Spanish olive oil producers have really upped their game in recent years and the Italians are going to have to start making more of an effort to keep their pre-eminent place in the minds of British cooks. Here is a selection of Spanish extra virgin olive oils which have grabbed my attention so far this…
Website of the Month
www.spanishgastrolarder.co.uk This brand new website selling Spanish food specialities has been set up by Eleana Gracia who moved to London from Spain in 2010. She is passionate about the good things of Spain, but particularly about extra virgin olive oil which she has been studying for the past few years. She is also a business…
Off the Shelf: June
After a short gap I am continuing my new series of posts looking at a range of extra virgin olive oils taken at random from the market. I am very lucky to have samples of evoo sent to me from time to time direct from the producers and of course these oils are likely to…
Introducing Avocado Oil
It has been some time since avocado oil was on my agenda but last week I had a very informative meeting with a producer from Kenya and tasted five avocado oils currently on sale in the UK, all from different producers. The results were surprising. Two of the oils were good but three of them…
Mother’s Garden Rejects Plastic
This small olive oil company based in Catalonia has announced it will no longer be selling premium extra virgin olive oil in 2 litre or 5 litre plastic containers. While continuing with the 500ml glass bottles, they will be switching to 3 litre tins for larger quantities. Martin Kirby and Maggie Whitman, who run Mother’s…
Sydney Times features recipes from The Olive Oil Diet
Six recipes from my book The Olive Oil Diet written with Dr. Simon Poole were featured last month on the Sydney Times website at sydneytimes.net.au Great to see our ideas down under. LENTIL FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE Lentils do not usually need to be soaked overnight but it is essential for this recipe but once…
Olive Oil for Christmas
Olive oil for Christmas has two meanings – in the food and among the presents. Of course olive oil will be in full use in my kitchen this Christmas, but here I want to talk about extra virgin olive oil as a Christmas present. Lots of my friends and family enjoy first class olive oil…
A Busy Week of Tutored Tastings
I shall be conducting three special extra virgin olive oil tutored tastings at classes in London in the week beginning Saturday 14th October. They are all open to everyone and will be held at The Welcome Italia Exhibition, The Divertimenti Cookery School and the Premises of the Oil Merchant. There are still places available at…
EVOO Great for Cakes
Using olive oil in baking is not only a great way of adding more olive oil to your diet it also ensures good results without too much effort! Here are three lovely cake recipes using extra virgin olive oils from France, California and Spain. The first recipe comes from my fellow cookery writer, chef and…
Designer Packaging for EVOO
A range of designer packaging will be on show at Anuga and other food shows with an eye to the Christmas market. Here are just a few of them….. Zeet Last year Zeet Tunisian extra virgin olive oil launched a range of new packaging by established international contemporary artists. They temed up with Selma Fariani…