EVOO.

Mirch · Apr 14th, 2009, 02:05 PM

So do you like the taste of olive oil ? What about desi food cooked in olive oil ? Would you tarkafy your daal with EVOO ?
They only way I have like olive oil is at Italian restaurants where they bring freshly baked bread and ground pepper in a saucer full of olive oil. I dip that hot fresh bread in that concoction and savor it. Yummmmmmmm.

P.S: Don't start a lecture about difference between EVOO and olive oil. If you do not know what EVOO is, do not bother to participate in this thread.

maroush · Apr 14th, 2009, 02:20 PM

What is EVOO??

yanks are weird.....

Olive oil... we use it in our house for desi food and european cooking.... haven't seen a tub of ghee since my childhood

And we use really really good quality olive oil for stuff like the italian dips you mentioned above (btw have it with blended anchovies, crushed garlic and just a pinch of chilli flakes... really nice!), salad dressings etc etc....

People say that olive oil affects the taste of your desi food... i can't tell though

queer · Apr 14th, 2009, 02:26 PM

EVOO smokes up way before you can do any sort of tarka. good EVOO is awesome on salads and toast.. or just on mozzarella and tomatoes and basil.. but desi flavors are too strong and will easily overpower the relatively delicate taste.

TLK · Apr 14th, 2009, 02:31 PM

Olive oil cannot, should not .. be used in desi food for the reason that queer mentioned. Its heating index is pretty low means it reaches its boiling point at lower temp so it can burn the food from outside without even cooking it from inside.

Its good to eat it raw like on salad and toasts (as queer mentioned)

maroush · Apr 14th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Ok, EVOO = extra virgin olive oil... damn you yanks abbreviate everything!!!

That is just sacreligious to use extra virgin olive oil in cooking..... it is more for dressings and dips....

TLK · Apr 14th, 2009, 02:37 PM

^^ Dont know if you know Rachel Ray, a pretty famous chef and host of 30 minutes meal on Food TV network. She coined this term (EVOO). Its not as common as you think it is, on this side of the pond.

Afro-Sheen · Apr 14th, 2009, 03:28 PM

I have used EVOO in cooking sometimes, I never really noticed the quick burn factor. Hmm. Isn't it healthier to cook/eat EVOO than other oils. Sure does taste yummo! I am waiting to plan a trip to CA soon, and then I plan on doing a tour of Olive Oil making co, next best thing since wine tour/tasting wont be possible!

queer · Apr 14th, 2009, 03:40 PM

i think TLK is confusing smoke point with boiling, burning etc. EVOO will smoke and breakdown at relatively lower cooking temperatures. you dont want to cook in oil that is breaking down unless you love carcinogenic free-radicals and bad tasting food. but your food will not burn any more than in any other oil.

you can cook in what is labelled as "pure olive oil", it has a higher smoke point. but you wont get the fruity flavor of virgin olive oil. but is just as healthy, if that is what you are after.

TLK · Apr 14th, 2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queer

i think TLK is confusing smoke point with boiling, burning etc..

yes yes, that is what I meant. I am not good in cusine lingo .. you know

CorruptAngel · Apr 14th, 2009, 04:30 PM

I use EVOO mixed with Canola oil in almost all my desi cooking. You can't do tarka with it or cooking which requires high heat but you can surely saute onions on low-medium heat and make regular gravies. It works fine and I love it!

Sara516 · Apr 14th, 2009, 04:39 PM

Hmm i've used EVOO to cook desi food and no problems there?

*HNK* · Apr 14th, 2009, 04:48 PM

have heard that EVOO is not used for cooking, but more likely for salads and stuff, where its eaten just as it is. regular olive oil can be used for cooking I think it was Gulzar, the chef that told it :S not sure though

Mamaof3 · Apr 14th, 2009, 04:50 PM

EVOO is not a good oil to use for cooking but its healthy properties are truly worth using it liberally. For cooking though, I've been using canola and "smart sense omega" oils which do not lose their healthy properties with cooking/

RupayHalwa · Apr 14th, 2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queer

i think TLK is confusing smoke point with boiling, burning etc. EVOO will smoke and breakdown at relatively lower cooking temperatures. you dont want to cook in oil that is breaking down unless you love carcinogenic free-radicals and bad tasting food. but your food will not burn any more than in any other oil.

you can cook in what is labelled as "pure olive oil", it has a higher smoke point. but you wont get the fruity flavor of virgin olive oil. but is just as healthy, if that is what you are after.

Yes indeed, your beloved EVOO is doing you more harm than good when used in cooking. Better to consume it in its cold pressed state. It is actually good for you cold, helps your body to actually REMOVE bad cholesterol.

redvelvet · Apr 14th, 2009, 06:07 PM

I believe that if you use olive oil in cooking (heating especially), it destroys the nutrients in the oil.....as heating typically does with most oils and fruits/veggies.

Instead of heating the oil, I prefer to drizzle it on top of bread, hummus, salad, pasta, etc.
I enjoy the taste of it. And I find that it's also very effective as a moisturizer.

TLK · Apr 14th, 2009, 06:12 PM

Veggie Sub in Italian bread, with just olive oil on it, no other condiment, tastes so good

Niksik · Apr 14th, 2009, 06:39 PM

I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee EVOO. BUT I hate the way Rachel Ray keeps EVOO-ing in her show

. Enough already!

Anyway, a few years ago, I started used EVOO for desi cooking...it was OK but there was always an after taste so I quit. Now we use Canola.

But salad dressings, hummus, and other dipping sauces are great with EVOO. It's also great for massaging your hair and body with especially if you warm it a little and have your hubby do you champpi