How to Boost Your Health With Olive Oil

To some, olives are considered to be the food of the Gods. Rich in antioxidants, and filled with the “good” fat (monosaturated), olive oil is a great addition to your pantry. Experts claim that olive oil can help prevent certain types of cancers, and can lower the incidence of heart disease. It has everything you need in an ingredient--flavor, versatility, availability, and on top of that, it packs a nutritional punch. Using olive oil in your kitchen frequently may help you ward off illness and create a healthy glow in your cheeks. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Different varieties of olive oil, used to experiment with in the kitchen

1. Determine which olive oil is the right one for you. There are many different varieties, Extra Virgin olive oil being the most popular and reputable. Extra Virgin olive oil is the oil that is produced from the first pressing of the olives, and has the most flavor and richness. You can use this oil to deeply enhance the flavors of your dish.
   
   Virgin olive oil is also from the first pressing, but is a little more acidic in taste. You can use this oil as you would the Extra Virgin oil, but its flavor is not as robust.
   
   Fino olive oil is a blend of the former two, and can be used in cooking for its flavor, as well. Again, it is not quite as tasty as the Extra Virgin kind.
   
   Light olive oil is, as its name implies, the lightest of the olive oils, in color and taste. Light olive oil is best for baking, or can be used in recipes where you might not want the strong taste to come through. It can also be used quite nicely for frying or on the grill.
2. Browse the recipes in your cookbooks to see where you can use olive oil as a substitute for other oils that might be listed. Chances are, you'll be able to come up with many recipes where you can add this healthful oil into your diet--even in some desserts!
3. Decide which type of olive oil you want to use for each recipe. Remember that the type of olive oil you choose will have an effect upon the taste of your dish.
   
   Once you’ve figured out which oil you’d like to use, you can start to cook. Some great recipes that you can make with olive oil are:
   
   Pasta with Anchovies and Garlic
   ½ cup of Extra Virgin olive oil; a tin of anchovies, minced; a pat of butter or two; three cloves of crushed garlic; ½ a can of black olives, chopped (optional). Sauté these ingredients until they are incorporated into a sauce. In the meantime, cook your choice of pasta, and when done, toss with the anchovy sauce. Sprinkle a generous amount of Parmesan cheese.
   
   Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Mozzarella
   Cook spaghetti. Toss with Extra Virgin olive oil, fresh cherry tomatoes cut in half, some fresh basil, cubes of mozzarella cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired. You can add your choice of vegetables, as well. Serve with crusty bread and a green salad.
   
   Bruschetta
   Cut a baguette into slices, and brush with Virgin olive oil. On top of each slice, spread a combination of 2 cloves of crushed garlic, 6-8 chopped plum tomatoes, 1 small minced onion, a few sprigs of chopped basil, 1 Tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Bake in the oven at 450 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until baguette slices are browned. Top with Parmesan or mozzarella cheese, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Forget the kitchen! Olive oil can also be used as a skin softener. Carefully pour about a tablespoon into the palm of your hand after a shower, and smooth it on your skin. It helps dry skin stay soft and supple. Try it on your face at night as a deep moisturizing treatment. Or you can even use it on your hair as a solution to dry, split ends or an itchy scalp. Try the Light olive oil, and add some fragrant oils to make your hair smell great, and look shiny and healthy.
• When looking for olive oils in the grocery store, try and spot the organic brands. Organic products just taste better, and are obviously better for you. There are some good organic brands out there that you can buy without breaking your budget.
• Remember that, although healthful and full of good stuff like antioxidants, olive oil is an oil, after all. Use it in moderation, as you would with any other fat.