Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club
Australian Harvest Page 18

Tomato and Bread Soup (Pappa al Pomodoro)

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Fresh tomatoes usually get all the love, obscuring the fact that canned tomatoes, preserved at their peak in their own juices, are wonderful, too! This soup, though made of humble ingredients, is transformed when drizzled with exquisitely fresh olive oil. 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 medium onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
  • One 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes, crushed by hand, with juices
  • 2 sprigs fresh basil, plus torn leaves for serving
  • 1/3 pound (about 6 ounces) fresh or stale rustic bread, crusts removed, torn or cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 cups warm vegetable or chicken stock, plus more as needed
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Directions

Step 1

In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add red pepper flakes and garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic just begins to turn golden. Add the onion and cook, stirring, just until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and their juices, along with the basil sprigs, and bring to a simmer. 

Step 2

Stir in the bread. Ladle the stock on top, stirring to combine. Simmer the soup, adding more stock as needed, until the bread is completely softened and custardy and soup has thickened to a porridge-like consistency, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Discard the basil sprigs. 

Step 3

Divide the soup between four bowls, generously drizzle the soup with olive oil, and grind black pepper on top. Garnish with torn basil leaves and serve. 

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from seriouseats.com 

Grilled Halloumi and Greek Salad Wraps

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Halloumi, a brined goat’s milk cheese from Cyprus, is having a moment in Australia. On my most recent trip, it seemed to be everywhere! Because it has a high melting point, this firm, somewhat salty cheese can be grilled, fried, or sautéed without losing its shape. You can cut it into cubes, sauté it, then anoint with EVOO and coarse salt. Voila! An easy appetizer. 

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for the cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or good quality red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 hothouse cucumber, diced
  • One head romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and torn
  • 12 brined Kalamata olives, drained, pitted, and halved
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley
  • 12 ounces of halloumi, cut crosswise into 1/3 inch thick slices
  • 4 flatbreads or wraps, or use lettuce leaves for a low-carb option
  • 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt 

Directions

Step 1

Make the salad: In a bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the lemon juice, and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, olives, and parsley. Toss gently to coat the vegetables with the dressing. 

Step 2

Coat the slices of halloumi with olive oil. (To do this easily, pour some oil on a rimmed sheet pan and gently dredge the cheese through it, coating both sides.) Heat a grill pan to medium and grill the cheese for 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning with tongs or a thin-bladed spatula. (Work in batches if needed.) 

Step 3

Spread each of the flatbreads (or a lettuce leaf) with a tablespoon of the yogurt. Top each with a quarter of the salad and the halloumi. Serve immediately. 

Serves 4 — Adapted from olivemagazine.com 

Curtis Stone’s Pan-Roasted Salmon and Beets

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone champions healthy eating while minimizing dinner dishes with this recipe. Generally, we’ve noticed Aussies love their beets, even putting them on hamburgers. 

Ingredients

  • 4 medium beets, preferably golden (1 pound total), scrubbed and very thinly sliced
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • 1 1/2 pound skinless salmon fillet
  • 1 tablespoon each finely chopped fresh chives, flat-leaf parsley, and tarragon
  • 3 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 cups mixed baby greens
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F. On a baking sheet, toss the beets with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the beets in the center of the baking sheet forming a bed large enough to hold the salmon. Roast the beets for about 20 minutes, or until tender-crisp. 

Step 2

Place the salmon on top of the beets. Brush the salmon with 1/2 tablespoon of the oil and season with salt and pepper. 

Step 3

In a large bowl, mix the parsley, chives, and tarragon. Sprinkle all but 1 tablespoon of the mixed herbs over the salmon. Roast the salmon for about 15 minutes, or until cooked to medium-rare (slightly rosy in the center). Remove from the oven. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 4 tablespoons of oil, the shallots, lemon zest and juice into the remaining mixed herbs. Season the dressing to taste with salt and pepper. 

Step 4

Toss the mixed greens with 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Drizzle the remaining dressing over and around the salmon and beets and serve the greens alongside. 

Serves 4 — Recipe from Curtis Stone 

Kylie Wong’s Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

If you typically accompany your beef with Port wine or horseradish sauce, trade those for this bright, Asian-inflected “dressing” from Australian chef and restaurateur Kylie Kwong. 

Ingredients

  • 2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced crosswise
  • 2 tablespoons peeled fresh ginger, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons shoyu or tamari soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil plus
  • 2 tablespoons, divided use
  • 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin, preferably center-cut
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Sea salt 

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small mixing bowl, combine the scallions, ginger, cilantro, shoyu, vinegar, and brown sugar. Slowly whisk in the 1/4 cup of olive oil. Set aside. 

Step 2

Rub the meat on all sides with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, then season with salt. Preheat an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Sear the meat on all sides until nicely browned, turning as needed, 6 to 8 minutes. 

Step 3

Transfer the meat to a rack in a roasting pan. (Line the pan with foil for easier clean-up.) Roast until the internal temperature of the meat is 130°F for medium-rare, about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. Do not overcook. Let the meat rest, covered with foil, for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with the sauce. 

Serves 4 to 6 — Recipe adapted from Tree to Table by Patrice Newell (Penguin Global, 2009)