Happy National Olive Oil Month!!

If you don’t use olive oil regularly, you are missing out on amazingness.

First, olive oil is good for you! Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which are considered to be a healthy fat, according to the Mayo Clinic.

MUFAs may help lower your risk of heart disease by helping to lower your cholesterol and can help balance blood sugar.

Because olive oil is high in fat and calories, it should be consumed in moderation. But luckily you don’t need a ton of olive oil to enhance the flavor of food.

First let’s figure out what to buy.

According to Livestrong, extra light olive oil is the most processed form of olive oil. The color is light and so is the taste. This can be used for baking.

Pure olive oil is a combination of olive oil (up to 95 percent) and extra virgin olive oil. The taste is not very olivey, so it can be used for baking.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest quality of olive oil and has the best flavor. “It is produced from first cold pressing the olives and pits. Cold pressing means no heat or chemicals have been applied in the process,” Livestrong says. EVOO can be used in cooking, for dipping bread or as salad dressing.

Now for the tools.

Olive oil sprayer - I use my olive oil sprayer daily. It allows me to coat a pan with olive oil to prevent sticking without using tons of oil. I use this method to make eggs, pancakes and other dishes that don’t need a ton of oil. I also use my sprayer to spritz oil onto salads instead of using a dressing.

Measuring spoons - Many people don’t measure when they’re pouring oil onto a pan or into a recipe, but if you are watching your weight I suggest measuring everything!

Kitchen brush - Use this to brush olive oil over chicken or other meat before cooking.

Here are some tasty ideas.

Use olive oil in baking instead of vegetable or canola oil. It adds healthy fats!

Infuse your olive oil with rosemary, basil or garlic. Drizzle of pasta or salad or dip bread into infused olive oil.

Use olive oil in place of butter. For example, I drizzle olive oil on veggies.

Keep this in mind.

Olive oil is best used uncooked or cooked at a low to medium temp, according to TLC Cooking. Don’t heat olive oil to its smoke point, the point at which oil produces smoke. The oil is ruined at that point. Olive oil’s smoke point is about 400 degrees.

Now try these delish recipes.

Pesto - http://sweet-success.tumblr.com/post/9546320237/lets-eat-pesto

Tabbouleh- http://sweet-success.tumblr.com/post/9292422133/lets-eat-tabbouleh

Kale Chips - http://sweet-success.tumblr.com/post/17948523808/lets-eat-kale-chips

More recipes to come!!!