Pass The Pen: Melina Davies

Photo by Ashley Barrett

I thought we would start the week off right and introduce you to one of my dearest who has been feeding our village and most of LA for years now. Melina Davies, owner of Olive & Thyme and NOW cookbook author, is our August Boss Babe and I can’t tell you how excited I am that her book is finally available for presale now and purchase September 8! 

I’m not usually one to rub it in when I know I’m being spoiled by something fabulous, but not only is Olive & Thyme a hop skip from our home in LA, I also get to enjoy Melina’s cooking at family gatherings or girl’s nights on the regular. Her food is simply put, delicious. And she has always claimed that us mere mortals can achieve her fresh, farm to table fabulousness ourselves. After taking a deep dive into her book and trying it for myself, she’s right! Melina has put together a collection of recipes that are not only gorgeous but they are also achievable. I swear I sent her about 400 photos of the first recipe I made from her book because I felt like a total pro. 

Per usual, I asked Melina a few questions to help you all get to know her better. Her gorgeous cookbook Olive & Thyme: Everyday Meals Made Extraordinary is available now for purchase and in our THP Shop! And if you’re in the LA area make sure you try Olive & Thyme! 

Xx,

Jo

PS Olive & Thyme also offers the most gorgeous gift boxes that make for the perfect gifts! Holidays are just around the corner and they make gifting special and easy for the ones you love!

Photo by Ashley Barrett

Where did your love for cooking begin?

It began at a young age cooking for my parents when they were working full-time jobs. We had migrated to this country from Iran, little did I know it would lead to this. I cooked as a hobby for many years and was always fond of it. As a child when my friends were watching Scooby Doo I would be watching Julia Child and Jacques Pepin. I would watch how they would hold a knife. How they would julienne vegetables and try to mimic them. I definitely had numerous trips to the emergancy room with burns and cuts. I guess I was hooked and I didn’t even know it. 

I've been a long time superfan of your restaurant in Los Angeles, Olive & Thyme, and have been dying for you to write a cookbook and give us all your recipes! Why was now the right time for it?

Thank you for the kind words. 

When Olive & Thyme had moved to its bigger location and had gotten its legs, I was looking for the next thing. I just knew I wasn’t finished yet. I was Searching for the next location and  I remembered, the year before, client of mine had asked me if I would ever consider writing a cookbook. Of course, at that time I thought she was out of her mind but now was the perfect time.

Honestly, I was really shocked how many people didn’t know how to cook. It is such a natural thing for me because of my culture. It really is my second language. In my family, it’s how I show my love for you. The moment you walk in my house I try to feed you. Even if you decline, in ten minutes I end up asking you if you are hungry. I’m sure it can get annoying. 

I really wanted to show people that everyone can cook. It isn’t that difficult. All you need are good ingredients, a good knife and your imagination. Cooking is a lot of experimenting and the willingness to be creative and have fun. A little of this and a little of that. I have come up with my best recipes when I just open up my pantry and throw things together, sipping a glass of wine and just having fun. I try and not take myself too seriously. 

Photo by Melina Davies

Your book is stunning and inspires me to make a beautiful meal nightly! For a beginner chef, what recipe would you suggest they start with?

That is one of the reasons I am so proud of this book. I didn’t have a fancy food stylist, or the lighting and props you get on regular shoots. What you see in this book, are things in my home, (other than the lamas - which I do use for my kids parties, it’s an LA thing). The food was all cooked in my home, styled in my home by me. I shopped at the farmers market or my local grocery store. I really wanted to make it accessible. That also goes for the recipes. That’s what I think is so special about this book. Everyone can cook from it. That’s why it is called “Everyday Meals Made Extraordinary.” These are simple meals that everyone can make.

Everyone thinks bread is so difficult to make. Try my Perfect Simple Bread recipe. 

Or my Lemon Turkey Sandwich. I mean have you ever thought of preserving lemons and putting them on a turkey sandwich. It just takes everything and gives it an elevated level. Then there a few of those more complicated dishes but nothing you can’t master.

Like I said, the most important thing is to have fun. Pour yourself a glass of wine, turn on some music and start cooking and most of all don’t take it so seriously. 

During times like these when we can't gather, how do you use food to stay connected to your loved ones? 

Food is the connection to the soul. I really believe that. 

There are so many ways. I think it is important to remind each other that we can still connect safely. If you have a small pod you have been safely gathering with outdoors. You can make individual cheese boards in either disposable containers or you can purchase wooden cheese boards and line with parchment paper (this way they can dispose of the parchment paper at the location) and take away the board as a take-away gift. You can follow the illustration in my book on how to make the perfect cheese board. 

You can also bake bread tie it up with brown parchment paper and twine and make some fresh stone fruit preserves (stone fruit is in season ) and put that in a Weck jar and drop them off at their door step with a note letting people know you are thinking of them . I have a recipe on how to make bread and preserves in the book. 

I love the idea of cooking dinner for someone you love and dropping it off for them. Lets be honest, people are tired of cooking for themselves. Give them a heads up and let them know not to plan on cooking. Pack it in a cute brown paper bag and have your kids draw them little picture or make notes for them. If you really want to cheer up their day, pack it in a picnic basket, with a bottle of wine, a blanket, a playlist, and dinner. Tell them to open their door at a specific time. Have their dinner on their doorstep and they can have their special date wherever they choose. 

Baking, Baking, Baking, Baking… What’s a better way to someone’s heart than something sweet?!

The point is, you took the time to do something from your heart for someone special. It really goes a long way. I think people really appreciate it when someone cooks for them. There is something very comforting about that. 

Being a working mom is equivalent to two full time jobs! What would you do with 24 hours alone?

Wow, this might be the most difficult question of them all. 

I would have music playing, (and finally it wouldn’t have to be Frozen) a glass or two chilled of Rose, and cooking over the stove. I would be counting down the minutes for the house to filled with laughter with my family and friends enjoying the food and each other. I can’t wait until the day I can have my house filled with everyone I love.  This is what fills my soul.