Simple Mashed Potatoes

Olives are one of the oldest foods and thought to have originated

in Crete or Syria between five and seven thousand years ago. The olive

tree has provided food,since ancient time, also provided fuel, timber

and

medicine for many civilizations, and has been regarded as a symbol of

peace. The venerable oil of the olive has been consumed since

as early as 3,000 B.C.

It's unknown how olive trees arrived in the America, but

it's clear that the time was much later, during the 1500 - 1700's.

Spanish colonizers of N. America definitely brought olive trees

across the Atlantic Ocean during the 1500 - 1700's, and while some may

have been brought directly to the region which is now California, olive

trees could also have been brought to the region from Mexico, where

cultivation by the Spanish was already underway.

Olive oil has been and still is a staple in the diet of many

Mediterranean countries. The recent discovery that the Mediterranean

diet, which features the oil, may be linked to a reduced risk of

heart disease and other health conditions has caused olive oil to

become very popular in the America in the past few decades. Today,

much of the commercial cultivation of olive oil is still centered in

the Mediterranean region in such countries as Spain. Italy, and Greece.

Research Source: WH Foods

Simple

and tasty mashed potatoes. Perfect for any dinner table.

Simple Mashed Potatoes

Recipe

by Christine Lamb (Christine's Pantry), 2015

Ingredients:

Directions:

In

medium saucepan, cook the potatoes in salted water, until tender, about 15 to

17 minutes. Drain potatoes. Return to pot.

Add extra virgin olive oil, garlic

powder, salt and pepper. Using a potato masher, mash potatoes until blended.

Add more extra virgin olive oil, until desired consistency. Taste and salt and

pepper, if needed, Serve and enjoy!