Extra virgin olive oil is a staple of Italian cooking, and it’s not difficult to see why. A good Italian olive oil is rich, complex and fruity, bringing other flavours to life without overpowering them. So why do many people relegateextra virgin olive oilto a tiny dish beside the bread basket?The experts at Diforti’s Italian food shopstrive to showcase the culinary potential of this liquid gold byselling only the highest quality extra virgin olive oils. Here, we revealfour unexpected ways to use olive oil, so that you can truly appreciate this traditional mainstay of Italian cuisine.
Italian Olive Oil is Perfect for Preserving
Did you know that Italian olive oil can be used for preserving? When you store ingredients in olive oil, the oil naturally seals out the air and delays oxidation and moulding. This means you can enjoy seasonal flavours year-round! Try preserving roasted red peppers, mushrooms or aubergines in extra virgin olive oil and enjoy them as antipasti, or make some preserved lemons and cook with the peel for a punch of bright, vibrant flavour.
Italian Olive Oil Makes the Ultimate Salad Dressings
Salad dressings truly let the flavours of high-quality olive oil shine, and they make eating a plate of leaves pleasurable. Try whisking together three parts extra virgin olive oil and one part acid (such as lemon juice, balsamic or red wine vinegar). Season with salt and pepper, and you’ve got yourself a basic dressing. Looking for something a little different? Throw the ingredients in a blender along with a handful of basil and a clove of garlic and blend until smooth. Or try substituting a regular extra virgin olive oil for one that’s infused with chilli orwhite truffle. Diforti’s wide selection of infused Italian olive oils add depth to otherwise simple dishes, and they transform a simple salad into the star of the show.
Italian Olive Oil Makes Unexpectedly Great Cakes
Olive oil is excellent for savoury cooking, but have you ever tried it in your bakes? It can be used in place of butter in many different types of cakes, and it pairs wonderfully with a number of the flavours often used in baking—think citrus, chocolate or almond. Olive oil makes cake rich and dense while imparting a light, fruity flavour. Try baking up a chocolate olive oil cake or a lemon olive oil cake to start, then branch out with more daring combinations like rosemary olive oil cake. Play around with using different types of olive oil to see how it affects the texture and flavour of your bakes.
Italian Olive Oil is Best ForBraising
Extra virgin olive oil’s low smoke point means that it isn’t ideal for frying at high temperatures, but it is wonderful for slow-cooking meat and vegetables. This method, called braising, has you cook the meat or veg in the oven or on the stovetop over a low heat for a longer period of time. The end result is tender, juicy meat and deeply flavourful vegetables. If you’re a braising beginner, try these olive oil-braised vegetables to see just how easy and tasty braised dishes can be.
It’s time to put your Italian olive oil to good use. Whether you’re looking for a savoury snack, a vibrant dressing, a sweet treat or a mouth-watering main, olive oil adds something special to the mix. Check out Diforti’s selection of the finest Italian olive oils and other food gifts, and add a touch of authenticity to your dinner table.