Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

All-American Gingerbread Cookies

The dough for these quintessential holiday cookies can be made a day in advance. After baking and cooling, glaze them with simple icing or use thicker royal icing to create fun patterns. 

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon Ground Buffalo Ginger Root
  • 1 tablespoon ground Heirloom Vietnamese Cinnamon
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg 
  • 1 tablespoonallspice
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground Vine-Ripened Black Peppercorns
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard 
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, more if needed 
  • 2 cups white whole wheat flour 
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature 
  • 1-1/4 cups dark brown sugar 
  • 2 large eggs 
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup molasses 

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, whisk together the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, and dry mustard. In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then whisk in the spice mix (this helps to ensure even distribution).

Step 2

Cream the butter and sugar until light and smooth. Beat in the eggs, olive oil, and molasses. When fully incorporated, add the flour mixture at a very low speed, in two or three batches, and mix until a dough forms. If the dough is too wet, add more all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Transfer the dough to a large piece of parchment paper and flatten it, then wrap it up in the paper and chill until firm, about 3 hours. 

Step 3

To make the cookies, heat your oven to 350°F. Working with half the dough at a time, roll it out on a large piece of parchment paper dusted with flour to about 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to make your desired shapes and a large metal spatula to transfer the cookies to ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes depending on size. Cool for 10 minutes before transferring the cookies to racks to finish cooling. Ice as desired.

Yields approximately 50 3-inch cookies 

Imperial Bloody Mary

This recipe has twice the tomato-y depth of traditional mixes, thanks to the tomato powder, yet requires little extra effort for all that taste. Enjoy it “virgin” or with your favorite vodka. Multiply the quantities for a party!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces best-quality tomato juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon Ground Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  • Splash (about 10 drops) Worcestershire sauce, plus more to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon Vine-Ripened Black Peppercorns
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • Juice of 1/4 lemon
  • Cholula or Frank’s hot sauce to taste
  • 1 jigger vodka (optional)
  • Optional garnish: celery sticks

Directions

Add all the ingredients to a small pitcher and stir well. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking by adding more tomato powder,Worcestershire, horseradish, and/or hot sauce. Add 3 or 4 ice cubes to two highball glasses and fill with the Bloody Mary mix. Garnish with a celery stick if desired.

Yields 2 drinks

Savory Puff Pastry Wheels

These look so elegant yet are a snap to make with packaged puff pastry (I love the Dufour brand because it uses real butter). Flaky and delicious on their own, they’re sublime when topped with a slice of Brie and some fig jam. 

Ingredients

  • 1 package frozen puff pastry dough, defrosted overnight in the fridge
  • 1 tablespoon Herbes de Provence
  • 1 tablespoon Ground Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Caramelized Onion Powder
  • 1 small egg, beaten

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F. On a floured surface with a floured rolling pin, gently roll out any folds in the dough. Sprinkle the entire surface with the tomato powder, herbs, and onion powder (use your fingers as needed to spread them out evenly).

Step 2

Slice the dough in half lengthwise, then roll up each half lengthwise, jelly roll style. Next, cut each roll into rounds about 1-inch wide. Place the rounds flat on two cookie sheets and brush the tops and sides with the beaten egg. Bake until nicely puffed and browned, about 25 minutes, but start checking sooner in case your oven runs hot.

Yields about 32 pinwheels

Fresh Herb Marinade

This marinade imparts deep flavor to meat, especially when marinated overnight. Consider the following herbs a suggestion—make this recipe your own by combining your favorites, fresh or dried. Note: This Condimento Barili Exclusivi marinade is excellent for beef, lamb, and game; you can adapt it to chicken, pork, and fish by using Condimento Bianco Senape from my collection instead of Barili Exclusivi.

Ingredients

  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 sprig fresh basil
  • 3 fresh sage leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1/4 cup Condimento Barili Exclusivi 
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

If using fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs, strip the leaves and place them on a cutting board along with the tarragon, basil, sage, garlic, and salt. Coarsely chop them all together. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the vinegar and black pepper, then slowly whisk in the olive oil until thoroughly blended. 

Yields about 2/3 cup