The Spicy Olive’s Marinated Mushrooms or Cheese Balls

The Spicy Olive’s Marinated Mushrooms or Mozzarella Cheese Balls

1/2 cup Organic Tuscan Herb olive oil

1/2 cup Traditional balsamic vinegar

1-2 cups fresh mushrooms or

1-2 cups fresh mozzarella balls

Place the olive and vinegar in a bowl and place mushrooms or cheese balls in to marinate. Add a teaspoon of our Gourmet Pepper blend spice mix for a hint of spice. Marinate for 24 hours and serve with toothpicks.

The Spicy Olive’s Holiday Salad

The Spicy Olive’s Holiday Salad

1 package mixed field greens

5 oz. feta cheese crumbles

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

seeds from 1 pomegranate

Dressing:

1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Pomegranate Quince balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Organic Persian Lime olive oil

This salad looks like Christmas in a bowl and it is delicious!

Place mixed salad greens in a salad bowl. Top with feta cheese, pine nuts and seeds from pomegranate. Mix together the Pomegranate Quince and Persian Lime olive oil and pour over salad and serve! Looks like Christmas in a bowl, red and green…so festive!

Sweet and Spicy Maple Glazed Nuts

Sweet and Spicy Maple Glazed Nut Mix

Spicy Olive recipe contest winner: submitted by Lisa and Lauren Hope 

 1 cup Pecans

 1 cup Almonds

 1 cup Walnuts

 2 tablespoons brown sugar

 2 tablespoons maple syrup

 1 tablespoon The Spicy Olive Chipotle olive oil

 1 teaspoon The Spicy Olive Vermont Maple balsamic

 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped

 1 teaspoon dried thyme, chopped

salt and pepper, 1/8 teaspoon of each

Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, toss all three nuts with brown sugar and maple syrup, The Spicy Olive’s Maple balsamic, The Spicy Olive’s Chipotle olive oil, rosemary and thyme. Spread the nuts on an ungreased, rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Season the nuts with salt and pepper and toss frequently until cooled. The nuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

The Spicy Olive’s Red Wine and Balsamic Marinated Mushrooms

Red Wine And Balsamic Marinated Mushrooms

1 lb Button or Baby Bella Mushrooms 2 cloves garlic 1 C Spicy Olive Single Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3⁄4 C red wine 1/3 C Spicy Olive 18 Year Traditional Balsamic Vinegar 1⁄4 tsp. butter or Spicy Olive Butter Olive Oil Sea salt to taste Pepper to taste

Directions:

Grate or finely chop the garlic. Add the garlic to the mushrooms. Place a large pot on medium high heat. Add 4-5 tablespoons Spicy Olive Single Varietal EVOO. Add mushrooms and garlic. Stir for about 1 minute. Add the red wine. Increase the heat to high, stir and cook for 1 minute. Add the Spicy Olive 18 Year Traditional Balsamic Vinegar and stir through. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in 1⁄4 tsp. butter.

Allow to cool. Drain and serve (reserve the liquid). Can be served whole as part of antipasto platter, or in salads or even sliced on crostini. Store remaining mushrooms in marinade in the refrigerator.

The Spicy Olive’s Macerated Berries

Macerated Berries

Ingredients:

2 C fresh strawberries 1/2 C The Spicy Olive Chocolate Balsamic 1/2 C The Spicy Olive Blood Orange Olive Oil 1 tsp. granulated sugar 1/2 C fresh basil, rolled lengthwise and then sliced lengthwise

Preparation:

Slice berries lengthwise into very thin slices. Add equal parts balsamic & oil. Gently fold in fresh basil & sugar. Reserve and spoon over top of ice cream or serve in a bowl with fresh whipped cream.

LOW FAT VERSION: Reduce the Olive Oil to 1 Tablespoon for a lower fat taste treat. You need a little bit of oil to “bind” the “sauce”, so don’t leave it out!

Alternative Spicy Olive Balsamic Vinegar Suggestions:

Strawberry Balsamic, Fig Balsamic, 18 Year Traditional Balsamic, Raspberry Balsamic, Espresso Balsamic, Chocolate Balsamic

The Spicy Olive’s Warm Apple Salad

The Spicy Olive’s Warm Apple Salad

5 tablespoons The Spicy Olive’s mild single varietal olive oil, like a Picual or Hojiblanca

2 tablespoons The Spicy Olive’s Red Apple balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon grainy mustard

2  large Granny Smith apples, cut into 3/4 inch wedges

8 cups red leaf lettuce, washed and torn

Place oven rack 8 inches from broiler and preheat. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar and mustard. Season with sea salt and pepper, if needed.  Add apples and toss to coat. Transfer apple wedges to baking sheet and broil until edges are browned and apples softened, about 5-8 minutes. Place torn red leaf lettuce into bowl with reserved dressing, add cooked apples and toss until well coated with dressing and serve. Serves 8.

Dark Chocolate

Flavor: Sweet, rich dark chocolate


Complements: Salads, fruits, chicken, pork, beef


Oil Pairings: Basil, Blood Orange, Chipotle, Harissa, Lemon, Persian Lime, Roasted French Walnut Oil


Ideas:



  1. Combine with Chipotle or Harissa EVOO for a marinade for beef, pork and chicken
  2. Combine with Basil, Blood Orange or Lemon for a different salad dressing
  3. Drizzle over fruit or ice cream

Cranberry Pear

Flavor: Tart and fruity

Complements: Salad, fruit, chicken, pork, fish, as well as water or adult beverages

Oil Pairings: Arbequina, Blood Orange,
Chipotle, Harissa, Sweet Hojiblanca, Lemon, Persian Lime, Picual, Wild Mushroom & Sage, Roasted French Walnut Oil

Ideas:

  1. Combine with Persian Lime or Blood Orange EVOO or Roasted French Walnut Oil for a salad dressing
  2. Combine with Wild Mushroom & Sage, Chipotle or Harissa EVOO for a marinade for chicken and pork
  3. Serve over ice with vodka or sparkling mineral water
  4. Use by itself as a glaze for salmon and tuna

Coconut

Flavor: Rich, creamy, fresh coconut


Complements: Salad, fruit, soup, vegetables, seafood, chicken, pork


Oil Pairings: Garlic, Harissa, Persian Lime, Herbs de Provence, Roasted Sesame Oil


Ideas:



  1. Sauté shrimp in Persian Lime EVOO, finish with a drizzle of Coconut Balsamic Vinegar
  2. Combine with Persian Lime EVOO and use as coleslaw dressing
  3. Caramelize baby carrots in a sauté pan
  4. Combine with Garlic EVOO for a great Thai flavor
  5. Combine with Herbs de Provence EVOO for salad dressing
  6. Drizzle over any lobster dish
  7. Splash in Mimosa

Cinnamon Pear

Flavor: Sweet, rich, cinnamon with the hint of pears


Complements: Salad, fruit, dessert, pork, oatmeal


Oil Pairings: Blood Orange, Butter, Chipotle, Frantoio, Garlic, Harissa, Lemon, Persian Lime, Wild Mushroom & Sage, Roasted Sesame Oil


Ideas:



  1. Combine with Blood Orange or Persian Lime EVOO for a salad dressing on spinach or arugula salad, then add fresh strawberries, Roasted French Walnut Oil, mandarin orange slices and feta cheese; or caramelize pears or apples and substitute goat cheese for feta
  2. Drizzle on yogurt, on ice cream, or over apple crisp
  3. Use as a glaze on grilled salmon or on ham
  4. Marinate with Garlic EVOO for sweet and savory chicken
  5. Drizzle over fresh pears for a great after-school snack!