23/06/2024
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗶𝗹?
A European heatwave and drought have limited Spanish and Italian producers’ ability to supply olive oil to international markets, including Australia.
This has been coupled with an unusually cold and short growing season for Australian Australian olive oil suppliers.
The lower-than-usual production and supply of olive oil, together with heightened demand from shoppers, means prices have gone up.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗶𝗹?
Using less oil in your cooking could keep your meals healthy. Here are some alternatives and cooking techniques:
Use alternatives for baking – unless you are making an olive oil cake, if your recipe calls for a large quantity of oil, try using an alternative such as apple sauce, Greek yoghurt or mashed banana
Use non-stick cookware – using high-quality, non-stick pots and pans reduces the need for oil when cooking or means you don’t need oil at all.
Steam instead – steam vegetables, fish and poultry to retain nutrients and moisture without adding oil.
Bake or roast – potatoes, vegetables or chicken can be baked or roasted rather than fried. You can still achieve crispy textures without needing excessive oil.
Grill – the natural fats in meat and vegetables can help keep ingredients moist, without using oil.
Use stock – instead of sautéing vegetables in oil, try using vegetable broth or stock to add flavour.
Try vinegar or citrus – use vinegar or citrus juice (such as lemon or lime) to add flavour to salads, marinades and sauces without relying on oil.
Use natural moisture – use the natural moisture in ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms to cook dishes without adding extra oil. They release moisture as they cook, helping to prevent sticking.
