The Flavors of Olive Oil

Book excerpt: In THE FLAVOURS OF OLIVE OIL, Deborah Krasner guides readers step by step through the special taste and aroma characteristics of 75-100 different olive oils, classifying them into four distinct groups: delicate and buttery, fruity and fragrant, mild and peppery, and green and grassy, and providing sources for each. Each type of oil is best suited to a particular type of dish, and Krasner includes almost 100 recipes, ranging from appetisers to desserts. Delicate and buttery oils are subtle, and combine well with tender lettuces, fresh peas, mild cheeses. Krasner uses this kind of oil in her Fava Bean Soup and Buttermilk Lemon-Almond Cake with Strawberry Coulis. Fruity and fragrant oils have personality, and stand out drizzled over pasta, mixed salads and mildly flavoured meats like chicken breast. Mild and peppery oils can surprise you with a warm burn at the back of your throat. Use them for dipping bread and vegetables, or in dishes like Olive Oil Bathed Spring Vegetables. Green and grassy oils are the strongest of all, to be used in bruschetta or poured over a bean soup just before serving.