Spanish Crispy Potato Tortilla

A traditional tortilla española is delicious, but it takes a bit of work—and some dexterity to flip. This quicker version uses a “crowded sauté” method to cook the potatoes until golden and crispy in a skillet. Don’t be tempted to use less oil—the generous amount is key to the crispy, golden texture of the potatoes and to the “fried” edges of the eggs. Serve this for breakfast, supper, or as a tapas.

  • In a medium (10-inch) oven-safe cast-iron or nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the potatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir well, cover (with the lid slightly askew), and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the potatoes have taken on some golden browning. (Take care when removing the lid as the steam will sputter.) Listen–the oil should be gently sizzling. If the potatoes are cooking too fast, turn the heat down a bit.
  • Uncover, reduce the heat to medium (if you haven’t already), add the shallots and 1/4 tsp. salt, stir, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened and the potatoes are a deep golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Heat the broiler on high and arrange a rack 6 to 8 inches from the element.
  • In a bowl, whisk the eggs with 1/4 tsp. salt until well combined. Stir the potatoes and shallots, season with pepper, and pour the mixture into the skillet. Quickly and gently, use the spatula to redistribute any potatoes that have clumped together (if necessary). (Some of the potatoes will be poking above the egg.) Let the eggs set completely around the edges, about 2 minutes. Put the skillet on the rack under the broiler and cook until the top is fully set and lightly browned and the edges of the tortilla are puffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Remove the skillet from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Slide the tortilla out of the pan onto a wooden cutting board and cut into wedges or squares. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Chocolate Bark with Pine Nuts and Pomegranate

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  • Set the chocolate in two separate microwavable bowls and microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate melts, 1 to 2 minutes total.
  • Separately, using two whisks, stir 1 Tbs. oil into the chocolate and 1/2 Tbs. into the white chocolate so each mixture becomes smooth.
  • Pour the dark chocolate onto the baking sheet, spreading into an even layer about 10 inches by 10 inches. Top with the white chocolate, pouring in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle with the pomegranates and pine nuts, and the salt, if using. Press down the pomegranates and pine nuts using the back of a spatula.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then break into shards and serve. Or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

 

Tip: Olive oil gives the chocolate in this dessert a rich flavor and glossy sheen.

Strawberry-Orange-Vanilla Breakfast Smoothie

Supercharge your morning smoothie with protein-packed tofu and heart-healthy olive oil. You’ll amp up the nutritional profile as well as the flavor.

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in a chilled glass.

Sweet Potato Hummus

Here, a microwave “roasts” the sweet potato quickly and easily. Then, the soft flesh is puréed with hummus mainstays–chickpeas, tahini, and garlic–for a spread that is at once sweet and savory.

  • Pierce the skin side of the sweet potato a handful of times with a fork and then place on a large plate. Microwave on high until the sweet potato is completely tender and soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Flip the sweet potato over and let cool to room temperature.
  • Scoop the sweet potato flesh into a food processor along with the chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, and spices. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream and then add water, 1 Tbs. at a time, until the mixture is smooth.
  • Season the hummus with more salt and Aleppo pepper to taste, drizzle with olive oil, and serve; or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Smoky Spanish Almonds

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and and heat to 400°F.
  • In a medium bowl, toss the almonds with the olive oil and ½ tsp. of the salt. Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet and bake until the almonds become fragrant and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
  • While the almonds are cooking, in a large bowl, mix the remaining salt, sugar, thyme, pimentón, and cumin. Add the roasted almonds and toss well.
  • Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Pimentón and cumin give these roasted nuts a pleasant Iberian flair. You can make larger batches of this recipe, roast, cool, and then hold in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Kale Chips with Toasted Lemon Zest

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375°F.
  • Pile the kale on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss with the olive oil and vinegar. Sprinkle the lemon zest over the kale and then season very lightly with salt.
  • Spread the kale evenly on the baking sheet and roast until it has begun to steam and dry around the edges of the leaves, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, toss the kale, keeping it evenly distributed, and rotate the baking sheet to ensure even cooking. Continue to roast until the kale is dark green and shatteringly crisp, 7 to 10 minutes more. Some of the
    edges may begin to brown. Serve hot or at room temperature soon after roasting.

 

Tips:

  • Wash and dry the kale leaves well in advance of roasting to ensure that they are completely dry.
  • Serve these highly snackable chips in a wide, shallow dish, or cool to room temperature in a single layer so they don’t steam and become soggy. Either way, serve soon after roasting.

Olive Oil Popcorn with Rosemary and Parmigiano-Reggiano

  • Heat a large (8-qt.) heavy-duty Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add 3 Tbs. oil and a couple of popcorn kernels, cover, and cook until the popcorn pops, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the remaining popcorn kernels and cook, occasionally shaking the pot, until most of the kernels pop and the rate of popping almost completely slows, about 3 minutes. Add the rosemary sprigs and toss for 15 seconds off the heat.
  • Transfer the popcorn to a large bowl and toss with the remaining 2 Tbs. oil, the Parmigano-Reggiano, and salt. Serve immediately.

 

Tip: If you have a popcorn popper, have at it, but this stovetop method is quick and easy. For the best flavor, use imported Parmigiano-Reggiano. Add the zest of one lemon if you want to give this snack a twist.

Madeira Cider Gravy

  • Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet on medium-high heat until it shimmers.
  • Sear the reserved turkey neck, kidneys, and heart until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Remove the turkey parts from the pan and discard.
  • Lower the heat to medium low, add the shallots, and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until softened, about 1 minute.
  • Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 30 seconds. With the heat on low, add the Madeira and cook, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the flour and stir until well combined, about 1 minute.
  • Add ½ cup of the reduced cider, 1 tsp. salt, and ½ tsp. pepper, and whisk continuously until combined and beginning to thicken, about 1 minute.
  • Raise the heat to medium, add ½ cup of the chicken stock, and whisk continuously until the mixture comes to a low simmer and begins to thicken, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Continue this process until all the chicken stock is used and the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Serve with the turkey.

TIP: MAKE AHEAD
The gravy can be made one day ahead, stored in a covered container in the refrigerator, and gently reheated over a low flame, stirring continuously, adding more stock to loosen, if necessary.

Cranberry and Toasted Sesame Cookies

Hulled or unhulled sesame seeds can be used for these cookies. The hulled seeds have a milder flavor and more delicate bite, while the unhulled seeds will add more sesame flavor and a heartier texture.

  • Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, and both sugars. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sesame seeds, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Gradually add the oil mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth. Blend in the cranberries.
  • Drop the batter by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart. Sprinkle the dough with sanding sugar.
  • Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Rotate and switch the baking sheets and bake for another 7 to 8 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the cookies are light golden on top. Place the cookie sheets on a wire tack to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to the rack and let cool completely.

Honey Macadamia Brownies

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Lightly oil an 8×8-inch baking dish on all sides, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, and lightly oil the parchment.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, eggs, honey, sugar, and vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the oil mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth. Stir in the chocolate chunks and macadamia nuts, scrape the batter into the baking pan, and smooth to level the top.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean.
  • Remove the pan to a wire rack and let cool for an hour until cool to the touch.
  • Run a knife around the edge of the brownies to loosen from the pan. Invert the brownies onto a cutting board.
  • Remove the pan and peel off the parchment paper.
  • Place a large flat plate on top of the brownies, and invert again so the brownies are right side up on the plate.
  • Cut the brownies into 12 equal pieces.

 

Tip: While all sugars add sweetness and moisture to baked goods, the honey here sweetens in liquid form, resulting in an even moister, chewier brownie.