ITALIAN OLIVE OIL
Most certainly, a big factor in the "taste" of Italy is the olive oil. The best olive oils in the world come from Italy. It is such a huge part of Italian cucina (cuisine) that olive oil can be found on almost any Italian table. Used in cooking, baking (a great, healthier alternative to butter), or just to dip bread into, olive oil brings that authentic taste of Italy immediately to your table. What most people don't know about olive oil is in regard to the differences between types of oil. Read more about this in our cooking tips section. The kind most commonly used (because it tastes the best) is extra virgin olive oil. It is unfortunately less suitable for cooking. When cooking, you'll want to use the mild or extra light olive oil, depending on the dish. Olive oil is so versatile that it should really become a standard part of everyone's kitchen. Especially now that they know how heart-healthy it is. Goodbye, butter!
OLIVE OIL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Italian cuisine relies on great tasting olive oils. The following information will help you start to incorporate olive oil into your cooking.
Tips
Olive oil works well when baking. It will make your baked goods moist and tender.
| If you are... | Then you should use... | |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing sauces and pasta | Mild Olive Oil | |
| Sautéing or baking | Extra Light Olive Oil | |
| Mixing Salad dressing and marinades | Extra Virgin Olive Oil | |
| For bread or finishing a dish | Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
Olive oil works well when baking. It will make your baked goods moist and tender. For a different flavor and texture at mealtime, dip your bread in olive oil instead of using a spread. Storing olive oil in a tightly sealed jar away from heat and direct sunlight will keep it from becoming rancid. Most olive oils have a “best by” date on the bottle. It does not improve with age. Do not refrigerate olive oil or its color will become cloudy. Olive oil can be a beneficial substitute for other oils like butter, margarine and shortening. The following conversion chart will help you make the right calculations when you are substituting.
Olive Oil Conversion Chart| Butter/Margarine | Olive Oil |
|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 3/4 tsp |
| 1 Tbsp | 2 1/4 tsp |
| 2 Tbsp | 1 1/2 Tbsp |
| 1/4 cup | 3 Tbsp |
| 1/3 cup | 1/4 cup |
| 1/2 cup | 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp |
| 2/3 cup | 1/2 cup |
| 3/4 cup | 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp |
| 1 cup | 3/4 cup |
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