Raw olive oil is a staple in cooking in many parts of the world, and for good reason. Further, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) isn’t just an essential ingredient in many dishes, it also has numerous health benefits.
Reader's Roadmap
Olive Oil Uses
Raw EVOO has many uses in cooking, making it a versatile and delicious ingredient. Use a kind of raw olive oil that’s unfiltered for maximum preservation of the taste and freshness to enhance your cooking.
Without needing to cook it, raw olive oil can be used in the following ways:
- Replaces sandwich and salad condiments: Instead of using condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or salad dressing on sandwiches and salads, use EVOO. These condiments are often rich in saturated fat, making the oil a healthier alternative.
- Emulsify your condiments: Mayo is very delicious, but it’s not very healthy, with over 100 calories in just one tablespoon. However, combining it with olive oil to produce a heavenly aioli sauce is one way to create a healthier relationship with food without sacrificing the taste.
- Replace heavy cream in soups: Fans of Greek foods as well as those simply looking to enhance the taste of your soup, can replace a tablespoon of heavy cream with EVOO. This change adds antioxidants and monounsaturated fats while making it tasty.
- Dipping oil for breadsticks: Many serve bread rolls with butter as an appetizer at a party or event. A fun alternative is serving toasted bread slices or breadsticks with extra virgin olive oil as a dipping partner. Add a pinch of oregano and salt, or serve it with balsamic vinegar.
- Eat with cheese: Although it might sound odd, but EVO is the perfect partner for cheese pairings. It’s good to add this oil to a dipping bowl when presenting a platter of various cheeses.
Other Uses in Cooking
Besides the above-mentioned olive oil uses, multiple other ways exist to use this healthy ingredient in cooking.
- Frying: Thanks to its high Smoke Point, EVOO is one of the best alternatives to vegetable or canola oil for frying foods. It can be used to fry vegetable fritters, eggs, fries, or anything else. However, remember to never reuse this oil after frying with it.
- Baking: Many might call it crazy, but use EVOO next time you’re baking fruit or chocolate-based cupcakes/cakes. It’ll deliver delectable baked goods, and it’s easier to use than butter, which must be melted.
- Roasting: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over anything roasted for additional taste. Vegetables like Kale and Brussels Sprouts are divine when roasted in the oven, just add salt and EVOO to take them to the next level.
The Beauty of Cooking with Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is an exceptional source of antioxidants like oleacein, Vitamin E, and oleocanthal. As such, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can promote brain function, and help combat cardiovascular diseases. Use EVOO in your cooking to eat healthier and more flavorsome foods.