Health benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil has long been a popular source for those who are looking for healthier diets and living. Olive oil (in the virgin form) has been proven to have numerous amount of health benefits. One of the most popular benefits is that olive oil is beneficial to those wishing to lose weight. Using extra virgin olive oil has also been proven to reduce cholesterol especially the harmful type, decrease risk of high blood pressure, reduce the risks of cancers and heart diseases.

The olive oil comes directly from the olive fruit, and is the only type of oil that you can eat directly in the form it is in. This is the reason many choose to use olive oil as a salad dressing, in place of recipes that call for vegetable oil, and in frying foods. This type of oil contains the health beneficial fatty acids that your body needs.

Olive Oil & Pasta - Interesting Recipes

One very interesting recipe that is also very delicious is Penne all'arrabbiata.  This is a roman dish that uses tomatoes, garlic, and hot chilies. You can control the heat of dish my varying the amount of hot chilies you put into the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 28 oz can Italian tomatoes with their juice, chopped or 1 1/2 lb fresh tomatoes.
• 1 or 2 dried hot red chilies, broken into pieces, or 1 tsp hot red pepper flakes to taste
• Salt to taste
• 1 lb penne or other short thick round pasta
• 2 TBSP chopped parsley for garnish
• 6 quarts water

Cooking Directions:

Heat the Olive oil in a heavy saucepan with medium-high heat then sautÉ the garlic, stirring constantly, until it begins to turn golden - around 6 minutes.

Add tomatoes and chilies (to taste), reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue cooking until the tomatoes are soft and the sauce is dense but not pureed – Around 20 minutes with canned tomatoes.

Remove from the heat and taste for seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.

Another fascinating recipe that uses Olive Oil and pasta, with a great taste as well is Spaghetti cacao e pepe. This recipe derives from Roma-Lazio, and it is extremely easy to prepare. Italians use the Pecorino Romano cheese in a large portion of the meals they prepare; it is used in their sauces and as an end of meal treat.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated, very finely
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb spaghetti, or linguine
6 quarts water

Cooking Directions:

Cook the pasta, and when ready, drain, but not too thoroughly. Make sure to reserve about a 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Place immediately into a warm bowl.

Sprinkle with the pecorino cheese and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper mixing as you do so to prevent the cheese from clumping.

Add a tablespoon of the hot cooking liquid as you mix, until the desired moistness is achieved. Serve immediately.

You might like to drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil along with the water. Alternatively, if you prefer, the olive oil can be added individually to taste.