Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Prawns with Zingy Avocado Dip

Shrimp cocktail gets a much-needed makeover! Make the dip just before serving.

Ingredients

  • 2 fresh jalapeños, stemmed and seeded
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 lime, rind finely grated, juiced
  • 1/2 cup at-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea), or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 1/2 pounds cooked and chilled jumbo prawns or shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Edible flowers, such as nasturtiums, for serving (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Remove the stem, seeds, and veins, from the jalapeños. Finely dice one jalapeño. Set aside. Coarsely chop the remaining jalapeño and place in a blender with the avocado, sour cream, lime rind, 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice, parsley, mint, cilantro, garlic, salt, and ground cumin.

Step 2

With the motor running, add the olive oil and water in a slow, steady stream until smooth and well combined, scraping sides of blender once. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl. Add 2 tablespoons red onion and most of the reserved diced jalapeño. Stir to combine. Sprinkle with the remaining onion and jalapeño.

Step 3

Arrange the prawns on a serving platter. Scatter with the edible flowers, if using. Serve with the dip.

Serves 4 to 6 as an appetizer — Recipe adapted from taste.com.au

Roasted Barramundi with Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, and Basil

Native to Australia and the Indo-Pacific, barramundi means “large-scaled silver fish” in the Aboriginal language. If it is unavailable, substitute any sustainable firm-fleshed white fish, such as halibut, sea bass, cod, or snapper.

Ingredients

  • 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, preferably mixed colors
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Two 8-ounce barramundi fillets
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 tablespoon dry white wine
  • Pinch hot red pepper flakes
  • 1 large sprig fresh basil, leaves thinly slivered
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the tomatoes on a nonstick baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper. Roast for 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl along with all the juices.

Step 2

Place the fish on the baking sheet, drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper. Bake the fish for 10 to 12 minutes or until it is cooked through and easily flakes with a fork.

Step 3

Meanwhile, add the olives to the tomatoes along with the garlic, wine, and red pepper flakes. Arrange the fish on a platter or plates and top with the tomato mixture. Just before serving, add the fresh basil and garnish with lemon wedges.

Serves 2 — Recipe adapted from fromachefskitchen.com

Grilled Lamb Chops with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette

Lean and low-fat pastured lamb is a popular protein in Australia, where per capita consumption per year is about 18 pounds. Here, tender loin chops are grilled quickly over a hot fire and paired with a tangy olive oil vinaigrette that can be modified by your choice of fresh herbs.

Ingredients

For the lamb:

  • 2 pounds lamb loin chops, each chop about 3/4 inch thick, preferably grass-fed
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper

For the charred lemon vinaigrette:

  • 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 lemons, preferably Meyer variety, halved
  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh basil, oregano, or thyme, plus sprigs for garnish
  • 1 small clove garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, or more to taste
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Brush the lamb chops on each side with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Heat your grill to medium-high (alternatively, use a grill pan or cast-iron skillet on the stovetop).

Step 3

Make the vinaigrette: Brush the lemon halves with the tablespoon of olive oil. Arrange on the grill grate, cut sides down, and grill for 6 to 8 minutes, or until they develop some color.

Step 4

Transfer the lemons to a bowl and let rest until cool enough to handle. Juice 2 of the lemon halves (a wooden reamer works well for this) over a strainer positioned over a blender jar. (Reserve the remaining lemon halves for serving.) Discard the seeds and lemon rinds from the juiced lemons. Add the basil, garlic, mustard, and salt and pepper to the lemon juice in the blender. While the machine is running, slowly add the 1/2 cup of olive oil through the lid of the blender. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt or mustard if desired. If the dressing is too tart, add a little more olive oil. Transfer the vinaigrette to a cruet or small pitcher.

Step 5

Arrange the lamb chops directly on the grill grate at an angle to the bars. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, depending on how rare you like your lamb and how hot your grill runs. Turn and repeat. The chops should have good grill marks. An internal temperature of 125°F is rare; 135°F is medium-rare.

Step 6

Transfer the chops to a platter or plates. Let the meat rest for 3 minutes. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and garnish with the reserved lemon halves and sprigs of fresh herbs.

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from Healthy Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker Cookbook by Nancy Loseke (Penguin Random House, May 2020)

Fred’s Steak

Though this marinade was developed in the 1950s by Los Gatos, California, meat market owner Fred Schaub, Vegemite is a thoroughly Australian pantry ingredient. If you don’t have it, you can buy it online or substitute a good concentrated beef base. We also like this marinade on tri-tip or T-bone steaks.

Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons Vegemite
  • 4 ribeye or New York strip steaks, each at least 1 inch thick
  • Minced chives, for serving

Directions

Step 1

Make the marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the steak. Whisk thoroughly to mix.

Step 2

Place the steaks in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over them and seal tightly. Place the bag in a baking dish (to contain any leaks) and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.

Step 3

Preheat a grill or large grill pan to medium-high. Drain the steaks and pat dry. Grill the steaks for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until cooked to your desired doneness, 130°F for medium-rare. Transfer the steaks to a platter or plates and drizzle with olive oil. Dust with minced chives. Let the meat rest for 3 minutes before slicing and serving.

Serves 4 to 6 — Recipe adapted from barbecue-brethren.com/forum