Olive Oil: From Tree to Table [Paperback]

Peggy Knickerbocker (Author), Laurie Smith (Photographer), Maggie Blyth (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

Olive oil has always played an essential culinary role in the Mediterranean, where olives have been cultivated for thousands of years. Today this healthful, versatile ingredient is a beloved staple throughout the world. In Olive Oil: From Tree to Tahle, Peggy Knickerbocker and Laurie Smith trace the birth and voyage of the oil of the gods. They take us to the rustic orchards of Greece, Spain, Italy, North Africa, and California; show us the fascinating process of harvesting the fruit and extracting the shimmering essence; and let us taste the exquisite results through their own favorite recipes. From a simple midday snack of toast with tapenade to a lavish Provencal feast, here are countless ways to enjoy the fruity savor of pure olive oil. A transporting culinary adventure, Olive Oil: From Tree to Table is a graceful homage to this divine elixir.

Olive Oil is a 1998 IACP Award nominee.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether you cook with olive oil because it is healthful or simply enjoy its enriching flavor, Peggy Knickerbocker's Olive Oil: From Tree to Table will increase your interest in this ancient and beneficent oil. Knickerbocker provides the complete story of olive oil, taking you firsthand to witness the harvesting, pressing, and grading of the oil. Color photos by Laurie Smith make you feel as if you were witnessing the process. Shots of some the 112 recipes in this book prove how irresistible the dishes are. Look for Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil and Chili, Pinzimonio (a kind of Italian crudités), Roasted Chicken Breasts stuffed with Salsa Verde, Garlicky Romesco Sauce, and Orange Ginger Cake.

Review

I love this book! What a fantastic telling of olive oil's history and charms, and what an extraordinary cookbook too. Anne Lamott

A wonderful guidelbook for anyone wishing to explore the tasty nuances of the noble olive. Mort Rosenblum

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 2nd edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811813509
• ISBN-13: 978-0811813501
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.1 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,598,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, September 18, 2000

By 

Jack Dempsey (South Miami Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olive Oil: From Tree to Table (Paperback)

I came across this book while killing some time at a local bookstore. This is an incredible book to have in your collection, if, for nothing else, the reasons below:

Incredible graphic design. A general rule of thumb--if Chronicle are the publishers of the book, it'll have a fantastic layout. These are the guys who brought to life Michael's devastatingly good vision in the "Tra Vigne" cookbook. Likewise, they also published Georgeanne Brennan's "Potager" and "Mediterranean Herb" cookbooks. The layouts are ALWAYS superb, and each and every release has beautiful photographs and dialogue. Which brings me to my next point.

Great dialogue. Offers a surprisingly thorough history of olive oil. Likewise, it offers a good summary on how to pick, store, and use different types of olive oils, as well as offering a mini glossary of olive oil colloquialisms (i.e., "extra-virgin" and "first-cold pressed", etc.). Also, Peggy's personality and humor come across very well and make the text quite an enjoyable read. This is something that just isn't normally found in many cookbooks who only see things through a step-by-step, color-by-numbers approach to cooking.

Of course, importantly,

Very good recipes. The recipes are extremely tasty. Most are amazingly simple, yet turn out spectacular. The approach is very simple, yet home-y...including ingredients typically found (or readily available) to the novice, home cook.

Get this book and I guarantee that you will not regret its inclusion in your collection!

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic recipes, December 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Olive Oil: From Tree to Table (Paperback)

I came here looking for another book by Peggy knickerbocker! The recipes in Olive Oil are terrific. You don't have to be an Olive Oil expert to love every single salad or dressing she writes about. Even if you are a three thumbed guy like me you can turn out a five star meal with this book. Thanks Peggy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, August 25, 2011

By 

elliepinksneaker - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Olive Oil: From Tree to Table (Paperback)

I have loved having this book and have tried some of the recipes! Overall a winner! The recipes I have tried have been simple and delicious. This is a book I will use for a long time!