Recently, I shared with you a favourite recipe from Belinda Harley’s delightful cookbook Roast Lamb in the Olive Groves. Here is the review I promised you.
Roast Lamb in the Olive Groves promises a trip into the heartland of Greek cooking, the simple, honest food that she calls the ‘mirror of Greekness’. One of the reasons I like this book, and I have many Greek cookbooks in my library which I will share with you, is that it is unpretentious, readable, the photography by Jonathan Lovekin is superb and you lose yourself in the atmosphere it creates. Perhaps I am biased in that I have been fortunate to spend many a long day in Greece when sailing with my wonderful husband, so this book and the recipes in it, resonate strongly with me.
The chapters cover Mesedes, Pies, Vegetables, Fish and Shellfish, Wild things (foraging, samphire etc) Meat, Preserves, Olive oil & Bread (a favourite) Sweets and, parties & drinks. Interspersed are stories, hints, history and a nice final component just called “The Knowledge’. A couple of my other favourite recipes are the Walnut Cake – stem ginger and Tia Maria, Risotto with Baby Broad Beans, Dill and Ouzo, and Bellini Sorbet!!!
Roast Lamb in the Olive Groves is published by Hardie Grant Books. It would make a wonderful Christmas present for the cook in the family or a friend, but maybe buy 2 copies – one for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!
