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Fresh Corn Salad

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 ears of sweet corn
  • 1 yellow pepper, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 c. cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 c. lime juice
  • 1/4 c. of your favorite Oli+Ve EVOO
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

  • Cut the fresh corn off the cob and steam for 3-5 minutes in 1/4 c. water
  • Remove lid and cook, stirring, 2 minutes more until water evaporates.
  • Toss corn with all other ingredients and chill.
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Fig and Blue Cheese salad with Orange vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 to 10 fresh figs, quartered, stem removed
  • 1/2 lb. blue cheese (gorgonzola recommended)
  • 1 head of butter lettuce
  • 1/4 c. Oli+Ve Medium to intense EVOO
  • 3 T freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • Zest of one orange
  • Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

  • Rinse and pat dry the lettuce. Place in a salad bowl.
  • Arrange the quartered figs on top of the lettuce and sprinkle with the crumbled blue cheese
  • Make the vinaigrette: place the diced shallots, orange juice, orange zest, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Pour over salad.
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Cream of Roasted Pepper and Tomato Soup with Tuscan Herb EVOO

Ingredients

2 – 28 oz. cans tomato puree
1/2 cup white wine 
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock 
2 large red bell peppers, roasted, seeded, peeled and chopped, or one jar of roasted red peppers, drained & chopped
3 tablespoons Tuscan Herb Olive Oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch fresh basil leaves washed, dried, & torn, reserving 6 small sprigs for garnish
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup grated Romano Cheese 
1 cup heavy cream 
sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 

Directions

In a medium (5+ quart) heavy stock pot, heat one tablespoon of Tuscan Herb Olive Oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent, for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Add the white wine and reduce by half.

Add the chicken stock, roasted peppers, tomato puree, basil leaves and oregano to the pot. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the pot from heat. Using an immersion blender, puree the hot soup until smooth and creamy in consistency. Add the heavy cream and Romano Cheese and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve individual bowls of soup drizzled with approximately one teaspoon of Tuscan Herb Olive Oil and a sprig of basil. Serve immediately.

Serves 4-6

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Chilled Heirloom Tomato Soup

Ingredients

* 2 1/2 lbs. heirloom (or conventional) tomatoes, peeled and cut into big pieces
* 1 clove garlic
* 6 leaves basil, plus extra for garnish
* 4 tbsp. Oli + Ve Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 2 tbsp. Oli + Ve Red Wine Vinegar
* 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
* 1 pinch salt
* 2 pinches sugar
* 2 cucumbers, peeled
* 1 red watermelon
* 1 golden watermelon (if available)

Directions

1. Puree tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and vinegar in a food processor. Put mixture in a pot and add chicken stock, salt and sugar. Heat soup until warm. Place pot in a large bowl filled with ice. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours. 

2. Use a melon baller to scoop out cucumber and watermelon. Place in bowls. Add soup. Garnish with basil. Serve.

Serves 6 to 8

(adapted from Greenbrier resort)