Home » Eat Like a Greek

7 Delicious Ways to Use Olive Oil

ByElena Paravantes, MS, RD
feta olive oil

Yes, olive oil is great for cooking, sautéing, baking and as a dressing for salads, but there a bunch of other ways you can use it. Olive oil adds a different flavor profile and can make a recipe healthier by reducing saturated fat and/or replacing butter. Here are some ways I use it:

1. Drizzle on your sandwich
Sounds strange, but instead of using condiments such as mayonnaise that are rich in saturated fat, why not add a few drops of olive oil on each slice of bread. I especially like a sandwich with feta, tomato and a few olive slices.

2. Add some to soup
You often see recipes that recommend adding a tablespoon of heavy cream to the soup right before serving. In Greek cuisine it is common to add good extra virgin olive oil instead. It adds a flavor, but also the good monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.

3. A nice alternative for bread rolls
Instead of serving bread rolls, you can toast slices of bread and drizzle some good extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with dry oregano and a pinch of salt. You can also serve this as a snack.

4. Drizzle on cheese
While I enjoy certain types of cheese with some good fig jam or honey, olive oil is also great on cheese such as feta and fresh mozzarella.

5. Fry an egg
While I do not eat fried eggs that often, they are always fried in olive oil. It tastes so good and great for dipping, plus you are avoiding some of the saturated fat in the butter.

6. Use it for grilled cheese.
Using a olive oil spritzer, when I make grilled cheese, I spray each slice of bread with olive oil instead of using butter. The result is a great texture and flavor.

7. Make cupcakes
You wouldn’t think it would work, but it does. Olive oil works wonderfully with chocolate and fruit based cupcakes, plus it’s so much easier, you just mix it, no melting, you can make them without a mixer.

Elena Paravantes, MS, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the U.S. Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). She is an expert on the Mediterranean Diet. She has been active as a clinician, consultant, author and lecturer for 20 years, both in the U.S. and Greece. An expert on the Greek Mediterranean Diet, her interviews and articles have been published in many publications including CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Prevention, NPR, and Shape. Elena has collaborated with a number of organizations including Loyola University, Yale University, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, and the American College of Greece. Elena earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She holds has a Master’s Degree of Science in Health Management.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

12 Comments

  1. Pingback: 5 Foods that Fight Dementia Olive Tomato

  2. Try poached eggs on toast, drizzled with good olive oil , with a bit of lemon squeezed on it, lightly salted and peppered. It is divine. This was the way my dad from Kalavrita enjoyed his eggs.

    When I’m the only one in the family that wants lentil soup, I buy the canned soup, heat slowly, add olive oil , some wine vinegar . It’s a treat for me.

    Reply

  5. Its kind of faddish now, but I LOVE it….Avocado Toast! Toast some nice whole grain bread, slice your avocado on it (I usually have half), drizzle with olive oil, a flakey salt is divine, and coarsely ground black pepper! Makes a delicious and easy breakfast or lunch.

    I love to roast veggies in olive oil, too – or potatoes.

    Of course simple vinaigrettes. For my husband and myself, I whisk 2 T of olive oil and 2 T balsamic vinegar – I have a variety of flavors of balsamic vinegar. – with a pinch of salt and pepper, and makes a terrific salad dressing. The balsamic is so sweet, that it is quite delicious, although the traditional ratio is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts olive oil. Also, just olive oil and lemon juice is delicious! If you want something more emulsified, add a tad of Dijon mustard (common in French vinaigrette).

    I love the boiled egg idea, with olive oil.

    One of my recent favorites with fried eggs is this. I ADORE it, and could eat it every day. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a very hot skillet. Add a small amount of Smoked Paprika, and the edges of the egg get deliciously crispy, and the eggs are divine. https://food52.com/blog/16905-a-genius-way-to-upgrade-your-fried-eggs

    Reply

  6. For our wedding, one of my aunts gave us these very nice bottles of olive oil but I need ideas on how to use them. One thing that you suggested that I like is adding it into soup, instead of using heavy cream. It will be nice to be using it to eat healthier, but also add flavor to everything.

    Reply

  7. I loved this! I agree that olive oil goes fantastic with cheese. I love using olive oil on my favorite dish; caprese salad, and have even used it on home-made caprese pizzas. It has become my favorite thing. You said that olive oil actually goes great with chocolate, which I haven’t tried, although now I’m very intrigued! I have heard by some folks that it even tastes great with certain ice creams! Sounds strange, but I believe it! I love experimenting with a good olive oil. Thanks for the dish tips!

    Reply

  9. My dad would slice a hard boiled egg, drizzle with olive oil, and lightly season with salt and pepper. I still do that. Yummy!

    Reply