Buon

There is a difference between great Italian tuna packed in nice olive oil and the typical grocery brand packed in oil. That difference is flavor, just packed with more rich, salty, smooth flavor. Do yourself a favor and try it. I got this one from Buon Italia at Chelsea Market. It is so good. You can have a perfect lunch of tuna straight from the jar on toast. Maybe add a few capers. I think the difference is using olive oil compared to the typical vegetable oil used elsewhere. Yum. The color of the premium tuna also tends to be more reddish than our typical white tuna. Looks great on a party table for tapas, antipasto, hors d'oeuvres, or mezes. Enjoy.

Olive Oil Suds

"And with the sprig of a fruited olive man is purified in extreme health." - Virgil, Aeneid

There is nothing like taking a refreshing bath. I take one every day. Not a shower, but a deep, relaxing bath. Is this a luxury? Yes it is. Last month Santa brought me some Olive Shower Gel made by The Body Shop. I put a few drops in the tub while the water is running and get lots of tiny sudsy bubbles. The color of the gel is olive green. The scent is mild, not overwhelming, but soothing. The label says "Cleanse and moisturize your skin using a soap-free gel that leaves your skin feeling soft and fresh with a brisk green scent." The part that most interests me is the moisturizing and the fact that there are bubbles yet it is soap free. Instead Glycerin is used to make the lather and add more moisture. The olive's oleic acid helps soften the skin. Also, I like the idea that the oil used comes from community trade organic olive oil. Power to the family farmers! Because I put the gel in the tub, it goes all over my body as well as my hair, which works like a conditioner and leaves a healthy shine. I'm happy!

Mama's Homemade Olive Oil Granola

"I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it." -Rodney Dangerfield

At home, Kirsten has been making granola for a long time now. The new twist is she has started to add olive oil as an ingredient and it makes a great difference. Besides the added earthy flavor that goes well with coffee, the granola seems more moist and savory. This also occurred when she made some delightful polenta cookies. She made a large batch that lasted over a week in our makeshift cookie jar without getting all dried out and stale. Its magic, and unlike alcohol, you can't really have too much.

Delish Olive Oil Cake

My lovely Kirsten is a marvel with cooking and with most everything else she creates. Per my birthday request she baked me a lovely olive oil cake. This means replacing butter for olive oil. Not only is this a more nutritious cake, but it also has a unique flavor that compliments coffee. That's right, similar to the synergy between wine and cheese, olive oil cake and coffee gives you that X factor. Coffee cake has always been a direct compliment to coffee, but if you have not had the olive oil combination, do it now. The first sip of coffee with a mouth full of the cake will knock your socks off. Some birthday wishes do come true. Cheers! Please ignore the face on that plate, it is super delish!

 

Keeping Virgin Olive Oil Clean

Diane Savino, our New York State Senator, has passed legislation with the Olive Oil Labeling Bill to keep additives out of our virgin olive oil. Olive oil production in this country is about to explode with more plantings than ever before. Diane has done her part to keep the oil pure. Thank you! Olive oil can continue to prevent high blood pressure without the questionable effects of additives. American can show face with top producing countries of Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria and Tunisia.

Also, kudos in her defense of gay marriage&rights with her rousing speech in the House ending with "We have nothing to fear from love and commitment." Well done! More advocates needed.

Moulins Fix

A few drops of the Les Moulins on an open face sandwich is divine. Tasting the Millesime 2009 Vintage from Tunisia on plain whole wheat made all the richness surface. The bottle label reads: "Every winter morning when I was a child, I looked forward to see my father in the oil mill. He would pour freshly decanded oil onto the piece of fresh bread which I held out to him, then I would go off to school, with this wealth of flavours in my hands." I can see that walk, winding through the grove.