Scrumptious Recipes Olive Oil based

Traditional Mediterranean Salad

Ingredients

1 head of romaine lettuce (avoid iceberg lettuce, which has little or no nutritional value.)

4 tomatoes, very ripe

1 large cucumber

1 red or green pepper

1 small onion

8 black olives

60g feta cheese

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Separate, wash thoroughly and drain the lettuce leaves. Tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces.

2. Cut cucumber into rounds and chop tomato. Thinly slice pepper and onion. Add cucumber, tomato, peppers, garlic, onion rings and olives to lettuce.

3. Cut cheese into bite-sized cubes, or crumble and add to salad.

4. Make the vinaigrette: Pour oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper in a small screw top jar and shake well. Chill in fridge for a couple of hours before using to blend flavours. Pour dressing over salad just before serving.

Combine with this gorgeous bread:

Olive and Sun-dried Tomato Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup black olives, pitted and shredded

½ cup sun dried tomatoes, sliced

½ a teaspoon of fresh or dried oregano

Directions

1. In a large bowl mix together the warm water (110 degrees), yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil. Stir in 2 cups of the flour in order to make a soft ball.

2. Turn out dough onto a floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside, and let rise about 45 minutes, until it doubles in size.

3. Punch down. Knead well again, for about 5 to 10 minutes. Let rise for about 30 minutes, until it doubles in size.

4. Form into a French loaf shape. Place onto a greased cooking sheet. Cover and let rise for 15 to 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown.

And end the meal with this piece de resistance:

Deliciously Decadent French Chocolate Cake

300g castor sugar

200g white flour

50g cocoa powder

5g baking powder

5g baking soda

½ tsp salt

2 eggs

100 ml olive oil

2 tsp vanilla essence 2 tsp

200 ml milk

150 ml boiling water

Directions

1. Sieve the dry ingredients together.

2. Combine all wet ingredients (except the water) in a separate bowl

3. Pour the wet onto the dry and mix together thoroughly

4. Add the boiling water and mix in

5. Pour into a prepared cake tin (22cm round)

6. Bake at 160°C for 45 approx. minutes

Frosting:

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup milk

6 ounces chocolate chips

Directions

Combine all ingredients except chocolate in saucepan over medium high heat. Stir constantly until melted. Bring to a boil for 1 minute, still stirring. Remove from heat. Add in chocolate chips and stir until completely melted. Spread on the cooled cake. Return from Recipes Olive Oil page to Mediterranean Diet Page