Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club
Pressing Report Page 47

Favorite Carrot Cake

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Wonderfully moist thanks to olive oil, this easy-to-make carrot cake sticks to basics: no pineapple, no raisins, no applesauce. If you’re intimidated by layer cakes—or don’t have the correct pans—bake the cake in a 9 x 13 pan or muffin tins. (Adjust baking times as needed.)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 pounds (about 4 cups) peeled and grated carrots
  • 1 cup raw pecan or walnut halves
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups maple syrup or honey
  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 4 large eggs, preferably at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Cream cheese frosting (see below)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. If you’re making classic cream cheese frosting, don’t forget to pull the cream cheese and butter out of the fridge so they can warm to room temperature.

Step 2

Toast the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet in the preheated oven until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Once they’re cool enough to handle, transfer them to a cutting board and chop them into small pieces. Reserve a couple tablespoons chopped pecans for garnishing the cake, if desired. We’ll stir the rest into the dry mixture in the following step.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine both flours, the cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Stir until blended. Add the grated carrots and chopped pecans and stir to combine.

Step 4

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, maple syrup, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully blended. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a big spoon until just combined (a few lumps are okay). Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and spread the batter in an even layer on top.

Step 5

Bake the cakes on the middle rack for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center of the cakes is springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the baked cakes on a cooling rack and let them cool completely before frosting.

Step 6

When you’re ready to assemble, prepare the frosting as directed. Carefully invert the cakes to release them from their pans. Frost the top of one cake with about one-third of the frosting. Place the second cake on top, and frost the top with another one-third of the frosting. Finish by frosting around the side of the cake with the remaining frosting. If desired, sprinkle the reserved chopped pecans on top.

Step 7

When you’re ready to serve, use a sharp chef’s knife to carefully cut the cake into slices. The cake will keep at room temperature for the rest of the day and for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Cream cheese frosting: Combine 1 pound of cream cheese, 4 tablespoons of butter (both softened), and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla in a large bowl. Beat with a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.

Serves 12 — Recipe adapted from cookieandkate.com

Wine-Braised Potatoes with Garlic and Chiles

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

The humble potato, a native of South America, takes on a sophisticated persona in this satisfying dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Yukon gold or red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch chunks
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons merquén or smoked paprika
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small Spanish onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine, preferably Chilean
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, toss the potatoes with the garlic, bay leaf, hot red pepper, paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

Step 2

In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until fully softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the potato mixture, then add the wine and broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until a skewer inserted into the potatoes meets no resistance, about 30 minutes.

Step 3

Uncover and continue to cook, now stirring more often and adjusting the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, until the liquid has thickened and lightly coats the potatoes, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf and stir in the parsley. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Note: Don’t stir the potatoes too vigorously or they’ll break apart and make the sauce gluey. Also, don’t reduce the sauce too far; as the potatoes sit off heat, they’ll continue to absorb the sauce.

Serves 4 — Recipe adapted from 177milkstreet.com

Celery and Greens Salad with Lemony Vinaigrette

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Celery, usually a wan understudy on a platter of crudités or a bit player in soups, takes on a starring role in this refreshing salad. A rather strong-flavored vegetable, it really benefits from a short soak in olive oil and lemon juice.

Ingredients

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon (preferably Meyer) or lime
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 medium celery stalks, strings removed, thinly sliced on the diagonal (about 4 cups)
  • 2 cups lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, torn if large
  • 1 medium head frisée, chicory, or escarole, cored and torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 cup hazelnuts or walnuts, toasted and finely chopped

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together the zest and juice as well as the olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Add the celery and toss, then let the mixture stand for 10 minutes. Add the parsley, frisée, and nuts, then toss again. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serves 4 — Recipe from 177milkstreet.com

Frittata with Arugula

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

This infinitely customizable recipe is good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—warm or at room temperature. The following version is vegetarian, but you can add cooked sausage, diced ham, or crispy bacon to the mix. Serve with toasted country-style bread if you’re not watching your carbs.

Ingredients

  • 5 ounces fresh baby arugula (about 4 big handfuls), washed and dried
  • 2 tablespoons white or red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for oiling the pie plate and for drizzling
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella or Monterey Jack, divided use
  • 1 scallion, trimmed, white and green parts thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and diced
  • 6 large eggs, beaten

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2

Place the arugula in a medium mixing bowl and fluff with your fingers. Add the vinegar and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil; toss gently to mix. Season lightly with salt and pepper and toss again. Set aside.

Step 3

Oil a 9-inch glass pie plate with olive oil. Scatter 3/4 cup of the cheese evenly over the bottom of the pie plate. Top with the scallions and bell pepper. Slowly pour the eggs over the vegetables and cheese.

Step 4

Bake the frittata until the eggs are just set and have begun to pull away from the sides of the pie plate, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese evenly over the top of the frittata; the heat
from the eggs will melt it. Let the frittata rest for 5 to 7 minutes before cutting into 6 wedges.

Step 5

To serve, place a wedge of frittata on each plate; pile some of the arugula salad on the side Serve extra virgin olive oil on the side for drizzling.

Serves 4 to 6 — Recipe courtesy of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club