Chef Mario describes lemon-infused olive oil as a “blissful accident.”
When he was studying to prepare dinner in Italy, he visited olive mills that prevented harsh chemical substances to scrub their tools. As an alternative, they used lemons and different citrus fruits, and the end result was a flexible, evenly flavored olive oil.
Chef Mario has been wanting to do this with our olives and fruit for some time. Lastly, this winter we have been prepared! Usually, we harvest all of our olives on the similar time, however final 12 months we left one number of olives on the tree and waited for the Meyer lemon harvest that occurs in December. A couple of weeks in the past, we took three tons of our Cortina olives and 90 kilos of our just-harvested Meyer lemons to McEvoy Ranch for a really particular press. And now, our first-ever, lemon-infused olive oil is prepared to your 2024 culinary adventures.
The historical past behind the method
Infusing olive oil with citrus is called the “agrumato methodology.” Agrume means “citrus” in Italian. This infusion course of originated within the Abruzzo area of Southern Italy the place olive millers used lemon to scrub their tools after a press. Within the Nineteen Eighties, the Ricci household of Lanciano trademarked Agrumato, and thru their merchandise have popularized citrus-infused olive oil.
At McEvoy Ranch, millers will use each a part of the lemon – the pores and skin, pith, and flesh – and press all of it with the olives. The filtering course of will take away bits of fruit, however the lemons’ important oils will seamlessly merge with the olive oil.
“Fats is a good translator of taste,” Chef Mario says.
Oil that’s distinctive to our farm
For Chef Mario, our infused olive oil is exclusive to California and Frog Hole Farm. We’re utilizing our personal natural Meyer lemons, which flourish in our Mediterranean local weather and our personal natural olives.
“In Italy, they use what is obtainable to create their oils – they don’t ship totally different merchandise in from different locations,” he says. “That’s what I’m on the lookout for, too. Our olives and lemons develop collectively, and that’s what we’re utilizing.”
Tasty concepts
At this time, lemon-infused olive oil is a cooking staple world wide. Chef Mario suggests utilizing it in dishes the place you’re on the lookout for a bit of little bit of acidity. Drizzle it on carrots, potatoes, radishes, and salads, or on seafood, beef or hen. However don’t restrict it to savory dishes, he says. This oil compliments sweets, too! Strive it in your favourite olive oil cake recipe, or add a drizzle to a bowl of top-quality vanilla ice cream. A pinch of Maldon or kosher salt and also you’ve created a dessert masterpiece. Cheers to a brand new 12 months and new recipes!
