Olive Oil and Alliums Paste

FOR CONTEMPORARY SMOKED FOOD & GRILLED DISHES

Members of the onion family add some heft to this easy olive oil paste. Brush or rub it on vegetables with broad surfaces such as quartered heads of fennel or radicchio, or slices of summer squash, onion, eggplant, potatoes, portly mushrooms, and multi-hued bell peppers.

In the realm of grilling and smoking, where flavors are enhanced by fire and smoke, the right marinades and pastes can transform simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces. One such magical concoction is the Olive Oil and Alliums Paste, a blend of vibrant flavors that marries the richness of olive oil with the pungent allure of alliums like shallots and garlic. This paste acts as a gateway to a world of elevated grilled or smoked vegetables, infusing them with an irresistible essence.

Creating the Olive Oil and Alliums Paste is a breeze. Gather your ingredients – olive oil, chunks of shallot, garlic cloves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blend them into a harmonious mixture using a food processor or blender. The resulting paste is a celebration of contrasts – the mild sweetness of shallots and the robustness of garlic, bound together by the smoothness of olive oil.

Once your paste is ready, it’s time to let the magic unfold. Spread the paste generously over the cut surfaces of your chosen vegetables. The paste, acting as a flavorful conductor, envelops the vegetables in its aromatic embrace. As you grill or smoke the vegetables, the heat awakens the oils in the paste, releasing an orchestra of scents and tastes that dance on your palate.

After applying the paste, allow your vegetables to marinate for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. This brief interval lets the flavors meld, producing a harmonious blend that will make each bite a revelation.

The Olive Oil and Alliums Paste showcases the versatility of alliums, a family of ingredients that includes shallots, garlic, onions, and more. These ingredients are the unsung heroes of the culinary world, lending depth and complexity to dishes. In this paste, they play a starring role, elevating vegetables to new heights.

The beauty of the Olive Oil and Alliums Paste lies in its simplicity. With just a few components, you can create a culinary ally that turns vegetables into gourmet delights. And while our recipes offer variations and additions, sometimes the purest form – olive oil, salt, and alliums – is all you need.

So, whether it’s a medley of grilled summer vegetables or hearty roasted winter root vegetables, the Olive Oil and Alliums Paste stands ready to enhance your cooking experience. It’s a reminder that in the world of culinary artistry, a few thoughtful ingredients can create a symphony of flavor that delights the senses.

MAKES: ABOUT ½ CUP

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 shallot, cut in several chunks
• 2 garlic cloves
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt or coarse sea salt, or more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare the Paste: In a food processor or blender, combine the olive oil, chunks of shallot, garlic cloves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blend until you achieve a smooth and well-combined paste.
2. Massage the Vegetables: Spread the prepared paste onto the cut surfaces of the vegetables you plan to grill or smoke. Gently massage the paste onto the vegetables to ensure even coating.
3. Allow Marination: Let the seasoned vegetables rest for at least 10 minutes at room temperature before cooking. This marination time allows the flavors of the paste to infuse into the vegetables, enhancing their taste.
4. Cooking: Grill or smoke the vegetables as desired, taking advantage of the seasoned paste’s flavorful infusion.
5. Store Any Leftovers: If you have leftover paste, store it in a covered container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to a week, ready to enhance the flavor of your next batch of vegetables.

VARIATION:

• For added complexity, consider incorporating chopped capers into the paste, or experiment with minced fresh herbs like thyme, marjoram, basil, or oregano. These additions will bring a delightful herbal dimension to the paste.

SPICING TIP:

• Sometimes, the simplest ingredients yield the most satisfying results. With just olive oil and salt, you can create a flavorful base for grilled or smoked vegetables. While our recipes offer various options for enhancing the flavors, don’t underestimate the power of this basic combination. It’s a testament to the beauty of uncomplicated cooking that relies on high-quality ingredients to shine.