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Baked Ziti

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

This delectable dish starts with a rich yet quick tomato sauce. You can substitute a 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes with their juice for the fresh tomatoes but add it after the tomato paste. 

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the baking dish and drizzling
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 pound tomatoes, any type, coarsely chopped
  • One 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ziti
  • 16 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 12 ounces mozzarella, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

Step 1

Brush a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish with olive oil; set aside.

Step 2

Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the 3 tablespoons olive oil and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes, then add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring constantly, until the tomatoes become soft, then push them to the outsides of the pan. Add the tomato paste and cook it until it becomes fragrant and darkens in color, about 5 minutes. Mix the paste with the tomatoes and garlic, then press with a masher to release all of the tomatoes’ juices. Stir in the sugar, salt, and both peppers and continue cooking for 10 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F. Cook the ziti according to the package directions until al dente, then drain. 

Step 4

Off the heat, stir the ricotta into the sauce, then fold in the pasta. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Top with overlapping slices of mozzarella, then sprinkle on the grated cheese.

Step 5

Bake for 25 minutes, until the cheeses are bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Yields 8 servings

Black Dal

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

If you’re new to lentils, this flavorful recipe makes a great introduction. I’ve streamlined the number of spices used in traditional recipes because garam masala already incorporates the essentials—coriander, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg, among others. This makes a hearty meatless meal, a soup, or a side dish—scoop it up with a piece of your favorite Indian bread.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups black lentils
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 2-inch piece ginger, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • One 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils, and then put them in a stockpot or Dutch oven. Add enough cold water to cover them by 2 or 3 inches. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 5 minutes, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape. (If the water level gets too low, add more water as needed to keep them covered). Drain if needed and transfer to a bowl.

Step 2

Rinse the pot and heat over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, add the olive oil and onions; cook until they become translucent, and then add the minced ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant. Push the vegetables to the sides of the pot and add the tomato paste in the center. Cook, stirring constantly, until the paste deepens in color, then mix into the vegetables. Add the garam masala, cayenne pepper, cinnamon stick, broth, and cooked lentils. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, to infuse the lentils with the spices. Then stir in the butter and cream and simmer for 2 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of cilantro if desired.

Yields 6 main servings, 6 side servings

Chicken Noodle Soup

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Often called Jewish penicillin, homemade chicken soup is soothing whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want to shake off winter’s chill. This recipe yields at least 4 quarts of stock and most of the fixings for a chicken soup dinner—that’s why I use a whole bird and not just parts.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds large carrots, trimmed, peeled, and cut into large chunks
  • 6 large celery stalks, trimmed and cut into chunks
  • 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
  • 4 parsnips, trimmed, peeled, and cut into large chunks
  • 4 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs 
  • 4 fresh dill sprigs
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
  • 20 black peppercorns
  • One 4- or 5-pound chicken, quartered
  • One 12-ounce bag of egg noodles
  • Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Directions

Step 1

Place the vegetables and herbs in a large stockpot and add water to cover them by about 4 inches. Add the salt and peppercorns and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and cook at a low boil for 2 hours. 

Step 2

Add the chicken and cook for another 2 hours with the lid slightly ajar. The chicken should readily fall off the bones when done.

Step 3

Use tongs to transfer the carrots, parsnips, celery, and chicken to a large bowl; let cool slightly. Remove and discard the chicken skin and bones. Set the meat and vegetables aside. 

Step 4

Strain the broth to remove the herbs, any bits of onion, and peppercorns. Return 8 cups to the stockpot and keep warm. Let the rest cool to room temperature.

Step 5

Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. When ready, strain and divide among 6 soup bowls. Add some chicken and vegetables and ladle in broth. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Step 6

To store the rest of the stock: Ladle the room-temperature broth into freezer-safe containers. See Quick Kitchen Nugget in my weekly newsletter for removing fat if desired. Keep what you’ll use during the coming 7 to 10 days in the fridge and freeze the rest, labeling each lid with the contents and date.

Yields 6 soup servings plus 6 to 8 quarts of stock

Lobster Risotto

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

A delicious and festive dish, this can be made quite easily with store-bought lobster broth and a pound of cooked lobster meat. I’m also including directions for making it from scratch, if you prefer, simplified by using only tails. You can get even more flavor from two whole lobsters—after steaming, remove all the claw and tail meat, then use all the shells, legs included, for the stock.

Ingredients

For Homemade Lobster Stock:

  • 4 small (4-ounce) or 2 large (8-ounce) lobster tails, defrosted if frozen
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 celery stalks, trimmed and diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 large onion, peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika, such as Heirloom Sweet Paprika
  • 2 bay leaves

For the Risotto:

  • 3 or 4 threads saffron
  • 1/2 cup dry vermouth
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 large shallots, minced
  • 1-1/2 cups short grain risotto rice, such as carnaroli, vialone nano, or arborio
  • Reserved homemade lobster stock or 4 cups best-quality store-bought stock
  • Reserved lobster meat or 8 (or more) ounces store-bought lobster meat
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided use
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions

Step 1

To make the stock: Steam the lobster tails on a rack over simmering water in a large covered pot until they turn a bright red-orange, about 8 minutes. Use tongs to transfer them to a cutting board, then pour the cooking liquid into a 4-cup heatproof measuring cup; if needed, add enough water to make 4 cups.

Step 2

Use kitchen shears to cut through the underside of the shells and remove the tail meat. Slice into 1-inch medallions, place in a dish, and cover; set aside.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven. When hot, add the olive oil, lobster shells, and all the vegetables. Sauté until the vegetables soften, stirring frequently. Add the tomato paste to the center of the pan and cook it until it darkens in color. Carefully whisk in the reserved liquid, plus another 2 cups of water, the paprika, and the bay leaves. 

Step 4

Bring to a boil, then simmer for an hour. Strain the broth into a clean saucepan, pressing down on the vegetables to extract all the liquid. You should have 4 cups; if not, add enough water to make that amount.

Step 5

To make the risotto: Soften the saffron in the vermouth; set aside. Bring the lobster stock to a low simmer in a medium saucepan. Heat a heavy sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil and shallots, sautéing them until soft, but don’t let them brown. Add the rice to the pan and stir to thoroughly coat with the oil. Cook until the rice is slightly translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring often.

Step 6

Add the vermouth-saffron mix to the pan and cook until the liquid has nearly evaporated. Ladle 1/2 cup of the hot stock into the rice mixture and stir continuously. When the liquid is almost completely absorbed, stir in another 1/2 cup of hot stock. Repeat until the rice is creamy yet al dente, about 25 minutes (you may not need all the stock). 

Step 7

Stir in 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and the lobster medallions. If the risotto is too thick, stir in any remaining stock or water, 1/4 cup at a time. Season to taste—the risotto might taste salty enough from the cheese but will benefit from a few twists of a pepper grinder. Serve immediately, topping each portion with a drizzle of olive oil and some chives and passing the rest of the cheese on the side.

Yields 4 servings