Last November, during my Olive Harvest Adventure trip in Italy, I participated in a frittata-lover’s dream come true – an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for making the world’s largest frittata. The event was held in Fabro, a small medieval hamlet in Umbria, dominated by an 11th century castle and surrounded by thick…more »
Cooking and Recipes
Fourth of July, Thomas Jefferson and Olive Oil
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson, our third President and principal author of the Declaration of Independence was also what would be considered today… a foodie? Whenever I think of a foodie, I think… olive oil. And so did Jefferson, who proclaimed, “… the olive tree is surely the richest gift of heaven.” Deemed a…more »
Baking with Olive Oil Instead of Butter
Using olive oil for baking is a familiar feature of Mediterranean cooking. While it may sound a bit odd, baking with olive oil has actually been done for centuries. Olive oil gives cakes and cookies a light texture and can be used with confidence in lieu of butter or other oils. It best to use…more »
Pesto Recipe
The most famous of all culinary masterpieces from the Italian Riviera is its basil Pesto sauce. I just returned from visiting my cousins in Sestri Levante, a beautiful city near the Cinque Terra. Anna Maria served Trofie al Pesto. Trofie is Ligurian pasta made with flour and water, no eggs. Her delicious pasta was topped…more »
Frittata Recipe
What you need: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 5 medium size green zucchini (slice zucchini lengthwise into quarters and then coarsely dice) 1 chopped (white) onion 1 clove garlic 5 large eggs (ratio: 1 egg per zucchini) 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasonings (to taste) How to…more »
Olive Paste Recipe
This Ancient Roman dish makes the perfect appetizer. You can use this Olive Paste recipe as a condiment, with pasta or as a spread. Ingredients: 2 cups pitted, cured olives (Taggiasca or Kalamata) 1 sprig of fresh rosemary Pinch of fresh thyme 1 teaspoon anchovy paste 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil How to prepare:…more »
Olive Oil Biscotti
Straight from Carol’s mother Gigi! Ingredients: 1 cup whole almonds 6 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 4 eggs 4 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoons orange extract and 2 tablespoons orange zest How to prepare: On a baking sheet, toast the almonds at 350º for 5 minutes….more »
Join the list
