Choosing the Right Assisted Living Facility

Posted on: 17 October 2019

Olive oil is a natural, healthy, and very versatile cooking oil. It builds and enhances the flavor of a dish without any of the chemical flavors sometimes found with other less expensive cooking oils such as those made from rapeseed, corn, or other grains. Additionally, extra virgin olive oils contain healthy monosaturated oils and antioxidants that promote health.

Unlike butter, which will burn and smoke even at low frying temperatures, extra virgin olive oil can withstand heat up to about 400 degrees, so you can use it to fry foods without it smoking or burning. 

To get the most out of your olive oils, follow each of these tips:

Tip: Olive Oil Is Made to Be Used Fresh and As Close to Its Milling Date As Possible

All olive oils sold in the United States are marked with their milling date by law. When it comes to olive oil, this date has a lot of relevance because the oil will only be good for a year or two after it was milled. After this time, the oil will start to go rancid and is no longer edible. So when you shop, make sure you check the milling date and buy oil that is as close to that date as possible. 

Once you have opened a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, you need to use it within the next six months or it will go bad. For this reason, you shouldn't keep the good oil only for special occasions or when guests are eating over. Instead, start using that olive oil in your cupboard and enjoy it daily.

In addition to using your extra virgin olive oil while it is fresh, you also must store it in a cool, dark place in your cabinet. Olive oil stored in heat or light will spoil even faster. 

Tip: Use Flavor Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil As a Flavor Enhancer in Your Favorite Dishes

One of the best ways to enjoy olive oil in your cooking is to purchase oils infused with your favorite herbs and other flavors. For example, imagine your favorite fish dish cooked in tasty lemon basil flavored extra virgin olive oil or your salad drizzled with a raspberry-flavored oil. 

Tip: You Can Replace Butter in Baked Goods With Olive Oil

Finally, if you are trying to eliminate butter from your family's diet, then you can replace it with your favorite extra virgin olive oil. There are conversion charts readily available online that will tell you how much oil to use in place of butter.