Special Event

Get a preview of Chef Debbi’s upcoming NEW book!

A Little Book of Cheese

Cooking Demo at Temecula Olive Oil Co. Seal Beach

Thur. Jan 31, 6:30 – 8:30, approximately

Small Cheese Tasting
Smoked Gouda and Red Pepper Grilled Cheese Sandwich Bites
Fried Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
Italian Stuffed Shells with Broccoli and Pine Nuts
Brie Puff Pastry Pockets

Taking reservations for all classes & Events

$45.00

By Reservation Only
(562) 296-5421
Temecula Olive Oil Co.
148 Main Street
Seal Beach, CA 90740

Quick and Easy Charcuterie Board

12 / 29 / 1812 / 29 / 18

1 cup mixed olives
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, ground
1 wedge triple cream brie
1 small jar of fig jam or fruit spread
8 ounces aged Gouda
8 ounces aged sharp cheddar, thinly sliced
1 baguette, sliced 1-inch thick
1 round of boursin, any flavor
2 packages of interesting looking crackers
1 wedge blue cheese, partially crumbled
1 small jar of honey
1 package mixed Italian meats
1 small bunch red seedless grapes
4 ounces nuts, mixed or single
1 package, 4 oz. of dried apricots
2 apples, cored and sliced tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning

Mix together olives, olive oil and ground Italian herbs, let rest for at least an hour or longer.

Don’t crowd the cheese on the platter, make the board big enough to accommodate all ingredients.

Put the mixed olives in a small bowl and place on the platter.

Place the triple cream brie on the platter and arrange the fig or fruit spread next to the brie.

Place the sharp cheddar and gouda on the board next with the baguette slices nearby.

Then arrange the boursin near the baguette slices with the crackers next.

Add the blue cheese and honey on the board filling out the outer edges of the board. Tuck in the Italian meats all around the board, add the grapes in clumps and spread the nuts throughout the board with little pockets of dried fruit. Place the apples near the cheddar cheese.

Fontina & Gruyere Gougére’s

12 / 29 / 1812 / 29 / 18

Makes 24-30

½ cup water
½ cup whole milk
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 1 Tb. all-purpose flour
4 whole eggs
½ cup grated gruyere cheese
½ cup grated fontina cheese

Preheat oven to 450° and line 2 pans with parchment paper or baking sheet liners.

In a large sauce pan, combine the water, milk, butter and salt and bring the mixture to a full boil over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted add the flour, all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Turn the heat down to medium and cook the dough for another 3 or 4 minutes to dry out and cook the flour taste out of the dough. It will look a little shiny and there will some starch remaining on the bottom of the pan and the dough will be stiff.

Transfer the dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. (Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer or beat by hand with a stiff spatula.) Beat the dough on medium-low speed until it stops steaming and is just warm to the touch, about 1 minute.

Continue beating and add the eggs in one at a time. Wait for each egg to be absorbed completely before adding the next. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed. Once the dough comes together after the addition of all the eggs, add the cheese and mix until it’s well distributed.

Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets, spacing the about 1-inch apart. They can be piped on using a piping bag or a storage bag with the corner snipped off.

Press the top down with a fork or spoon dampened slightly with water, until the tops are smooth. Brush with the egg wash mix and bake for 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to 350° and bake for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown. Rotate the sheets half way through the baking period. If the inside of the gougere isn’t done, turn off the oven and prop the door open with a wooden spoon for about ½ hour so they can dry out a little.

The gougere’s can be stored in the refrigerator up to a week or frozen for a month. You can fill these with any kind of cheese stuffing or serve them as a stand-alone bite.

Lettuce Varieties

11 / 29 / 18

Are you hankering for some romaine lettuce? Well, there are tons of alternatives here in So. Cal for you. From the CDC website here’s what they are saying about the current outbreak of e coli on romaine lettuce.

‘Based on new information, CDC is narrowing its warning to consumers. CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any romaine lettuce harvested from the Central Coastal growing regions of northern and central California. If you do not know where the romaine is from, do not eat it.’
Here’s the link for more information, CDC.

Personally, I like a mix of lettuce mostly, a little crunch, a little color and a tangy dressing. My favorite is a good old Italian dressing made with a very good red wine vinegar. I love a little cheese as well, blue, parmesan or goat goes well with a tangy Italian dressing.

Just mix a little Dijon mustard, like Maille, with your red wine vinegar, add a little minced shallot, some fresh ground Italian spices and whisk in a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper and you’re done.
Local lettuce varieties are usually more plentiful during the winter as most lettuce prefers to grow in the cooler weather. Here are some varieties that will offer no only color but flavor to your salad bowl.

Choose lettuce that is bright with no brown edges or spots. Try and get them not too wet, if they are wet, they have a tendency to go bad faster. Pick whole heads of lettuce rather than bagged lettuce. The more lettuce is handled from field to bag the greater chance it can pick up any bacteria. Bagged lettuce can also be washed with chlorinated water and tends to be older than a non-bagged lettuce. Are you tempted to buy the bag that says triple washed and leave it at that? That lettuce may be contaminated with more than just chlorinated water and if it’s wet at all it will likely rot within a couple of days in that bag. Buy un-bagged lettuce, wash and dry well before storing. You might notice that if you purchase your lettuce at a farmers market that it lasts longer than a store bought lettuce, it’s because your farmers market lettuce was probably picked within a couple of days. I’ve had lettuce last up to 2 weeks from my farmers markets. So here are just some of the lettuce types you should be able to pick up anywhere.

Arugula (Rocket)-spicy and peppery, the larger the leaves the more bite it will have

Batavia is a loose-leaf lettuce similar to red or green leaf lettuce with a mild flavor

Belgian Endive-these can be a tad bitter, but they will add crunch to any salad mix

Butter-a very mild lettuce with big cupped leaves, great for serving topped with a crab salad

Frisee (Curly Endive)-Sometimes called chicory, the leaves are thin and curly with a little bit of a bite, aka peppery.

Iceberg-A dense head of lettuce with lots of crunch but little flavor

Leaf Lettuce, Red or Green-Another loose leaf lettuce with mild flavor but both add a lot of color to a salad bowl, great on sandwiches as well.

Little Gem-This lettuce looks like a mini version of romaine but it’s not as crunchy, mild flavor

Oakleaf-Another beautiful bi-colored loose-leaf lettuce that has a mild taste

Radicchio-There are numerous colors of radicchio, most have a little bitterness but a great addition to any salad.

Spring Mix-Usually a variety of small lettuces, some are mild, and some mixes can be spicy.

Watercress – Although probably a little difficult to find it makes a nice addition to a mixed salad or added to a rustic piece of bread slathered with some soft cheese. It has a peppery bit, much like Arugula. Use smaller leaves for less intense flavor.

January 2019 Cooking Demo

11 / 28 / 18

Join us in Seal Beach

NEW DATES/DAYS

Thur. Jan 10^th

Tue Jan 22

6:30 – 8:30, approximately

Pink Grapefruit, Avocado & Watercress Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Spaghettini with Vodka Cream Sauce

Winter Roasted Vegetables with Basil Vinaigrette

Lemon Curd Cream Puffs

$45.00
Taking reservations now, call:
Temecula Olive Oil, 148 Main St. Seal Beach
(562) 296-5421

July Cooking Demo

5 / 24 / 187 / 16 / 18

Join us in Seal Beach

Thursday,

July 12th & 19th,

6:30 – 8:30, approximately

Caprese Skewers with Fresh

Sprouts & Edible Flower Salad

Couscous with Sautéed Green Beans and Almonds

Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Stone Fruit Salsa

Peach Crisp

$45.00
For reservations call
Temecula Olive Oil, 148 Main St. Seal Beach
(562) 296-5421
Sponsored by

Fall Harvest Farm, Food & Wine Tour

3 / 5 / 185 / 12 / 18

Fall Harvest Tour for Oct 26 – 28, 2018

Now Taking Reservations

Stay

Cambria Pines Lodge, Cambria, Ca

Hot Buffet Breakfast Included

Events

Friday Evening

Dinner and Culinary Demo with Chef Debbi and the Debettes

Saturday Farm, Food & Wine Tour

Climb aboard with The Wine Wrangler

We’ll travel to the Westside of Paso Robles to Halter Ranch Vineyard & Winery

Experience a private Cave Tour with a Barrel Tasting from 3 Cave Barrels

Private Tasting of Halter Ranch’s available vintages in the new Tasting Room overlooking their fabulous vineyards

Vineyard Picnic Lunch on Halter Ranch’s Patio Deck overlooking the vineyards

Created for you by Chef Debbi & her Debette team

After lunch climb aboard with The Wine Wrangler to travel to

Stepladder Ranch in San Simeon

We’ll visit with their Lamancha goats and taste a variety of cheeses made from their goat milk. This farm is accessible only by invitation and is hidden in the hills above San Simeon and the Pacific Ocean

Our last stop for the day will be a visit (and tasting) at The Hearst Ranch Tasting Room in San Simeon. Step out on the porch for an exquisite view of San Simeon Beach and Harbor

Return to Cambria for late afternoon & evening private time

Sunday Events

The Groves on 41 Olive Oil Farm Tour & Tasting

Picnic Lunch

Don’t Miss The Cambria Scarecrow Contest the month of Oct!

Limited Availability, First Come-First Served

Price is Per Person based on Double Occupancy for all rooms

Bacon Wrapped Dates

1 / 23 / 18

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates with Maple Glazed Walnuts and Boursin Cheese

Easy to make ahead of time and bake off at the last minute, make extra they go fast!

Maple Glazed Walnuts
½ cup maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups walnut halves
For the Dates
1 package of dried Medjool Dates, 16 oz.
1 12 oz. package of bacon, slices cut in half widthwise
4 oz. package of Boursin cheese

Preheat the oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix the maple syrup and salt together, add the walnuts and stir until coated.

Spread the nuts on the baking sheet and bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until the glaze is bubbly and coats the walnuts well. Remove from oven and let cool.

Turn the oven up to 425° and line a baking sheet with a new piece of parchment paper.

Slice dates lengthwise and remove pits.

Scoop a small amount of Boursin cheese with a spoon and fill the date with the cheese, press a glazed nut into the cheese.

Wrap dates with a slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick to hold bacon onto date. Place the dates on the parchment on their side and bake for about 7-8 minutes or until browned on the bottom and turn to the other side continue to cook for another 7-8 minutes or until the bacon is cooked and a little crispy, and the cheese is slightly melted.

Let cool and serve warm or at room temperature.

Photo: La Tienda

Zucchini Blossom Quesadilla

6 / 26 / 17

I first tasted these at The Santa Monica Farmers Market about 15 years ago when The Two Hot Tamale girls were doing a demo for their restaurant, Border Grill (now closed, sadly). It’s a perfect little snack for an early summer day, zucchini plants are going wild with flowers and are daring to be picked & stuffed. Make sure you pick all male blossoms rather than female blossoms or you won’t have any fruit. To tell the difference look at the bottom of the flower, you’ll see a round little nub or small zucchini attached, this is a female blossom….move on. The male blossoms are attached just by them stem with no nub at the bottom, you’ll be able to tell. Open the flowers gently as there may be a bee inside collecting pollen, he will fly away when you open the petals, be gentle. If you want to wash them use cool water and dry well but do this just before you’re ready to prepare the dish. Or you can buy them at your local farmers market, the blossoms are delicate and will last no more than a day so pick right before you’re going to make the quesadillas.

Squash Blossom Quesadilla

4-6 squash blossoms, stems and stamens removed, chopped
4 roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
2 ears of corn, roasted, cut off the cob
4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1-2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese, grated
8 flour tortillas
Salt and pepper to taste
Tomatillo Salsa
1/2 pound tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and quartered 
1/2 - 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped (depending on how much heat you want)
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped 
1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves 
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste,
squeeze of fresh lime juice

Mix together all ingredients together seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat a grill pan or griddle, add 1 Tb. butter. Add a tortilla and cook it on one side until it puffs (about 30 seconds).

Flip tortilla over and sprinkle over entire surface 1/4 cup of squash blossom filling.

Top with another tortilla, and after cheese has melted and the two tortillas stick together (a couple of minutes), flip quesadilla and cook for a couple of minutes more.

Repeat for the remainder of the filling and tortillas.

For the Tomatillo Salsa

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse to combine. Blend on low speed until a coarse puree is formed.

Pour into a bowl, taste and add more salt or lime if desired. Salsa can be thinned with a bit of water if desired.

Asparagus Gratin

6 / 9 / 17

I love sweet California asparagus, especially the small early stalks simply sautéed in butter and seasoned with a little lemon zest, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. But for serving to guests I also enjoy this quick and easy gratin, it pairs well with Lemon Roasted Chicken and a cold glass of Viognier.

Asparagus Gratin

2 pounds thin asparagus
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 cup milk
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated and divided
½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat broiler.

Prepare an ice bath (cold water and ice) large enough to hold the asparagus.

Cut ends off the asparagus and set aside.

Fill a large skillet ¾ full of hot water, bring to a boil. Add asparagus and a heaping tablespoon of salt. Cook for about 2-4 minutes or until lightly cooked. Immediately plunge asparagus into ice bath to stop the cooking.

Melt butter in now empty skillet over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly until golden, about 1 minute. Whisk in milk and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, 3-5 minutes., whisk in ½ cup Parmesan and Monterey jack until smooth, season with salt and pepper. Turn off heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minuets.

Place asparagus into an oven proof serving dish and drizzle sauce over center of asparagus and top with remaining Parmesan. Broil until cheese is golden and asparagus is tender, 4-8 minutes. Serve.

Photo: LA Times

Puff Pastry Tart

4 / 11 / 17

This recipe is great as a side dish, an appetizer or a light lunch with a salad. It’s easy to make, most of it can be done ahead of time and assembled just before baking. Be sure to use a quality puff pastry dough such as Dufour’s which is made with 100% butter and no preservatives. It’s a little more expensive but if you want real puff pastry, this is it. Be sure to keep the dough refrigerated and if it warms up a little while you are rolling it out, pop it back in the refrigerator until cold. It won’t puff correctly unless the dough is as cold as possible into a hot oven. Be creative and add some chopped (blanched) asparagus to this, it’s a perfect spring time recipe. Enjoy!

Leek and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Tart

1 cup baby leeks, sliced thin
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1 box (14 ounces) frozen puff pastry, such as Dufour, thawed
1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup Nicoise olives, pitted
6 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

Rinse leeks well, and drain; set aside.

Melt butter with oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add leeks and sprinkle with salt; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, cook until translucent and soft, add thyme. Leeks can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day; bring to room temperature before assembling tart.

Cut or roll out pastry to a 6-by-14-inch rectangle; place on a parchment-lined baking sheet (reserve remaining pastry for another use). Score a 3/4-inch border. Brush with egg wash; sprinkle with Parmesan. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°. Bake pastry until light brown; remove from oven, and press center area with spatula. Using an offset spatula or a spoon, smear the pastry with the cheese within the border, add leeks and olives, and bake until crust is golden brown, about 10 minutes. If bottom is soft, bake 3 to 5 minutes more.

Remove tart from oven place tart onto a wire rack; let cool slightly. Cut into pieces; serve warm or at room temperature (tart can stand at room temperature up to 1 hour).

Olive Magazine Photo

Fettuccine with Fresh Spring Peas & Pancetta

2 / 24 / 172 / 24 / 17

Fettuccine with Fresh Spring Peas & Pancetta

1 pound fettuccine pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 oz. pancetta, diced
1 small shallot, minced
2 tablespoons dry white wine
2 tablespoons chicken stock
1 cup fresh peas
1 sprinkle of sea salt
¼ cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, reserving some for garnish.
Fresh ground pepper

Cook the pasta according to directions, adding a good tablespoon of salt to the water, and while that is cooking continue with the recipe.

Heat a large saucepan over medium high heat and add a little olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan, add the diced pancetta and cook until lightly browned.

Add the shallots and sauté until translucent. Add the wine and chicken stock, bring to a boil and add the peas with a generous sprinkle of sea salt, cover and cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the peas are a bright green color.

When the liquid is reduced to about a tablespoon, add the cream and cook for about 3 minutes then add the cheese and the pasta. Toss well and add a little of the pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Serve with a grind of fresh pepper.

Serves 4