Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Béarnaise Sauce

The ultimate sauce for filet mignon or any great steak—it’s rich and buttery.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sherry vinegar, such as Pedro Ximénez Reserve 
  • 1 shallot, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 6 ounces unsalted butter
  • Coarse salt to taste

Directions

Step 1

In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar, shallot, black pepper, and tarragon to a boil. Lower the heat and cook until the vinegar is reduced by half. Pour into the top of a double boiler (or a metal or heatproof glass bowl that will fit over a saucepan), allow to come to room temperature, and then whisk in the yolks and the water. 

Step 2

Melt the butter, and set aside. Fill the bottom of the double boiler or saucepan with 2 inches of water, bring to a boil, and then lower the heat to a simmer. Place the top of the double boiler or the bowl over the simmering water and whisk the mixture until it doubles in volume.

Step 3

Slowly whisk in the butter, about 2 tablespoons at a time. Continue whisking vigorously until the sauce becomes thick but still pourable. Taste, and season with salt if desired. Remove the double boiler from the heat. The sauce can sit while you cook your steak. Whisk it gently before serving if needed.

Yields about 1/2 cup.

Leek and Cheese Frittata

If you have family or friends staying over, a leek and cheese frittata is the perfect breakfast food—and my recipe gives a delicious result without requiring you to slave away in the kitchen! You’ll see that it has only a pinch of salt, to cut back on sodium, a health goal for almost all of us. 

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large leek (the white and some of the tender green part), sliced
  • Pinch of coarse salt

Directions

Step 1

In a bowl, whisk the eggs, cheese, butter, and milk. Heat a frying pan, add the oil, and sauté the leek slices until softened, adding the salt as they cook. Pour the egg mixture into the saucepan, and cook over medium heat until firm.

Step 2

Cover the pan with a lid, remove from heat, and let stand for 10 minutes. You can serve it hot or at room temperature. If you’d like to prepare it ahead by an hour or so, leave the lid on.

Yields 4 servings

Balsamic Vinaigrette

This vinaigrette must be in your repertoire. It can also be made in a blender or food processor: Pulse all ingredients except the olive oil for a few seconds (the machine can mince the garlic for you), and then, with the machine still running, slowly add the olive oil through the opening in the lid/top until the mixture is blended. (You’ll find that a vinaigrette with honey will quickly emulsify and create a thick dressing.) For deeper flavor, add more vinegar, one teaspoon at a time.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, such as Barili Exclusivi Condimento
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper 
  • 1 small garlic clove, peeled and minced
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Step 1

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic.

Step 2

Add the oil and whisk continuously until the dressing is emulsified.

Yields a scant 1/2 cup

Filet Mignon Alla Modena

This recipe is inspired by the beef dish served at Ristorante Cavallino in Modena, Italy.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose or white whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon each fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 6-ounce filet mignon steaks, about 1-1/2 inches thick 
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, such as 15 Barili or Barili Exclusivi Condimento
  • 1/2 cup beef stock 

Directions

Step 1

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a pie plate. Heat a cast-iron skillet or other heavy pan large enough to hold the steaks, and then add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, dredge both sides of each steak in the flour mixture, shake off any excess, and add to the pan. Sauté for about 4 minutes, and then flip to cook the other side, about 4 minutes more for rare.

Step 2

When the steaks are done to your liking, transfer them to four dinner plates. Deglaze the pan with the balsamic, and then add the stock. Reduce the liquid to a thick sauce.

Step 3

Spoon equal amounts over each steak and serve.

Yields 4 servings.