Kitchen hacks: When to use which type of olive oil

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a pro home cook, it is best to know when to use a particular type of olive oil when preparing meals. On top of its enticing aroma, olive oil elevates the flavor of the traditional dishes you love.

In the Philippines, the brand that is synonymous with olive oil is Doña Elena, the number one olive oil brand in the country. If you’re still at a loss in the pantry, we have this guide to three types of Doña Elena Olive Oil.

Pure Olive Oil

Pure Olive Oil is your suitable partner in sautéing and cooking pasta. Perfect for everyday cooking, it is a blend of refined olive oil and Extra Virgin Oil. Just replace your regular oil with Pure Olive Oil with your everyday dishes for healthier and more flavorful meals. While it is more tolerant to heat than Extra Virgin Oil, be mindful to set the burner at medium-high to keep the Pure Olive Oil from hitting its smoke point.

You can use Pure Olive Oil to whip up a Tomato Penne Pasta dish, with all the premium goodness of authentic Mediterranean flavors. Simply, follow the package instructions to cook a cup of Doña Elena Al Dente Pasta. Meanwhile, sauté one cup of chopped yellow onion and three cloves of garlic with a tablespoon of Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil for five minutes. Then add 1 can of undrained Doña Elena peeled tomatoes, and if desired, pepper flakes; bring to a simmer. Next, drain pasta; stir into sauce mixture; and simmer for one minute. Finally, top with parsley.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

What makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil different from regular olive oil is that the former is cold-pressed and left unrefined. This explains the stronger flavor, impeccable smell, and darker color of Extra Virgin Olive Oil making it a perfect culinary companion for drizzling, dips and salad dressing.

Health buffs should try drizzling Extra Virgin Olive Oil on their tomato and cucumber salad. Binge-watchers can also prepare a garlic dip with Extra Virgin Olive Oil to match with their toasted bread as they enjoy their movie marathons. For an extra burst of flavor, finish your dishes like grilled fish or roasted potatoes with a splash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Another recipe you can try with Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Light Caesar Tuna Salad with Doña Elena Capers and Basil Dressing. First, heat the non-stick pan and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and form into a circle. When the Parmesan cheese melts, cool it down and wait for it to crisp.

For the dressing, combine Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil, chopped Doña Elena Anchovies, grated garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon, and pepper in a blender. Blend together until the dressing is emulsified.

Then toss the romaine lettuce, fresh basil, Doña Elena Capers, Doña Elena 100% Chunks in Tuna Sunflower Oil, cherry tomatoes and grated hard-boiled egg. Finally, put everthing on a salad bowl and top with the Parmesan crisp.

Your body will thank you for its modest amounts of vitamins E and K and plenty of beneficial fatty acids.

Pomace Olive Oil

Who doesn’t like the crunchy bite of fried drumstick chicken or crispy golden brown sweet potatoes? When it comes to quick cooking, there’s no better way than frying. Extracted from olive pulp, Pomace Olive Oil is the perfect match to fry and roast because of its high tolerance to high heat. This helps maintain the juiciness of meat when frying and roasting. Because of its high smoke point, it is suitable for frying.

Pomace Olive Oil leaves a light taste, bringing out the flavor in your food as intended. You can prepare a sumptuous dish of Chicken Pandan by deep-frying it in Pomace Olive Oil. The marinated chicken wrapped in pandan leaves is guaranteed to have a wonderful blend of aroma and flavor. Also try using Pomace Olive Oil for frying daing na bangus and you’re in for a surprise!

So the next time you prepare pasta, a salad, or roast chicken, you now know which type of Doña Elena Olive Oil to use. Make Doña Elena Olive Oil a staple in your pantry. Share your newfound kitchen knowledge with the fam and fellow home cooks for a more flavorful feast!

Stock up on Doña Elena products now! Available in leading supermarkets nationwide and online via Lazada, Shopee, and Ace Market. Check out more recipes made with Dona Elena products, visit their Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.