The Passionate Olive: 101 Things to Do with Olive Oil [Hardcover]

Carol Firenze (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2005

For more than four thousand years, the olive tree has been a symbol of abundance, peace, and longevity. Gifted by a goddess, revered by ancient cultures, and protected by emperors, the olive tree and its precious fruit have played important roles in civilization.

Dubbed “liquid gold” by Homer, olive oil has been used for food, medicine, magic, beauty, and divine rituals. Baseball star Joe DiMaggio is even said to have soaked his bat in olive oil. And while it is no longer drawn upon to treat leprosy or massage elephants, the use of this versatile product is growing by leaps and bounds around the world.

The Passionate Olive is the ultimate guide to this natural marvel. Along with olive legends and fascinating history, Carol Firenze shares the myriad practical uses of olive oil through the telling of her favorite family stories and by offering unique formulas and recipes.

Restore luster to your pearls . . . curb your cat’s hair-ball problems . . . silence squeaky doors hinges . . . soothe your sore throat and dry lips . . . replace artery-clogging butter in your favorite dishes with . . . can you guess?

The Passionate Olive reveals the secrets of how to enhance your life, love, and health with olive oil and merits a front-and-center spot among your most cherished books. It makes a beautiful gift, too, for just about everyone and every occasion. In fact, you and your friends will want to keep The Passionate Olive and a bottle of olive oil in your kitchen, your bathroom, and even your bedroom.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Food's cheaper than medicine," claims Firenze in this charming book about the practical uses of olive oil. Firenze shares her passion for the staple ingredient by recounting warm memories from her Italian-American childhood, divulging tasty family recipes and detailing olive oil's fascinating history as a common Mediterranean health aid and an ingredient in food preparation. For those new to olive oil, Firenze explains the different classifications, the best ways to cook with it (marinating, frying, baking, etc.) and how to throw a great Olive Oil tasting party. The book covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from olive oil's historic role in religious rituals to its more sensual role as a rubbing oil for massages. Firenzi also details the practical uses of olive oil: it can be employed as a Diaper Rash Remedy to sooth babies' bottoms; an added ingredient to dog or cat food to give one's pet a healthy, shiny coat; and a homemade Shoe Polish. Most importantly, the book is filled with delicious recipes such as Gigi's Eggplant Parmesan and Massimo's Tomato and Potato Side Dish. This delightful book will not only make readers' mouths water, but will provide them with a greater understanding of an under-appreciated domestic and culinary ingredient.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

CAROL FIRENZE is a board member of the California Olive Oil Council and a professional member of the American Institute of Wine and Food and the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. She received her Olive Oil Consultant Certificate from the Italian Culinary Institute in New York and holds a doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco, with a focus on cultural and communicative understanding. Firenze lives in Los Gatos, California, and is an international management consultant.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (March 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034547676X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345476760
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Cooking by Ingredient > Herbs, Spices & Condiments

More About the Author

Carol Firenze may be the best advertisement for her own charming and cleverly written reference book packed with history and how-to information about olive oil. Her enthusiasm and vivaciousness about this liquid gold are contagious. A life-long educator and seasoned lecturer, Firenze's passion for her lifework of studying and glorifying the olive is serious. At the end of her creative and dynamic lectures, her audiences truly share her passion.

Carol earned her Olive Oil Consultant Certificate from the Italian Culinary Institute in New York and holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco, with a focus on cultural and communicative understanding. Her career and interests have taken Carol around the world. She has worked and lived in England, France, Japan, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Switzerland and China.

As an educator, her early career started in public education, teaching World History, endeavoring to make every moment filled with exciting information. After receiving her doctorate, she worked for an international management consulting firm, teaching executives and developing communication strategies for major corporations; and now, her lectures focus on teaching people about the amazing history and practical, healthful applications of olive oil, filled with anecdotes and humor.

Carol is 100% Italian-American. All of her ancestors came from Liguria, an Italian region known for its fine, buttery olive oil. Her last name is Firenze (Florence) the capital of Tuscany, a region of Italy known for its high intensity olive oil. She was born and raised in Northern California...not so very far away from the wineries and fine restaurants of Napa where today that same golden liquid - olive oil is one of the icons of fine living.

Her background coupled with her interest in the cultural history of commerce, health, medicine, beautification, rituals and culinary practices led her to the writing of The Passionate Olive - 101 Things to do with Olive Oil and her company, The Passionate Olive, reflects her desire to educate others on the breadth and depth of the uses of olive oil. She is a former Board Member of the California Olive Oil Council and serves as one of the experts for the Olive Oil Source. Visit her website: www.thepassionateolive.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Gift Book and More..., May 2, 2005

By 

Mimi W. (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Passionate Olive: 101 Things to Do with Olive Oil (Hardcover)

This is such a perfect little book to give as a gift. I have tried two of the uses mentioned in the book--frothing oil and water for my dry skin and freezing oil in my ice cube tray for use instead of butter. Both were great! I highly recommend this book--it's filled with interesting historical facts and fun new uses to try.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic informative book!, April 28, 2005

By 

Hilda M. Defrisco "Hildy" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Passionate Olive: 101 Things to Do with Olive Oil (Hardcover)

This book is such a treat and a great gift for any foodie! It is visually beautiful with olive colored text and lovely illustrations. The tips are surprising on how to use olive oil and the long history of olive oil compelling.

I saw the writer speak in the bay area and she was delightful.
She made a great suggestion to bring a copy of The Passionate Olive book(of course) and a bottle of olive oil to your next dinner party.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - Lots of Fun, April 23, 2005

By 

Robby Z (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Passionate Olive: 101 Things to Do with Olive Oil (Hardcover)

I loved this book. Lots of great information and fun to read!
I have begun using some of the Olive Oil uses suggested in this book already and they work! Try it yourself.