Monthly Archives: February 2010

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shines in Baked Goods – Study

My unofficial taste tests have already convinced me extra virgin olive oil can be used instead of butter in baking. Now the Greeks are showing olive oil can be an excellent substitute for trans fat-laden shortenings in commercially baked products … Continue reading

Posted in Health | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Italy’s Gourmet Olive Oil Cops Sniff Out Counterfeit EVOO

I’ve just learned that Italy has trained some of its cops to become crack olive oil tasters. Their mission: distinguish between bogus extra virgin olive oil and the real thing. You may have read that Italy has had a bit … Continue reading

Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chef Jamie West’s Pan-Seared Scallops with Risotto

Here’s another great recipe from Jamie West, executive chef at California-based Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. This one features pan-seared diver scallops combined with a cooked tomato and basil puree. Chef West calls the tomato puree a fondue. To make … Continue reading

Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jim Lahey’s “Really Easy” No-Knead Potato Pizza

Our friend Sam Fromartz isn’t your ordinary home baker. You may recall I wrote about him last year, noting how his baguettes were judged No. 1 in Washington in a blind tasting against professional bakeries. More recently, Sam got a … Continue reading

Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Olive Oil Primer: Cooking with EVOO and the “Smoke Point”

A topic we see fluttering around in cyberspace revolves around cooking with extra virgin olive oil and EVOO’s “smoke point.” It may not be the sexiest topic. But it’s a hot topic, so to speak, loaded with misinformation. A cooking … Continue reading

Posted in Frequently asked Questions, Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Health Study: Med. Diet + Exercise Could Cut Alzheimer’s Risk

Your brain will thank you for working out at the gym and eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and olive oil. A recent study suggests you could significantly cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease if you’re more physically active and … Continue reading

Posted in Health | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yogurt Cake Made w/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Yogurt cake is a household staple in France. It’s easy to make and tastes great. And it’s a productive way to use up extra yogurt sitting in your fridge. The recipe for this yogurt cake comes to us by way … Continue reading

Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chef Mark Peel’s Olive Oil Fried Egg w/ Salsa Romesco

My first revelation of how olive oil can transform the ordinary into something special was a grilled cheese sandwich cooked with extra virgin olive oil. Another eye opener was a fried egg on toast, with the egg sautéed in good … Continue reading

Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Schwarzenegger, the “Governator,” Poses w/ our EVOO

Can you guess where California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is holding this bottle of California Olive Ranch extra virgin olive oil? The “Governator,” as he’s known, was more than happy to be photographed with a bottle of our Arbequina EVOO.  No … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Debunking Misinformation About Cooking & Olive Oil-Part II

We’ve run across more misinformation about olive oil. The latest involves olive oil’s “smoke point.” A cooking oil’s smoke point is the temperature at which the oil begins to break down and smoke. A high-quality extra virgin olive oil has … Continue reading

Posted in Frequently asked Questions, Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment