Olive oil of the highest category (extra virgin) is essentially freshly squeezed olive juice, which professionals call first–pressed oil. This oil is obtained by cold pressing the fruits and separating the excess liquid in a centrifuge. Fresh olive is a capricious product, and within a day after harvesting it begins to oxidize, lose its shape, taste and aroma, so olives are turned into oil as close as possible to the place of collection and never transport fruits over long distances. This means that the first-pressed oil retains the unique aroma of olives of the region where it was made. Notes of flowers and fruits, artichokes and fresh grass.
Such a bright personality requires careful handling: extra virgin olive oil works best in its natural form at room temperature in salads, appetizers, sauces and even in cold desserts. Many manufacturers enrich its notes with additional flavors – basil, lemon zest, garlic, dried tomatoes and truffle. So the oil turns into a ready-made refined dressing. It is enough to dip a piece of ciabatta in olive oil with the aroma of noble white truffle to feel a powerful polyphony of flavors.
Olive Oil for Frying
Many home cooks are sure that frying and stewing in extra virgin olive oil is not right. From the heat, fragile natural flavors are destroyed, the oil changes texture and color, and the piquant bitterness turns into outright bitterness. But this is only partially true. In fact, the so–called “smoking point” (that is, the temperature limit after which all of the above irreversible processes begin to occur in the oil) even in first-pressed oil is quite high – up to 180 ° C, depending on the acidity of the product. In other words, if the dish is slowly languishing or baked in the oven with gentle heating, extra virgin oil releases all its flavor and transmits it to the products, which is exclusively beneficial for fish, meat or vegetables. This is the secret, for example, of the Provencal ratatouille – only mixed vegetables cooked in “virgin” olive oil turn into a luxurious, fragrant southern sun whole.
But if we are talking about high temperatures – deep-frying or frying in a hot frying pan, then the temperature shock will kill all living things. For these purposes, it is logical to use refined olive oil: it is sold both in pure form and mixed with a small amount of extra virgin (usually in a percentage ratio of 80:20). This oil is a workhorse in the kitchen, it is more affordable and absolutely universal, suitable for salad dressings and frying in a frying pan. Due to the high density, olive oil practically does not penetrate into the product during frying. And this is good news for those who want to eat a ruddy steak and observe the principles of a healthy diet: after frying, it is easy to remove excess olive oil with a paper towel.
It is worth considering that due to the high density, olive oil practically does not penetrate into the product during frying. The only thing to avoid is deep–frying and a hot frying pan
Many people like smoked meat. I decided to experiment a little. Taking a few ingredients for the marinade from different sources, in my opinion, it turned out well, the household checked. Enjoy your meal!!!
A simple summer salad with cheese. This is a refreshing, delicious and healthy salad in a hurry. Just suitable for cooking vegetables and herbs according to the season.
Fresh healthy low-calorie salad. It’s good at any time of the year when you want vitamins. Ideally, olive oil and balsamic vinegar are used for dressing, but you can also use low-fat yogurt or light mayonnaise.
I’m baking mackerel for the first time in my life. And for the first time in my life, I cook fish fillets according to the precepts of the masters of the Japanese outskirts. It turned out interesting, simple, and most importantly – not dry. It seems like you need to worry a lot, but the marinade is easy to prepare when you are preparing a vegetable salad for dinner.
Turkey liver under an onion cap with balsamic sauce. Dedicated to lovers of turkey and chicken liver. It cooks quickly, and is eaten even faster. It can be prepared as an appetizer or served as a main course.
It is very important that Camembert be real. Once I bought one that, when frying, spread over the pan, gave off an unpleasant smell – in general, it was impossible to eat it, I had to throw it away. This time the cheese was honest, from Germany. It turned out not so much an appetizer as a full dinner for two.
Fresh healthy low-calorie salad. It’s good at any time of the year when you want vitamins. Ideally, olive oil and balsamic vinegar are used for dressing, but you can also use low-fat yogurt or light mayonnaise.
