January 22, 2010

...ahhh-live oil



today i whipped up a batch of bread dough made with olive oil.  this is something new for me.  i've often read about the wonderful benefits of olive oil and who can resist a crusty,warmly baked loaf of bread, torn and generously dipped into a worthy olive oil and balsamic vinegar...i can't.
i have never paired it with my freshly ground whole wheat however but they sound like perfect partners to me.

(my mom's old bosch bread mixer...at least 40 years old and counting)

but what makes an olive oil good?
did you know that olive oil is made only from green olives.
"Just like fine wine, the flavor, color, and consistency of olive oils vary. This is due to different olive varieties, location, and weather. The olive oils of some small producers are treated and priced just like fine vintage wines."
while i was home for the holidays my dad stocked me up with lots of aptera extra virgin olive oil.  friends of our family since my dad was in high school, import this wonderful oil straight  from the Greek island of Kriti (Crete) where olive oil production first began on Earth circa 3,500 B.C.
i love the fact that family farmers grow, harvest, "cul*ti*vate" and press this oil for their own use and then sell it to the local cooperative.
i used this oil in my dough today and cant wait to see how it turns out.



so, do any of you have a great olive oil that you can't live without?
p.s. my bread is baking now and smells heavenly!

11 comments:

  1. i've said it before and i'll say it again:

    MMMMMMMMMMM, bread!

    i don't suppose you could bring a loaf to the retreat, could you?!?? ;)

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  2. YUMMY! I love bread and i love olive oil.... my mouth was watering just reading this. have you tasted Olive Oil Icecream?...DIVINE. :-) Have a lovely weekend.

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  3. Yummy! I don't know what kind hubby gets, but it's the best he can order from the coop and it comes from Italy...I drank about 1/4 cup every morning for a couple of weeks when I was running around like a mad woman at work...made my behind nice and round! ha-last year I dropped to just 100lbs and looked terrible so I thought the extra fat would be good for me. We love dipping our bread in it, I also use it and virgin coconut oil on my skin...no chemical lotions for this girl. If I can't eat it, it doesn't go on my skin!!
    Wish I were there to try it out with you. Baking bread is one of life's joys!
    Hugs,
    kelly

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  4. I am hungry now..I want bread and yummi olive oil...great pictures and I love reading what our doing I hear your sweet girly voice in m head,,,,

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  5. i can't wait to come visit you and sit in your kitchen...smelling the bread baking while we talk, talk, talk!!!

    we need to plan that, ya know???!!!

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  6. Hi Chrissy!

    I was so excited to see your comment! Thank you so much for your kind words! You made my day! ♥
    Fun to hear you love stitching too! I've really enjoyed your blog, you are a lovely lady!
    I'm trying to figure out what "my word" of the year will be. I added a link to my etsy on my blog but if it doesn't work you can go to: www.wentwortharts.etsy.com.
    Keep In Touch!

    ♥/Jenny

    www.jennyleewentworth.blogspot.com

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  7. Hi Chrissy!
    I've just got into baking bread and made my first batch just last week. I only made easy bake white bread rolls but it was sooo satisfying and yummy smelling. This one with wholewheat and olive oil sounds absolutely delicious too!!
    Ps. Thank you for your lovely comment over on my blog:-)

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  8. Hi Chrissy! I just found your blog through Kelly and can already tell that I am going to love it!! Will be back often!! :) Silke
    P.S. That bread looks delicious!!

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  9. oh my chrissy!! total yummy goodness :-)
    the bread looks so good and i'm such a olive oil love sick fool! I loved this post. and i so enjoy coming to your blog.

    see you in a few weeks my sweet.
    xo
    m

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  10. oooh, & i too looove the smell of bread baking! & looking at your posts below...i just love yummy aprons and also rainboots (i just wore my bright green ones with flowers yesterday & they made me so happy!) & your australia package looks luscious! ALL lovely. xo

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  11. lol...I just baked olive cake in mini loaf form...it was the nastiest thing I think I've ever baked. Tasted NOTHING like the nice, light olive cake I had at the restaurant. Hope yours turned out better!

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your comments put the biggest smile on my face!
thank you so very much!