Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

The Best BBQ Sauce

This sweet and tangy sauce is great on ribs as well as roast chicken—and it makes a terrific topping for your favorite style of burger!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups ketchup
  • 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, such as Vinagre de Touriga Nacional
  • 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons powdered yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated, or 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger

Directions

Step 1

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and stir to mix.

Step 2

Bring to a boil, and then lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Yields about 4 cups

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Simple and superb! This sweet and tangy sauce is great on ribs as well as roast chicken—and it makes a terrific topping for your favorite style of burger!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, such as Vinaigre de Banyuls
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 small garlic clove, peeled and minced  
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, the 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and garlic.

Step 2

Gradually whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Season to taste with black pepper and more salt.

Yields about 1/3 cup

Gastrique À l’Orange

This quintessential French sweet-and-sour sauce is a wonderful way to dress duck and beef, especially when the meat is seared. The ingredients are simple: sugar, vinegar, and fruit juice or purée. Here is the classic gastrique recipe, but have fun experimenting with different combinations using this basic technique. 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, such as Vinagre de Touriga Nacional
  • Juice of one orange

Directions

Step 1

In a sauté pan over medium heat and without stirring, slowly heat the sugar until it caramelizes. Lower the heat and carefully whisk in the vinegar.

Step 2

Next, add the juice, whisking continuously (if the mixture hardens, the heat will melt it again). Continue cooking until the liquid reaches a syrupy consistency, but don’t let it get too thick or it will solidify—take it off the heat just before you think it’s done.

Yields about a 1/4 cup, enough to sauce two portions of your chosen protein

Shrimp with Pimentón and Garlic

This classic Spanish tapas offering is great for a delicious dinner that’s ready in about 5 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon pimentón
  • 1 pound large or extra-large shrimp, shelled and deveined 
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions

Mince the garlic and set it aside for 10 minutes to allow its healthful compound allicin to develop. Heat a large skillet, add the oil, and sauté the garlic until soft. Stir in the pimentón and then add the shrimp in one layer (if they don’t all fit, cook them in two batches). Cook for 1 minute and then flip the shrimp and cook for another minute until opaque. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the shrimp and serve.

Yields 4 appetizer or 2 main dish servings.