While you may just think of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in sautéing on the stove, there are so many uses and techniques you can use with your new flavored or single varietal extra virgin olive oil.
At Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars, we encourage you to use your creativity as you try new recipes and enhance the flavor of your dishes in simple and transformative ways.
Ways to Use Your Olive Oil
To get you started, here we share 12 things you can do with your extra virgin olive oil. And cooking is just the beginning.
1.Sauté with Olive Oil
Probably one of the most well known uses for extra virgin olive oil, sautéing is a common cooking technique to cook your veggies, meats, and other dishes. Check out this article on sautéing to learn more!
2. Use Olive Oil in Roasting
When you want to use your oven rather than your stovetop, you can opt for using your olive oil in roasting your meats, veggies, pastas and much more. Check out this article on roasting
3. Pair Olive Oil and Vinegar in a Vinaigrette
A vinaigrette is made by combining two main ingredients - oil and vinegar. The kind of oil you choose to include in your salad dressing can greatly influence the flavor profile of your dish. Learn more about vinaigrettes in this blog article.
4. Use Olive Oil to Finish Dishes
Need to add just a touch of flavor or spice to your pasta dish or salsa? Before serving, drizzle on a little flavored extra virgin olive oil to revamp the flavor and keep your ingredients fresh.
5. Incorporate Flavor-Infused Olive Oil in Your Sauces
Don’t settle for processed, store-bought sauces with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Make your own mayonnaise, ketchup or pasta salad dressing easily with flavored extra virgin olive oil.
6. Olive Oil and Bread Dipping
Ever visit a restaurant and receive a basket of bread with a plate of oil, vinegar, and cheese? Recreate that elegant dining experience for yourself at home with your extra virgin olive oil.
7. Swap Olive Oil in Baking
If you love to bake, try substituting your olive oil for regular vegetable oil, butter or egg in your next recipe. Not only will you cut down on calories and add a healthy source of monounsaturated fat, you can also add a boost of flavor in using flavors like blood orange or butter extra virgin olive oil. Learn more about using olive oil in your baking adventures in this article.
Use Beyond Cooking
Cooking techniques are just the start of what you can do with your extra virgin olive oil. You can also use in to improve your health from the inside out.
9. Exfoliate Your Skin with Olive Oil
Combine a fruity flavored olive oil with sugar to create a sweet-smelling hand or body scrub to smooth your skin.
10. Tame Frizzy Ends
Smooth a few drops of olive oil in your hair to calm your frizz and tame your out of control ends. That oil will also bring out a bright shine to your hair, making it look and feel gorgeous.
11. Moisturize Your Lips
If you often reach for your trusty lip balm to keep your lips hydrated, try using a few dabs of extra virgin olive oil for soft and smooth lips.
12. Calm Your Sunburn
With the abundant number of beneficial properties in extra virgin olive oil, especially the phenolic compound oleocanthal, using it on sunburn can help alleviate pain and reduce the risk of cancer.
Use your Creativity
From spicing up your veggie stir fry to softening your hands during the cold winter months, extra virgin olive oil comes in handy in a variety of ways.
And with the abundant health benefits of EVOO, keeping it stocked in your pantry can keep you healthy from the inside out.