Dishes that deserve a special EVOO
At Oliva Sí we see it this way: This extra virgin olive oil is not for frying potatoes every day, it is for making dishes stand out, for giving them that gourmet touch that is noticeable from the first bite.
In this article we give you recipe ideas using extra virgin olive oil where:
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You cook with your usual oil (mild or everyday).
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And you only use Oliva Sí when it matters: in more special dishes or to give the final touch.
How to use gourmet EVOO in your everyday cooking
Think of Oliva Sí like you would a good wine or a good flaked salt:
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It's not for everything.
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It's for the key moments, where it's truly appreciated:
Ideal uses:
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Finish dishes just before serving: soups, creams, fish, baked vegetables.
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Special breakfasts and toasts: good bread, few ingredients and a good drizzle of oil.
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Simple dressings and sauces: where oil is the star (not in very heavy sauces).
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Very simple dishes (bread + tomato, chickpeas + vegetables, baked fish…) where the EVOO makes the difference between “normal” and “wow”.
3 recipes with extra virgin olive oil to add the finishing touch
They are all designed like this:
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You can do the "cooking" part with your everyday oil.
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The Oliva Sí extra virgin olive oil is added at the end, to elevate the dish.
1. Gourmet wholemeal toast with extra virgin olive oil
Perfect for: special breakfasts or homemade brunch. Time: 5–10 minutes
Ingredients (1 person)
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1–2 slices of wholemeal or sourdough bread.
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1 grated ripe tomato.
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1–2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Yes.
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Turkey, ham, fresh cheese, hummus… (choose your combo).
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Salt and pepper.
Quick steps:
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Toast the bread.
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Grate the tomato, season with a pinch of salt.
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Spread the bread with the tomato and add your preferred accompaniment.
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Just before eating, drizzle the toast with Oliva Sí extra virgin olive oil.
With very ordinary ingredients you can make a breakfast that tastes like a good bar… thanks to the oil.
2. Warm chickpea salad with a final touch of extra virgin olive oil
Perfect for: quick and healthy meals. Time: about 20 minutes
Ingredients (2 people)
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1 can of cooked chickpeas.
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Diced vegetables: pepper, onion, zucchini…
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1–2 tablespoons of your usual cooking oil.
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2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Yes, Olive.
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Salt, pepper, paprika, cumin or oregano.
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Juice of half a lemon.
Quick steps:
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Sauté the vegetables in your usual oil until tender.
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Add chickpeas, salt and spices, mix well and heat for a couple of minutes.
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Remove from heat, add the lemon juice.
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Transfer the warm salad to a plate and finish with a couple of tablespoons of Oliva Sí on top.
The dish would be fine, nothing more… but with that finish of extra virgin olive oil it becomes a healthy menu item “with class”.
3. Simple baked fish with a gourmet finish from Oliva Sí
Perfect for: a light dinner that tastes like restaurant food. Time: 15–20 minutes
Ingredients (2 people)
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2 fillets of white fish (hake, sea bream, sea bass…).
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1–2 tablespoons of your usual oil for the tray.
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2–3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Yes.
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Juice and zest of lemon or orange.
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Salt, pepper and herbs (parsley, thyme, dill…). Quick steps:
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Preheat the oven to 180–190 ºC.
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Grease the tray with your everyday oil and place the fish.
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Season with salt, pepper, and a little citrus juice. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
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When you take the fish out, add lemon or orange zest and a good drizzle of Oliva Sí extra virgin olive oil on top.
What makes a dish taste like a "restaurant" is not the technique, it's the oil you use at the end.
Typical mistakes with gourmet EVOO (and how to take advantage of them)
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Use it to fry or sauté everything
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You can do it, but there's no point in spending money on premium oil where it won't be appreciated.
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Reserva Oliva Sí for the finished dish or for simple recipes where the flavor dominates.
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Add it to very elaborate recipes
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Heavy sauces, dishes with a thousand ingredients, lots of cheese…
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In those types of recipes, the oil is wasted.
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Best used in simple preparations: vegetables, legumes, fish, toast, salads.
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Not choosing the right time
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The key is to add it at the end, when the dish is ready to go to the table.
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This way the aromas are better preserved and the gourmet touch is more noticeable.
Quick questions about recipes with extra virgin olive oil. Yes.
Can I use Oliva Sí for everything? You can, but you'll get much more out of it if you use it:
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In simple dishes,
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and at the last moment, where the oil rules.
Do you need to use a lot to notice the difference? No. As it's an extra virgin olive oil with a strong flavor, just 1-2 tablespoons per dish completely transforms the mouthfeel.
Conclusion
Recipes with extra virgin olive oil don't have to be complicated.
Cook as always, with ordinary ingredients and simple techniques…
And let Oliva Sí come in at the key moment, to give that final gourmet touch that turns your everyday dish into something special.