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
Along with classic New Year’s salads, prepare a juicy, bright, vitamin salad. You can use another 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 for use without residue. It is prepared several times in portions.
The perfect side dish or an independent dish will appeal to everyone at the feast. The most painstaking thing is to cut and distribute evenly. Bake until cooked. Wings and two sauces will be served as a bonus to the potatoes.
Surprise your family and friends by preparing an original, chic side dish of potatoes for the holiday. Cooking potato roses is very simple, the most difficult thing in the process is thinly sliced potatoes. Your potato bouquet will make a splash and decorate any festive table.
A wonderful, delicious salad, with a pleasant combination of ingredients. It is prepared easily and quickly, from available products. A very simple salad.
Pork neck can be used to cook not only shish kebab, but it is also great for baking a piece of meat. Pork loves spices, which are present here, but a pear with wine gives it an unusual piquancy and aroma. It turned out very tasty, fragrant, tender meat that will suit any table, even on weekdays, even on holidays. In addition to the meat, a wonderful, tender cabbage casserole is served.
Crispy potato slices, and under them an abyss of flavors – vegetables, salmon, capers in a light, but at the same time rich milk sauce. This French-style dish will be appropriate both on a festive table and on weekdays. Also, you can put shrimp instead of part of the salmon.
I present a universal sauce for fish and poultry meat. And it’s just delicious on bread. I also used it as a salad dressing. It is listed in the category as a sauce for poultry, because it is combined with a duck breast recipe, but in fact it fits almost everything. All lovers of coriander and spicy, as well as quick recipes, are simply delighted with it. If you don’t like coriander, then take only parsley. You’ll like it. It is prepared very simply and quickly, and the result is always excellent. And, of course, it is very suitable for duck breast, which is served paired with this recipe.