Easy ways to tap olive oil’s goodness

(ARA) – Pure, all-natural foods have been gaining in popularity. From choosing whole-wheat pastas over enriched pasta to brown rice over white rice, Americans are paying more attention to what they eat.

And when it comes to cooking, olive oil has become a popular, all-natural selection, due in part to praise it has received from health experts for a high content of “good” fats (monounsaturated) and the ability to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels.

Consuming about two tablespoons of olive oil per day may reduce your risk of heart disease, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The Mayo Clinic says that you can get the most benefit by substituting olive oil for saturated fats, rather than just adding more olive oil to your diet.

“With natural foods and pure ingredients growing in popularity, consumers are looking for foods that are not only delicious, but also contribute to their overall health,” says Peggy Ellingson, vice president of marketing for Land O’Lakes.

All-natural olive oil has been a dietary staple in kitchens around the world for thousands of years — Homer called it “liquid gold,” while Hippocrates referred to it as “the great therapeutic.” Today, it has a growing foothold in American cuisine.

While you may know that olive oil is good for you, the opportunities to use it may not be as obvious: Maybe it doesn’t seem to go well with steamed vegetables, or you’d still prefer to use butter on your toast or baked goods. Fortunately, there are many ways to add the goodness of olive oil into your diet:

• Substitute for vegetable oil when topping salads with oil and vinegar dressing.
• Spritz on veggies before grilling to keep them from sticking and to impart a light flavor.
• Use as a marinade for meat or poultry.
• You can now get the goodness of olive oil in a new butter from Land O’Lakes. You get the traditional butter flavor, now made with the simple purity of olive oil.

With people looking for foods made with simple ingredients rather than additives and preservatives, Land O’Lakes Butter with Olive Oil is made with only cream, olive oil and salt and is all-natural. It has the taste of butter with 50 percent less cholesterol, zero grams of trans fat per serving and 45 percent less saturated fat than traditional butter. The product is available in a seven-ounce, resealable container.

In addition to spreading on bread or toast, it can be an excellent substitute for traditional butter in everyday cooking.

Try this great summer recipe that uses Land O’Lakes Butter with Olive Oil:

Summer Risotto

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 28 minutes
Yield: six servings

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Land O’Lakes Butter with Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked Arborio rice
• 3/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic
• 3 14-ounce cans vegetable broth
• 12 ounces (3 cups) fresh green beans cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 medium (1 1/2 cups) Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired

Directions:
Melt Butter with Olive Oil in 12-inch skillet until sizzling; add rice, green onions and garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened (three to four minutes).
Continue cooking 20 minutes, adding one cup vegetable broth at a time, stirring occasionally and waiting until broth is absorbed before adding more. Stir in green beans; continue cooking and adding broth until rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed (5 to 10 minutes).

Stir in tomatoes, basil and pepper; continue cooking until heated through (1 minute). Top with cheese, if desired.

Go to www.landolakes.com for more recipes that utilize the taste and flavor of the Land O’Lakes Butter with Olive Oil.

Courtesy of ARAcontent