Recipes with olive oil, extra-virgin

Cornmeal and corn kernel cakes spiced with cumin, green chilies, and hot sauce, pan-fried in butter and topped with a fresh sweet pepper and lime-cilantro relish.

Green pea phyllo purses: crisp phyllo pouches stuffed with a bright Indian-spiced pea filling of ginger, jalapeño, cilantro, and mint. An elegant vegetarian appetizer.

Garlicky shrimp and cannellini beans simmered in olive oil with red pepper flakes and fresh parsley. A rustic Italian one-pot dinner with just 7 ingredients in 30 minutes.

Mediterranean salad of torn lettuce and spinach chiffonade, sprinkled with toasted pine nuts, jewel-like pomegranate seeds and a simple olive oil lemon dressing. Ready in 15 minutes.

Grouper saor pairs grilled fish fillets with sweet-sour Venetian onions braised in red wine and balsamic vinegar with golden raisins. Topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh chives.

Grouper saor pairs grilled fish fillets with sweet-sour Venetian onions braised in red wine and balsamic vinegar with golden raisins. Topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh chives.

Grouper saor pairs grilled fish fillets with sweet-sour Venetian onions braised in red wine and balsamic vinegar with golden raisins. Topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh chives.

Layered portabella mushroom pasta bake with wheat germ-crusted mushroom slices, chunky tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella. A vegetarian Italian comfort dinner for two.

Indian summer tomato salad dressed with spiced oil bloomed with cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and dried chili, finished with lime juice and fresh cilantro. A bright, aromatic side.

Panfried smashed potatoes boil red potatoes tender, flatten them, then pan-fry in olive oil until shatteringly crisp. Finished with parmesan and black pepper. Three ingredients.

Steak salad stuffed pita pockets with broiled round steak, crisp romaine, cucumber, and tomato tossed in a lemon-dijon dressing. A protein-packed whole wheat lunch ready in under 30 minutes.

Saffron-infused chicken braised with bright lemon zest and briny olives, Moroccan style. Aromatic ginger and garlic perfume the silky sauce. Serve over fluffy couscous for a North African feast.

Crostini topped with sweet pea pesto and halved cherry tomatoes. A 15-minute vegetarian appetizer that swaps frozen peas for basil, no blanching or expensive pine nuts required.

Crostini topped with sweet pea pesto and halved cherry tomatoes. A 15-minute vegetarian appetizer that swaps frozen peas for basil, no blanching or expensive pine nuts required.

Chilled shrimp and artichoke hearts tossed with lemon, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh mint, and parsley in the style of San Benedetto. A bright, elegant Italian appetizer served at room temperature.

Spicy and tasty! If you don't like spicy food, reduce the amount of chili flakes and hot chili peppers to your own taste.