Virgin Olive Oil, A Few Great Recipes!!

Olive Oil

Gold in colour, great for adding flavor. Olive oil is one of those rare treats that tastes great and is also good for you!! Did you know that many specialty food shops offer Olive oil tastings?? Much like vineyards and their wine tasting! They pour the different oils into petite white bowls paired with pieces of bread for dipping!! Dipping the bread into the olive oil, tasters will compare the different flavors.

Although there are many different grades of olive oil, the most popular is Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Perfect for dressings & drizzling onto your finished recipes. 

A Few Great Olive Oil Recipes!

Baby Potato Salad

Ingredients: 

1) 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered

2) 3 Tbsp Fresh coarsely Chopped parsley

3) 2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped 

4) 2 Celery Stalks, chopped

5) 6 Green Onions, chopped

6) 1 Tsp Lime Juice

7) 3 Tbsp  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

8) Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

A) Wash and slice potatoes. Cook potatoes in a medium pot. 15 minutes. until tender but still firm.

B) In a large bowl, Combine Olive oil, lime juice, parsley, green onions, celery, garlic, salt and pepper, mix well

C) Drain potatoes and let cool. Put in the bowl along with olive oil mix. 

D) Toss well, coating potatoes well. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve!

Tomato Lentil Salad Topped With Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

1) 8oz Goat Cheese, Crumbled

2) 1 Cup Virgin Olive Oil

3) 1/2 Brown Lentils

4) 2-3 Garlic Cloves, Chopped

5) 1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes, Halved

6) 1 Bunch Green Onions, Chopped (save top 3 inches for later)

7) 1/2 of a Red Onion, Thinly Sliced

8) 2 Cups of Fresh Spring Greens

9) 1/4 Cup Lime Juice 

10) Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

A) In a small pot combine lentils, garlic, and a little salt. 

B) Cover with cold water and bring to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes! 

C) Add green onions, a bit more salt and pepper, simmer for another 10 minutes. (a little extra water my be needed) 

D) Drain lentils and toss in olive oil, while they are still warm.

E) Add remaining green onions, crumble the goat cheese, add lime juice, red onion and any of your own seasoning. Toss well. 

F) Spoon onto a bed of fresh greens, top with tomatoes!! 

 Bruschetta

Ingredients:

1) 1 Baguette loaf, sliced lengthwise 

2) 4 Red Vine tomatoes, chopped

3) 2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped 

4) 1/2 Red Onion, finely chopped

5) 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, coarsely chopped

6) 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

7) 1 Tbsp Virgin Olive Oil

8) Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

A) Toast baguette slices, until golden brown.

B) In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine garlic, onion, parsley mix well. Add tomatoes and toss to mix.

C) Spoon mixture onto toasted baguette. Top with shredded cheese & pepper.

D) Place in the oven on broil for 4-6 minutes. Until cheese in brown & bubbling.

E) Cool and top with olive oil, slice and serve!