If you are a big fan of getting a little crazy in the kitchen, then ingredients that are slightly off-kilter are kind of your thing. As such, there’s a good chance you may have actually worked with a little gem known as infused olive oil. This ingredient seems a little subdued at first, but it’s only when you start realizing the potential it has that you see the favor bomb that it is! Infused olive oil may not be in your pantry right now, but once you get a taste of it, you’ll be hooked.
But how exactly do you use it? You might have a pretty good idea on how to handle basic olive oil and the extra virgin variety (EVOO, anyone?), but this infused stuff — is there some sort of special magic that goes along with it? Of course not.
Then again, here are five ways to use infused olive oil that may just make you rethink some things & rush out the door to buy some ASAP:
Cooking Flavor — If you already use olive oil, try substituting the infused stuff right in. The flavors you’re introducing will kick up your meals more than a few notches. Popular flavors include rosemary, garlic, and crushed red peppers.
Dessert — Though most infusions spoken of are on the savory side, there are some that are sweet, and when you combine the lusciousness of sweet olive oil with your favorite dessert, you’re reaching nirvana.
Baking — Take your baked goods in a new, exciting direction with this twist.
Bread Dip — Everyone knows the scrumptious dip you get when you visit a nice Italian restaurant. It’s peppery, salty, and has garlicky tang that hits the spot. Imagine how good it can be in your own home with the right oil!
Dimensions of Flavor — Sometimes simplicity is what makes all the difference in the world. A light drizzle over a salad or prime steak can be absolutely marvelous.
Now, let’s say you go down to your local market & try to find some of this unctuous liquid gold and can’t find it. You might have to look elsewhere, and depending on where you live, you may have to order online. Luckily, olive oil manufacturers are always good about having infused olive oil on hand.
Infused olive oil, at least for some, might be a bit of a cheat. They figure that if the olive oil was good enough, it wouldn’t need to be infused with anything else. Well, that’s a perspective that is a bit on the narrow-minded end. The culinary arts are all about maximizing flavor any way that you can, and it seems odd that you’d pass up on the chance to take one ingredient that rocks & not want to make it rock harder. So, to those of you grooving in the kitchen with a flair for serious flavor, infused olive oil should be high on your list kitchen “must-haves”.
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