What Are The Best Store Cupboard Accompaniments For Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Updated August 6th 2024
Summary
- Extra virgin olive is a vital ingredient to any store cupboard as it is versatile and bursting with health benefits too.
- Extra virgin olive oil pairs well with many other ingredients including a quality bread, pasta and tomatoes in many dishes.
- The polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil make it one of the healthiest foods to use every day.
Contents
Why Choose Extra Virgin Olive Oil In Your Diet At All?
Extra virgin olive oil is a staple in kitchens worldwide, but are you making the most of it? Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, knowing which foods pair best with extra virgin olive oil can transform your culinary creations. This blog post dives into the best pantry staples to complement your extra virgin olive oil, why it’s a versatile and healthy option, and practical tips for using it in every meal. Let’s turn your larder into a treasure trove of flavours!
Extra virgin olive oil isn’t just a cooking oil; it’s a culinary hero. Known for its rich flavour and dense nutritional profile, extra virgin olive oil elevates simple dishes into gourmet experiences. Packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s no wonder health experts and chefs alike sing its praises.
With the increasing emphasis on healthy eating and wellness, it is important to understand the best foods to match with extra virgin olive oil for a healthy diet. Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent source of healthy, unsaturated fats that can support healthy weightloss goals.
Paired with whole grains, vegetables, and fish, extra virgin olive oil can give your daily diet the nutritional boost you need while tasting delicious. It also offers a range of flavonoids, which act as antioxidants to help protect cells from inflammation and oxidative damage.
Extra virgin olive oil is not only one of the healthiest oils for our bodies, but it can also be used to create delicious meals that can support our healthy lifestyle goals. Using extra virgin olive oil in cooking is an excellent way to ensure you’re consuming healthy fat and keeping up with your nutrition. This healthy oil makes vegetables, legumes, grains, fish, and poultry so much more flavorful.
While standard cooking oils can add taste as well, extra virgin olive oil can also help you feel full for a longer period of time. By incorporating extra virgin olive oil into each meal you can enjoy healthy foods that add more nutrition and promote better wellness and weightloss results.
Best Store Cupboard Accompaniments For Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Is there anything more satisfying than dipping fresh, crusty bread into a pool of golden extra virgin olive oil? Choose high-quality artisanal bread like ciabatta or sourdough for the perfect pairing. Add a sprinkle of sea salt and a dash of balsamic vinegar to elevate this simple pleasure into a culinary delight.
Followers of Morocco Gold’s popular news feed will know that no health-conscious pantry should be without the best extra virgin olive oil you can find.
But just what are the five most important items to sit alongside your bottle of Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil to ensure you can make easy meals to keep your mind and body working at its best?
Let us run you through our top five:
Good Quality Pasta
Whether it’s Spaghetti, Tagliatelle, Penne or Bucatini, did you know there were 33 types of Italian Pasta to chose from? They all have slightly different flavours and shapes, but you can have a lot of fun experimenting with matching different sauces to each pasta type. Just don’t tell the purest chefs as you may be breaking some gastronomical rule!
Whatever you choose, here is one of the most basic and well-loved sauces which benefits from the simplicity of ingredients, the most important of which (we think!) is extra virgin olive oil.
Fresh Herbs and Spices
Enhance the flavour of your EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL with a variety of fresh herbs and spices. Basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano are excellent choices. You can create flavoured oils by infusing EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL with these herbs, making it a versatile addition to salads, pasta, and more.
Sea Salt
A good pinch of sea salt can enhance the natural flavours of EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL. Opt for coarse sea salt or popular varieties like Maldon or Himalayan pink salt. Sprinkle it over your finished dishes or add it to your dipping oil for an extra layer of taste.
Freshly Baked Bread
Let’s face it, there’s nothing better than the smell of your own freshly baked bread wafting through the kitchen but, if time is more stretched, there is a wealth of fabulous bakeries (including those in your local supermarket) that can provide you with a fine artisan loaf of your choice. For the healthiest accompaniment to your extra virgin olive oil, you would be best to opt for something like Sourdough, Whole Wheat, Oat Bread or Gluten Free. But whatever your choice, the next bit is simple: tear a generous piece by hand, pour your Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil in a small dish, add some balsamic vinegar if you please and just dip to heart’s content!
Tomatoes
As well as being the centre of fierce debate as to its categorisation as a fruit or a vegetable, the humble tomato is bursting with health benefits. A single tomato can provide about 40% of the daily recommended minimum of vitamin C. What’s more, tomatoes supply vitamin A, which supports immunity, vision, and skin health; vitamin K, which is good for your bones; and potassium, a key nutrient for heart function, muscle contractions, and maintaining a healthy blood pressure and fluid balance. So, what better compliment to the health-giving polyphenol rich extra virgin olive oil?
Flour and Eggs
Ok, strictly speaking that’s two ingredients but our point is this: the best extra virgin olive oil is an excellent component of many delicious baking recipes. It offers a lighter, healthier alternative to butter. Why not try it in this Italian classic
Mozzarella
Fancy a bit of a crowd pleaser that takes hardly any time to prepare but tastes like a slice of sunshine? Just like the best extra virgin olive oil, good quality mozzarella is worth every penny.
Practical Tips For Cooking With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Breakfast Boost
Starting your day with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can set a delicious tone. Add a splash to your scrambled eggs, or drizzle it over avocado toast with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and sea salt. The healthy fats in extra virgin olive oil will keep you energized and satisfied all morning.
Lunchtime Lift
Extra virgin olive oil can be a game-changer in your lunch routine. Toss your salads with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice for a simple yet flavourful dressing. Use it to sauté vegetables or as a finishing touch on soups to add depth and richness.
Dinner Delight
Extra virgin olive oil shines in dinner dishes too. Roast your favourite vegetables with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Use it as a base for marinades for meats and fish, or stir it into pasta sauces for a silky finish.
Elevate Your Salads
Simple Dressings
Creating your salad dressings at home is easy and rewarding. Combine extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey for a classic vinaigrette. Experiment with different vinegars and citrus juices to find your perfect blend.
Mediterranean Favourites
Explore Mediterranean flavours by pairing extra virgin olive oil with ingredients like feta cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. These combinations not only taste amazing but also pack a nutritional punch, making your salads more satisfying and healthy.
Grain Bowls
Incorporate extra virgin olive oilinto grain bowls for an extra layer of flavor. Drizzle it over quinoa, farro, or brown rice, and top with roasted vegetables, chickpeas, and a sprinkle of feta. It’s a wholesome, delicious meal in a bowl.
Hearty Stews
Stews with dense flavours benefit from a touch of extra virgin olive oil. Incorporate it into beef or vegetable stews for a richer taste. Add it towards the end of cooking to preserve its delicate flavours and health benefits.
Baking with extra virgin olive oil.
Moist and Flavourful Cakes
Yes, you can bake with extra virgin olive oil! Use it in place of butter or other oils in cake recipes to keep them moist and add a unique flavour. Olive oil cakes, particularly those made with citrus, are a delightful treat.
Savory Breads
Extra virgin olive oil is perfect for savoury baking. Use it in focaccia or herbed bread recipes for a tender crumb and rich flavour. The oil’s natural sweetness shines through, complementing the savoury herbs and salt.
