To incorporate more extra virgin olive oil into your diet, simply drizzle it over a wide variety of foods as a finishing touch to enhance flavor.
Easy Ways to Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Here's a breakdown of practical ways to increase your extra virgin olive oil consumption, utilizing the simple technique of drizzling:
Drizzling After Cooking
- Vegetables:
- Roast or grill your favorite vegetables, and finish with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. The oil will add moisture and richness to the dish.
- Examples include: broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots.
- Pizza:
- After taking your pizza out of the oven, lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil to boost flavor.
- This is a great way to add a gourmet touch to homemade or takeout pizza.
- Seafood:
- Enhance grilled or pan-seared fish and seafood with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Consider using it on salmon, shrimp, scallops, or cod.
- Potatoes:
- Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or baked potatoes all benefit from a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- It can add a velvety texture and enhanced taste.
- Salads:
- Use extra virgin olive oil as a base for your salad dressings. You can simply combine it with salt, pepper and lemon juice, or add other herbs, spices and acids.
- Drizzle a little extra on top for a richer flavor.
Other Uses
- Bread:
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on artisanal bread, focaccia, or baguette. The oil will soak into the bread, adding moisture and flavor.
- It's a great way to use as a simple and delicious appetizer.
Why Drizzling Works
Drizzling extra virgin olive oil is a versatile and effective way to add it to your diet because:
- Flavor Enhancement: It instantly elevates the taste of simple dishes with a fresh, fruity, and sometimes peppery taste.
- Moisture: Drizzling provides an extra touch of moisture, improving the texture of many cooked foods.
- Ease: It requires minimal effort, making it an easy habit to adopt.
- Versatility: It can be used with almost any dish, making it a good everyday option.
By incorporating the simple act of drizzling extra virgin olive oil, you can easily increase your consumption and reap the health benefits, while at the same time boosting flavor across your meals.
