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
Homemade, soft, very tasty pie made of yeast dough with the addition of pumpkin, thanks to which it remains soft for a long time, if, of course, it survives! You can choose the filling to your liking, but chicken meat and cream cheese make the pie juicy and satisfying.
This dish, which came from Italy, has become very popular because of the simplicity of cooking. Its basis is dried slices of bread, greased with olive oil and garlic. As a filling, everyone can choose what he likes. Try my version: an interesting combination of sweet pumpkin, creamy salty cheese and crispy bacon.
I’ve made my own changes to the pie filling. In the original recipe there is parmesan-40 g, I did not put it and 150 g of sour cream. Instead, I took 2 tablespoons of sour cream and 150 g of cottage cheese. Juicy fragrant pie on crumbly dough.
Our family prefers beef. Then I got a good piece of pork in my hands. I bought honey for the winter at the same fair, and cranberries are waiting for their finest hour in the freezer. In just 30 minutes, a rather elegant dish was prepared, which I want to share with you. There is a long weekend ahead, there will be something to treat friends and family here.
A simple, clear and satisfying dish. Chickens stuffed with a healthy autumn vegetable pumpkin-wheat porridge. Both the main dish and the side dish in one bottle. Very convenient. And very tasty! Try.
This recipe was brought by my mother from a cooking class. Chefs of various restaurants in our city often come to his club and learn how to cook simple restaurant-quality dishes from available products. The dish turns out to be elegant, nutritious, well suited for both a holiday and dinner at home. Just a godsend for those who don’t eat meat. Mom shared it with me, and I shared it with you.
I already had a recipe in a minimalist style (I would call it that) with apricot jam: chicken + jam and almost everything else. It was not only interesting, but also delicious, despite the doubts that arose at the first reading. This recipe is probably more acceptable in the traditional perception of tastes, but perhaps someone will also doubt: is it possible to add sweet jam to the bird? You can! I assure you! Add the same to the meat sauce, in addition to soy sauce, for example, honey. Everything is in perfect harmony. It’s the same “song” here. You can add the amount of jam to your liking. It’s worth a try.
If you like Japanese cuisine and pickled ginger, then you will definitely like this salad. The salad is prepared quickly, from simple ingredients, but has its own “zest”.
A very simple, juicy, light salad of tomatoes of different varieties with fresh carrots and pickled onions. It will pleasantly surprise you with its taste and bright appearance.