wonderboy, Author at D'Olivo Tasting Bar

May 2, 2022

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and we all know that mom is the true hero in most families. Whether you’re 50 or 15 the chances that mom has done something over-the-top special for you in the last year. As we gear up to celebrate moms, grandmas, aunts, and any other extra special woman in our lives, here is a list of great ideas from D’Olivo to make her day.

Le Creuset Bread Oven

We cannot get enough of these beautiful pieces of art from one of our favorite companies. Le Creuset is well-known for their craftsmanship and the bread oven is another must have cooking item for mom.

The oven is made from their legendary cast iron making it great for heat distribution. The domed lid traps and circulates steam for maximum rise and the ultimate in flavor. This dish is perfect for breads, sweet or savory baked goods, and the base can be used as a skillet or roaster. A true multipurpose tool that mom is sure to love!

Club D’Olivo Membership

If your mom loves to spend time in the kitchen making all kinds of delicious meals then help her step up her game with a membership to our olive oil and vinegar club. Choose from three great options, and ensure that mom gets to select her favorite olive oil and/or vinegars every quarter. She’ll get four allotments each year and the best part is she gets to choose her own! This is a great gift that shows how much you care while giving mom the flexibility to experiement with new options every time.

Bubbles

There’s no better way to help mom relax than with a nice glass of bubbles. Take over something from our extensive collection and let her kick up her feet while you serve her brunch, lunch, or dinner (or all three). Pair it up with some of our wine chocolates, or a selection of cheeses from our in-store cases.

Olive Wood Items

While popular for producing olives for both olive oil and stuffed gordal olives, olive wood is also a used to produce some of the most beautiful handcrafted items in the world. Olive wood, both rich in color and durable can be used in various formats. We’re proud to carry a high-quality line of bowls, spoons, and other kitchen items. Help upgrade the items in your mom’s kitchen with something of this quality – she’ll be thankful you did.

Wusthof Knives

This is one of the best things to upgrade in anyone’s kitchen. Knives are an essential part of preparing any meal and having a good knife or a set of knives can make all the difference. Wusthof offers some of the highest quality knives on the market and you’ll be a winner in mom’s eyes if you pick her up one of the beauties to say “I love you.”

No matter what you’re planning for mom’s special day, any of these items is a perfect way to show your appreciation. Stop in to shop these items or anything else from our selection Monday-Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 6:30 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.

March 22, 2022

Olive Oil Recipes for Springtime

No matter what time of year it is, if you’re cooking for a family, it can be easy to fall into a rut with recipes. Even if you love to experiment, falling back on the same old meals every week is easy. Especially if your life is otherwise very busy – and let’s face it most people these days are busy.

The seasons are changing once again, and we’re excited to welcome the first hints of spring. With the changing weather it can also be a great time to shake up your kitchen and start trying out new recipes.

Below are some great spring inspired dishes to get those wheels in your brain churning. Give any of these a try or visit our complete recipe page for more options – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipe/

Lemon & Rosemary Grilled Halibut

Fish can be a great meal any time of the year, but springtime makes us think of lighter dishes, and this tasty halibut hits just the right notes for us. It utilizes our champagne balsamic vinegar which is complimented by the olive oil, rosemary and lemon.

This dish is also going to make you look like a real chef in the kitchen so break it out for a date night or any time you want to really set the bar high for guests. They won’t be disappointed.

Homemade Pizza

Pizza is a staple in our house and making it from scratch is the best way to upgrade the meal and make sure you’re putting only the best ingredients into your body. It doesn’t have to be difficult either. Start with a premade dough (or make your own) or if you’re going super healthy try out a cauliflower pizza crust.

Add pizza sauce of your choosing, add your favorite toppings and voila dinner is ready in no time. It’s also a great activity to let kids help with and get them excited about dinner. One of our favorite toppings for any pizza is our stuffed gordal olives. We’ve got a variety to choose from and they’ll all taste fantastic on a pizza, but try the garlic stuffed olives to start.

Dressings

There’s something about springtime that makes us excited to dive into our favorite salads. There are always unique and exciting ways to make a salad shine and adding a homemade dressing is one of the easiest.

Heavier dressings can be enjoyable at times, but spring makes us think light so we’d suggest drizzling your salads with any combination of our olive oils and/or balsamic vinegars. Fan favorite choices include raspberry, strawberry, and black currant vinegars.

If you’re looking for a specific recipe to try out then try this green goddess dressing from our friends at Veronica Foods. It stays good in the fridge for up to a week if stored properly.

Spring Trifle

The name says it all, and our list of recipes wouldn’t be complete without a tasty treat to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. Featuring lemon pound cake, lemon curd, chantilly cream, and berries this happy dessert covers all the bases. It’s easy to make and delicious too so be sure to add this to your springtime baking list.

February 23, 2022

What People Want to Know About Olive Oil

Olive oil is a popular cooking fat these days, and with all popular topics it can be hard to get the basic – need to know facts. We’re breaking down the most popular questions that we hear from people and answering them in a simple way. It’s important that information about this oil is available for users and easy to digest (no pun intended).

Is Olive Oil Healthy?

There may still be some who are trying to argue against olive oil, but that’s getting more difficult to do as more studies become available that showcase it as one of the healthiest fats available on the market. A staple of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is well documented to be high in antioxidants which can aid in heart health, it’s high in monosaturated fats and can help reduce inflammation, as well as serve a great weight loss aid.

We always encourage you to do your own research, but here is a great article from Olive Oil Times that breaks down the numerous health benefits.

Is All Olive Oil the Same?

While it can be tempting to think that the $5 olive oil from the grocery store is the same as the $20 bottle of extra virgin olive oil you purchase from a specialty retailer, the honest truth is that not all olive oil is created equal.

Starting with the very basics, extra virgin olive oil is going to be the best olive oil to purchase. In order to bear the “extra virgin” designation on the label, the olive oil must be from the first, cold-pressing of the olives. Cold pressing is a method of extracting the oil without using heat or chemicals, ensuring that all the nutritional benefits are maintained in the oil.

Oil that has another label like light or refined are not going to give you the same great health benefits or as rich of a flavor profile. Don’t miss out on all that this great oil has to offer and upgrade your choice – specialty retailers are a great option. Most are locally owned and operated so in addition to getting a delicious oil, you’re also supporting local business.

What Should I Look for When Purchasing Olive Oil?

Read the Label – The first thing to check is the type of oil you’re purchasing and make sure that the label reads extra-virgin. Next, olive oil can go rancid if exposed to light or heat. Make sure the bottle the oil is in is dark in color to protect from light and that it’s not being stored on a shelf in direct sunlight.

Taste the Oil – if it’s an option we suggest trying the olive oil. This is the only real way to make sure it hasn’t gone rancid and while it won’t hurt you to eat a rancid oil, it will definitely give an off flavor to any of the dishes that you’re making. Olive oil should have a fresh, green taste like cut grass and have a peppery after taste.

Yet another reason to purchase from a specialty retailer is that they’re well-versed in proper storage of olive oil and also sell through their product more quickly ensuring that you’re getting a good oil. In addition, they’re likely to have open bottles and let you sample from them to make sure you’re getting the right product for your cooking or baking needs.

How Can I Use My Olive Oil?

Olive Oil is an extremely versatile oil and can be used in everything from deep frying to drizzled on top of a salad. Given the high smoke point of high-quality olive oils, you really can use it everywhere.

Our favorite ways to use it include marinating meat or vegetables in a mixture of oils and paired balsamic vinegars to really get the flavor deep into what you’re cooking. It can also be brushed or drizzled onto anything you’re grilling outside. Pairing an olive oil with a delicious balsamic vinegar and using them in combination as a salad dressing is another great option. If you aren’t much for cooking, and prefer to bake then swap out olive oil for butter or another oil to give your dish a rich flavor profile and also make it a little healthier. For specific recipes check out our website here – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipe/

January 11, 2022

Reasons to Use More Olive Oil

It’s the beginning of a new year and if you’re anywhere near the internet, you’re likely seeing an abundance of posts about New Year’s resolutions and how everyone plans to make lifestyle changes in 2022.

While we’re not big on the “quick results, lose weight” type of mantra, there is a lot to be said about making long-term, positive changes that will have a lasting impact on both physical and mental health. Whether that be simplifying, minimizing, or taking steps to a healthier diet.

Whatever your personal goals are we wish you a year full of success, and if diet is at the top of your list, then olive oil and incorporating more of it can be a really easy, and delicious way, to start.

The health benefits of olive oil are well-documented and we’ve hit on many of them in previous blogs, but we’ve compiled a few of our top reasons to use more extra virgin olive oil into this article to help inspire you this year.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

1. It’s Full of Healthy Fats

Many diets will tell you that fat is bad, but that’s not the whole truth. It really depends on what kinds of fat you’re eating. Olive oil is one of the healthiest fats you could use since it is predominantly made up of a healthy monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid.

Studies have shown that oleic acid can help fight inflammation in the body which is one of the leading contributors to a range of health problems.

2. Packed with Antioxidants

Nutrition labels don’t really highlight these, but olive oil is packed full of antioxidants that help keep the body healthy. Vitamins like E and K, which extra virgin olive oil contains a fair amount of, are known to help prevent oxidation as well as fight inflammation which helps reduce the risk of heart disease.

3. Power of Polyphenols

Polyphenols commonly fall under the same umbrella as antioxidants due to their beneficial activity in the body. Polyphenols are powerful fighters against free radicals and oxidation, both of which affect how quickly you age as well as increase your risk of developing different diseases.

Unlike the other beneficial compounds that we talked about above, polyphenols are only found in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) due to the minimal processing done to extract the oil. Because EVOO is processed the least out of all the different types of oils, it’s able to retain nearly all of the beneficial properties.

This is why extra virgin olive oil is considered the highest quality olive oil you can buy, and why it fetches a higher price tag than other oils found on store shelves.

How to Use More Olive Oil

If we’ve convinced you that olive oil is a smart choice for you in 2022 then you’re likely going to be wondering how exactly you can do this. Well lucky for you, olive oil is an extremely versatile oil.

High quality olive oil has an extremely high smoke point which means that it can be used for just about any dish you could dream of. Here are a few great ways to use your olive oil every day.

1. Marinade – marinate your meat and/or vegetables ahead of time and give them plenty of time to soak up the flavor of the olive oil your using. Even one of our classic ultra-premium olive oils packs a great flavor punch for your dish. Though don’t be afraid to try out our full lineup of flavored olive oils as well.

2. Grill it – either while cooking or after, drizzle your food with olive oil to flavor the meat while it’s cooking. This ensures you get a great sear on the food and also great flavor.

3. Baking – olive oil is a great substitute for butter, and as a healthier fat it’s an easy swap to make and will still ensure great flavor in the dish. For more information on baking with olive oil and a conversion chart check out our blog here – https://dolivotastingbar.com/baking-with-olive-oil/

For specific recipes to help inspire your olive oil adventures this year check out our recipe page – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipe/

December 10, 2021

Gearing Up for The Holidays with D’Olivo

Every year we get excited to write this blog – the one that highlights everything that makes the holiday season so magical. This year, we’re here to help make sure you’ve got everything that you need to full enjoy time with family and friends.

From baking holiday cookies to toasting the start of a new year, we’ve got our list of the top things to have on hand to make this season easy and relaxing. Check out our list of must have items below.

1. Olive Oil

This is a given at all times of the year, but most especially during the holidays. As one of the healthiest fats you can use to cook and bake this is a great time to start on those New Years’ resolutions – and make things delicious while you’re at it.

Olive oil can easily be substituted for butter and other oils in all of your baking recipes. In addition, you can pair any of our olive oils with our balsamic vinegars to make an out of this world dressing for any salad that’s going to grace your table during meal time.

Not sure exactly how to utilize these tasty oils – check out our full recipe page to get inspired.

2. Raclette Party Grills

These Matterhorn products are a perfect way to enjoy a meal with friends and family. If you’re feeling the pressure of the holidays then make a fun and simple meal for everyone to enjoy. While the joy of raclette cooking has been popular in Switzerland, the phenomenon is just starting to spread around the world. Food on the top of the grill is cooked with an element, which also heats the cheeses and other items in the dishes below. This will be a great addition to your kitchen – trust us!

3. Olive Wood Items

While popular for producing olives for both olive oil and stuffed gordal olives, olive wood is also a used to produce some of the most beautiful handcrafted items in the world. Olive wood, both rich in color and durable can be used in various formats. We’re proud to carry a high-quality line of bowls, spoons, and other kitchen items. They’re perfect for serving anything on your menu so grab one to decorate your holiday table.

4. Charcuterie Boards

One of the easiest ways to feed a large group is by offering a wide selection of finger foods. We personally love a well-plated meat and cheese tray. Make sure you’ve got a charcuterie board on hand for your next party. They always come in handy no matter what time of year you’re entertaining.

5. Cookware

We’re suckers for a beautifully decorated table, and Le Creuset has some of the most beautiful, versatile, and durable cookware on the market. From a huge roasting pan to a Dutch oven for sour dough bread you’ll find exactly what you need to make that perfect dish for your company party or family gathering. While adding this to your kitchen might seem like a treat, you’ll be thankful all year long that you treated yourself.

6. Bakeware

From breads, to cookies, to pies and tarts, this is the time of year when baking really shines. Whether you’re fixing up that 100 year old family recipe or trying something new you’ll want to make sure you’re well stocked with bakeware.

We recommend choosing a high-quality brand to make sure you get the best results. Try something like USA Pans. These beautiful items are made right in the United States and they are made with the same quality as professional chefs are used to. If you’ve got allergies to watch out for try they’re line of AllergyID pans to make sure people know what’s safe to eat.

7. Knives

To go along with all the cooking you’ll be doing we can’t stress enough the importance of having a quality set of knives on hand. The frustration of working with a dull knife can really put a damper on the preparation of any meal. Avoid that this year and consider getting yourself an upgrade for your collection.

Wusthof knives are quality products and the Performer Series sets the standard in the knife world. The diamond like blade is going to glide effortlessly through hard and soft ingredients and is also extremely durable and scratch-resistant. Hexagon Power Grip: the innovative, ergonomic handle with its offset non-slip honeycomb structure ensures ultimate control and is ideal for all working conditions.

8. Gifts

Whether you’re preparing corporate gifts or attending a gathering the chances are you’ll need gifts this holiday season. There are so many useful and wonderful options out there, and we always encourage the gifting of things that can be used and won’t just sit accumulating dust. That’s why kitchenware or items for cooking are such versatile gifts.

We’ve got lots of great options from stuffed manzanilla olives to specialty sugars and salts. In fact, we encourage you to consider building a gift basket to incorporate a number of delicious items. We’ve got cheeses, meats, crackers, olive oil and vinegar sample packs, and so much more. Our team loves helping people put together the perfect gift basket so be sure to stop in and ask us about those!

9. Bubbles

From toasting with family around the dinner table to ringing in the new year, bubbles are a must for this time of year. At D’Olivo we’ve got the widest selection in the area that includes champagne from France, cava from Spain, prosecco from Italy and so much more. We even have a selection of local wines to choose from. No matter what you’re celebrating raise a glass with something special from our collection.

No matter what you’ve got in store for this season we hope it brings you joy, peace, and quality time with those you love.

November 5, 2021

What Makes a Manzanilla Olive a Manzanilla Olive

The world of olives is an extensive one, and there are several varieties that populate the grocery aisles. However, one of the most common, and in our opinion tastiest olives, is the manzanilla or manzanillo olive.

What is a Manzanilla Olive

Originating from Sevilla, Spain, manzanilla olives are plump and meaty olive with a firm texture and diverse flavor profile. These beautiful olives are typically a light green and have a pit that can be easily removed.

Growing and Harvesting

The Manzanilla olive is grown primarily in warmer climates. The olives are harvested during the fall season, while still green and then cured.

The curing process for these olives is used to remove the bitterness in the flesh and skin of the olive that comes from the compounds oleuropein and ligstroside. Curing is done by placing the olives quickly into a fresh water and lye bath to rinse them and then they are soaked in a sea salt brine for up to 3 months.

Once removed from the brine the olives are pitted, stuffed, and placed into glass jars where they’re topped with olive oil or brine and packaged for sale. That’s how they’ll stay until they are ready to be opened and enjoyed.

Forms of Manzanilla Olives

Manzanilla trees are known for their high, annual yield of fruit and this has resulted in the manzanilla olive being the most widely available and used green olive on the market today.

Whole Fruit Form – the manzanilla olive is commonly used in a whole fruit form. These olives have a pit that is easily removed and often, producers will harvest the olive, remove the pit and then stuff it with a variety of items from pimento (the most popular) to garlic and almonds.

Cold Pressed – the manzanilla olive is also a commonly used type of olive in olive oil production. In order to get extra virgin olive oils, the olives are harvested and then cold pressed to extract the oil from the fruit.

The use of the cold pressing method allows the nutritional benefits of the olive to remain in the oil. The use of heat or chemicals in the processing of olive oils can reduce the health benefits most commonly associated with these olives.

How to Use Manzanilla Olives

These olives are extremely diverse in how they can be used. In their whole fruit form, these olives, especially the stuffed varieties, make the perfect addition to any hors d’oeuvres table. They’re also extremely popular in the classic gin martini. However, the stuffed manzanilla olives can also make a great addition to the dinner table. From a tapenade spread for bruschetta to a special addition to your pasta sauce they’re sure to add a great hit of flavor.

In their pressed form, as olive oil, these olives can be enjoyed in any dish. From using it as a butter substitute in baking (3 parts olive oil to 4 parts butter) – to the topping for your next great salad or grilled steak, olive oil is a great way to improve health while adding delicious flavors to your cooking.

Conclusion

Produced worldwide now, manzanilla olives are the most popular in the world and are commonly used in everything from cocktails to olive oil. The odds are good that you’ve tasted these olives in one form or another.

If you’re looking for a great way to get more healthy fats into your diet, these olives are a great place to start. Stop in to our store at 10 E Main Street or visit us online to shop our selection of olive oils and pickled olives.

October 14, 2021

Why Is Olive Oil So Popular?

Here at D’Olivo, our days in the shop revolve around olive oils. Whether it be educating customers on the health benefits, pairing them with our balsamic vinegars for excited tasters, or thinking up fun and creative ways to add them into our favorite dishes, we’re always thinking about this delightful product.

We recognize though that not everyone spends their days this way and in fact, understand that those who are new to the world of olive oil might be wondering what is the big deal.

If you find yourself in this boat let us tell you about our best friend (okay not really), but let us tell you why this oil has grown in popularity over the years.

It’s Healthy!

As we touched on briefly above, olive oil is one of the healthiest fats available on the market today. As the Mediterranean diet has grown in popularity as it has become clear that eating in this way is good for you, so too has the popularity of one of the Mediterranean staples – olive oil.

First, it has a high concentration of antioxidants which are known to help lower cholesterol which benefits overall heart health. Second, olive oil has been shown to aid in weight loss efforts, with participants in a 3-year study showing decreased weight gain. Finally, olive oil is high in oleic acid, a healthy monosaturated fat which has been shown to help reduce inflammation.

It’s Great for Your Skin and Hair

Olive oil, while used a lot in food, has other uses as well. This diverse oil can be used topically on the skin and hair and is a growing ingredient in cosmetic products available on the market. As an all-natural ingredient, it’s popularity in the beauty industry continues to rise as consumers look for ways to reduce exposure to chemicals See our full list of fun and creative ways to use olive oil here.

There Are Multiple Ways to Use It When Cooking

Of course, the primary use for olive oil is in cooking, and there is no shortage of ways to explore this oil. Due to its high smoke point, high quality olive oil is a great option no matter what type of dish you’re preparing. You can use it for frying, grilling, dressing or finishing any dish.

Try marinating vegetables and meats in olive oil and seasonings before cooking. If that’s not your favorite method, then try brushing the oils on during preparation. If all else fails simply finish your salads or main courses with oils before serving.

If you’re looking for great ideas on how to use olive oil, visit our recipe section.

They’re Delicious!

We might be a little biased here but olive oil, simply put is delicious. Especially our ultra-premium selection from Veronica Foods. We are proud to offer a wide selection of olive oils including over 25 flavored (both fused and infused) oils. Each oil pairs wonderfully with our selection of balsamic vinegars.

For a full experience, stop in to visit us at 10 E Main Street and you’ll truly get an opportunity to taste the difference.

We’re open Monday-Thursday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

August 25, 2021

5 Tips to Ensure you Enjoy Your Olive Oil

The world of olive oil can seem overwhelming given the wide selection available. At first glance you might even think that all olive oils are created equal, but unfortunately that isn’t the case.

Olive oil can be one of the most delicious and healthy oils to incorporate into your diet. Many even consider olive oil the star of the Mediterranean diet which has grown in popularity due to its overall healthy selection of foods.

To help make your journey to and experience with olive oil easy and enjoyable, we’ve got five handy tips to help.

1.Read the Label

There are lots of important details to learn about your olive oil simply be reading the label. The first thing to check is making sure that what you’re purchasing says extra virgin. Extra virgin olive oils are made from the first cold pressing of the olives. This method ensures that the health benefits of the oil remain intact.

In addition, you’ll be able to find the harvest date of the oil. Even if you’re purchasing an oil that has a label in another language you should be able to decipher this information. You want to be sure and choose the olive oil with the most recent harvest date.

2. Look at How the Oil is Stored

Two of the leading factors in olive oil spoilage are exposure to heat and exposure to light. Both of these can cause the oil to go rancid so when you’re purchasing an olive oil make sure that it’s in dark glass and that it hasn’t been sitting in direct sunlight or in an overly hot storage area.

3. Use Your Oil

Olive oil does not get better with age. When you purchase a bottle, if stored properly, it can last for 18-24 months unopened. However, make sure that once you’ve opened the bottle of olive oil you use it up quickly. Olive oil when opened should only be kept for 30-60 days.

If you’re looking for tips on how best to use your olive oil, check out our recipe section here it’s packed with great ideas for every season.

4. Taste the Oil Before Purchasing

Ideally, before you even purchase a bottle of olive oil you get an opportunity to taste. The classic way to taste the oil is by using the following steps.

First, pour about a tablespoon of the oil into a cup and place one hand around the bottom to warm the oil. Place your other hand over the top and gently swirl the oil around to release the flavors and aromas. Second, smell the oil and make note of the aromas. Third, drink the oil and be sure to spread it around in your mouth. Finally, swallow the oil and make note of the wide variety of flavors you can taste.

You want your oils to have a fruity or peppery taste. The spicier the oil tastes the higher the polyphenols.

5. Buy from a Reputable Vendor

While it’s true that you can likely find a good olive oil in the grocery store, the best way to ensure quality is by purchasing from a trusted retailer. Retailers like D’Olivo who specialize in olive oil know the proper storage techniques, and move through inventory at a rapid rate ensuring that oils never sit on the shelves for too long.

Additionally, we source our oils from Veronica Foods which has the strictest quality standards for each oil produced and sold, resulting in our Ultra-Premium designation.

Whether your new the world of olive oil or you’ve been a long-time fan these tips should help you find the best quality olive oil for your cooking needs. If you’re in the market for high-quality, delicious oils then stop in to see us at 10 E Main Street in Downtown Walla Walla or shop online.

July 12, 2021

A Guide to Understanding Olive Oil

It’s no secret that at D’Olivo we’re crazy about olive oil. This beautiful cooking oil is perfect for use in any kitchen on nearly any type of dish. It’s got a wonderful flavor and to top it all off it offers amazing health benefits.

While we could talk for hours about all the great things you can do to make olive oil your new go-to oil we decided to hit the basics and touch on the top things to know to help our readers gain a better understanding of olive oil.

What is Olive Oil

Olive oil is an oil that comes from olive. There are a number of ways this oil can be harvested and each method gives an indication of the specific type of olive oil that will be produced.

Types of Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – this is by far the purest, and highest quality of olive oil available on the market. Extra virgin olive oils are oils that are produced from the first cold pressing of the olives. This method ensures that the health benefits from the olives remains and that the oil itself isn’t damaged by exposure to high temperatures. This method of extraction also helps keep the acidity level of the oil very low.

Virgin Olive Oil – this type of oil is also extracted using a cold-press method. However, it’s not always from the first cold pressing. While it too is not damaged by exposure to heat during extraction, the acidity levels are higher making it a lower quality oil than those that fall into the extra virgin category.

Refined Olive Oils – these types of oils are not as pure as either extra virgin or virgin, despite what the label might indicated. In fact, many of these refined olive oils are bland in flavor and as a result are usually blended with other types of oils.

Health Benefits

Olive oil has continued to rise in popularity internationally over the last several years. This is due in large part to its rich flavors, versatility in cooking and baking, as well as the nutritional and health benefits that it offers. Some of these health benefits include:

1. Rich in Healthy Fats
2. It Can Help Lower Blood Pressure
3. Packed with Beneficial Antioxidants
4. Helps Maintain Bone Health
5. Helps Prevent Obesity

How to Use Olive Oil

Olive Oil is extremely versatile and can be used as a replacement for many different kinds of cooking fats from butter to vegetable oil. While there are many who claim that olive oil isn’t a good alternative due to its low smoke point, this is simply a myth about olive oil. In fact, high quality extra virgin olive oils are very safe to cook with, even at high temperatures.

Grilling – if you’re a grill-master then olive oil can be a great companion for your cooking adventures. Use it as a marinade for meat, brush it onto the vegetables you’re cooking, or simply top of your dishes at the end with a delicious olive oil.

Baking – it’s true that olive oil can make a great substitute for butter or vegetable oil when creating any baked good. We’ve got an excellent guide on how best to use olive oil in baking here – https://dolivotastingbar.com/baking-with-olive-oil/

Salad Dressing – our olive oils make the best salad dressings, especially when paired with our balsamic vinegars. There are dozens of combinations you can make that will provide fantastic flavor combinations.

Finishing Oils – finish off any dish, hot or cold, with an olive oil drizzle. Choose from a fused or infused flavored oil or try one of our traditional ultra-premium extra virgin oils for this.

Choosing an Olive Oil

Due to its popularity, olive oil has become susceptible to fraud. This is why it’s important that when you go to choose an olive oil you make sure that you’re getting a high quality one.

Read the Label

Because olive oil is an edible product you want to be sure that you’re getting the freshest olive oil out there. Check the label for harvest date or an expiration date. If you find this information, make sure you don’t buy an oil that’s more than a year old. Also, look for that extra virgin designation.

Taste

The surest way to tell if you’ve got a good olive oil is to taste it. The oil should taste clean, fresh and green like olives. If there are peppery notes that linger in your throat that is a good sign – it’s the polyphenols in the oil that give those notes to the oil.

Buy from a Trusted Retailer

Designated olive oil retailers like D’Olivo are the best place to buy quality olive oils. First, we source from the highly reputable supplier, Veronica Foods, who maintains the strictest quality standards which is what gives our oils the Ultra-Premium designation. Second, our employees are well-trained in the proper storage and packaging of our oils ensuring that customers don’t go home with an expired or tainted product. Finally, you can visit stores like ours to actually sample the olive oils you’re purchasing. You can pair oils with our delicious balsamic vinegars and make sure you’re taking home the products that will provide the most benefit to you in the kitchen.

June 8, 2021

Grilling with Olive Oil

While the official start of summer isn’t until June 20, for many of us Memorial Day weekend is a common indicator that summer is in full swing. The weather is warm and the sunshine is bright which means our minds have shifted to outdoor cooking.

One of our favorite things to enjoy this time of year is grilling and so we thought we’d highlight how to use our wide selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars on the grill by answering questions, offering tips and tricks, and highlighting our favorite recipes.

Is It Safe to Grill with Olive Oil?

It is absolutely safe to grill with ultra-premium olive oils from D’Olivo. Just as it is with any other oils you might be considering. Olive oils have an extremely high smoke point which means that they can be heated to extremely high temperatures before beginning to smoke. As we’ve highlighted before, olive oil is actually a perfect oil for cooking at high temperatures because it maintains all of its health benefits, even when heated.

Tips and Tricks for Grilling

Marinate Before Grilling – one of the best ways to actually use olive oil on the grill is to marinate your vegetables and meats in olive oil before tossing them on the grill. There are hundreds of delicious combinations that you can make from our selection of UP olive oils and balsamic vinegars and any of them will be the perfect addition to your summer recipe lineup.

Use a Spray Bottle – another great way to make use of our oils and vinegars is by adding them to a spray bottle before you start grilling. Rather than drizzle oil directly onto the flames or coals of the grill, try misting them several times while cooking them on the grill. One benefit is that this method with help you get an awesome glaze on your meats.

Coat Them and Wrap in Foil – if you’re not a fan of marinating or misting your grilled items, then we’d suggest placing everything onto a piece of aluminum foil, drizzling the olive oil over the top and wrapping the aluminum foil up and tossing the entire thing onto the grill. This technique won’t work well for meats, but it’s a great solution for vegetables.

Finishing Sauce – If none of these options works for your style of cooking then you can also finish your grilled meats and vegetables off by drizzling your favorite combination of oil and vinegar over the top after they come off the grill and before you place them on the table for guests to enjoy.

Great Grill Recipes

Now you’re ready for the BBQ, but you’re lacking inspiration on what to cook? Don’t worry because we’ve got you covered.

Skewers/Kabobs – Meat and vegetables skewers or kabobs are a perfect dish for the grill and extremely popular during the hot summer months. You can easily marinate the vegetables and meat ahead of time to ensure the flavors really soak in. Pair any of your favorite D’Olivo combinations or try these Chicken Kabobs or Walnut Pesto Shrimp Skewers.

Meat – This is probably the most commonly grilled item in most backyards and can be a simple option to make last minute using whatever you’ve got in the fridge. However, just because it’s easy doesn’t mean the flavors won’t still wow your friends and family. If you’re more of a planner try out this Grilled Halibut or this Pomegranate Balsamic Ribeye.

Pizza – grilling pizza isn’t anything new, but if you’ve never tried it then we highly recommend breaking away from the oven inside and opting to give this Grilled Pizza a try.

Fajitas – another typically indoor based meal is fajitas, but honestly, adding that fresh grill flavor to the meat and vegetables is going to take the dish to the next level. Try this recipe for Steak Fajitas if you don’t believe us.

Vegetables – Take your favorite combinations of vegetables and toss them onto the grill. Either drizzle them in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and place onto aluminum foil or marinate them ahead of time and toss directly onto the grill. Either way they’re going to be delicious.

Conclusion

Get out and enjoy this time of year by experimenting with lots of different flavors and recipes on the grill. If you need help picking out the perfect combinations of olive oils and vinegars stop into our downtown store and let our expert staff members walk you through a full tasting.

We’re open Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday-Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.