Olive oil is a staple in any Mediterranean diet, not just an additive for cooking. It is a culinary elixir that, once used, adds its own flavors and brings life into a dish.Flavorful yet different in taste, while replete with health and medicinal benefits, olive oil is liquid gold that a home cook should definitely contend for a place in a kitchen. Let’s take some scrumptious recipes through the golden liquid and see it become the center of activity for your meals.
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Classic Mediterranean Salad
Begin with a refreshing Mediterranean salad, emphasizing the raw crunch of crunchy vegetables alongside the brininess of fine olive oil. Toss sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and red bell pepper together in a large bowl. To dress, whisk 1/4 cup fine olive oil together with the juice of one lemon, a teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Over and done with the dressing: Drizzle it over a salad just before serving, or serve it on its own as a bright, healthy side that pairs well with grilled meats or fish.
The traditional Mediterranean salad dressing is a good drizzle (about 2 tablespoons) of quality extra virgin olive oil and the juice of one lemon (or at least 2 teaspoons of lemon juice). Add 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper and mix to combine.
Garlic and Herb Roasted Vegetables
This veggie game gets elevated by olive oil, with the taste of garlic and fresh herbs in it. Get your oven ready to preheat to 425 degrees Fahrenheit or 220 degrees Celsius. Then you will need some of the colorful seasonal veggies to chop. For the time being, use your choice of the following carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms and red onions.
Put all the vegetables in a bowl and add on 1/4 cup of the oil, four cloves of minced garlic, and a handful of chopped-up fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Toss that on a baking sheet and roast until tender and caramelized for 25-30 minutes. The oil is more than just a fat helping vegetables roast perfectly-it actually adds depth of flavor which your guests will want a second helping of.
Olive Oil Cake
For a treat that is quite different, you might want to try a lovely moist olive oil cake with rather mild flavor. Preheat the oven to 350°F or 175°C. Grease a 9-in round cake pan. Beat together in a large bowl 1 cup granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, and 1 cup of oil from olives until well-combined. Add 1 cup of buttermilk, grated zest of one lemon, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
In another bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and salt. Gradually pour over the wet mixture and mix the batter just combined. This should be poured in prepared pans and baked during 30-35 minutes or so till a toothpick comes clean from it. This cake should be served warm with a little extra oil drizzled on it. It is very appetizing.
Olive Oil Pasta
Just the quality of oil from olives can make pasta dishes special. For a fast weeknight meal, cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, in a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup the oil over medium heat.
Watch us make the best Spaghetti Aglio e Olio recipe to perfection! This Italian pasta recipe is simple, made with just 5 ingredients: garlic, olive oil, chili pepper and spaghetti. Follow along as we show you all the tricks to making this fast delicious pasta recipe that can be ready in just about 10 minutes.
Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to taste, sautéing until fragrant. Add the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese grated freshly over, parsley chopped, and squeeze a bit of lemon juice. The oil coats the pasta to a rich texture and gives a gorgeous shine, which no one can resist.
Dipping Oil
To begin with, prepare a nice dipping oil that can just go well with appetizers. Mix 1/2 cup of olive oil in a small bowl by adding balsamic vinegar. Let a sprinkle of salt enhance it. Crush red pepper can be added for your spice. Dried herbs such as basil and oregano can be crushed as well. This pair is perfect for serving some fresh bread. The start of this dish is incredibly appetizing and lets your taste buds enjoy the greatness of oil from olives.
