Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Mango Gazpacho

Here’s a refreshing riff on classic gazpacho—perfect for a weekend brunch or as a prelude to lunch or a light supper. I like to serve it in small straight-sided Spanish sherry glasses called chatos.

Ingredients

  • 3 mangoes, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped
  • 2 cups fresh orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
  • 1 seedless cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 1 small red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 1 small onion, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 to 1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and minced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, basil, mint, or cilantro
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Process the mangoes, orange juice, lime juice, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a blender or food processor until puréed.

Step 2

Transfer to a medium bowl or pitcher, along with the bell pepper, onion, garlic, jalapeño (if using), and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate.

Step 3

Drizzle with additional olive oil before serving.

(The gazpacho can be made several hours ahead.)

Serves 6 — Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Olive Oil Fudge Sauce

Delicious over homemade olive oil ice cream or premium store-bought vanilla, this decadently rich sauce forms a soft chocolate shell as soon as you spoon it on the cold ice cream.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 6 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Step 1

In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, over medium heat, heat the cream until it simmers. Reduce the heat to low and add the chocolate. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Whisk in the olive oil. Remove the sauce from the heat.

Step 2

Pour the sauce into a gravy boat or small container with a pouring spout if serving immediately. Otherwise, it can be held in a covered container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerated. Reheat for a few seconds in a microwave or a double-boiler.

Makes 1 cup — Recipe courtesy of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club

Spinach and Chickpeas (Espinacas con Garbanzos)

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

Spanish Mixed Green Salad (Ensalata Mixta)

A large platter of greens studded with vegetables is a popular entrante (starter) in Spanish homes or restaurants. Depending on what you add to it (avocados, asparagus, corn kernels, etc.), it can be the meal itself. Feel free to customize it according to what you have on hand.

Ingredients

  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, rinsed and spun dry
  • 2 medium tomatoes, cored and quartered
  • 1 medium seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and sliced into 1/4-inch strips
  • 1/4 to 1/2 medium red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled, trimmed, and grated
  • One 6-ounce can premium water-packed tuna, drained
  • One 14-ounce can water-packed artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
  • 2 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup pimento-stuffed green olives
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine or sherry vinegar, or more to taste
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper
  • Crusty bread or rolls, for serving (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Tear the lettuce into bite-size pieces and arrange as a bed on a large platter with a deep well.

Step 2

Arrange the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and carrot decoratively on top.

Step 3

Break the tuna into chunks with a fork and scatter evenly on top of the salad. Top with the artichoke hearts, eggs, and olives. (The undressed salad can be covered and refrigerated for an hour or two.)

Step 4

Combine the olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl and whisk until emulsified. Taste, adding more oil, vinegar, or salt and pepper, if desired. Drizzle over the salad. Serve immediately with crusty bread, if desired.

Serves 4 to 6 — Recipe adapted from thespruce.com