Handcrafted in Virginia Since 1977

Olive Oil or Butter? You Decide

Olive Oil or Butter? You Decide

“Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that eating about two tablespoons of olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the monounsaturated fat in olive oil. To achieve this possible benefit, olive oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day.”- The Food and Drug Administration

Replacement Chart for Olive Oil

Butter/Margarine  Olive Oil
1 teaspoon ¾ teaspoon
1 tablespoon 2¼ teaspoons
2 tablespoons 1½ tablespoons
¼ cup 3 tablespoons
1/3 cup ¼ cup
½ cup ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons
2/3 cup ½ cup
¾ cup ½ cup + 1 tablespoon
1 cup ¾ cup

The olive oil bottle purchased at your local market often comes with a plastic disk underneath the cap, which may have an opening cut into it. It is meant to control the flow of olive oil out of the bottle and prevent drips. Often, the stream of oil it releases is sometimes too thick to allow you to drizzle the oil onto food without saturating part of the dish while leaving other areas bereft of the lusciousness of the oil. So we need to drizzle! Drizzling involves adding a thin line of oil in a relatively random pattern. Special containers called cruets, or drizzle bottles, which have thin spouts, allow you to add olive oil to food in the amount you desire.

How much is a drizzle?

Let’s see what the chef has to say:

It’s the finishing touch that dresses up a dish at the last minute. It usually consists of a teaspoon or two and goes together with a sprinkling of some fresh chopped herbs, and possible a squeeze of lemon or lime juice (or a wedge of one or the other placed on the plate).” – Steve Johnson, chef-owner of the Rendezvous in Central Square in Cambridge, MA.

Leave a Reply

Recipe posts
Soup and Cranberries in Cranberry Bowl

Parsnip Pear Cauliflower Soup

Print Parsnip Pear Cauliflower Soup Warm up with this sweet and savory soup on a cold winter’s day. The mixture of parsnips, shallots, and sage gives this soup its unique flavor and the addition of chopped pears creates the perfect amount of sweetness that you’d

Spinach Cake

Print Spinach Cake Don’t be fooled by the name! Though spinach is a main ingredient in this semi-sweet Spinach Cake, this dessert is a delight for your tastebuds. With the addition of mascarpone filling and berries on top, we think you’ll impress your guests with

Mexican soup in a Brookline Cereal Bowl with fresh garnishments.

Mexican Soup

Print Mexican Soup Filled with fresh vegetables and savory spices, this Mexican Soup is sure to please those gathered around your table. This Soup is great as-is, but if you’re looking to add more protein to the dish, simply add shredded cooked chicken, steak, or