by Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11/1/22 – The holiday season’s scrumptious feasts drive many of us to diet after the New Year. When the allure of grapefruit and sugar-free Jello starts to fade, it might be time to try something different!
Enter Turkish-born chef Jale Balci with her new cookbook OLIVES & OLIVE OIL: RICHES FROM DEEP ROOTS. This lavishly-illustrated hardcover compendium includes dozens of delicious health-conscious recipes along with a comprehensive history of the humble olive.Since ancient times, olives have been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region as well as in other warm-weather areas such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, and North and South America. Spanish missionaries brought olive trees to sunny California in the eighteenth century. Even today the olive branch is seen as a touching symbol of peace and prosperity throughout the world.
OLIVES & OLIVE OIL has already captured the imaginations of many prominent Hollywood personalities who had the good luck to sample some of the dishes at book launches held in LA. Beloved THT associate Larry Namer–who turns out to be of Turkish descent–has said, “If I didn’t have to do this TV stuff for money, I would actually be a cook!”
Impressive recipes from OLIVES & OLIVE OIL such as Monkfish Stew with its bright colors and fresh flavors are well suited to all-season soirees. Simpler preparations such as Marinated Baby Zucchini and Goat’s Cheese Paste with Fresh Thyme, Beets, and Walnuts could be eaten every day.
In any case, the significant health benefits conferred by nutrient-rich olives and olive oil make this cookbook a must-try for 2023. It retails for $60 on Amazon.