Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Cheesy Onion Wraps

Looking for a grain-free wrap to replace pitas or tortillas? This sheet pan hack is so flavorful you may never go back! It gets its goodness from sweet onions and salty Parmigiano-Reggiano. You can also cut the cooked sheet into shapes to top burgers or enjoy on their own as snacks. Bookmark this one for next autumn: Cut into rounds to make delicious toppers for French onion soup (use any sweet onion when Vidalias are out of season).

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1 large Vidalia onion, about 16 ounces
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with heat-resistant parchment paper. Shred the cheese and the onion using the medium shredding blade of a food processor or the large hole side of a hand grater (there’s no need to rinse the grater between the cheese and the onion). Toss the cheese and onions well, then spread out in an even layer on the prepared pan. Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and garlic powder. Bake for 20 minutes or until the onions and cheese have browned. It will be bubbly when you take it out of the oven.

Step 2

Allow to cool to room temperature to crisp up, about 20 minutes. Then cut into thirds for sandwich wraps and fill as desired.

Makes 3 wraps

Olive Toast

This makes a satisfying lunch and a great appetizer for your next get-together. I love the tangy, fruity taste of sumac, a spice that’s finally getting the attention it deserves. If you’ve got the grill on, drizzle olive oil on the bread and toast over the coals. 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice  
  • 1 medium garlic clove, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon sumac, such as Wild Sumac
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black peppercorns like Vine-Ripened Black Peppercorns
  • 1/8 teaspoon peperoncino (Italian crushed red pepper flakes)
  • 4 ounces each pitted Castelvetrano and Kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 8 baguette or crusty whole-grain bread slices
  • 8 ounces goat cheese at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, sumac, salt, pepper, and peperoncino. Coarsely chop the olives and add to the bowl along with the parsley; let marinate for 30 minutes.

Step 2

When ready to assemble, toast the bread. Spread each slice with equal amounts of goat cheese, then top with the walnuts and the olive mixture. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Yields 4 lunch or 8 appetizer servings

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

Hawaiian-Inspired Sheet Pan Chicken

This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a delicious answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?” Note: A Microplane is perfect for grating the garlic and the ginger right over the mixing bowl for the marinade.

Ingredients

For the marinade:

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon wild sumac
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

For the chicken and vegetables:

  • 4 cups pineapple chunks from a fresh pineapple
  • 1 large red bell pepper 
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper
  • 1 large red onion
  • 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Directions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients; set aside. 

Step 2

Cut each pepper into 1-inch squares and add to a large bowl. Peel and cut the onion into 8 wedges, then cut each wedge in half; add to the bowl with the bell peppers. Finally, cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and add to the bowl. Pour on the marinade and toss to coat. Marinate for 1 hour (you can also marinate overnight in the fridge).

Step 3

While the chicken marinates, prepare the pineapple. Start by cutting off and discarding the top and bottom. Stand it up on your cutting board and use a serrated knife, working from top to bottom, to cut off the peel in strips. Next, use the knife to cut the pineapple in half, then into quarters. Make V-shaped cuts in each quarter to remove and discard the tough core. Cut each of the four sections into roughly 1-inch pieces. Transfer 4 cups to a bowl and set aside (enjoy any leftover pineapple at another meal).

Step 4

When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to the sheet pan and roast for 15 minutes. Then carefully top with the pineapple and any juice in the bowl; roast for another 10 minutes.

Step 5

Set your oven to broil and place the sheet pan under your broiler for 3 minutes for a caramelized finish. 

Yields 4 servings