Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Lamb Kebabs with Mixed Vegetables

Lamb is an Aussie favorite, and over 90 percent of Australian sheep are grassfed. Most recipes for lamb kebabs call for an overnight marinade. But we prefer a technique called “dry brining.” Meat is seasoned with salt, which mixes with the meat’s natural juices on the surface through osmosis and is then absorbed into the protein fibers for maximum flavor, tenderness, and caramelization.

Ingredients

For the lamb:

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Greek
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 lemons, each cut into 6 wedges
  • 2 pounds leg of lamb or lamb shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3 to 4 teaspoons coarse salt (kosher or sea)

For the vegetables:

  • 3 bell peppers (any color), stemmed, seeded, and cut lengthwise into quarters
  • 1 red onion, peeled and cut into quarters through the stem ends
  • 2 zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch slices
  • 1 eggplant, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint, oregano, or flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Step 1

Make a baste by combining the olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, coriander, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in the juice of one-half lemon (3 wedges). Set aside until ready to cook.

Step 2

Divide the lamb into four piles and thread snugly on 10-inch metal (preferred) or bamboo skewers. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the kebabs on the rack and season all exposed sides with the salt, dropping the salt from a height of 6 to 8 inches for even distribution. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 1 to 4 hours.

Step 3

Set up your charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling and heat to medium-high. (Alternatively, heat a large grill pan on the stovetop. You can also broil the kebabs.)

Step 4

Thread the vegetables on skewers and brush with olive oil. Grill, turning as needed, until tender-crisp. Arrange in an attractive pattern on a serving platter and season with salt. Sprinkle with the mint. Set aside.

Step 5

Blot the meat dry with paper towels but do not rinse off the salt. Brush the kebabs on the exposed sides with the basting mixture and arrange on the grill grate. Grill, turning as needed with tongs, until the kebabs are nicely browned and cooked to your liking (about 4 to 6 minutes per side for rare), brushing every few minutes with the baste. Give the kebabs a final basting before transferring to a platter or plates. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges and grilled vegetables.

Serves 4

Prawn and Pork Fried Rice

Asian cuisine abounds in Australia, and this dish is one of my favorites! Fried rice is a kitchen-sink kind of meal—a great way to use up veggies and any leftovers you have, so feel free to augment the ingredients with whatever you have on hand.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 8 ounces pork tenderloin, trimmed and cubed
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 8 ounces shelled and deveined shrimp
  • 4 cups any combination of chopped onions, diced carrots, bell pepper, broccoli florets, mushrooms, scallions, and/or peas
  • 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 cups cooked rice, white or brown, at room temperature
  • Optional: 1/4 cup unsalted, roasted peanuts

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large wok or deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When hot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and stir-fry the pork and garlic until the meat is cooked through; transfer to a bowl. Add the rest of the olive oil and stir-fry the shrimp until cooked through (pink and opaque); transfer to the bowl with the pork.

Step 2

If necessary, add 2 more tablespoons olive oil to the pan, then stir-fry all the vegetables until tender and the onions have turned a light brown. Add the rice along with the sesame oil, hoisin, and soy, and mix thoroughly; cook on medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Add back the pork and shrimp, then cook for another 5 minutes. Fluff before serving.

Serves 4

Salmon Rissoles with Mango Aioli

Rissoles are little patties of minced meat or fish popular in Australia. Though often grilled, they’re smaller than burgers—and never served on a bun—and loaded with veggies, herbs, and spices. Salmon rissoles often feature tinned fish, but using fresh salmon is a winner, and the flesh is easy to mince with a sharp knife (skip the food processor because it will quickly create a paste instead of a mince).

Ingredients

For the mango aioli:

  • 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 cup best-quality mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 ounces diced mango
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

For the rissoles:

  • 8 ounces red-skinned potatoes, quartered and steamed until tender
  • 8 ounces fresh salmon, such as sockeye
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • 4 ounces onion, peeled, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup panko or fresh breadcrumbs

Directions

Step 1

Make the aioli: Add all the ingredients to a food processor or use a stick blender to purée them until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Step 2

Cut the cooked potatoes into a fine dice and place in a large bowl. Use a sharp knife to skin the fillet, then mince the flesh. Add the salmon to the bowl along with the parsley, 3 tablespoons olive oil, the onions, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix thoroughly and form into 3-inch patties. Put the panko into a pie plate and set it next to your stovetop along with the patties.

Step 3

One by one, coat the rissoles with the panko. Heat a large skillet and, when hot, add the rest of the olive oil. Add the rissoles to the pan in a single layer. Sauté until crispy, about 5 minutes on each side. When serving, pass the aioli separately.

Serves 4

Cordero al Asador with Herbed Salmuera (Grilled Leg of Lamb Basted with Salt Water)

South Americans usually take a simple approach to their meats. This salt- and herb-based liquid, called salmuera (the precursor to chimichurri), was used by gauchos, the nomadic cowboys of South America, to baste proteins when cooking over live fire.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly cracked black peppercorns
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as mint, rosemary, or thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes One 5- to 6-pound leg of lamb Extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Combine the water and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until the salt dissolves. Add the peppercorns, garlic, herbs, and hot red pepper flakes. Let cool. In the meantime, build a medium fire using charcoal or wood. (You can cook the lamb on a gas grill, too.) Generously oil the lamb on all sides with olive oil. Arrange on the grill grate. Grill the meat, turning occasionally, until the lamb is done to your liking, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting often with the salmuera. Carve the lamb, then serve with more olive oil.

Serves 4 to 6