[CUISINE ADAGIO] - Olive oil tasting, Mornington Peninsula

What a lovely way to Sunday on the Mornington Peninsula.

Oil growers, chefs and food aficionados were amongst a diverse crowd at Doppio Zero, to learn the art of oil tasting, by world expert, Simon Field.

Intrigued by just how many different taste buds we have, the attentive guests leaned to slurp, swish and savour, while rating the oils for bitterness, sweetness, and fruitiness.

Susie designed a menu with chef Domenico, where they created "taste" comparisons, cooking the same dish 3 times using 3 different oils - light, fruity and robust.

A first for this sort of event in Australia, and certainly not the last. Oils from the last European harvest were sampled as were local Australian oil.

We started with a cool tomato and fresh herb soup noting a creamy sensation with the fruity oil, and a much sharper taste with robust oil.

The next dish was meatballs in "bianco" with a very Sicilian mystery taste which maybe was lemon zest?

We then had Sicilian salad with Radicchio and orange and the oils made each of the 3, decidedly different on the palate.

We concluded the meal with Bombolone a la Domenico, stuffed with Ricotta and the same delicious little balls with Tiramisu

A gastronomic time was enjoyed by all.

We are looking forward to the next dinner event, which will be preceded by a tasting of local Victorian oils.

Stay tuned.............

Buon Appetito !

Susie