Under the Olive Tree

'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 RoganUnder 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

Glorious and sumptuous. From the simplest dishes through to the more complex, Irini totally captures the gastronomy of Greece., An ode to Greek gastronomy, 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., 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., 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.

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.