Summer is a time for indulgent, delicious, and fresh flavors. Many aspiring cooks and foodies have started shifting pantries to summer flavors and ingredients. From fresh salads to light and satisfying Mediterranean platters, vegetables, and fruit flavors start taking over dining tables; but what about desserts? Elevate your summertime dessert menu this year with a little golden Texas olive oil twist! While this ingredient from Texas Hill Country Olive Co. may seem more at home in savory dishes, it can be a versatile and delicious addition to sweet treats as well.
Texas Olive Oil… In Sweet Treats?
Using Texas EVOO in desserts has become increasingly popular in recent years. Its subtle fruity flavor and a vast range of health benefits make it a go-to ingredient for many bakers. Whether making cakes and cookies, crafting gelato and ice creams, or fruit salads, incorporating this healthy fat can add a new dimension of flavor and texture to your summer desserts.
Chefs are artists in every sense of the word - they can take scraps and turn them into delightful meals. Savory meets sweet is not strange or unique in gastronomy - after all, bacon and salt are common in the dessert world. Why would EVOO be different? This ingredient has a long history that is starting to take root in the West!
A Taste Of Summer
Ready to dive into the world of decadence and Texas olive oil-enriched desserts? Here are some of the best recipes to try this summer!
- Texas Olive Oil and Honey Grilled Peaches - Brush ripe peaches with a robust EVOO, grill until tender, and drizzle with honey. The robust flavor profile adds a fruity and slightly bitter taste that complements the sweetness of the peaches and the honey. Serve with a blank canvas of vanilla ice cream or in a fruit salad.
- Lemon Bars - A light and tangy dessert made with a buttery EVOO instead of butter. The oil adds subtle fruitiness and richness to the crust and complements the tartness of the lemon filling.
- Blueberry Muffins - A healthier twist on classic blueberry muffins, using light and buttery EVOO instead of butter. The buttery variety adds a fruity and slightly nutty flavor and moistens the muffins.
- Chocolate Cake - A rich and decadent chocolate cake made with a mixed blend of EVOO instead of butter. The oil adds subtle fruitiness and richness to the cake, making it tender.
- Ice Cream - A unique twist on ice cream using a buttery EVOO instead of cream or butter. The EVOO adds a rich and fruity flavor that complements the creaminess of the ice cream and adds healthy fat to the dessert.
- Pound Cake - Try this dense, buttery cake with a robust and peppery EVOO instead of butter. The peppery notes in the oil add a fruity and slightly peppery flavor that complements the sweetness of the cake and elevates the overall dish, served with a citrus drizzle.
- Pecan pie - Instead of using butter in the filling, use a mild-flavored EVOO. The subtle nutty flavor of the oil will complement the pecans and add a hint of fruitiness to the pie.
- Peach cobbler - Much like grilled peaches, this dish is delicious and tastes like the middle of summer. Use a robust EVOO instead of butter or vegetable oil in the crust or topping of the cobbler. The EVOO's subtle bitterness can help balance out the sweetness of the peaches, and the crumbly texture will be even more tender.
- Sweet cornbread - Use a buttery EVOO instead of the butter or vegetable oil in a classic sweet cornbread recipe. The oil's subtle fruity flavor will complement the cornmeal and honey flavors, creating a complex and delicious treat that can be both savory and sweet!
- Mexican wedding cookies - You don’t need to be at a wedding to enjoy these! Use a light EVOO instead of butter in these classic cookies for a tender and delicate texture with a subtle fruitiness that complements the nutty flavor of the cookies.
A Quick Dive Into Dessert History
As one of the most prolific staples in Mediterranean cuisine for centuries, its use in desserts can be traced back to ancient times. In Greece, EVOO was commonly used in baking and was even used to make sweet, syrupy cakes known as oil cakes. In Italy, this golden liquid was used to produce gelato; in Spain, it was used in making desserts like churros and flan. Texas olive oil’s popularity in desserts has continued to grow over the years, and today, chefs and home cooks use it to add flavor, moisture, and health benefits to a wide variety of sweet treats.
Does the Texas Olive Oil Variety Matter?
The variety of olives used to make EVOO can significantly impact the oil's flavor, aroma, and overall quality. Different grape varieties can produce distinct wines, but different olive varieties can produce unique oils. Some olive varieties are known for producing oils with bold and fruity flavors, while others are more mild and delicate. The climate and soil in which the olives are grown can also affect the oil's flavor and aroma.
Producers can create EVOOs with different flavor profiles by using different olive varieties, allowing for endless culinary possibilities. When choosing a Texas olive oil, it's essential to consider the type and its unique characteristics to find one that complements your dish. Here is a quick guide to the flavor profiles of different olive varieties and the resulting oil:
- Arbequina, Picual, and Koroneiki olives - EVOOs made with these olives have a mild and fruity flavor with hints of green apple and almond, making it a versatile oil that can be used in a variety of desserts. It is perfect for making cakes, cookies, and fruit salads.
- Frantoio, Picual, and Arbequina olives - These produce a robust, grassy flavor with a spicy finish, making them an excellent choice for desserts with bold flavors, such as chocolate or gingerbread.
- Picual olives create an EVOO with a spicy and slightly bitter taste. It is perfect for desserts that require a strong and bold flavor profile, such as olive oil ice cream or dark chocolate desserts.
When shopping for the perfect EVOO when planning a dessert menu, contact local suppliers such as The Texas Hill Country Olive Co. They can offer tailored advice for your menu and which variety best suits the desired flavor profile you would like to create.