Olive oil is one of the most commonly used oils for eating. It is the foundation of my different recipes. Extra virgin olive oil is best used for salads and pesto. If you want to be tasting olive oil, use extra virgin olive oil. If you don’t care about the flavor, you can use regular olive oil for cooking vegetables/meat, etc.
What are some recipe ideas for using olive oil?
- Spaghetti with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese
- Pesto
- Greek salad dressing
- Vinaigrette dressing
How to use olive oil with bread?
Use a small plate and pour 3-4 tbsp of olive oil on it. Add a bit of balsamic reduction on top of the oil. It should be about 1/3 balsamic reduction to olive oil ratio. Dip focaccia bread into the olive oil and balsamic reduction. Toast the bread just a bit before serving.
What type of breads are best for dipping in olive oil?
- Focaccia bread
- French bread
- Baguette
- Ciabatta
How to use olive oil for salad dressings?
Making salad dressing is simple to do when using extra virgin olive oil as your base.
- Always air on the side of caution when adding vinegar to your salad dressing. Add it sparingly, otherwise it will be too powerful and will not taste sweet. It will be a more bitter, harsh flavor
- Olive oil to Vinegar ratio is 3:1
- Use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar as your vinegar for your dressing
- Add a few drops of lemon juice if desired
- Pinch salt and pepper to taste
- Other possible additions and combinations to try out: Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey
What else can you make with olive oil?
Focaccia bread is made with infusing herbs into olive oil over heat. The smell of the infused oil will fill your kitchen. A small portion of the olive oil is then used within the bread dough. After the dough is done rising, the oil is used to oil the pan. The dough is then placed into the pan, dimpled with your fingers. After, the rest of the herb infused olive oil is placed on top of the dough. The oil will cover the dough completely, then it will bake and infuse into the dough. The dough will come out dry, with no remaining oil on top. The oil gives focaccia bread a moist, fresh, light bread texture that is perfect for dipping into more olive oil and balsamic reduction.
Easy Herb Focaccia Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Oven
- Saucepan
- 13" x 9" Pan
Materials
- 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp rosemary dried
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup warm water (100-110 degrees F)
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 1/4 tsp honey
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- pinch finishing salt optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan on low heat combine olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary and pepper. Cook for 5-10 min until fragrant stirring occasionally.
- In a large glass bowl combine warm water, yeast, and honey. Let sit for 5 min until frothy.
- Add the flour, salt and ¼ cup of the herb olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix only until just combined and knead only 10-15 times. Don’t overwork the dough.
- Cover the bowl with a towel and let sit for 1 hour to rise.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Pour 2 tbsp of the herbed oil into a 9×13’’ pan. Use a paper towel to spread the oil to the entire bottom of the pan, and into the corners. Transfer the risen dough to the baking pan and use your fingers to dimple the dough all over. Pour the remaining oil over the dough. Spread the oil all over using the back of a spoon.
- Let rise for 20 min.
- Add a sprinkle of finishing salt if desired.
- Bake focaccia bread for 15-20 min. Let cool on a wire rack. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container. Place the container in the fridge to make it last longer. Best served the day of or use within 2 days.
