Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Cauliflower Fritters

This is a popular dish in Chile. Parboiling the cauliflower makes the fritters tender.

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower, about 2 pounds
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges

Directions

Step 1

Trim the stem off the cauliflower and remove the largest leaves. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add the 1 tablespoon salt and the whole head of cauliflower, stem end up. Cook for 5 minutes, then carefully remove it from the water and let cool on a cutting board.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the flour, cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil; set aside.

Step 3

When cool enough to handle, remove any remaining leaves from the cauliflower and cut the head into slices, then cut each slice in half. You can also use any loose florets—coarsely chop them and add to the remaining batter after sautéing the main pieces.

Step 4

Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the 1/4 cup olive oil. Dip a piece of cauliflower into the batter, shake off the excess, and place in the pan. Continue until the pan is full, but don’t crowd the fritters. Sauté for 3 minutes on each side, or until golden. Transfer the fritters to a platter and repeat until all the fritters have been cooked, adding more oil to the pan, if needed, between batches. Sprinkle on the parsley, drizzle with olive oil, and serve with the lemons.

Serves 4

Pan-Seared Cilantro Citrus Fish

This marinade enhances all types of firm white fish, such as halibut, sole, cod, and hake, which in Chile is called merluza and is extremely popular because of its sweet, mild taste. Fun fact: What’s sold in the US as Chilean sea bass is typically neither Chilean nor bass but rather Patagonian toothfish, rebranded to make it sound more appealing. The sea bass eaten in Chile is actually called corvina. This marinated fish is delicious grilled, but here I’m detailing a stovetop method that turns the marinade into a sauce.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use, plus more for drizzling
  • Zest and juice (2 tablespoons) of 1 lime
  • Zest and juice (1/2 cup) of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus a few sprigs for garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds white fish fillet
  • 1 tablespoon cold butter

Directions

Step 1

Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, both zests and juices, cilantro, salt, and pepper in a deep pie plate, then add the fillet, skin side up. Marinate 1 to 2 hours in the fridge.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet. When hot, add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the fillet (skin side down), and the marinade. Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover the pan, and turn down the heat to a low simmer. Steam for 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through (it should reach 145°F on an instant-read thermometer).

Step 3

Transfer the fillet to a platter and raise the heat under the skillet to reduce and thicken the sauce, then whisk in the butter. Cut the fillet into 4 portions, plate, and garnish with the sauce, cilantro, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Serves 4

Costillar de Chanco (Chilean-Style Spareribs)

Grilling is a popular method of cooking in Chile, where families often gather on weekends to enjoy simple but ample meals, often barbecues. St. Louis-style ribs are “squared off” or trimmed and have a flat, meaty shape. Ask your butcher to halve them—this creates more flavorful surface area. Baby back ribs can be substituted for the St. Louis-style ribs and don’t need halving. Multiply quantities as needed.

Ingredients

  • 1 rack of St. Louis-style pork spareribs, halved crosswise, membrane removed
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup beer
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano, preferably Mexican
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the ribs in a nonreactive baking pan large enough to hold them. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a blender jar and blend until well combined. Pour over the ribs, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Step 2

Set up your grill for indirect grilling and heat
to medium (about 325°F). Drain the ribs and arrange them in a single layer on the grill grate. Cover the grill. After 45 minutes, check on the ribs and reposition them if needed. Close the lid and continue to cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat has receded from the bones by about 1/2 inch and is tender. (A toothpick inserted between the bones should go in easily.)

Serves 2

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