Spicy Herbed Olive Melange Food

WARM MARINATED OLIVES

Steps:

• Drain the green and black olives from the brine or oil that they're packed in and place them in a medium bowl. Add the orange zest, garlic, fennel seeds, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the olive oil over the mixture, add the thyme sprigs and toss to combine.
• Transfer the mixture, including the olive oil, to a medium (10-inch) sauté pan. Heat over medium heat until the oil begins to sizzle. Lower the heat and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the olives and garlic are heated through and fragrant. Serve warm right from the pan or transfer to a serving dish. Offer a small dish for the pits.

WARMED SPICED OLIVES

Steps:

• Toast fennel seeds in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add lemon zest, bay leaves, olives, oil, and Aleppo pepper and cook, stirring, until just warmed through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm.

HOMEMADE HERBED PASTA WITH FETA, LEMON AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• For the pasta: Sift the flours into a pile on a clean work surface. Create a 6-inch well in the middle. Add the parsley, olive oil, eggs and yolks, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper to the well. Whisk gently with a fork. When the center is combined, begin to incorporate the flours into the eggs a little at a time. Once you can no longer use your fork, use your hands to knead the dough. When the dough is shaggy, knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Divide the dough into 2. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough, using semolina flour as needed. The pasta should be about 2 centimeters thick. Fold the pasta in half lengthwise, then in half again. Slice into 3/4-inch wide ribbons, or desired width. Shake out the noodles and hold in nests.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it ferociously. Cook the pasta to al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 2 cups pasta water.
• For the feta, lemon and pine nut sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles when flicked across the surface. Add the pine nuts and garlic and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the preserved lemon and 1 cup mint and cook, stirring, for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water. Allow it to cook down and reduce for another minute. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, reduce the heat to low and toss the pasta to coat it evenly in the mixture. Add more pasta water if it needs a bit more sauce. Add about 20 turns of black pepper and top with the feta, a few pinches of crushed red pepper and the remaining 1 cup mint. Serve immediately and enjoy.

HERBED OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Pulse parsley, mint, and lemon zest in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add oil and salt and pulse again until well combined.
• Do Ahead
• Herbed oil can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

SPICY HERBED OLIVE ME'LANGE

Steps:

• In large bowl, stir together all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 day.
• When ready to serve, discard the parsley sprigs.
• Serve at room temperature.

FRESH HERBED OIL PASTE

Steps:

• In a blender, combine the garlic, green onions, olive oil, herbs, salt and crushed pepper. Blend until smooth. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator. This paste may be kept refrigerated, for up to a week.
• Brush country bread or boned chicken breasts with the herbed oil paste and grill.

GRILLED LOBSTER AND SUMMER VEGETABLES WITH SPICY HERBED BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high.
• In a food processor, combine the butter, garlic, jalapeno, parsley, lemon juice, and chives. Season with salt and pepper and process until well combined. Place in a small container. Remove a few tablespoons of the herbed butter and set aside. This reserved butter will be used to finish the lobsters and vegetables once they are off the grill and prevent cross contamination.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Place the lobsters in the boiling water and blanch just until the shells turn red, but the meat is not cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove the lobsters and let cool slightly. Slice the lobsters in half lengthwise. Brush the meat and inside of the lobsters with some of the herbed butter, about 1 tablespoon per lobster half. Place the lobsters on the grill, flesh side down and cook until the meat has grill marks and starts to turn opaque and firm up, about 5 minutes.
• While the lobsters are cooking, start the grilled vegetables. Drizzle the vegetables and lemon wedges with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the vegetables and lemon wedges on the grill and brush with some of the compound butter. Grill until tender and browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Turn the lobsters over and grill an additional 3 to 4 minutes, brushing with more butter, if desired. Remove the lobsters and vegetables to a large platter. Squeeze some of the grilled lemon wedges over the tail meat. If desired, serve with some of the reserved herbed butter.

SPICY HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, puree mint, dill, jalapeno, yogurt, cumin, lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water. With motor running, stream in oil. Serve immediately, or refrigerate, covered, up to 1 day.