Green Beans

Green beans are often served at Rosh Hashanah.  The word for green beans in Aramaic is derived from the Hebrew word rubiyah – “to grow”, so green beans are said to bring growth in the new year.   I added cherry tomatoes, as they tend to be finishing their season when the new year arrives.  The tasty vinaigrette is what makes this dish stand out – the infused oil and vinegar are each out-of-this-world and combine to make a delightful sauce for the vegetables.  Makes a great side dish with this brisket recipe and spinach-pomegranate salad.

Ingredients:

• 2 LB    Green Beans (any stems removed)

   

• 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes (stemmed, cleaned well)

   

• 10       Basil leaves

   

• 2 TB   Lucini Extra Virgin Olive Oil

   

• Salt

   

• 2 TB    Lucini Fig Infused Balsamic Vinegar
  

   

   

• 2 TB    Lucini Garlic Infused Olive Oil
  

   

   

• 1 tsp    Mustard (prepared, dijon or yellow)
  

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Emulsify the fig balsamic vinaigrette, garlic infused olive oil, mustard and 1/4 tsp salt (optional) to make a vinaigrette.

Place the basil leaves on the bottom of a baking dish and top each leaf with 2-3 tomatoes, a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp olive oil.   Bake until the tomatoes are tender, but not collapsed, about 30-45 minutes.

Bring a large pot of water to boil and salt generously.  Cut the green beans in half, blanch them in the boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes.  Remove from pot and allow to cool.

When you are ready to serve the dish, heat 1 TB olive oil in a large frying pan then add the beans and saute, just until hot.  Plate the beans, remove the tomatoes from the baking pan with a slotted spoon and carefully place them atop the green beans.  Drizzle the vegetables with the vinaigrette and serve.

Caponata – Eggplant recipe

This is a simple recipe that takes great advantage of fresh eggplant.  It has complex flavor and will be sure to wow any party or get together!

Ingredients:

• 1           Eggplant (medium, cut into 1/2-inch cubes – 2 C)
• 1/4 C  Lucini Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1           Onion (small,  chopped in 1/2-inch dice – 1/2 C)
• 2 TB     Pine nuts
• 1 TB     Raisins
• 1 tsp    Hot Pepper (crushed)
• 1/2 tsp  Cinnamon
• 1/4 C   Lucini Rustic Tomatao Basil Sauce
• 1 TB     Lucini Cherry Infused Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 tsp    Lucini Chili Infused Olive Oil
• Salt
• Ground pepper

Preparation:

Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan (medium heat).  Saute the onions, pine nuts, raisins and hot pepper for 4 to 5 minutes until the onions have softened, but have not turned dark gold.  Add the eggplant and cinnamon and cook for 5 minutes.  Add the tomato sauce and bring to a boil, then turn heat down to low and simmer until the tomatoes are broken down, about 6-8 minutes.  Remove from the heat and add the chili infused oil and cherry balsamic.  Taste the caponata and adjust flavor with salt, pepper, cherry vinegar and chili infused oil.  Allow to cool to room temperature.

• 1/2 cup virgin olive oil
• 1 large Spanish onion, chopped in 1/2-inch dice
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• 3 tablespoons currants
• 1 tablespoon hot chili flakes, plus extra for garnish
• 2 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (to yield 4 cups)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon
• 1/4 cup basic tomato sauce, recipe follows
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

Olive Oil Preserved Mushrooms

I love pickled mushrooms of all kinds, but find this recipe works well with wild mushrooms (I find them at farmers’ markets or specialty stores like Whole Foods).  The recipe is incredibly easy – just bringing your liquids and mushrooms to a boil then covering them with a great olive oil.  The only hard part is waiting a month for the finished product!

Ingredients:

• 1 LB      Mushrooms (preferably wild mushrooms, shiitakes, morels or porcinis)
• 1            Scallion (or shallot)
• 1/4 C    Lucini Pinot Grigio White Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 C    White Wine (i use sauvignon blanc, albarinho or dry riesling – nothing oaky)
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1            Garlic Clove
• 1/4 C    Lucini Chili Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 C        Lucini Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Preparation:

Sterilize picking jar or jars sufficient to hold your mushrooms (usually 2 pint jars).  Clean the mushrooms well, removing any blemished or woody sections.  Cut any musrooms that will not fit easily into the jars whole.

Heat the scallion, vinegar and wine in a large saucepan – as it reaches a boil, add the mushrooms, salt and garlic.  Boil for 3 minutes then quickly drain well in a colander.

Pack the mushrooms in to your sterilized jars and cover with the olive oils (do not forget the infused oil!) so that there is no air left in the jar.  Cover and store in a dark, cool spot for 4-9 weeks.

Elote – Mexican Grilled Corn on the Cob

Here is a twist on that Mexican street food favorite – Elote.  There are many toppings available, but I love the most common combination of  heat, salt and citrusy lime.  Traditional recipes use butter and mayonnaise, but this healthier alternative is just as bursting with flavor.

Grilled corn goodness

Ingredients:

• 4  ears   Corn (on cob and in husk)
• 1/2 tsp  Chili Powder or Paprika
• 1/4 tsp  Salt
• 1/4 C     Lucini Fiery Chili Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Lucini Robust Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3/4 C     Lucini Stravecchio Parmigiano Reggiano (grated very fine, Cotija cheese is traditional)
• 1              Lime (quartered)

Preparation:

Start your grill.  Prepare the ears of corn by carefully peeling back the husk without damaging and then removing all of the silk.  Tie the open end with a piece of husk or cooking twine  and then soak the corn (husks and all) in cold water for 20 minutes.  Remove the and grill on a rack set about 6 inches over hot coals until the husks are charred – about 12-20 minutes.  Grills seem to heat radically so keep a close eye on your corn.  The corn is cooked when the kernels feel tender.

While corn is grilling, in a small bowl whisk together the olive oil and spices.

Brush the olive oil mixture onto hot cobs of corn and sprinkle with the cheese.  Season the corn with more salt, chili powder or paprika if desired.  Serve corn with the lime wedges – one wedge per ear of corn.

Summer Squash with Smoked Paprika

Summer squash has started to appear in local greenmarkets and reminds me of a yellow squash dish my mother used to make.  We grew squash in our garden and I always preferred sauteed squash to baked.  After trying to recreate the dish from memory, I found that the addition of smoked paprika really made this a more interesting dish and have added up to a tablespoon depending on my mood.

This makes a great side dish and also stands alone over pasta, lentils or quinoa.  Vegans can omit the sour cream – I find that doubling the vinegar works well when making the dish without dairy.

Ingredients:

• 1 LB        Squash (sliced thin – summer, yellow, zucchini, sunburst, pattypan)
• 1 TB        Lucini Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  

  Summer Squash

• 1/4 tsp  Salt
• 1/8 tsp  Ground pepper
• 1/4 C      Onions, (scallion, etc.)
• 1/2 tsp  Lucini Pinot Grigio Wine Vinegar
• 1/4 C      Sour Cream (or yogurt)
• 2 tsp       Smoked Paprika
• 1/4 C      Lucini Stravecchio Parmigiano Reggiano (optional)

Preparation:

Cut the squash into 1/4 inch thick discs (if using patty pan, half or quarter for similar size)

Heat oil in a large skillet and cook the onion and garlic over medium heat until the garlic just starts to brown. Add squash and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often.  Add the salt, pepper and paprika and mix well.  Continue cooking until the larger discs of squash just starts to wilt.  Pour in the sour cream or yougurt and stir until well distributed.

Remove from heat.  Add the parmigiano (if using) and season to taste with salt, pepper and paprika.  Ready to serve.