Green Olive Golden Raisin Relish Recipes

RAISIN-PINENUT RELISH

Steps:

• Lightly toast the pinenuts in a skillet over medium-high heat. Be careful to not toast them too much as they will take on a bitter flavor. Set aside.
• Pour the oil into the hot skillet. Add the onion and sauté over medium-high heat until golden, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute or so until the garlic is fragrant. Add the raisins and the vinegar. Reduce the heat and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, until the vinegar has reduced by half and the raisins are plump. Add the peppers, followed by the anchovies, 1/2 cup water, and pinenuts. Stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for another 10 minutes, until most of the water has evaporated. Once the relish has dried, add the oregano and stir well. Allow to cool completely before using. Keeps well if refrigerated for up to 1 week.

GREEN BEANS WITH OLIVES, RAISINS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Chop beans into 2-inch pieces. Place beans in a skillet and add boiling water to cover. Cook beans in boiling water 3 to 4 minutes, add raisins to pan and cook 2 minutes more to plump up the raisins. Drain beans and raisins. Place skillet back on the stove over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil to skillet then drained beans and raisins. Add olives to the pan and warm them through. Toss beans, raisins and olives with almonds and turn off heat. Season the beans with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer beans to a serving dish.

GRILLED SWORDFISH WITH OLIVE, PINE NUT AND GOLDEN RAISIN RELISH AND GRILLED ROMAINE SALAD WITH SUMAC HONEY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add the golden raisins to a small bowl. Cover with 1/4 cup boiling water and allow to sit for 10 minutes to rehydrate and plump. Remove the raisins but reserve the liquid.
• Heat a small saucepan over low heat with the butter. Add the shallots and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pine nuts and reserved raisins and stir to combine. Cook for another 2 minutes, then add 2 tablespoons of the reserved raisin liquid. Continue to cook until most of the liquid has reduced, about 5 minutes. Add the olives and chopped lemon, toss in the chives and season with salt. If the mixture gets too thick, you can add a little more of the liquid from the golden raisins. The relish should be thick and homogenous, but not too thin or saucy.
• Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Drizzle the swordfish steaks on both sides with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the swordfish onto the grill and cook without moving the fish for 2 minutes. When the fish starts to pull away from the pan, you know it's ready to turn. Turn the fish 90 degrees to create a crosshatch. Grill for another 2 minutes. Flip the fish, then repeat on the other side. Remove the fish onto a sheet tray lined with a rack. Transfer into the oven and bake for 8 minutes.
• Drizzle the romaine lettuce with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the lettuce onto the grill, cut side down, and grill for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, then grill for another 2 minutes. Cut the grilled lettuce into 1-to 2-inch pieces and add to a large bowl along with the radishes and feta cheese.
• Add the white wine vinegar, lemon juice, 1/2 cup oil, honey and sumac to a small bowl. Whisk to combine until emulsified. Season with salt. Drizzle some of the vinaigrette over the grilled romaine salad. Gently toss to combine. There will be leftover vinaigrette - it can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
• To serve, top the grilled swordfish with some of the olive, pine nut and raisin relish. Drizzle with oil. Serve alongside the grilled romaine lettuce.

GREEN OLIVE RELISH (BASIC)

Steps:

• MIx all ingredients -- and let the flavors meld for a couple of hours before serving.
• Must be served at room temperature.
• Things that I like to add in (not necessarily at the same time).
• anchovies.
• garlic.
• crushed red chili peppers.
• Serve with pita chips, sliced and toasted baguette or bread sticks!