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Spinach and Chickpeas (Espinacas con Garbanzos)

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Especially popular in the Andalucían city of Seville, this dish can be served as a tapa, a light meal, or a satisfying side dish. Bagged baby spinach is usually sold washed. If your spinach is garden-fresh, rinse it well and drain itbefore adding to the chickpeas.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup jarred or canned chickpeas, drained
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 Spanish onion, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 cup tomato purée
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups tightly packed baby spinach

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the chickpeas under cold running water and drain. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat a nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and stir in the garlic and onions. Cook until the onions and garlic are softened and golden brown. Season with the paprika and cumin. Stir in the tomato purée. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the spinach and cover the pan. Let the mixture cook for
2 minutes. Remove the lid and add the chickpeas. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper, if desired. Continue to cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a shallow bowl and drizzle with additional olive oil before serving.

Serves 2 — Recipe adapted from spainonafork.com

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

This is a popular item at restaurants and the soup station at supermarkets, yet so often tastes gummy. My recipe is chunky and creamy at the same time, thanks to a simple roux technique and not over-blending.  

Ingredients

  • 7 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 large sweet onion, about 12 ounces, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Coarse salt 
  • 2 pounds broccoli, trimmed and cut into small florets (slice stems into discs)
  • 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • 10 ounces sharp or very sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1

Heat a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium heat. When hot, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the onions, and garlic. Add a pinch of salt to help the onions sweat. Sauté until soft, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook until it turns a brighter green, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Use a large slotted spoon to transfer all the veggies to a large bowl next to your cooktop.  

Step 2

Add the rest of the olive oil to the pot along with the flour and stir vigorously for 2 minutes to make a roux and cook the flour. Whisk in the broth, a half-cup at a time, letting the mixture come to a boil before adding the next half-cup. Repeat the technique with the milk and then stir in 8 ounces of the cheese. When smooth, add back in the vegetables. Continue to cook, partly covered, at a low simmer for 30 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Stir occasionally to make sure all the broccoli gets submerged.

Step 3

Using an immersion blender or working in batches with a standard blender, blend the soup, stopping short of a full purée. Taste and season as desired with salt and pepper. Garnish servings with the rest of the grated cheddar and a drizzle of olive oil.

Yields 8 to 10 servings

Roasted Butternut Bisque

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

This soup is hearty enough for a meal—just add salad and crusty bread. It’s equally delicious made with Hubbard squash when you can find it! You can also get creative with toppings—a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling of pomegranate arils, and perhaps roasted and chopped nuts.

Ingredients

  • One 2-pound butternut squash
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 large carrots, trimmed and sliced
  • 1 apple, such as Macoun or Gala, cut into chunks
  • 3 scallions, trimmed and sliced
  • 2 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium, more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons sherry
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon curry powder (optional)
  • Freshly ground white pepper

Yields 4 servings

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice the squash lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds (you may roast them separately for a crunchy snack). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle it with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Place the squash halves, cut side down, on the parchment and roast for one hour or until a knife tip easily pierces the flesh. Let the squash cool while you continue with the recipe.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet until hot—a few drops of water sprinkled on the pan will sizzle when it’s ready. Add the rest of the olive oil, the onions, carrots, apple, and scallions; slow-cook until soft but not browned. Add the sherry and cook for another 10 minutes.

Step 3

Peel the skin from the squash and cut the squash into chunks. Working in batches as needed, place the squash, the other cooked ingredients, and the broth in a blender and process until smooth. Transfer the soup to a large saucepan and heat through before serving. Season with the curry powder, if desired, and a few pinches of pepper.

Easy Greek Bean Soup (Fasolada)

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

According to ancient Greek mythology, Theseus promised Apollo olive branches and fresh fruit if he triumphed over the fearsome Minotaur. But stores of fresh food were nearly depleted during the return sail from Crete, forcing Theseus to offer this simple soup to the god. And it is fit for the gods!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • 1 large yellow or white onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea), or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 3 celery ribs, diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth, or more if needed
  • Three 15-ounce cans cannellini or navy beans, drained, rinsed, and drained again
  • 2 large carrots, trimmed, peeled, and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, or more to taste
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • Rustic country-style bread, for serving

Directions

Step 1

Heat a heavy pot, like a Dutch oven, over medium-high heat. Add
2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chopped onion, salt and pepper. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring regularly. Next, add the garlic, celery, bay leaf, and oregano. Cook 5 more minutes, stirring regularly.

Step 2

Add the broth, cannellini beans, carrots, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Increase the heat and bring to a rolling boil for 3 minutes or so. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, adding more broth if necessary.

Step 3

Remove the bay leaf. Ladle 2 cups of the soup into the bowl of a food processor or a blender jar. (If using a blender, place a folded kitchen towel over the lid and hold it down firmly.) Blend, then return to the cooking pot. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove the soup from the heat.

Step 4

Off the heat, stir in about 1/3 cup of olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley. Transfer to serving bowls and top each bowl with another drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if desired. Serve with your favorite rustic bread.

Serves 4 to 6 — Recipe adapted from themediterraneandish.com