Food Pairings with Olive Oil

This guide will show you how to match the intensity of the olive oil with your dish so they complement one another.  Good olive oils, like a nice wine, tends to add more flavor to your dish to enhance the flavors.

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Butter to Olive Oil conversion chart

This chart is designed to help you determine the ratio of using Olive Oil instead of butter or margarine.  Olive oil is a healthier and tastier option that will enhance the flavors of your favorite dishes.  Enjoy!

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Why Fresh Olive Oil is Important

This is guide to help you understand why fresh olive oil is important and to help you identify the most common defects in olive oil.

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Choosing a good olive oil

Truer words have never been spoken.  Thank you, Giada De Laurentiis!!

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Health Benefits of Olive Oil

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Olive Oil Times reports that olive oil is known to be effective against:

Heart Disease – Olive oil lowers the levels of total blood cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. At the same time it does not alter the levels of HDL-cholesterol (and may even raise them), which plays a protective role and prevents the formation of fatty patches, thus stimulating the elimination of the low-density lipoproteins.

Oxidative Stress – Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E, long thought to minimize cancer risk. Among plant oils, olive oil is the highest in monounsaturated fat, which doesn’t oxidize in the body, and it’s low in polyunsaturated fat, the kind that does oxidize.

Blood Pressure – Recent studies indicate that regular consumption of olive oil can help decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Cancer – The phytonutrient in olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the effect of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, which can decrease the risk of breast cancer and its recurrence. Squalene and lignans are among the other olive oil components being studied for their possible effects on cancer.

Diabetes – It has been demonstrated that a diet that is rich in olive oil, low in saturated fats, moderately rich in carbohydrates and soluble fiber from fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains is the most effective approach for diabetics. It helps lower “bad” low-density lipoproteins while improving blood sugar control and enhances insulin sensitivity.

Obesity – Although high in calories, olive oil has shown to help reduce levels of obesity.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – Although the reasons are still not fully clear, recent studies have proved that people with diets containing high levels of olive oil are less likely to develop rheumatiod arthritis.

Osteoporosis – A high consumption of olive oil appears to improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and so plays an important role in aiding sufferers and in preventing the onset of Osteoporosis.

Courtesy of : Olive Oil Times / olive-oil-health-benefits

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