Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Pork with Green Sauce (Maiale con Salsa Verde)

Not to be confused with Mexican salsa verde, the Italian version of green sauce is a bright-tasting condiment made with parsley, garlic, capers, and extra virgin olive oil. Here, we’ve paired it with pork. But it’s a versatile sauce that can accompany a variety of meats and seafood.

Ingredients

For the salsa verde:

  • 1 cup packed at-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1 anchovy fillet, coarsely chopped
  • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons drained brined capers
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

For the pork:

  • 2 pork tenderloins, about 2 pounds total, trimmed of fat and silver skin
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and coarsely ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 2

Rub the pork tenderloins on all sides with extra virgin olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast iron or other oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork tenderloin until nicely browned, about 2 minutes per side, 8 minutes in all. Place the skillet with the meat in the oven.

Step 3

Roast the tenderloins until the internal temperature is 145°F, 10 to 12 minutes, or as needed. (The meat will still be slightly pink inside. Roast longer if you prefer your pork more done.)

Step 4

In the meantime, make the salsa verde: Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and run the machine until well combined.

Step 5

Carve the pork tenderloin into 1/2-inch slices and arrange on a platter. Serve with the salsa verde.

Serves 6 — Recipe courtesy of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Italian Lamb Skewers (Arrosticini)

A specialty of Abruzzo, these delectable skewers of lamb are deceptively simple. They were a favorite of 19th- century shepherds moving their herds from spring/summer pastures to fall/winter ones. To be strictly authentic, you’d substitute mutton for lamb. (We prefer lamb.)

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless leg of lamb
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, one of them finely minced
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the meat by removing any excess fat. Then cut it into cubes about 3/4-inch thick.

Step 2

Impale the cubes of meat on 8-inch bamboo skewers (the cubes are traditionally tightly packed on the skewers). Brush the arrosticini on all sides with a sprig of rosemary dipped in olive oil.

Step 3

Heat a large lightly oiled cast iron skillet or grill pan on the stovetop. (Alternatively, you can cook the arrosticini outdoors on a medium-hot grill or hibachi.) Cook the skewers for 30 seconds to
1 minute on each side, or until the meat is nicely seared. Season with salt and rosemary before serving.

Serves 6 as an appetizer or 4 as a main course — Recipe adapted from nonnabox.com

Japanese Eggplants with Olive Oil and Tomatoes

A few years ago, I met Australian celebrity chef Kylie Kwong at the Eveleigh farmers’ market in Sydney. Kylie’s well known for her Asian fusion food, which often features extra virgin olive oil. Serve this as a starter or side dish. 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds Japanese eggplants 1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • 7 cloves garlic, minced
  • Several sprigs (about 1/4 bunch) fresh thyme
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 3 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, cored and thinly sliced
  • Juice of 1 lemon Freshly ground black pepper 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Halve eggplants lengthways, leaving the stems intact. Place in a single layer, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the 1/3 cup of olive oil, sprinkle with the garlic and thyme sprigs, and season with salt. Tightly cover the baking sheet with foil. Bake for 45 minutes, or until eggplants are tender. Remove from oven and increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Remove the foil and the thyme sprigs. Bake the eggplants, uncovered, 15 more minutes, or until lightly browned. Arrange the eggplants on a platter and top with the sliced tomatoes. Drizzle with the lemon juice and remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Serves 6 to 8Recipe adapted from Cooking with Heart and Soul with Kylie Kwong, abc.net.au