Description
'Glorious and sumptuous. From the simplest dishes through to the more complex, Irini totally captures the gastronomy of Greece.' Victoria Hislop
'This is my favourite cookbook of the year. A total joy from start to finish.' Russell Norman
'A treasure trove of personal and factual information about the food of Greece and its islands.' Simon Rogan
Under the Olive Tree is a stunning and user-friendly collection of delicious Greek family recipes from Irini Tzortzoglou, the 2019 champion of MasterChef UK. Including accessible, everyday dishes for the home cook, as well as an entertaining section full of Irini's tips and tricks for when you have a little more time or want to impress your guests.
Not only is Irini a fabulous cook, but she is a great teacher who cannot wait to show readers the dishes of her beloved homeland. With over 80 recipes, from breakfasts to quick dinners via salads full of sunshine, and on to feasting for Christmas, Easter and dinner parties, this cookbook is Irini's celebration of Greece.
'These recipes represent me as a cook and diner in that I like to experiment a little in putting flavours together, mixing classic combinations with my own touches.'
Recipes include:
* Chickpea and cumin fritters with a lemon and coriander yoghurt dip
* Cured salmon with star anise, yoghurt and ouzo cream, cucumber and fennel salad
* Aubergine topped with bulgur, sultanas, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts
* Braised Octopus in Red Wine with Sweetcorn Puree and Pepper Salsa
* Moussaka with beef, aubergine and red pepper sauce
* Slow-roasted lamb with herbs, lemon, mustard and honey
* Olive Oil, Almond and Candied Orange Baklava
About the Author
Irini Tzortzoglou was born on the Greek island of Crete, but has lived in the UK for forty years. Her home is in Cartmel in Cumbria, with her husband, John. She studied at Kingston University, is a retired banker and a step-grandmother. In 2019, Irini won MasterChef in the first all-female final seen on the show. Having attended a course in January 2020, Irini is also now an olive oil sommelier.
Reviews
Glorious and sumptuous. From the simplest dishes through to the more complex, Irini totally captures the gastronomy of Greece. * Victoria Hislop *
An ode to Greek gastronomy * Radio Times *
You can learn cooking technique. What you cannot put into somebody is absolute love and passion. And Irini is just bursting with it! It's from the heart, every time she cooks. * Gregg Wallace, MasterChef episode, 2019 *
The 2019 MasterChef champion has created a stunning book full of delicious family friendly recipes. Ideas for breakfast, quick meals, salads and dinner are included. Moussaka, baklava and slow-roasted lamb are some of the tastiest dishes on the menu. * the Sun *
This is my favourite cookbook of the year. [Irini's] approach to cooking is celebratory. It's about flavour, texture and presentation, of course, but it is also about emotional nourishment: love and family, conversation and laughter, hearts and minds. Anyone who says they don't like sharing plates needs to read Tzortzoglou's words, make her recipes, and enjoy her food. A total joy from start to finish. * Russell Norman *
Completely mouthwatering, elegant and celebratory. * Anna Chancellor *
What a gorgeous book! The recipes and the beautiful photos had me immediately transported to the beautiful island of Crete. If only I could hop on a plane; cooking the recipes in my kitchen will be the next best thing. * Rachel Knoo *
Greek food has a very special place in my heart as I spent some very enjoyable early years of my career working in a Greek restaurant in Southampton! Under The Olive Tree is a treasure trove of personal and factual information about the food of Greece and its islands. Irini's love and passion for Greek ingredients as well as for values associated with food such as nurture, sharing and hospitality are infectious.
* Simon Rogan *Irini brings holiday flavours to your home with these delicious Greek recipes from her stunning debut cookbook. * Woman & Home *
A beautiful book, oozing with the true flavours of Greece. * Anthony Horowitz *
Irini brings us the tastes and smells of Greek food, without having to actually hop on a plane. Discover sun-soaked dishes, from the simple to the more complex, in this wonderful celebration of all things Greek. * Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine *
A beautiful book. * Miguel Barclay *
Gorgeous, easy-cook summer suppers with all the sunshine flavours of the Med. * YOU magazine *
a tribute to the family and culture that brought her up... Tzortzoglou includes in Under the Olive Tree stories that recall a lost world. * Times2 *
This cookbook is so beautiful and I want to cook everything in it! * Lisa Faulkner *
Tzortzoglou's warm personality pervades recollections of her father playing his bouzouki, olive oil decanted into ceramic pytharia pots, and of her mother using the village's communal wood-fired oven to bake. She shows that there is a lot more to Greek cuisine than the dishes we associate with summer holidays * Daily Telegraph *
Sophisticated, modern take on traditional Greek fare * The Journal Newcastle *
A sunny, satisfying read. * Daily Mail, Christmas Cookbook Roundup 2020 *
Bring some Mediterranean sunshine to your kitchen with these easy recipes * BBC Good Food *
The 2019 MasterChef champion has created a stunning book full of delicious family friendly recipes. Ideas for breakfast, quick meals, salads and dinner are included. Moussaka, baklava and slowroasted lamb are some of the
tastiest dishes on the menu.
Book Information
ISBN 9781472271877
Author Irini Tzortzoglou
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Headline Home
Publisher Headline Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 1220g
Dimensions(mm) 250mm * 194mm * 26mm
