Most dinners I make at home begin the same way: with a tablespoon of olive oil heating in a fry pan, ready to saute vegetables, brown meat or sear fish. I love the subtle, fruit flavor and floral aroma olive oil imparts in a dish, but with the prevalence of high-quality extra-virgin oils, this is one ingredient that deserves to take center stage for a change.
If you’re looking for a new way to showcase your favorite olive oil, try one of the recipes below, each of which stars olive oil in a style or method that may be new to you.
 Drop the heatOlive oil is sometimes used for frying, but its flavors can truly shine at lower temperatures. Poaching in olive oil enhances the taste of delicate fish in these recipes for Oil-Poached Halibut with Olives and Olive Oil-Poached Tuna. |
 Add a flavor punchOne of the most popular — and delicious — ways to use a good olive oil is also the simplest: drizzle it over a dish before serving and each ingredient is elevated. For a twist, try infusing olive oils with fresh flavors, such as this Chili-Lemon Olive Oil. It’s wonderful as an ingredient in salad dressings or as a zesty dipping or finishing oil. |
 Serve it sweetIt sounds like an unlikely combination, but olive oil gives creamy gelato a surprising and divine character. Try this Olive Oil Gelato with Balsamic Strawberries, which takes your oil and vinegar to the next course. Not an ice cream fan? This Olive Oil-Madeira Cake with Blood Orange Compote balances notes of sweet, floral and tangy perfectly. |
About the author: Olivia Terenzio grew up in Mississippi, where she cultivated a love of sweet potatoes, crawfish and cloth napkins at a young age. A passion for sharing food with friends and family led her into the kitchen and later to culinary school, where she learned how to roast a chicken and decorate a cake like a pro. As a Williams-Sonoma blog editor, she’s now lucky enough to be talking, writing and thinking about food all day.
