Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club
Italian Harvest Page 12

Chocolate Budino With Olive Oil And Sea Salt

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

The word budino means custard or pudding in Italian. Rich and creamy, this already ethereal dessert is made even better when topped with olive oil and a flaky, crunchy sea salt such as Maldon.

Serves 8—Recipe adapted from Jon & Vinny’s, Los Angeles, California

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (1 3/4 cups)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided use
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 4 1/2 cups milk, separated
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • Flaky sea salt, for serving

Directions

Step 1

In a double boiler or small heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, combine the chocolate and butter and cook, stirring frequently, until almost completely melted. Turn off the stove but leave the mixture over the warm water while you prepare the rest of the budino.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk the cornstarch, cocoa powder, and half of the sugar. Add the eggs and yolks, whisking thoroughly to combine. Continue whisking while drizzling in 1/2 cup of milk, then set the bowl and whisk aside.

Step 3

In a medium pot, combine the remaining 4 cups of milk, all of the salt, and the remaining half of the sugar; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, quickly whisk one-third of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture. Then, return all of the egg mixture to the pot. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, whisking constantly, until the budino has thickened and the whisk leaves traces along the surface, 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the pan from the heat; whisk in the melted chocolate mixture and the vanilla. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large container and or transfer to a serving dish (or dishes). Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface of the budino. (This prevents it from forming a “skin.”) Refrigerate until completely chilled. Serve drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt.

Overnight Broccoli Rabe With Anchovy And Preserved Lemon

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

One of my closest friends, Justin Wangler, and I first met at A. B. Tech Culinary School in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. Justin is currently the executive chef of Jackson Family Wines in California’s Sonoma Valley. The vineyard’s new cookbook, Season, was released in September. Below is a recipe Justin shared with me; he likes to serve it with Kendall Jackson Chardonnay.

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 2 bunches broccoli rabe
  • 6 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon best-quality extra virgin olive oil
  • Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil–packed anchovy fillets, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground Aleppo pepper
  • 2 tablespoons julienned preserved lemon rind
  • 2 teaspoons sel gris

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot, combine 4 quarts of water and 1/2 cup kosher salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl half full with water and ice.

Step 2

Trim off the tough ends of the broccoli rabe stems, keeping each bunch intact. Using a pair of tongs, hold a broccoli rabe bunch by its leafy tops and submerge the stems in the boiling water for 1 minute. Then submerge the entire bunch in the boiling water and cook for 90 seconds longer. Lift the bunch out of the water and plunge it into the ice bath until cold. Repeat with the second bunch. Drain the broccoli rabe well, separate the bunches, and place on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

Step 3

In a small pot, combine the garlic and the 3/4 cup oil over low heat and heat for about 6 minutes, until the garlic is soft but not golden. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Add the lemon zest and juice and the anchovy, and stir to combine.

Step 4

In a large bowl, toss the dry broccoli rabe with the oil mixture to coat evenly. Transfer to a large, shallow airtight container and refrigerate overnight.

Step 5

Using tongs, toss the broccoli rabe in the oil mixture, then transfer the broccoli rabe and oil mixture to a serving platter. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then garnish with the Aleppo pepper, preserved lemon, and sel gris.

Serves 8—Recipe from Seasonby Justin Wangler and Tracey Shepos Cenami (Cameron, 2018)

Orecchiette With Broccoli Sauce

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

One of the most memorable dishes of my recent trip to Abruzzo was served family-style at a dinner at the Hermes farm. We liberally splashed the pasta with the exclusive olive oil blend we’d just created.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces very small broccoli florets
  • 8 ounces orecchiette or other short pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 or 2 oil-packed anchovies, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 4 ounces finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

Step 1

Steam the broccoli florets until they are very tender; set aside.

Step 2

Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain, but save a cup of the hot pasta water.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, sauté the garlic and hot red pepper flakes over medium heat until fragrant and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the steamed broccoli, anchovy, if using, and the salt, pepper, broth, and lemon zest. Bring to a gentle simmer. Start breaking down the broccoli with metal spoon or spatula into tiny pieces. (You basically want the broccoli to “melt.”) Continue to simmer over low heat until the liquid is reduced by half and the mixture has the consistency of a thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted. Add the pasta and toss well. Add a spoonful or two of the reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve in warmed shallow bowls with additional olive oil for drizzling.

Serves 4—Recipe adapted from feastingathome.com

Tuscan-Style Veal Chops

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Extra virgin olive oil becomes the base for a savory “board sauce” when mixed with fresh herbs and the natural juices of the meat. Substitute bone-in beef rib eyes or tomahawk steaks if veal is unavailable.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves
  • Four 12-ounce veal rib chops, cut 1 inch thick
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Light a charcoal grill. On a platter, mix the 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the garlic, rosemary and sage. Season the veal chops with salt and black pepper and drizzle generously with olive oil.

Step 2

Grill the chops over moderately high heat, turning once, about 6 minutes per side for medium. Transfer the chops to the platter and turn to coat with the olive oil and herbs. Generously drizzle the veal with olive oil and let stand for 3 minutes, turning the chops a few times. Spoon the juices and oil over the chops and serve.

Serves 4—Recipe from Food and Wine, June 2007