Olives and Oranges: Recipes and Flavor Secrets from Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Beyond

Bythetimeshewasateenager,SaraJenkinshadlivedallovertheMediterranean,fromItalyandFrancetoSpain,Lebanon,andCyprus,incosmopolitancitiesandinruralhamlets.ThefamilyeventuallyputdownrootsinaramshacklefarmhouseinasmallTuscanvillage,whereshelearnedhowtomakeraguandhandmadepastaattheelbowofherItalian"grandmother”onthenearbyfarm.Mealscamefromthegardenandthesurroundingpastures,notthesupermarket,andJenkinsgrewupschooledinthetraditionofcookingfromwhatwasonhand.InOlives&Oranges,Jenkinssharesthesimple,strikingdishesshelearnedatthesource.Many,likePepperyBraisedShortRibsandClassicTuscanEggplantParmesan,arefavoritesfromchildhood.Others,likeShortPastawithMushroomsandMintandSpicyLemon?ChocolateGanacheTart,haveacontemporarysensibility.JenkinsshowshowunderstandingtheMediterranean"languageofflavor”canhelpyoufollowyourinstinctsandmakeyourowngreatmealsbasedonwhatyouhave,too.You’llseehowsaltandlemonjuicebringoutthenaturalsugarinCarrotSaladwithLemon,SeaSalt,Parsley,andOliveOil,andhowtousethesametechniquewithlime,salt,andaMoroccancondimentcalledharissaforacompletelydifferenteffectinTunisianRawTurnipSalad.Theopeningchapterintroduces"smallplates”—easy,versatiledishesthatcanprefaceadinnerorbegroupedtogetherforasmallfeast,fromRoastedRedPepperswithGarlicandCeleryLeavestoChickenLiverCrostini.Soupsarespontaneousandflexible,whethertheyarecoolingpuréeslikeWhiteAlmondGazpachoorsturdyfullbowlslikeRichChickenSoupwithGreens.Theincomparablepastasencompassfastevery-nightselections(SpaghettiniwithBurstCherryTomatoes)tocomplexcelebrationaffairslikeBraisedRabbitRaguandHomemadeLasagna.Fish,poultry,andmeatchaptersfeaturerusticpreparations:roastedscallopscappedwithapalegreenbutterseasonedwithparsleyandgarlic;animpressivelybig-flavoredchickensmearedwithamixtureofbaconandherbsandbakedinasaltcrust;andaspectacularstapleofRomantrattorias,vealcutletswrappedinprosciuttoandsageandcrisp-fried.DessertsrangefromfreshStrawberrieswithProseccotoasumptuousCoffeeCardamomCrcmeCarameltotherichbutlightLemonOliveOilCake.Eachoftherecipesinthebookisidentifiedas"Quick-Cook”or"Slow-Cook”soyoucanchoosewhichfitbestintoyourschedule."FlavorTips”throughoutthebooksuggestwaystomodifythedishessoyoucanusewhat’sfreshestandmostavailable.ThedaughterofthenotedfoodauthorityNancyHarmonJenkins,SARAJENKINShasearnedravesatalltheNewYorkrestaurantswhereshehasbeenthechef,including50Carmine,IlBuco,ICoppi,andPatio.Hernewestventure,Porchetta,islocatedinNewYorkCity’sEastVillage.Thisisherfirstbook.