With the end of October in site, that means the holiday months are nearly here. With this season of thankfulness and cheer is also accompanied by lots of time in the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting family for Thanksgiving or gearing up for all those holiday office parties, food is most likely on the brain.
We hope that like us, this idea of extra time in the kitchen for cooking and baking brings a sense of true joy. Our team at D’Olivo loves preparing delicious food for those we love to enjoy. As we look forward to lots of that in the weeks ahead we’re sharing our top tips and tricks for cooking with the always popular olive oil.
Remember Olive Oil Can Be Used with High Heat
One of the points that olive oil opponents often use in arguments for why you shouldn’t use olive oil as a fat alternative in cooking is that it cannot be used at high heats. However, if you’re using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil this simply isn’t true. In fact, high-quality olive oils have an extremely high smoke point making them safe for use, even in high heat situations.
So, if you’ve got a turkey you want to fry or another high-temperature recipe don’t be afraid to purchase a high-quality olive oil and use it as a healthy alternative for your holiday recipe.
Olive Oil Makes A Great Butter Substitute
While we love to cook and bake, we also recognize that this time of year can bring lots of anxiety as we look to stay healthy while still enjoying baked goods. This is where olive oil can play a role, as it makes a great substitute for butter and other fats in many recipes. As you get ready to make your next pie crust, cookies, or other delicious treat upgrade the ingredients and try a high-quality olive oil.
Not only will you save on calories, but the health benefits of olive oil will give it an extra boost. The ideal ratio for butter substitutions is below:
1 teaspoon = ¾ teaspoon
1 tablespoon = 2 ¼ teaspoons
2 tablespoons = 1 ½ tablespoons
½ cup = 3 tablespoons
1/3 cup = ¼ cup
½ cup = ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons
2/3 cup = ½ cup
¾ cup = ½ cup + 1 tablespoon
1 cup = ¾ cup
When substituting olive oil for canola, vegetable, or another oil simply use a 1:1 ratio.
*Pro tip – try our butter flavored olive oil to keep that rich, buttery flavor alive in the dish.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative
Our team at D’Olivo always tries to encourage this point for every customer who steps through the door to taste through our selection. Olive oil, especially our flavored varieties, offer a world of opportunity for enhancing and changing up even your most standard of dishes. Especially if paired with our selection of delicious balsamic vinegars.
If you’ve got a turkey to cook, try basting it with our rosemary, garlic, or mushroom sage olive oils. Preparing to make a side salad? Whip up a dressing using your favorite balsamic vinegar paired with olive oil. If you want to make the prime rib pop for guests, marinate it ahead of time with our Tuscan herb olive oil and neapolitan herb dark balsamic vinegar.
Don’t Forget Cocktail Hour
While not the first thing you might think of when it comes to balsamic vinegars, they make a great, low calorie addition for many of the cocktails that you might be planning to enjoy this holiday season. Check out a few of our favorite recipes below.
Hot Toddy – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipes/hot-toddy/
Orange-Umeboshi Mimosa – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipes/orange-umeboshi-mimosa/
Lemongrass-Mint Mojito – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipes/lemongrass-mint-mojito/
Elderflower Champagne Cocktail – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipes/elderflower-champagne-cocktail/
Tropical Shrub (non-alcoholic) – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipes/tropical-shrub/
As you jump into the season, remember most importantly to enjoy the experience and if you need any help, visit our website for plenty of inspiration and suggestions – https://dolivotastingbar.com/recipe/
