Thanksgiving is right around the corner and menu planning and ingredient gathering is underway. We look forward to gathering with loved ones this year and celebrating all that we are thankful for. If you’re currently planning your Thanksgiving meal and would like to make it a little healthier this year without sacrificing any flavor, add more delicious flavor by substituting butter with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO).
Olive Oil is one of the healthiest fats out there. Studies show that including EVOO in your diet can reduce your risk of heart disease. Other health benefits include:
- High in beneficial fatty acids
- A source of Vitamin K
- A source of Vitamin E
- Loaded with antioxidants
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is incredibly versatile and can be used in so many different ways. Here are eight ideas for how you can incorporate Extra Virgin Olive Oil into your holiday meal:
1. In a small bowl mix together Garlic Olive Oil with a blend of herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and crushed red pepper to create a delicious dip for crusty bread. Great as an appetizer while everyone waits for the turkey.
2. Instead of butter, baste your turkey with olive oil, garlic powder, and dried rosemary. You could use a number of our different flavored olive oils to enhance the seasoning or add additional flavors to your turkey.
3. Drizzle your roasted vegetables with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper for the perfect side dish.
4. You can even use olive oil instead of butter when making your mashed potatoes! If you think you’ll miss the buttery flavor, try our EVOO naturally infused with rich butter flavor.
5. We love this recipe for Maple Sage Roasted Brussels Brussels sprouts reach a whole new level using olive oil, maple syrup, and fresh sage leaves.
6. Gravy is an important part of Thanksgiving dinner and this recipe using 5 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
7. A fresh take on cranberry sauce is a cranberry vinegarette. This uses a mix of Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil, whole berry cranberry sauce, orange zest, orange juice, fresh ginger, and a little bit of salt.
8. For dessert, you can have pecan pie a la mode. A sure-fire way to elevate the ice cream is with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. This idea was brought forth by a top Italian chef. Other ice cream additives typically mean more sugar but this one just adds more healthy EVOO. This combination is a little addictive. Give it a try!
Simple changes of just one ingredient can add tons of nutrition and flavor to your Thanksgiving meal. We’re sure it will be one your family will be raving about for months to come. Check out more everyday EVOO recipes here.
