Recipes

The recipes contained here within are presented like you would find them in an original Italian cookbook. They provide you with the basic ingredients and allow you to use your imagination to create something delightful, original and to your own taste. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite seasonings, herbs and flavors. Try something new and discover tastes that make your palate explode with flavor and leave you wanting more.

Take a shot or two of 99 Virgins – Extra Virgin – Olive Oil as part of your morning routine. Notice that peppery burn in the back of your throat? That’s the polyphenols at work and a sign of a quality olive oil!! Extra Virgin Olive Oil health benefits include: heart health, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention, bone health and brain health. Check out this link for more details from WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-extra-virgin-olive-oil

Salmone Crudo (Raw Salmon) – I discovered this dish one day sitting in a restaurant by the beautiful seaside resort of Mondello, near Palermo, Sicily. It contained two ingredients that I am not very fond of, capers and mint. It was so delicate, light and refreshing with an explosion of flavor I’ve never experienced. The capers and the mint play off each other so well it creates a delightful culinary experience. Needless to say, I’ve changed my mind about capers and mint! Like most Italian dishes it’s simple to make using the freshest ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:

99 Virgins – Extra Virgin – Olive Oil
Raw Salmon
Lemon Juice
Fresh Mint
Capers

Remove the skin and any fat/sinew from the Salmon and cut into thin slices or cubes and put into a bowl. Mix the lemon juice and olive oil together with the Salmon. Wash the capers, chop the mint and add to the bowl with the Salmon and olive oil/lemon juice. Mix together and serve immediately. Serve with fresh crusty bread.

Polpo alla Griglia – (Grilled Octopus) Just outside of Palermo is a small seaside town called Sferracavallo. It’s conveniently located between Palermo and the airport. Whenever I have friends come to Palermo, it’s usually one of the first places I take them. I always order this dish as an appetizer. It’s so big we could split it as a main dish. However, there are so many other delectable dishes on the menu that it’s impossible to not indulge ourselves on one of the other plates.

INGREDIENTS

99 Virgins – Extra Virgin – Olive Oil
Octopus 2-3 pounds
Lemon
Salt
Pepper

Remove the eyes, beak and insides of the Octopus. Put the Octopus in a pot and bring to a boil then simmer for approximately one and one-half hours. Remove the Octopus when the thickest part can be pierced easily by a sharp knife. Put the Octopus in a bowl and generously coat with olive oil, salt and pepper. Put the Octopus on a hot grill and sear it on all sides turning it occasionally until cooked through. Remove from the grill, cut into bite size pieces, coat it with olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste.

Sicilian Crispy Kale with Calabrian Peppers – This dish makes a great appetizer when friends come over or finger food when on a lazy day at the house. I was first introduced to this delicious snack by my daughter. My first reaction was… huh? But after tasting the flavors of the kale, olive oil and Calabrian peppers melding together after spending sometime getting to know each other in the oven, it’s become a staple for when friends gather around the table.

INGREDIENTS

99 Virgins – Extra Virgin – Olive
Kale
Calabrian Peppers
Salt
Pepper

Remove the stem and cut the Kale into bite size pieces. Chop the Calabrian Peppers into small pieces and add the the olive oil. Vigorously massage the olive oil and pepper mixture into the kale making sure to coat all the leaves . Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook in the over at 350F (180C) until crispy or to your liking. Remove from the oven and enjoy.