6 Creative Ways To Use Olive Oil In Your Cooking
Olive oil is often treated as a basic cooking fat, but it can do much more. There are so many delicious and creative ways to use olive oil in the kitchen.
These brilliant uses will improve your everyday cooking in simple and practical ways.
Keep pesto fresh
Pesto is a staple spread for many types of recipes, and many home cooks like to make it in large batches to use throughout the week. To prevent it from losing its color, olive oil is all you need.
Add a thin layer of fine virgin olive oil on top of the sauce in its container, and pop it in the fridge. This trick will help the pesto stay green and fresh for much longer.
Drizzle it on soups
A small drizzle of olive oil added just before serving can change a soup completely. It adds smoothness and enhances flavor without overpowering other ingredients.
This works especially well with vegetable, bean, and lentil soups. Use a good quality oil and apply lightly for the best result.
Bake with olive oil instead of butter
Olive oil works well in many baked goods, especially cakes, muffins, and breads. It's best used in recipes that don't rely heavily on butter flavor.
Olive oil also blends easily, making mixing faster and cleanup easier when you're baking.
Infuse oils
Infused olive oil is delicious, fragrant, and can be used as a light pasta sauce or dip for bread.
Heat a bit of oil in a pan over low heat and stir in your ingredient of choice (citrus zest, crushed red pepper, basil leaves or other fresh herbs). Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes before enjoying.
Drizzle it on ice cream
It may seem unconventional, but olive oil is actually the perfect addition to a vanilla sundae. A drizzle of olive oil will enhance the creaminess of the sweet treat.
Top it off with a pinch of kosher salt for the perfect decadent dessert.
Make simple marinades
Olive oil is the foundation of many irresistible marinades. It adds flavor and prevents dryness in many meat and vegetable dishes.
Combine it with herbs, garlic, and acid for a balanced marinade. Even short marinating times can improve texture and taste.
Conclusion
Olive oil is way more versatile than many people realize. It's a great way to boost the flavor of texture in many dishes.
These ideas are simple, delicious, and prove that a little olive oil goes a long way.