Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Pasta With Garlic and Olive Oil

This recipe hails from one of my favorite regions in one of my favorite countries—Lazio, Italy. Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club members recently got to savor a bold Canino olive oil from a wonderful producer, an agricultural cooperative of small local farmers who carry on their respective family traditions and passion for growing olives. I’m happy to say that this classic pasta dish is divine with any of the Club’s extra virgin olive oils! You probably have the ingredients in your kitchen already, so you can be enjoying it tonight. For an even healthier meal, choose whole wheat pasta or an alternative made with legumes, such as black beans or yellow pea protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • 1 pound pasta, any variety, fresh or dried
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 fresh pepperoncini or red chile pepper, thinly sliced, or crushed red pepper flakes to taste 
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and add the salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 or 8 minutes. 

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet and, when very warm, add the olive oil, garlic, and pepper (if using crushed flakes, add them later, as noted below). Cook over medium heat until the garlic softens and starts to turn color, about 5 minutes. 

Step 3

Use tongs to transfer the pasta to the skillet along with a 1/4 cup of its cooking water. Toss well to coat the pasta in the oil and continue cooking for another 2 minutes until the pasta water is just about fully absorbed (if using pepper flakes, add them now). Sprinkle with the parsley, drizzle with more olive oil, and serve.

Yields 4 servings

Energy-Boosting Hazelnutty Banana Smoothie Recipe

Here’s a recipe from gut health expert Dr. Vincent Pedre’s The GutSMART Protocol. The gut plays a powerful role in whole-body health and this delicious smoothie will will brighten your mornings!

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup almond milk (carrageenan-free, unsweetened)
  • 1 teaspoon rice malt syrup or allulose
  • 1/2 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla flavoring
  • 4 teaspoons almond butter
  • 1/4 cup hazelnuts, chopped, plus 1 chopped hazelnut for garnishing
  • 2 Brazil nuts
  • 1 frozen banana, cut into chunks

Directions

Step 1

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with the reserved chopped hazelnut. 

Yields 1 serving

Buffalo “Wings” Cauliflower Style

Chicken wings and cauliflower have one thing in common: They take on the flavor of whatever delicious ingredients you lavish on them. Now, here’s what they don’t have in common: similar nutritional benefits—cauliflower wins that game hands down. But nowhere is it written that good for you can’t taste good to you as well. This refresh of Buffalo wings will convince you. 

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of cauliflower 
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 
  • 1/4 cup your favorite hot sauce
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Optional: blue cheese dip and celery sticks

Directions

Step 1

Place one of your oven racks in the bottom third of the oven and preheat it to 425°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Cut the cauliflower into large florets with as much of the stem as possible intact to give them the look of wings. Transfer to a large bowl, including any cauliflower bits. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, the garlic and ancho chile powders, and the black pepper, then whisk in two tablespoons of olive oil. Pour the mixture over the cauliflower and toss to coat.

Step 3

Arrange the cauliflower pieces on the sheet pan without crowding them and bake for 10 minutes. Take the sheet pan out of the oven and flip the cauliflower pieces. Bake for another 10 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile make the Buffalo sauce: whisk together the hot sauce, the remaining olive oil, the lemon juice, and minced garlic in a small bowl, and set aside. 

Step 5

Take the cauliflower out of the oven, flip each piece again, and brush with the Buffalo sauce. Return to the oven for a final 10 minutes or until browned and crispy. Serve while still warm. 

Yields 4 servings

Asparagus with Olive Oil Sabayon

Fresh asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables, especially when paired with a luscious olive oil sabayon. If not using the asparagus immediately, trim the ends (as you would cut flowers) and stand upright in a tall glass of water. Cover the tips with a plastic bag and refrigerate for a day or two.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 pound green or white asparagus, tough ends trimmed
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black or white pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the wine and vinegar in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the mixture by three-quarters and let cool.

Step 2

Steam the asparagus in a double boiler over medium-high heat until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes; set aside but keep warm.

Step 3

Transfer the wine reduction to the top of a double boiler and add the egg yolks. Set over simmering water over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the yolks thicken enough to fall into thin ribbons when the whisk is lifted from the pan. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually whisk in the olive oil. Thin, if necessary, with one to two tablespoons of water. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4

Arrange the asparagus on a platter, spoon on the sauce, and serve.

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from saveur.com