Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Steak Salad with Romesco Dressing

Piquillo peppers are unique to Spain and are only sold in jarred form in the US. They can be found in many supermarkets and online. If you can’t find them, substitute one roasted, peeled red bell pepper.

Ingredients

For the marinade and steak:

  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use, plus more for drizzling
  • 4 tablespoons white wine or sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 pounds flank steak
  • 2 red onions, peeled and thickly sliced
  • 3 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and sliced into eighths
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegetable oil for the grill or grill pan
  • 1 head red leaf lettuce, washed, dried, and torn into pieces
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and torn into pieces

For the dressing:

  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, or more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons white wine or sherry vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons dry Spanish sherry
  • 1/4 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón)
  • 4 jarred piquillo peppers, drained
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped almonds
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Make the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of olive oil with the vinegar, sherry, orange juice, paprika, garlic, and oregano. Place the steak in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the marinade. Seal the bag and massage the bag to distribute the marinade. Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 450°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the peppers and onions with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread out in a single layer. Roast until the vegetables have softened and the edges are slightly charred. Set aside.

Step 3

Meanwhile, make the dressing: Place the garlic into a blender or food processor. Add the orange juice, vinegar, sherry, paprika, piquillo peppers, and almonds. Puree until smooth. With the machine running, add the olive oil in a thin stream. Season with salt and pepper. If too thick to drizzle, thin with more orange juice.

Step 4

Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Oil with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. Grill the meat to medium-rare, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 2 minutes before slicing the meat thinly across the grain on a diagonal. Drizzle with olive oil.

Step 5

When ready to serve, toss the lettuces and divide between plates or bowls. Top with the roasted peppers, onions, and steak. Drizzle with the romesco dressing.

Serves 6 — Recipe adapted from Good for You (Williams Sonoma) by Dana Jacobi (Weldon Owen, 2013)

Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Colorful and tangy, this is a salad you’ll be proud to serve to guests. Because of its soft texture, fresh goat cheese can be difficult to slice. We’ve discovered dental floss works well, especially if the cheese is chilled.

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • 1 medium red beet
  • 3 yellow beets
  • One 4-ounce fresh goat cheese log, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped chives
  • Salt and pepper

For the lemon and olive oil dressing:

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • Grated zest of 1/4 orange
  • Pinch of Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón)

Directions

Step 1

Place the beets in cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes, until tender. Peel the beets and dice into bite-size chunks.

Step 2

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss the beets in the dressing while warm, then let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a serving dish and scatter with the goat cheese, then the chives.

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from Classic Koffmann: 50 Years a Chef by Pierre Koffmann (Jacqui Small LLP, 2016)

Cauliflower with Olives and Dates

Here’s a simple tapa from Spanish celebrity chef José Andrés that depends entirely on the quality of the ingredients, beginning with fragrant, flavorful extra virgin olive oil.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 8 ounces bite-size cauliflower florets, or about 1/2 of a small head
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra sprigs for garnish
  • 8 dates, pitted and halved
  • 12 cured black olives
  • 12 brined green olives
  • 1/4 cup sweet Spanish white dessert wine, such as Manzanilla
  • 2 teaspoons Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón)

Directions

Step 1

Add the cauliflower and thyme and cook until the cauliflower is lightly browned and caramelized, about 8 minutes.

Step 2

Add the dates and olives and cook for about 1 more minute, until they are heated through.

Step 3

Pour in the wine and deglaze the pan, allowing the alcohol to burn off.

Step 4

Remove the thyme sprigs.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and sprinkle with pimentón.

Step 6

Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.

Serves 4 as a tapa — Recipe adapted from delish.com

Pear And Arugula Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette

This recipe was developed by my longtime friend Justin Wangler, executive chef for Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens in Fulton, California.

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:

  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 8 ounces arugula (10 to 12 cups)
  • 2 ripe but firm red Bartlett pears
  • 1/3 cup dry roasted, salted sunflower kernels
  • 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved

For the salad:

  • 8 ounces arugula (10 to 12 cups)
  • 2 ripe but firm red Bartlett pears
  • 1/3 cup dry roasted, salted sunflower kernels
  • 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved
Directions
Step 1

Prepare the vinaigrette: In a mixing bowl, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified. (The dressing can be prepared up to one week ahead, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before using.)

Step 2

Transfer 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette to a large bowl. Quarter, core, and seed the pears. Cut each quarter in thin slices; add to the dressing in the bowl. Let the pears stand for 15 minutes.

Step 3

Add the arugula to the pears; toss lightly to coat. Transfer to a serving platter. Top with sunflower kernels and Parmesan. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette.

Serves 8 — Recipe adapted from Kendall-Jackson Winery