What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Start Smart: Date Chile Salad! One of the best kept secrets in cooking is infused olives oils. It kicks things up a notch. The flavors intensify ordinary ingredients by beginning with organic and aromatic extra virgin olive oils, which in turn, are infused with delightful natural flavors. Some oils contain the essence of herbs, while others may be crushed with fresh citrus or toasted seeds. Be adventurous. Visit a specialty store where premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars are sold. Most stores offer samples to encourage “taste testing”. One of my favorites is Lime Olive Oil and Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar. Another is Sicilian Lemon Olive Oil paired with Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar. Recently I added an Italian Black Truffle Oil to my collection. I was told it tastes divine drizzled over popcorn or as a finishing oil on pizza. I can’t wait!
DATE CHILE SALAD
Ingredients:
2 navel oranges, pith and peel removed
1/3 cup dried dates, chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 red or green jalapeño pepper, sliced into rings
1/2 serrano chile pepper, sliced into rings
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1-2 tablespoons lime olive oil
Sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Slice oranges into thin rounds. Arrange on two salad plates or bowls. Divide chopped dates between them. Sprinkle on crumbled feta cheese. Add jalapeño and serrano pepper rings. Tuck in mint leaves. Drizzle lime olive oil over salads. Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Serve.
snapshotsincursive 
I’d love to try this, but today it’s salmon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yummy. 🍃🐟
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t like this salad, Gail, – I LOVE IT!
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dates tend to be forgotten in my kitchen. 🤔
LikeLike
Not in mine! Especially organic without sulfur.
Joanna
LikeLike
Wow. Now I’m jelly. 😜
LikeLike
Flavour-infused oils are easy to make and, as you said, add another dimension to dishes
LikeLike
Interesting combo. I have everything but the oranges.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mandarins make a good substitute, if you have the canned variety in your kitchen pantry. 🍃🍊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds delightful!
Infused oils are such wonderful additions to the pantry. I remember when a delightful olive oil company opened in Burlington, Vt, my daughter and I stopped before lunch and sampled about a hundred tiny little cubes of bread dunked in the magnificent oils. We never made it to lunch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is hilarious. The one I visited gave everyone a fresh red apple on the way out the door. 🍃🍎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even funnier!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m all for sweet and salty. Great mix of flavors! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s my go-to flavor combo. Is there any other? 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fantastic salad. I will have to check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a date! 😜🌿
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News and commented:
Oh my goodness – this looks fantastic!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see scrumptious food in your future. 👀🍃
LikeLike
Gotta try this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admit. A few of the dates never made it to the salad. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person