Flavoured olive oils: the backbone of a fine gourmet kitchen, to begin with. The capability of infusing flavour into mundane dishes on the spot is pretty much the thrill this ingredient has for home cooks and gourmands in general. I also believe that a bottle of flavoured olive oil purchased for your pantry would certainly elevate your dishes. What sets these flavoured olive oils apart, and what are the most crucial issues while using them in cooking?
What are flavoured olive oils?
Flavoured olive oils, sometimes called infused olive oils, start with high-quality extra virgin olive oil that is infused with herbs, spices, fruits, or other natural ingredients. All the health benefits of the extra virgin olive oil – antioxidants and heart-healthy fats, for example – are retained, but this oil also carries the flavours of whatever ingredients have been added.
Popular Flavors to Try
Still, there's a wide variety of flavoured olive oils, so it's easy to find one that complements your taste and cooking style. For instance, some of the most in-demand options are:
- Garlic Olive Oil: Ideal for pasta, roasted vegetables or grilled meat to give them a savoury aromatic punch.
- Lemon Olive Oil: Excellent for dressing salads, drizzling over sea foods, and mixing with marinades to give that zesty kick.
- Chili Pepper Olive Oil: Nice light kick to dishes such as pizza, pasta, or stir-fries that won't overpower other flavours.
- Herb-Infused Olive Oils (Rosemary, Basil, Thyme): Absolutely lovely for a bread dip or soup garnish.
- Truffle Olive Oil: Really nice treat that will be lovely on risotto, pasta, and even popcorn!
Using Flavoured Olive Oils in Cooking
Flavoured olive oils can be used in so many different ways over finished dishes and they're not just about the overall flavours of food; sometimes it's just an addition of flavours of the dish. For example, drizzling some garlic olive oil over pizza or lemon olive oil poured over grilled vegetables will add brightness and warmth.
- Marinades and Dressings: Flavoured olive oils are excellent for making quick and tasty marinades or salad dressings. Mix citrus-infused olive oil with balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper for a light, tangy dressing.
- Sauté and Roast: Instead of using your regular olive oil, use a flavoured one for sautéed or roasted veggies to give them an added depth of flavour. A sprinkle of chilli pepper olive oil can take roasted potatoes or stir-fried vegetables from merely good to outstanding.
- Dipping Sauce: Mix herb-infused olive oil with balsamic vinegar, or serve with fresh bread for dipping. The simplicity of this dish will surely help win over everyone at the dinner party.
Health Benefits of Flavorful Olive Oils
One of the helpful aspects about flavouring olive oils is that they retain the health benefits of regular extra virgin olive oil. Because of their high content of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, olive oils are known to be heart-friendly. It could lower the levels of bad cholesterol, improve the indicators of inflammation, and support weight loss if taken in moderation.
Through flavourful olive oils, you'll use salt less. The intense flavours of garlic, herbs or citrus mask other imperfections in your food and they will not need to be over seasoned.
How to Buy and Store Flavoured Olive Oils
The best option would be to look for high-quality, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil as the base when buying flavoured olive oils. This is often an issue and use of refined olive oils or artificial flavourings when on a budget.
Stored in a cool and dark place, flavoured olive oils retain their flavour and do not grow rancid. A bottle of flavoured olive oil will last up to a year if stored properly.
Conclusion
Flavoured olive oils can add a little and long overdue gourmet flair to simple cooking. Whether it is preparing vegetables roasted in rosemary-infused oil or grilling fish and dashing lemon olive oil over the top, these oils make easy work of elevating the flavours of favourite dishes. With all the uses and health benefits it offers, flavoured olive oil has a rightful place in every kitchen.
