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
For all its simplicity, this dish can perfectly decorate a festive table, and emotions and impressions will go off scale. The recipe is very simple, the main thing is a good marinade, and the oven will do the rest for you.
Olivier, of course, we will serve on the New Year’s table. But I also want something light, healthy and at the same time delicious, so that my conscience remains clean and my waist does not suffer. I suggest trying an Italian salad of raw carrots with string beans, corn and tuna.
Italian salad for a holiday or just for dinner, very easy to prepare, affordable and very tasty. Italians almost never use mayonnaise or sour cream, dressings are sauces based on olive oil. If you like mushrooms, then this dish is for you, any pickled mushrooms or assorted will do. Italians also serve garlic croutons with cheese to this salad.
For me, this recipe for quail is the most New Year’s recipe. The aroma of game, citrus and herbs creates a magical mood! Quails cooked according to this recipe are very tender and delicious.
New Year and the famous “herring under a fur coat” for many people are inseparable concepts!!!)) Herring appetizer with pickled cucumbers, spicy carrots and onions can be a good alternative or addition to the festive table!
An elegant and delicious salad that will never be superfluous on the New Year’s table. You can spread the salad in layers, watering each layer with dressing, you can mix everything in a large salad bowl. The layered version of the salad is preferable, it allows you to taste each ingredient, but it’s a matter of taste.
Along with classic New Year’s salads, prepare a juicy, bright, vitamin salad. You can also use an orange, and then you will get a vitamin bomb of 4 types of citrus fruits! The ratio can be changed. It is better to prepare a small amount to consume without residue. It is prepared several times in portions.