STARTERS

We love starters. While they’re wonderful all on their own, they can also be like the introductory elements you’d find in any great book, movie, or play. They set the scene and the tone of what’s to come. Satisfying and intriguing, they also whet your appetite for more. They can be complex or simple. One of our favourites in fact, is an incredibly delicious Salade Caprese where dark balsamic vinegar is drizzled over fresh tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. There are so many things you can do with starters and so many ways you can be creative. Your guests will love you for it!

Balsamic Smoked Ribs

Ingredients: 2 small racks of pork ribs Kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper 1/2 cup Olive Us Blueberry Dark Balsamic Vinegar* 2 tablespoons Olive Us Honey-Ginger White Balsamic 1/4 cup of meat broth / stock (your choice) 1 tablespoon Olive Us Butter Olive Oil. Directions: Season the ribs with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate…
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Garlic and Herb Olive Oil Dip

2 garlic cloves2 tablespoons capers, drained1/2 teaspoon dried oregano2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary1 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheesePinch sea salt, or our Seasonello Herbal SaltFresh ground pepper, to tastePinch crushed red pepper flakes, optional to make it spicy1/2 cup Olive Us mild Ultra Premium Extra-Virgin Olive OilCrusty bread, cubedFinely mince the…
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Fried Green Tomatoes

2 large green tomatoes 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt 2 eggs 1 tablespoon – whole milk 1 1/2 cups Panko crumbs 1/2 cup Olive Us Tuscan Herb Infused Olive Oil 2 tablespoons Olive Us Baklouti Fused Olive Oil Slice the green tomatoes 1/2 inches thick. Whisk flour and salt together in…
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Parmesan Zucchini Fries

Ingredients: 4 zucchini, quartered lengthwise 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 5 tablespoons Olive Us Tuscan Herb Olive Oil 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees…
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Dukkah

Dukkah, meaning “to pound” in Arabic, is a delicious nut, seed, and fragrant spice blend originating in the Middle East. Typically used as a condiment, often to dip bread in olive oil then dip in the dukkah. This one is made with heart-healthy walnuts and almonds. It’s also delicious made with pistachios or hazelnuts. Ingredients:…
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Corn and Shrimp Chowder

3 tablespoons of Olive Us Butter Olive Oil 2 tablespoons of Olive Us Jalapeno or Baklouti Fused Olive Oil 1 medium chopped onion 2 finely chopped garlic cloves 2 cups of sweet corn (thawed) 1/2 cup of heavy cream 2 lbs. of Yukon gold potatoes – cut in small cubes. 2 teaspoons of Old Bay…
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Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

20-25 Baby Bella Mushrooms 2 tablespoons Olive Us Garlic Olive Oil Salt to taste Stuffing: 8 oz of cream cheese (room temp) 4 oz of crab meat – chopped finely. 1 tablespoons of Olive Us Basil Olive Oil 4 minced garlic cloves 1/2 teaspoon of paprika 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon of…
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Herbs de Provence Hummus

2 – 15 oz. cans organic garbanzo beans (chick peas), drained. 2 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon Olive Us Roasted Japanese Sesame Oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup Olive Us Herbs de Provence Olive Oil 2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste. Place all the ingredients in the bowl of…
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