10 Ways You Can Use Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Today
Italian extra virgin olive oil is widely used worldwide for various reasons, including its potential to support cardiovascular health and its distinct flavor. Apart from cooking, Italian olive oil has been used in various other applications ranging from beauty to medicine.
So if you want to incorporate more of this beneficial oil extracted from the produce of the Olea Europea tree, keep reading to learn about the ten different ways you can do so.
10 Ways You Can Use Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Today
Add It To Your Favorite Pasta Dish
Have you ever had the chance to try Aglio e Olio — a beloved Italian cuisine? This pasta is a worldwide favorite, and one of the reasons for its popularity is that many Aglio e Olio recipes include Italian Extra Virgin oil, which gives it that extra spike of flavor. Here is how you can make incorporate Italian extra virgin oil in your Aglio e Olio:
Pro tip! If you are not a fan of Aglio e Olio, you can incorporate Italian Extra Virgin Olive oil in other similar pasta dishes.
What you will need:
- 340 grams of spaghetti
- 9 garlic cloves
- Red pepper flakes
- 3-4 lemon wedges
- 4 tbsps. parsley
- 28 grams Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- Salt
- 6 tbsps. Italian extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
1. First, add salt into a large pot of boiling water and boil your pasta until al dente. Now drain the water and save around 1/3 cup for use in the next steps.
2. Next, heat three tablespoons of oil in a skillet and add two-thirds of the garlic. Cook until the garlic turns golden brown, then remove from the flame. Add two tablespoons of parsley, remaining garlic, and two teaspoons of the pasta water from step one immediately.
3. Lastly, arrange the spaghetti in a serving dish. Top with the garlicky sauce and the remaining oil. Mix in the leftover pasta water and thoroughly combine all ingredients. Serve warm with the remaining parsley. Don't forget to sprinkle with shredded cheese and red pepper flakes and serve with lemon wedges.
Make the Healthy Version of Homemade Mayo
Mayo sauce is usually considered an unhealthy food due to its high fat content. However, what if we incorporated Italian extra virgin olive oil to turn it from unhealthy to heart-healthy? Here is how you can do it:
What you will need:
- One and a half cups of Italian extra virgin olive oil
- 3 eggs
- Sea salt
- Lemon juice (60 ml)
Instructions:
1.First, blend all three eggs, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, and lemon juice in a blender for at least 10 to 20 seconds or until all ingredients are well blended.
2. Slowly pour the entire one-and-a-half cups of oil into the blender and continue to blend. Blend till the mixture forms a thick consistency. (If you use a high-speed blender, it should only take a few seconds to achieve a thick consistency).
3. Lastly, refrigerate the mixture. Finish the mixture before two weeks to ensure freshness.
Enhance the Flavor Profile of Your Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are common in almost every household because they can go well as a sideline with various meals. So if you like pairing mashed potatoes with your meals, why not enhance their flavor profile and make them healthier with a drizzle of Italian extra virgin olive oil?
All you have to do is boil your potatoes and peel them after they cool down. Lastly, add them to a blender, along with a drizzle of olive oil, to create a smooth consistency.
Surprise Your Guests with an Extra Virgin Olive Oil Martini
You probably haven't considered the possibility of preparing cocktails with Italian extra virgin olive oil. However, it is possible. This versatile ingredient gives the drink a distinct richness.
Here's how you can incorporate liquid gold into your martini:
What You Will Need
- Italian extra virgin olive oil (1.5 oz.)
- 2 basil leaves
- Fresh grapefruit juice (1.5 oz.)
- Syrup (25 oz.) (adjustable)
- Vodka (1.5 oz.)
1. First, boil equal portions of sugar and water on medium flame. Stir the mixture occasionally until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Once your syrup is ready, store it in your fridge in a sealed container. The mixture will stay fresh for around two to three months. (you can skip this step if you do not like your drink tobe extra sweet)
3. Tear two basil leaves and add them to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
4. Next, mix .25 ounces of syrup (optional), grapefruit juice, and vodka with .5 ounces of Italian extra virgin olive oil.
5. Lastly, shake it well for a few seconds before straining it into a martini glass.
Prepare A Gourmet Salmon Dish
This Salmon Tartare is the ideal dish to try out with Italian olive oil. It is mouthwatering and healthy and a great option for days when you feel like having a gourmet meal at home.
What You Will Need
- 100 grams of salmon
- One tablespoon of coconut flour
- 50 grams of almonds
- Lemon
- Two passion fruits
- One avocado
- 1 tbsp. Italian extra virgin olive oil
- Lime zest and salt (to taste)
- 1/4 scallion
- 6 cherry tomatoes
Instructions
1. First, in a non-stick pan, toast the almonds for approximately 8 to 10 minutes to give them a crunch.
2. Chop up the spring onions and cherry tomatoes.
3. Peel the avocado and smash it with lemon juice, scallion, and cherry tomato.
4. Next, add the Italian extra virgin olive oil and salt to the mixture.
5. Chop up the salmon into small cubes
6. Add lime zest to your salmon tartare
7. On a serving plate, assemble the tartare. (guacamole base layered with toasted almonds along with the salmon tartare on top)
8. Lastly, serve with a garnish of passion fruit and coconut, and sprinkle some olive oil.
Drizzle It On Top Of Your Favorite Salad
The best thing about this versatile ingredient is that it goes well with practically any flavor. Therefore, one of the most common ways individuals include Italian extra virgin olive oil into their diet is to drizzle it over their salads. Whether preparing a Caesar salad or a comforting bowl of chickpea salad, extra virgin olive oil is the ideal topping for any salad.
Moreover, you can also prepare tasty salad dressings with extra virgin Italian olive oil. For example, add around ¼ cup lemon juice or vinegar to a bowl and mix in approximately ¼ cup oil. Lastly, add a tablespoon of seasoning mix of your choice and stir well. Now you can drizzle this healthy salad dressing over any salad to improve its taste and save the rest in the fridge for
later.
Use It to Make a Healthy Dessert
The words healthy and desert do not usually go hand in hand. However, anything is possible with Italian extra virgin olive oil.
- 100 grams pumpkin
- 70 grams oat milk
- 20 grams of lemon olive oil
- 10 grams yeast
- 40 grams of Italian extra virgin olive oil
- One egg
- 120 grams of flour (type two),
- 70 grams of sugar (raw cane)
- 50 grams of sweet German chocolate or dark chocolate
Instructions
1. First, preheat the oven to 180 ° C.
2. Bake pumpkin for around 20 minutes. (The consistency of the pumpkin should be soft, you can check the consistency by sticking a knife in it)
3. Next, remove it from the oven and peel its skin. Allow it to release any excess water during the cooling process.
4. Blend both oils, one egg, and the softened pumpkin in a blender.
5. In a separate bowl, mix in sugar, baking powder, and flour with the pumpkin.
6. Slowly add milk to the mixture.
7. Break your preferred chocolate into tiny pieces and mix it with the dough.
8. Take a muffin pan and add 3 tablespoons of the mixture into each slot.
9. Lastly, bake at 180 ° C for 20 minutes.
Use It to Add Flavor to Your Grilled Vegetables
Italian extra virgin oil makes the ideal topping for grilling vegetables. Whether you're grilling an assortment of vegetables like corn, asparagus, carrots, and zucchini, or you want some grilled bell pepper with your steak, brushing the vegetables with Italian extra virgin olive oil before tossing them on the grill is a great way to boost the health factor of your grilled vegetables.
Make Flavorful Bread Dipping Sauce
People like various dipping sauces with their bread, ranging from mayo to marinara, but if you enjoy bread dipping sauces containing oil, this Italian extra virgin olive oil bread dipping sauce is a must-try.
Firstly, combine olive oil, 1/2 garlic cloves (pressed), parsley, red pepper flakes, oregano, 1/4 black pepper, and kosher salt in a bowl. Lastly, set it aside to marinate for half an hour minutes before serving it with the bread of your choice.
Use It to Make Mouthwatering Flatbread
Flatbread is a filling dish you can serve for every meal, from breakfast and lunch to dinner. It's easy to make, and the Italian extra virgin olive oil gives it a delightful twist.
Here's how to prepare it:
What You Will Need
- 70 grams of Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Prosciutto slices
- 230 grams of skimmed milk
- 60 grams of Parmigiano Reggiano
- 500 grams of flour
- 10 grams of instant yeast
- 12 grams of salt
- 200 grams of arugula
- 250 grams of tomatoes (medium ripe)
Instructions
1. Firstly, add some flour to a surface and create a hole in its center with your fist.
2. Next, add some Italian extra virgin olive oil and milk and begin kneading.
3. Add yeast into the mixture along with salt to taste and keep kneading to mix the ingredients well.
4. Let the dough set for around 20 to 30 minutes before creating balls and flattening them out.
5. Now, cook the flattened dough in a pan on medium to low heat.
6. Lastly, place the cooked flatbread on a serving dish before adding all the toppings.
Important tip! You can always play around with the toppings for such recipes and experiment with different types of toppings to see which combination you like the most.
Enjoy Stewed Anchovies with the Added Taste of Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
What You Will Need
- 800 grams of anchovies
- Italian Extra virgin olive oil
- Quarter spoon of white wine vinegar
- Quarter spoon oregano
- Two bay leaves
- Quarter spoon salt
- 4 slices of bread
Instructions
1. Firstly, add your anchovies to a pan along with 1/2 cup oil, 4 tablespoons vinegar, bay leaves, oregano, and a few sprinkles of pepper and salt to taste.
2. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes after adding 4 tablespoons of ice water.
3. Slice and toast the bread while the anchovies cook.
4. Lastly, layer the anchovies on the warm bread and serve immediately.
Bottom Line
So now that you know the 10 mouthwatering ways you can use Italian extra virgin oil today, what are you waiting for? Try all the above recipes to see which one you like the most.