Cooking With Olive Oil

Olive oil is a wonderful food. As a central part of the Mediterranean diet we know that it confers many health benefits, but it is also a beautifully tasty addition to a wide variety of meals. Good-quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil will be fruity with a hint of bitterness and a touch of peppery bite. Enjoy the health benefits and tasty joy of olive in dishes such as: Gluten-Free Peach & Almond Olive Oil Cake; Roasted Carrot Hummus; Rose & Apricot Olive Oil Cake; Smokey Brain-Boosting Mayo; Olive Oil Aioli; Warm Olive Oil & Dijon Dressed Salad with Speck; and Orange & Olive Oil Dressed Salad with Pistachios & Figs.

Roasted Carrot Hummus

Recipe / Lisa Guy

Carrots give this tasty hummus a boost in betacarotene which is needed to make vitamin A in the body and promote healthy eyes and vision. Beta-carotene is also an excellent anti-inflammatory. Serves: 8

5 large carrots, peeled

2 tins chickpeas, drained well

¼ cup cold-pressed olive oil Juice

1 lemon

3 heaped tbsp tahini

1 heaped tsp cumin

1 heaped tsp paprika Pinch sea salt

½ cup water

Preheat oven to 200°C and line baking tray with baking paper.

Place carrots on baking tray and drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake for about 20 mins until cooked through.

Place carrots and remaining ingredients (except water) in food processor and blend until smooth and well combined. Add water gradually until desired consistency is reached, add more water if needed.

Serve hummus topped with drizzle of olive oil, roasted baby carrots or roasted chickpeas and sprinkling of paprika.

Delicious with toasted flatbreads, sourdough, crackers and vegie sticks.

Gluten-Free Orange Pistachio Cake with Citrus Icing

Recipe / Lisa Guy

This super-moist cake is rich in flavour and chock-full of wholesome ingredients. It contains plenty of protein needed to build and repair the body, along with zinc and magnesium for immune health and energy production. You will also get a good dose of heart-friendly monounsaturated fats to help keep cholesterol levels in check. The healthy citrus icing made with cream cheese adds extra calcium and protein for strong healthy bones.

Serves: 8

Cake

3 cups almond meal

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

¼ cup cold-pressed olive oil

1/3 cup raw honey

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup orange juice Zest

1 orange

¼ cup whole pistachios, plus extra for topping