Spring has officially sprung and as the days get longer and the warm, sunny days become more regular, we can’t help but dream of all the beautiful summer days that lie ahead. While we believe that olive oil makes the perfect addition to any dish all year long, there’s something special about cooking with it during the warm months ahead.
To help you get inspired for the summer meals you’ve got ahead we decided to highlight some of our favorite ways to use our oils and vinegars during the warm months of the year.
French Fries
A classic side dish that everyone loves are usually best paired with hamburgers, but we think they can be a great addition to any outdoor meal. Typical deep fried in a vegetable or canola oil, you can also fry these in a high quality olive oil instead. After they’re fried we recommend using some of our truffle salt to create your own truffle fries. Trust us – they’ll be a hit!
Hummus
This classic Mediterranean dish makes a wonderful appetizer. Pair it with fresh vegetables or slightly toasted pita bread. While most hummus recipes call for regular olive oil, we’d recommend adding a little flair by using one of our flavored varieties. If you’re in search of a great hummus recipe give this one featuring our Herbes de Provence olive oil a try.
Ramen Noodle Salad
Summer and salads go hand in hand. While you can take any salad and drizzle it with olive oil and balsamic to create an explosion of flavor in your mouth, we highly recommend mixing up your go-to salads with this ramen noodle version. It’s light enough for warm afternoons and evenings. Find the recipe here.
Radish Salad
We’ll continue the salad theme and encourage you to try a salad that really highlights one of our favorite vegetables – the radish. Take 2 cups of radishes (sliced), red onion (sliced), one cucumber and combine in a bowl with ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon white sugar and enjoy.
Kebabs
There are dozens of ways you can make the perfect kebab – from vegetable only options to those that feature steak and chicken you can’t go wrong. Marinate the meat and vegetables using any pairing of our olive oil and vinegars, toss them on the grill and serve them up.
Spaghetti
Spaghetti is always a crowd pleaser and if you’re looking for an option that might not feel as heavy as a traditional sauce, we recommend topping yours with some olive oil. Add in some sliced cherry tomatoes, basil, and walnuts for crunch to make it a gourmet dish.
Granola
Yogurt paired with fresh fruit and granola is a delicious way to start out any summer day. If you want a truly healthy option try making your own granola by using some of our favorite olive oils. First up you can try this Golden Amaretto Granola or go the fruitier route with this Mandarin Fused Olive Oil Granola.
Fondue
Dessert is always a great option and choosing a chocolate fondue allows you to showcase any of your favorite summer fruits. At your next summer gathering try using this blood orange dark chocolate fondue recipe for your family and friends.
Conclusion
No matter what your plans are this spring and summer we hope you’ll be inspired to get in the kitchen and start cooking. At D’Olivo we have over 30 olive oils to choose from and each of them pairs beautifully with our selection of high-quality balsamic vinegars.
Stop in to see us at 10 E Main Street in Walla Walla to experience a complete olive oil tasting. We’re open Monday through 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.
