5 reasons to use more olive oil (and none of those are to lose weight)

1. Reverse the metabolic syndrome

It is considered one of the vestibules of type 2 diabetes. According to experts, add nuts and olive oil in the diet decreases abdominal obesity and blood glucose levels.

2. Boost good cholesterol

Olive oil do have high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, so it has protective effects against diseases associated to oxidative stress (cancer, cardiovascular & neurodegenerative diseases) Recent reseach (EUROLIVE) discovered that olive oil contains polyphenols, which result in a higher level of HDL (Good cholesterol)

3. Prevents stomach problems

Olive oil forms a film around the stomach and is very useful to prevent ulcers. Extra virgin olive oil will help you healing ulcers as it contents liposoluble vitamins E and A.

4. Ally against breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Granada and Malaga have used olive oil to fight cancer cells growing in the breast.

5. Moisturize skin

It is one of the best known skin moisturizers. Although we should also add a high consumption of water.

Olive oil will moisturize the skin deeply, soften, protect from premature aging and aggressions from the sun.

Gambas al ajillo (Prawns with garlic)

1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
4-5 garlic cloves, minced or sliced
1-2 dry red chillies
500 gr./1 lbs prawns, peeled and deveined
salt
fresh ground pepper
4 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped

Usually served as a Tapa, is so delicious it can be made as a main course!

In a pan or earthenware dish, warm the Olive Oil , add the garlic and sliced chillies.

When garlic starts to change colour, add the shrimps, and sauté quickly for about 2-3 minutes(until shrimps change colour), add salt and groud pepper, and sprinkle the parsley and serve at once in a warmed serving dish.

 If you wish, you can add lemon juice and paprika at the same time as the salt.

WARNINGS:

If you use frozen shrimps, you have to make sure they are dry when you add them to the pan.

Potaje rociero

1 kg. / 2 cups chickpeas
2 tomatoes
2 red peppers
1 onion
1 head of garlic
2 bay leaves
3 carrots
1 tsp sweet paprika
2 chorizos
2 black sausages (morcillas)
250g pork meat
200 gr of bacon
2 - 3 slices of hard bread
Salt, olive oil & pepper 
cumin and nutmeg to taste



Leave the chickpeas to soak 24 hours in warm water with a pinch of salt. Change the water twice in that time. 

After 24 hours set the chickpeas in a pot with the peeled and chopped tomatoes. Then add the half of the head of garlic, unpeeled cloves of garlic. Following bay leaves, the sliced carrots, chorizo ​​and morcilla cutted in medium slices. Then we add the pork meat and the diced bacon, olive oil and sweet paprika. Pour water until covering all the ingredients and let it cook for about 60 minutes over low - medium heat. Add salt to taste.  

In a frying pan add the red peppers and onions diced. Lightly fry with olive oil, along with the other half of the head of garlic (peeled this time) Add diced hard bread after 5 minutes. 

Add cumin to taste and blend in a mixer with half a glass of water. Add to soup and let it cook. Once it is cooked add a a pinch of salt if need it, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Let it cool for 10 minutes and serve. 

Gazpacho Rociero

1 /2 kg of hard bread
2 very ripe large tomatoes
1 tsp of sweet paprika
5 or 6 cloves of garlic
1 large cucumber
2 glass of water
diced green and red pepper

olive oil, salt and white wine vinegar to taste

Wash the tomatoes and the cucumber properly and chop into squares. Set aside. 

Peel the garlic and in a mixer glass add all the ingredients. Once it is well crushed, strain with an strainer and let it cool in the fridge for 2 hours. 

Before serving add olive oil and vinegar to taste. Add diced green and red pepper on top. 

Tips_ You can add oregano on top for extra flavour. 

Origen_ This recipe is used in El Rocio pilgrimage for hidration after long walking days. 

Andalusian pestiños (Pestiños andaluces)

1 cup sherry wine 
1 cup olive oil 
3/4 of wheat flour 
1 tablespoon aniseed 
1/2 teaspoon sesame 
1/2 lemon zest
pinch of salt 
1 packet of yeast 
honey 
icing sugar 
cinnamon 
1/2 liter of oil for frying





In a frying pan heat 1 cup of olive oil over low heat. Lightly fry the sesame seeds, anise seeds and lemon peel. When the olive oil cool down strain and reserve the seeds.

In a large bowl, place the flour (as a volcano). Add inside the volcano the sherry wine, a pinch of salt, and gradually the 1 cup of the fried olive oil with the seeds but without the lemon peel. Finally add the packet of yeast, mix all the ingredients and let the dough rest for an hour. 

Stuffed eggs with artichokes and spinach (Huevos rellenos de alcachofas y espinacas)

4 large eggs 
40 g of spinach 
40 g of artichokes 
1 tablespoon sultanas
3 tablespoon olive oil 
lemon juice
Salt and pepper
mayonnaise 


Cook the eggs and let cool. 

In another saucepan boil the chopped artichokes with few drops of lemon juice to avoid oxidation, and salt. After 10 minutes add the spinach. Drain the water and grind in a blender. When it is done, add the sultanas and the olive oil. (those do not have to be grind) 

Fill up the egg with the mixture. Season to taste. 

Mayonnaise can be used for decoration, along with the yolks. Break the yolks in a bowl with a fork or in mortar, place it on top.

Tips_ Make spicy by adding paprika powder to the mayonnaise.

Endivias caramelizadas con Queso (Caramelized endive with aged cheese)

4 endives
8 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons of thyme
aged cheese (Manchego or any other)
breadcrumbs
black pepper





Preheat oven to 190 ° In a baking dish put the olive oil with the sugar and the salt, place in the oven 5 minutes.

Meanwhile cut the endives in half. Put the cut side down in the baking dish and get back in the oven. Cook for 3-5 minutes. 

Suitable cooking uses of fats and oils

While cooking Spanish recipes you can use different oils, only take into account this information when you cook your Tapas!