Olive oil is a great oil to cook with due to its remarkable health benefits and distinctive taste.
The use of olive oil goes back centuries. However, it’s been gaining popularity in recent years due to research studies demonstrating how healthy the oil is. It is a monounsaturated fat that has been found to lower blood pressure and also raise good cholesterol, and it can also help in preventing strokes.
There are some points to be aware of about olive oil to ensure you cook using it correctly and that everything comes out just as delicious as you had hoped.
The most important thing to remember is that olive oil comes with a shallow smoke point, which means the oil will begin to smoke when heated to high temperatures. If you’ve ever overheated olive oil within a pot and experienced the smell, you’ll know that it will make your kitchen smell like smoke and destroy the flavor of your meals.
These are ideas to cook with olive oil.
Certain varieties of olive oil aren’t the ideal choice for cooking at high-temperature or frying as they can’t be able to handle the temperatures high enough required for this type of cooking. However, it is still possible to cook using olive oil if you’re careful and avoid high temperatures.
Another way to make up for low smoking points is by combining olive oil with a high-heat oil, such as Ghee (clarified butter) or canola oil, to make the healthiest choice. This increases the smoke point but gives you all the benefits to health and delicious flavor from cooking in olive oil, whether extra virgin or virgin.
As olive oil has become very popular recently and can be found in any supermarket, you can see a wide selection of brands. The taste of olive oil will vary based on where the olives are grown, and if you do not like the flavor of one particular brand, change to another.
All olive oil can be used in cooking, and selecting the right oil for a particular dish is crucial.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil needs to be cooked with careful attention as it could lose its taste with the heat. Keep your most expensive extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle overcooked food just before serving. They are also excellent in marinades, salad dressings, or as a condiment to sauces after completion. For a healthier alternative to butter, drizzle it on bread slices of Italian bread or baked potatoes that have been mashed. It can also be drizzled over cooked fish, vegetables, or other meats just before serving.
Virgin Olive Oil is less expensive but offers an exquisite flavor and scent, making it a great cooking option. You can use it as is or blend it with clarified butter (Ghee) to cook with high heat methods like pan-frying or broiling.
Olive Oil or Pure Olive Oil is the fact that no other oils are mixed with olive oil. Contrary to virgin and extra virgin varieties, this oil is obtained through a refinement process that eliminates most of the flavor. It’s cheaper to use this oil for cooking than the more expensive extra virgin or virgin versions. The refining process can also increase the smoke point to around 400oF, making the olive oil suitable for high-temperature cooking, cooking, and frying. Don’t expect it to be as flavorful as the extra-virgin type.
Extra light olive oil isn’t an energy-rich food, and the word “light” only refers to the oil’s color. The mild or light varieties are extremely loved by consumers looking for the benefits of olive oil with no solid flavor.
It’s clear that there are olive oils that all can enjoy, and there’s no reason that anyone isn’t able to enjoy the fantastic taste and health benefits of the so popular oil. If you’ve not tried cooking with olive oil before, make sure you purchase a bottle on your next visit to the supermarket. Your heart will be grateful as well. Your food is sure to be delicious!