I like to use Berio Olive Oil for sauteing! It's light enough for salads and cooking and doesn't leave an after taste. I tried Pompeii Olive Oil years ago - OMG - the oil in my car is not that thick! And what an after-taste. But I can honestly say - it was good at removing paint from my hands and arms after I painted the house!! Since then I stick to the much lighter ones!

Thanks, Mama. I feel educated now, thanks.

I never realized the Nicoise salad was named after the OLIVES in it. Huh.

Don't worry man, I've never had an olive in my entire life. They just don't look that good.

We are huge olive fans in our house! Black ones are grat for kids to put on their fingers and eat. Sliced black are good with pizza and pasta. Kalamata olives are a good appetizer, snack, and also in any greek-style dishes - they have a very distinct flavor. Green olives are ok too, and they're oftn stuffed with red pepper pieces.

Oh gosh -- I'm in hysterics picturing your face. An olive for the first time is an AWESOME face no matter what kind you choose. LOL I like the green with pimentos & black olives also. And how on earth? at the age of 35 have you never had a black olive? I thought those were something everyone had on either pizza or a mexican dish at one point or another.

LOL @ Raquelita -- My kids do the same. In fact last week 1 of the kids was showing off his olive fingers... and another decided to steal one, and when he bit it, he also bit a finger......... He was hurt, but only for a moment and then the hysteria began!