Flavor Your Life with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This post was written in paid partnership with Moms Meet.

I was lucky enough to travel to Rome as an exchange student my junior year in high school. I came back to suburban Massachusetts feeling like I had personally discovered tattoo necklaces (the first time they were cool… I hear, like most late 90’s things, they’re baaa-aack), belted sweater jackets, very heavy-handed black eye liner, and fresh mozzarella drizzled with the most lovely and light extra virgin olive oil. Obviously, most people knew about and enjoyed these things long before me. Try as I may, I am usually late to the game.

And while my combat boots and cameo choker necklace days are safely where they belong (in the past), I will forever love taking a mental vacation to warm Italian days huddled around a lively dinner table. I’d love an actual vacation– but few things get us closer to the real thing than food. The memories that are tied up in meals are some of my favorites. This is why I jumped at the chance to learn a bit more about 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, its history and many uses, thanks to the Flavor Your Life campaign. Want to hear what I’ve learned? Perfect. 😉

What sets 100% Extra Virgin Oil apart?

I used to think olive oil was olive oil– but once you’ve tasted good olive oil, as with most things, you know better. But it’s a little more complicated than just tasting great. After olive oil is pressed (without heat or chemicals), it is tested for peroxide values (lower values indicate fresher oil) and taste-tested by a panel of experts. These tasters have been trained specifically on olive oil (hi, dream job), and can taste for both defects and positive attributes such as fruitiness, bitterness, and spiciness. They look for Extra Virgin Olive Oil’s signature fruity taste and harmonious balance– without this, the oil cannot be rated Extra Virgin. This label is a point of pride for the generations of families all over Europe who produce 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

How to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil

There are so many ways to incorporate Extra Virgin Olive Oil into your meals. In fact, it’s one ingredient I use in nearly all of my easy, vegetarian recipes.

A few ideas:

• Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil to make a light, herby salad dressing: Simply mix chopped fresh herbs with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a touch of citrus (a squeeze of lemon juice is my go-to), a splash of vinegar, and season with salt and pepper– so easy and so good.
• In your favorite baked goods: Olive oil adds depth to all kinds of savory recipes, especially those calling for butter or shortening. My favorite is this ridiculously easy focaccia bread (yes, that’s really the name of the recipe) from The Cafe Sucre Farine.
• For roasting vegetables: A quick drizzle is deliciously satisfying!
• With a cheese board and crusty bread: …Needs no explanation.
• For snacking: Here’s my favorite (pictured below)– I love marinating a bowl of green olives with fresh garlic, gently squeezed lemon wedges, and a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to snack on throughout the week.
• Host a tasting: How fun would this be? Line up a few different olive oils and fresh bread for dipping, and share with friends.
• Looking for more recipes and ideas? You can find one for every meal or occasion on the Flavor Your Life site.

How to care for Extra Virgin Olive Oil

To keep your olive oil fresh, it’s important to keep the lid tight, and store bottles away from direct sunlight. Opened bottles will keep for up to six months. It should be kept away from the stove and never refrigerated (57 degrees F is the ideal storage temperature for Extra Virgin Olive Oil).

Moms Meet and Flavor Your Life kindly sent along a bottle of Le Stagioni d’Italia 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil for me to sample and share at our family’s table. It’s what I used to make this week’s marinated olives, basil pesto, and a beautiful panzanella salad– and it did not disappoint. It is harvested in Northern Italy, is vegan, gluten free, and features a slightly nutty taste, with a bit of spiciness. In other words: perfect for adding flavor to our meals, and to our lives at home together.

Also On Tap for Today:

• I recently found my photo albums from the aforementioned trip to Italy… wanna see me in my 1999 tourist glory?
• Getting the seedlings (so many herbs…) ready to move outside for the late spring/early summer!
• Making myself this [spaghetti and chili flakes] for dinner

What is your favorite food memory (home or away!)?