〜Olive oil is a whole food〜
~Olive oil is a whole food~
As we spend more time at home, we naturally find ourselves cooking more often. However, when it comes to cooking, we tend to repeat the same recipes. I myself was getting tired of thinking, "Oh, this again." And when I thought about my family, who eats with me, probably feeling the same way, I started to feel down.
So, I started to challenge myself by trying new recipes and ingredients that I had never cooked with before. At first, it took an awfully long time, but as I added them to my repertoire and made them a few times, I became more proficient. (Although a drawback is that I tend to get sloppy once I'm used to it...)
As I expanded my recipes, I also started reading more recipe books and books about ingredients, and there was one ingredient that particularly impressed me, which I'd like to introduce to you.
It's "olive oil."
I've known for a long time that "olive oil is good for you," but I didn't understand why it's good or how its properties differ from other oils. But once I understood, I was convinced and satisfied with the taste.
When you use and eat it with understanding, your own satisfaction greatly increases, and my repertoire of recipes has also grown considerably. So, I would like to share what I learned from a book with all of you.
"The Goodness of Olive Oil"
It's an "oil rich in diverse antioxidants." In simpler terms, it's an "oil that makes it difficult for the body to oxidize (and age)."
It's a fatty acid that doesn't increase bad cholesterol levels, and because it's made by pressing the seeds and skin together (it's called a whole food because it can be eaten whole), its components dissolve into the oil and work to protect blood vessels. Olive oil protects blood vessels not only from cholesterol but also from arteriosclerosis.
And what makes it excellent for cooking is that "it doesn't easily oxidize even when heated."
Recently, "flaxseed oil" and "perilla oil" have become popular for being good for the body. However, these oxidize easily when heated, making them unsuitable for cooking. Their effects are best utilized when consumed raw, drizzled over food.
Salad oil oxidizes considerably when heated. This makes it easy for the oil to absorb the scent of ingredients, and fried foods quickly spoil.
However, olive oil itself is not easily oxidized, and because it contains a variety of antioxidants, it is resistant to heat. Even when frying, it doesn't easily deteriorate and results in crispy fried food.
Japanese tempura is a dish that was adapted from fritura, a Mediterranean fried dish, which came to Japan via Portugal and was arranged in a Japanese style. So, you might think, "What, tempura with olive oil!?", but it fries up crispy and is delicious.
I myself used to think, "Olive oil is expensive, and it's a waste to use it for deep-frying..."
However, now that I know it's delicious, good for my health, and I can eat it without guilt, I no longer hesitate to use it for deep-frying and everyday stir-fries. Moreover, since the oil doesn't easily absorb odors, leftover oil from deep-frying can be reused for other dishes. The olive oil, infused with the umami of vegetables after cooking, is also appealing because it can be enjoyed in a different way.
Olive oil is a specialty of the Mediterranean region. The diet in this area has traditionally centered around "fish, vegetables, and beans." This is also common in Japanese cuisine. Olive oil pairs well with Japanese ingredients. I enjoy using olive oil in familiar recipes I've made before, mixing it into sushi rice, or drizzling it over regular rice, brown rice, or tofu.
For those who want to use it quickly for cooking or on the table, I also recommend Digoine's oil bottle. The bottle itself is simple and cute, so it also serves as an interior decoration.
When the kitchenware I use every day is something I love, my mood naturally lifts. When I glance at it in my daily life, a small flutter of excitement arises, thinking, "It's so cute!"
Health cannot be bought with money, but health can be created through food. I will try my best without overexerting myself to achieve good health for myself and my family, and delicious meals.
Why don't all of you also enjoy olive oil with your body, your tongue, and your eyes?
Published by Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc.
Referenced from Mitsuyo Kitamura's book "Delicious Prescription: Olive Oil Recipes"
