Flavor Your Life Oil Blending Event
What is extra virgin olive oil?
To make sure Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Europe is delicious and healthy, it has to meet certain standards.
The olives — called “drupes” — may be harvested at any time in their ripening process, and there are flavorful reasons for harvesting at certain times. But to be Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the extraction must take place without heat or chemicals, guaranteeing freshness and purity.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil must be low in acid — below 0.8%. Over-processing and careless handling (especially exposure to heat and light) can result in higher acid and lackluster flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil must have a low peroxide content, which assures minimal exposure to oxygen.
Most importantly, Extra Virgin Olive Oil must taste good. That’s why every batch is carefully considered by a panel of expert tasters. They only apply the official Extra Virgin designation to oils that meet the exacting standards set forth by law, and by tradition over many centuries.
Take-home Recipes
At the end of the event, Flavor Your Life distributed a gift bag, including recipe cards and informational literature.
Spiralized Zucchini “Pasta” With Peas, Pancetta and Ricotta (serves 4)
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ lb pancetta, diced
4 large zucchini, spiralized
¼ tsp sea salt
Pinch of fresh cracked pepper
½ C frozen peas, thawed
¼ C ricotta cheese, crumbled
Fresh basil
Instructions:
1) Heat a large skillet on high heat. Add 1 Tbsp of the olive oil. Add the pancetta and cook for 5-7 minutes, until crisp. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté for 3 minutes, until crisp-tender. Stir in the rest of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2) Remove from heat and stir in the thawed peas.
3) Divide between serving dishes and top with crumbled ricotta cheese and a sprig of fresh basil.
Disclaimer: The products provided in this post was complimentary. However, all of the opinions expressed in this review are of my own.
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