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How to Use Olive Oil: Six Smart Ways

If you overcome the stereotype that all types of oil are bad for your health, then you can enjoy the versatile use of olive oil.

Despite the huge number of articles claiming the benefits of olive oil, many people still hesitate to use this miracle product.

But if you overcome the stereotype that all types of oil are harmful to your health, then you can enjoy the versatile use of extra virgin olive oil and learn how it can improve the taste of various dishes.

Why olive oil is good for you and how to use it

Most often, we use extra virgin olive oil for our salads. In some cases, it is also used in a frying pan as a healthier alternative to other fats and oils. This seemingly simple ingredient does a great job of enhancing the flavor of the dish and bringing out the nuances that allow you to have a gastronomic experience.

Many countries love to use olive oil because it is incredibly versatile and can give a special flavor to cooking and food. But why do we use olive oil less often in our dishes? Let’s take a look at how to use olive oil in food.

5 ways to use olive oil for cooking delicious dishes

If you want to start using olive oil in your dishes and make it a staple seasoning in your home, here are some great and creative ways to use olive oil

Olive oil and eggs

What can you cook with olive oil? Have you ever tried cooking eggs with olive oil? If not, you are definitely missing out. The combination of olive oil and butter when cooking eggs can help give the eggs the extra flavor of butter.

Also, it would be very easy to boil poached eggs with olive oil and after using the oil, you can strain it and save it for later use.

Olive oil and vegetables

One of the most popular uses of olive oil is to coat vegetables with it and bake them. This type of cooking makes the perfect side dish for savory dishes or even a great, healthy snack.

You can also mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar to improve the flavor and texture of your salads.

Olive oil and cheese

A great way to spend the afternoon and evening is to drink a glass of cold wine with cheese. And if you want to add texture and some balancing notes, consider drizzling with olive oil and aged balsamic. Add a little lemon juice, citrus, and capers to your cheeses and you’re all set.

Olive oil and bread

Dipping bread in olive oil is another sensory journey you will enjoy. Olive oil goes best with focaccia and other dense bread because it moisturizes and balances the texture and flavor.

In addition, you can also use olive oil as a base for sauces. Adding butter, anchovies, and even garlic can make your sauce clean, balanced, and contrasting in flavor, which goes well with bread.

Olive oil and other dishes

Besides the top contenders we listed above, there are hundreds more dishes you can play with. You can also drizzle olive oil over soups and stews to balance their acidity, texture, consistency, and temperature. And in some cases, you can even use olive oil for desserts to moisten a cake.

The great thing about olive oil is that its properties and delicacy are emphasized at their best in every dish.

But besides culinary applications, olive oil is also used in the beauty industry.

How to use olive oil for hair?

Olive oil can add softness and strengthen hair by penetrating the hair shaft and retaining moisture. The shine that is said to come from olive oil may be due to the fact that the oil smoothes the outer cuticle of the hair.

You may end up doing a few experiments before finding a way that works for your needs. If you’ve never used olive oil for hair care, here’s how to get started.

Start small

If you’ve never experimented with olive oil as a hair treatment before, use only one to two tablespoons for your first treatment.

How much olive oil you should use depends on how deeply you want to moisturize and where. For the ends, you don’t need more than a tablespoon.

If you are treating your entire head, you will need at least 1/4 cup of olive oil, especially if you have long or very thick hair.

Massage

Rub the oil deeply into your hair for a few minutes. You can also rub it into your scalp if you have a dry scalp.

For the most effective conditioning, wrap a shower cap around your hair and let the oil soak in for 15 minutes or more.

Rinse

Comb your hair with a fine-toothed comb before rinsing the oil out with shampoo. This will make it easier to comb and style later.

Shampoo thoroughly and dry your hair to see the results. You may need to shampoo twice, depending on how much you applied.

There is nothing harmful in conditioning with olive oil. If your hair is not dry enough to require daily moisturizing, use it once a week or less for the best results.

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Written by Emma Miller

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and own a private nutrition practice, where I provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to patients. I specialize in chronic disease prevention/ management, vegan/ vegetarian nutrition, pre-natal/ postpartum nutrition, wellness coaching, medical nutrition therapy, and weight management.

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