The Flavors of Olive Oil: A Tasting Guide and Cookbook

This thorough investigation and appreciation of olive oil from food writer Krasner (Kitchens for Cooks), encourages cooks to delve deeper into the pleasures of this versatile staple. The author first gives an in-depth summary of olive oil: like wine, olive oil can be classified by type and grade-and, like grapes, the flavor of olives is affected by soil and climate as well as methods of production. Krasner then discusses kitchen basics, equipment and ingredients and tips for variations, substitutions and labor-saving measures, as well as a section of alphabetically arranged resources, mostly Web sites, some with phone or address. While an entire cookbook on recipes for olive oil may seem excessive, Krasner does offer such dishes as Tapenade, and Chickpea, Tuna, Olive, and Goat Cheese Salad. For main courses, she includes recipes for Charcoal Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb, Turkish Style, and Seared Scallops on Chickpea Crepes. Illustrations by Krasner and photographs by Ann Stratton enhance this presentation.