Regular readers of both this, and my previous blog, are probably well aware of my love of trees. They are absolutely one of my favourite things in nature, maybe along with stars. It’s hard to choose between the two, but if I really had to, I think trees might still win – stars don’t help keep us alive after all…
If you live a slightly nomadic lifestyle like we do, and don’t truly feel like you own your own tree, then I might possibly have the perfect solution – adopting one!
Pomora offers a tree owning initiative – not only will a select tree in a beautiful Italian Olive grove officially belong to you (you even get a certificate!), but you can feel extra good in that you are supporting ethical farming methods and traditional communities. And your tree sends you presents – the most delicious olive oil.
Packages are sent four times a year, and vary according to the seasons – Winter consists of 3 bottles of differing Nuovo oil, vibrant and unfiltered… This oil is held in such high esteem by the growers, that they have a big party at production time… In Spring your tree will send you three flavoured oils, in the Summer it will send you 3 different extra virgin olive oils, and in Autumn a further 3 flavoured oils (different to those the tree sends for Spring!)… Obviously the oil you are sent doesn’t all come from your own tree, it’s not a magic tree sadly, but Pomora promises that it will come from trees very close by.
Adoption for the year costs around £135 (you can foster instead whilst you get to know each other if you like), and if you don’t fancy this for yourself, it makes a great gift subscription for the foodie in your life.
Pomora sent me a set of Nuovo oil to taste, and having cooked with it, made dressings and sauces with it, and baked with it, I can confirm it’s lovely quality stuff…
I highly recommend baking foccacia with it, and using said bread to sponge up oil straight from a bowl, with or without balsamic – it’s up to you…
Rosemary Foccacia (adapted from Lorraine Pascal’s BBC recipe) – Ingredients:
500g Organic White Bread flour (plus extra for dusting;)
2tsp salt;
7g dried yeast;
100ml good quality olive oil;
250ml warm water;
1 large sprig of fresh rosemary;
a good pinch of sea salt (or in this case pretzel salt!)
Dust a large baking tray with flour, or line a large baking tin. Add the flour, salt and yeast to a large bowl, followed by the olive oil. Gradually add the water to make a soft dough (I do all this in a Kenwood Mixer by the way) and knead for 5 minutes (10 minutes if you are doing it by hand). Test the dough by sticking a thumb in, if the dough springs back then it’s ready, if not knead for a couple of minutes more. Place the dough on your baking tray, and cover with a damp (clean obviously) tea towel and leave in a warm place to rise (until doubled in size)for an hour.
Preheat your oven to 200C. Press a floured finger all over the dough to make the traditional hollows, paint with a little extra olive oil, press in the rosemary sprigs and sprinkle over your salt. Bake for 30 minutes in the top half of the oven. The Focaccia is ready when golden brown and hollow when tapped underneath.
And the thing I perhaps I love the most about this company? They positively encourage you to visit your Sicilian tree and meet the farmers, so you can give it, and maybe them a hug in person… A true gift (to yourself or someone else!) that keeps on giving!
Rebecca says
That’s a lovely idea! It would be an unusual present for a foodie. I know my aunt would love the idea.
Emma says
Thanks Rebecca! :)
Mammasaurus says
What a great idea! That focaccia looks awesome – I am imagining the smell of it freshly baked right now
*dribbles over lap*
Emma says
Thanks Annie! :) xx
Elizabeth says
What a cool idea!
Emma says
Thanks Elizabeth! :)
Penny Carr says
I love the idea of going and giving your tree a hug. I have a long standing adoption of a piece of land up on a Scottish distillery. I really must go and claim my “rent” in the form of a dram of whisky sometime soon!
Emma says
You absolutely have to Penny. How fantastic! :)
Penny says
That looks yummy Emma! Love the idea of being able to own a tree wherever you are in the world :)
Emma says
That would be amazing wouldn’t it? Thanks Penny xx
Sarah@TheViewFromtheTable says
What a fantastic idea!
Emma says
I thought you would like this Sarah! :)
Becky says
what a lovely idea this is!
Emma says
Different isn’t it? Thanks Becky! :)
Liz Burton says
Mmmm that foccacia looks divine. Is it really that easy to make?
Emma says
It’s honestly not hard! Try it! Thanks Liz! :)
Emma says
what a great idea, I would seriously consider doing this.
Emma says
Thanks Emma! :)
Mari says
What a great idea and I sooooo want to try making foccacia at some point, yours looks delicious
Emma says
With your heritage Mari I bet you get the best Focaccia first time round! Xx
Jazzygal says
What a lovely idea. And that bread looks delicious! You know, I think I ‘own’ a tree somewhere in the world. Israel I think. It was a certificate for a birthday. And our Irish government gifted us all a tree each, for the millennium I think. Nice idea, hope their both still living. And giving ;) x
Emma says
I love that you already own trees V. Fantastic! Thank you xx
Mum of One says
What a fantastic idea! This would make such a lovely gift for Mr B. I might look into it. That bread looks AMAZING by the way.
Emma says
Thank you… I love original gifts like this that benefit everyone involved! :)