Baby Arugula-Lemon Pesto Over Spaetzle wtih Schnitzel Using Ultra Premium Arbequina Olive Oil


Here we have a pork chop, also known as schnitzel in German cuisine, pounded to 1/4-inch thick, breaded, and then pan fried in super fresh UP Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil with an FFA of .2 and phenol content measured at 236 ppm.  With such chemistry, this exquisite extra virgin olive oil scoffs at being heated to a measly 350 degrees!

Anywhere oil is used, Ultra Premium Quality Extra Virgin Olive oil can and should be used.... even in classic and updated German recipes. 

Schnitzel
4 boneless center cut pork chops, 7-8 oz. each, pounded to 1/4-inch thick (You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts here too!)
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon sea salt
fresh ground pepper to taste
UP Extra Virgin Olive Oil for frying
lemon wedges (optional)

Heat 2 inches of extra virgin olive oil in a heavy frying pan, (a seasoned cast iron pan is ideal) until the oil reaches 350.

Whisk the milk with the eggs and a pinch of salt and add to a shallow pie plate or dish.  Add the bread crumbs to a similar shallow dish. 

Whisk the salt and pepper in to the flour and add to another shallow dish.  Dredge the pork chops first in the seasoned flour, then in to the eggs (being sure to coat the pork chops completely at every step), and then finally in to the bread crumbs. 

Gently add the pork chops to the heated olive oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, and fry for approximately 3 minutes per side, until golden brown.  Remove each pork chop to a wire rack while frying the remaining pork chops.

Serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired

Baby Arugula Pesto with Lemon
4 cups washed and dried baby arugula
1/2 cup UP Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I used the new Spanish Arbequina here)
1/3 cup Pecorino Romano
2 large cloves garlic
1/4 cup blanched, toasted almonds (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
fresh ground pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor, or in a blender, and process until smooth.  Serve over pasta, with bread, on pizza, bruschetta, with grilled or roasted vegetables, in lasagna, with fish, over beans, in a shoe (j.k.)... etc. 

Spaetzle
1 cup flour
1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt

Bring a 6+ quart pot of lightly salted water to a boil. 

Whisk the eggs with the milk, and the salt with the flour.  Add the dry ingredients in to the wet ingredients and whisk until no dry spots remain. 

Add the batter to a spaetzle maker or add to a large colander.  If using a colander with larger holes, push the batter through the colander using a spatula in to the boiling water.   Boil for about two minutes, and then remove to a bowl and toss with pesto immediately, or a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

Dark Chocolate-Blood Orange Agrumato Olive Oil Cake with Blood Orange Ganache



Chocolate Cake
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 cup granulated sugar 
1/4 tsp. salt 
1 tsp. baking soda 
1 Tbs. aged dark balsamic
2 large eggs beaten with enough cold water to equal one cup 
1/2 cup Fresh Blood Orange Agrumato Olive Oil + more for greasing pans


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Lightly grease two 9-inch cake pans, one muffin pan, or one 13x9-inch pan with Blood Orange Agrumato Olive Oil. 

Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Thoroughly mix together the liquid ingredients in a separate  large bowl until smooth.  Add the dry ingredients in to the wet and mix using a hand or stand mixer on low.  Pour the mixture into the prepared pans. 

Bake for 30 minutes (cupcakes will take about 15 min.) or until a cake skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Make sure to not over-bake the cake. It should spring back when lightly touched, and a cake skewer inserted in the middle of the cake should come out clean.

Cool for 20-25 minutes before removing the cakes from the pans to cool completely. Apply ganache when cool.

Blood Orange Ganache
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs. Blood Orange Agrumato Olive Oil
1 pinch of sea salt

Place the chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl.  Heat the Cream in a sauce pan over medium heat until just about simmering.  Pour the cream over the chocolate and allow to sit for five minutes.  Gently whisk the chocolate and cream until smooth, consistent, and free from any lumps. 

 Add in the blood orange agrumato olive oil to the chocolate and whisk to thoroughly incorporate.  Allow to cool until it reaches a spreadable consistency.  Gently spread the slightly cooled ganache over the the completely cooled cake.  Serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream and a tangerine segment as garnish, if desired. 

Serves 12 small but decadent servings.

Crunchy Baklouti Agrumato Potato Croquettes



Crispy-crunchy on the outside, with soft billowy spicy Baklouti Agrumato spiked potato on the inside, concealing a gooey melted cheese center.

Oh yeah baby.

Ingredients
3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut in to 2" chunks
2 tablespoons Baklouti Chili Pepper Agrumato Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Garlic Infused Olive Oil
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 pound mozzarella cheese cut in to 1/2" cubes
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon finely minced flat leaf parsley
2 teaspoons sea salt
fresh ground pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups fine bread crumbs
For frying: Use an extremely fresh, Certified Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a very low FFA, and very high phenol content for high heat stability.

Directions 
Place the potatoes in a large pot with enough salted water to cover.  Bring to a boil and cook for approximately 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.  Allow the potatoes to cool completely.  Mash the cooled potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and add the garlic infused olive oil, Baklouti Chili Pepper Agrumato, Parmesan, parsley, and one beaten egg.  Mix thoroughly and set aside.

Beat the remaining two eggs in a separate bowl, and add the bread crumbs to another bowl.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Form the potato mixture in to a 2" oblong shape.  Push a piece of mozarella in to the center of each oblong, and form the potato around in so that it is completely encased.  Coat each croquette in egg, and then roll in bread crumbs to thoroughly coat.  Set aside on the baking sheet.

Heat 2" of Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oi in a heavy frying pan over medium high heat.  When a deep fry thermometer reaches 375, fry the croquettes in batches until deep golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side.  Enjoy immediately.

Makes approximately 20 croquettes