dry ingredients. Use an ice cream scoop to fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake until the tip of a sharp knife comes out clean, about 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.

Makes 12 muffins

Australian Zucchini Breakfast Slice

This frittata-like dish is beloved by Australians young and old. Cut into squares, a “slice” can be eaten out of hand and served hot, cold, or warm for breakfast, a main course, side dish, or snack. Though not traditional, I like the salty tang of pickled banana peppers or olives.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
  • 2 cups grated zucchini, excess moisture squeezed out with a clean kitchen towel
  • 1 cup grated peeled butternut squash
  • 4 slices meaty bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 cup chopped pickled banana peppers or olives (optional)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 5 large eggs
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, for serving

Directions

Step 1

Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Brush with olive oil. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the zucchini, squash, bacon, onion, cheese, and banana peppers or olives, if using.

Step 3

In a second bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder.

Step 4

In a third bowl, beat the eggs well. Whisk in
the flour mixture, then add the 1/4 cup olive oil. Pour over the zucchini mixture and stir gently to combine. Pour into the prepared pan.

Step 5

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the tip of a sharp knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Cut into squares and serve with crushed red pepper flakes.

Serves 8

Chorizo Hash

While hash is often served with fried eggs, this flavorful combination of ingredients can also be used as a filling for omelets. It can be made ahead and rewarmed. Perfect for a festive brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds red-skinned or Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • Sea salt
  • 8 ounces cured chorizo, thinly sliced into rounds 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed if frying eggs
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup torn cilantro leaves
  • 4 large eggs (optional)
  • Your favorite salsa, for serving

Directions

Step 1

In a saucepan, cover the potatoes with salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cook until tender, up to 10 minutes (test halfway through). Drain well.

Step 2

Sauté the chorizo in a large skillet over medium heat until the fat has rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the cumin toward the end of the cooking time. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

Step 3

Drizzle the olive oil over the drained potatoes. Transfer to the hot skillet and cook over medium-high heat until nicely browned, turning with a spatula. Fold in the chorizo. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the cilantro. Divide the hash among four plates, topping each with an olive oil-fried egg, if desired. Serve with salsa

Serves 4