Sea Bass with Cherry Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

4  medium portions of Sea Bass or similar fish

1  (400 g ) can La Valle CherryTomatoes

1/4  cup  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2  cloves of garlic, minced

6  Basil leaves

Handful of fresh Parsley finely chopped

1  pinch of chili pepper

1  cup of dry white wine

So Salt sea salt and pepper to taste

 Method:-

Add 4 portions of fillet in a non stick hot saucepan over medium heat (make sure saucepan gets hot before placing fish fillets on).  Cook each side for one to two minutes depending on thickness so golden brown color forms and then remove and place on a separate plate.

Using same saucepan add olive oil and sauté onions.  Then add wine and let it cook for a minute or two.  Add full can of Cherry Tomatoes,  parsley, basil, garlic, chili powder and salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add fillets back in sauce and cook for another three to four minutes.  Keep the cherry tomatoes whole or crush them the last minute of cooking.

 Place a fillet on a plate and spoon on some extra cherry tomato sauce on top and serve.

Sea Bass topped with La valle'e cherry tomato sauce

Olive Oil Facts

Olive Oil has the same calories as other vegetable oils, but a much higher nutritional value.

The bitter the better?

According to research, olive oil that is sharp to taste is abundant in phenols (antioxidants) and is better for health. The fresher the olive oil, the better the taste. 

Why olive oil?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is  prized for its high content in vitamins and nutrients, as well as for the fact that it is pure and without any additives. Olive Oil contributes to a balanced diet. It decreases bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, without affecting good cholesterol (HDL), preventing the accumulation of fibroids in the artery walls. In addition, olive oil, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle, helps protect against major  illness, such as heart disease, thrombosis and diabetes. Olive oil is  high in oleic acid which   helps reduce blood pressure.  Olive oil also contains many antioxidants including vitamin E, carotenoids and oleuropein.

Did you know?

According to New York International Olive Oil Competition 2015, Italy is one of the major producers of the best olive oils. Each olive tree yields an average of 40 kg of fruit a year. Usually, the oil produced corresponds to 8-10 percent of that quantity. One olive tree can produce around four litres of oil every year for hundreds of years. Typically  an olive tree can live between 300 and 600 years.

Types of olive oil?

The three types of olive oil are extra virgin, virgin and pure olive. Extra virgin oil is the most expensive. This type comes from the first cold press, and has the lowest acidity levels (less than 1%) of the three types. Because of its perfect balance in taste, aroma and color, it is used in dressings and also served with bread. Its taste and aroma is typical to the region it comes from. Virgin olive oil is also obtained from the first pressing of olives but its acidity level is higher (up to 3.3%) than that of extra virgin. Pure olive oil is  a blend of virgin and refined olive oil. Due to the blended nature, it is less expensive and used for  cooking in  high temperature. 

                    

Olive Tree's Extra virgin oil garnished on salad

Clarity  of the Olive oil?

The extract obtained  from the crushing of olives is a natural juice, and like  all natural juices, olive oil is hazy and contains  vitamins and trace elements of the fruit.

Uses of olive oil?

It stimulates your digestive system, and taken regularly it can prevent constipation as well.  It protects the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates the production of bile, our natural laxative

How to store?

All oils are best stored in cool and dry place, far from areas exposed to sunlight. Some oils must be used within 6 months after opening whereas others like olive oil last longer from 9 months up to 2-3 years.

Where to buy olive oil?

You  can buy all natural olive oil online from our gourmet online store olivetreetrading.com

Visit olivetreetrading.com to purchase / for more information on our products.

What should be your pick? Olive Oil or Coconut Oil?

Olive oil has a reputation for being one of the healthiest oils to eat and cook with, but recently coconut oil is gaining the same support within the health community. With each having their own benefits in the kitchen, below is a guide on deciding which oil is best for your healthy cooking needs.

Olive oil has more “good fat", monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, than virgin coconut oil. For example, 1 tablespoon of olive oil contains 11 grams (gm) of monounsaturated fat and 1 gm of polyunsaturated fat, as compared to a tablespoon of coconut oil which contains 0.1 gm of monounsaturated fat and 0.25 gm of polyunsaturated fat. Olive oil has less saturated fat than coconut oil. Saturated fat, particularly from animal products, can increase our bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase risk of developing atherosclerotic plaques and coronary artery disease.

For example, 1 tablespoon of olive oil contains 1 gm of saturated fat where as 1 tablespoon of coconut oil contains 13 gm of saturated fat. In a quick analysis, coconut oil contains more than 10 times the amount of potential bad fat compared to olive oil. This analysis is not quite as simple as the other. Saturated fats from some plant-based products are not as bad as those from animal-based products. Most of the saturated fats in coconut oil come from lauric acid, which can increase bad cholesterol (LDL) but also good cholesterol (HDL). Because it increases both good and bad cholesterol, the risk of using coconut oil may not be as significant, or even significant at all.

With any efficient food source, the amount of calories per serving becomes important. Even healthy foods consumed in excess can become unhealthy. When it comes to calories, both olive oil and coconut oil are similar. One tablespoon of olive oil contains 120 calories, compared to 130 calories in a tablespoon of coconut oil.

And the Winner Is . . .

Right now, olive oil is the best choice for a healthy heart (‘heart healthy’ just doesn’t mean it’s a cure for heart disease. It simply means it is a healthier choice than some of your other choices) because: -  

 More research supports the long-term benefits of olive oil for the human body. This is not a true knock on coconut oil. The same may be true of coconut oil, but we just have to wait for the human data to come in to guide us.

The quantity of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats is clearly higher in olive oil. These good fats have many heart-healthy properties, including lowering inflammation, improving cholesterol and lowering risk of heart disease. Of course , if you are a coconut oil enthusiast, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Coconut oil has quite a few potential heart-health benefits, and there have been remarkable findings in people who consume a lot of coconut.

Olive oil is high in monosaturated fat which benefits heart health whereas coconut oil is high in saturated fats which harm heart health. A few small studies show that the saturated fat in coconut oil is less harmful than other saturated fats.

The smoking point of olive oil corresponds to 137 degrees centigrade, which is relatively low and implies that olive oil should not be heated to high temperatures. The smoking point of coconut oil is 176 degrees centigrade, making it more appropriate for cooking at moderate temperatures. Cooking above the smoking point of oil is not recommended and can lead to the formation of compounds that could be harmful for your health. Olive oil is usually liquid at room temperature but becomes solid in the refrigerator, while coconut oil is hard when kept in the refrigerator and can be either solid or liquid at room temperatures because of its melting point of 24 degrees centigrade.

What about all the claims that coconut oil can cure obesity, cancer, and thyroid disease, lower your cholesterol, and boost your immune system? That's just it, these amazing health benefits are just claims. Presently, there have been no large studies to support the benefits associated with using coconut oil in meals. Until more evidence comes out, you may want to wait before cooking everything with coconut oil (but because of its higher smoke point, it might work well in certain instances). When possible, choose a bottle of heart-healthy olive oil.

Visit olivetreetrading.com to purchase / for more information on our products.

All the reasons to love Olive Oil...

Olive Tree's Olive Oil

When we speak of  taste and versatility, no other oil comes close to Olive Oil. Most oils are made to be bland so they don’t add unwanted flavour to a sweet or savory dish. Yet the glory of olive oil is how distinctive it is, varying from  mild to intense, from sweet to pungent.  Replacing butter and other less healthy fats with olive oil has  shown to aid  prevention of a myriad of diseases as well as  counter effects of aging.

It’s delicious, it’s good for your heart and  it improves your cholesterol profile. A  diet rich in olive oil may actually be able to slow down the aging of the heart. .....if you still haven’t already discovered the benefits of this so called “great therapeutic”, here are more reasons to fall in love with this divine oil.

The benefits of olive oil are not just confined to  a healthy heart, it helps you lose weight and  it also reduces the risk of diabetes. Besides keeping a check on  your blood pressure, regular intake of olive oil also lowers the risk of cancer. Although the reasons are still not entirely clear, recent studies have proved that people  whose diet   contains high levels of olive oil are less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Another reason to replace your regular oil with olive oil is that  appears to improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and helps preventing Osteoporosis. Higher intake of olive oil and polyunsaturated fats found in fatty fish and vegetable oils is associated with a lower risk of depression. The findings suggested that cardiovascular disease and depression may share some common mechanisms related to one's diet.

Rich in antioxidants, olive oil is known to reduce the risk of skin cancer. . A moderate and regular intake of extra virgin olive oil, characteristic of the Mediterranean diet, is also associated with lesser incidences of specific types of cancer, including breast cancer. Olive Oil also supports brain and bone development in children. It may also prevent ulcers (by slowing down acid production) and other ailments of the digestive system. You could buy your heart healthy olive oil from our gourmet online store olivetreetrading.com.

Visit olivetreetrading.com to purchase / for more information on our products.

Red Quinoa, Banana, and Pecan Muffins

El Olivo's Organic red quinoa,banana & pecan muffins

The deep, earthy, nutty aroma of red quinoa is enhanced when made into a flour and used in a baked recipe. This easy muffin recipe is full of the goodness of quinoa, flaxseeds, pecans and bananas—a great breakfast treat for children and adults alike! To make the quinoa flour, simply process the quinoa in a coffee grinder to a powder.

Makes: 10-12 medium-sized muffins

Ingredients:

·        ½ cup El Olivo Red Quinoa flour

·        ½ cup flaxseed meal

·        ½ cup whole wheat flour

·        ½ cup vegetable oil

·        1 cup milk

·        ¼ cup sugar

·        2 ripe bananas

·        a pinch of salt

·        1 teaspoon baking powder

·        ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

·        ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

·        8-10 pecans, chopped

Method:

         i.            Place the bananas, sugar, vanilla, and oil in a blender and bend until smooth.

       ii.            In a mixing bowl, mix the quinoa flour, flaxseed meal, whole wheat flour, salt, baking powder,                       pecans, and cinnamon together.

     iii.            Pour the banana mixture into the flour mix. Add milk and fold to incorporate.

     iv.            Pour the mixture into muffin cases two thirds of the way up.

      v.            Bake in a preheated oven at 160 degrees centigrade for 20-25 minutes or until spongy and a                          toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

     vi.            Serve warm or cool.

HONEY BOON – The benefits for a fitter body and youthful skin.

Honey has been used as a natural remedy for centuries. A rich source of natural sugars like fructose and glucose, along with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants - to include honey in your daily diet is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to prevent disease.

Benefits of Honey - - -

The anti-bacterial properties of Honey prevent bacterial growth in the body – Honey contains floral flavonoids which help in increasing the antioxidants in the body, reduce oxidative damages and helps in removing free radicals. Hydrogen peroxide, the other naturally-occurring ingredient in honey, works as a steriliser and prevents infections. The sweet taste of honey increases salivation on consumption, which dilutes mucus and reduces irritation and cough.

Honey is nutritious – it is a much healthier choice than processed refined sugar. It also contains many vitamins such as B6, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc - depending on the source of nectar - Chestnut, Acacia, Wildflower, Orange Blossom, Eucalyptus...

 Honey is a natural energy booster – Warm water with lemon and honey taken before a work out provides extra endurance and stamina. Honey contains natural fruit sugar (fructose) which prevents muscular fatigue during workouts. Even diabetic patients can consume it but in limited quantities. It helps reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Olea Europaea's wildflower honey

Honey can be incorporated in our daily diet in several ways:

• Add honey in lemon water or any other beverage as a substitute for refined sugar and other artificial sweeteners.
• Add to breakfast cereals with milk / yoghurt.
• Enjoy honey with in a peanut butter sandwich.
• Drizzle it over your favourite pancake.
• A spoonful of honey can satisfy taste buds and improve health but it must be consumed in moderation and according to your daily calorie requirement.

Honey can do wonders for your skin as well. Honey is a potent natural moisturizer, has anti-aging and healing properties. Honey is a natural humectant i.e. it can absorb and retain moisture. It keeps the skin supple and hydrated. Due to its antioxidant action, it can protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation, rejuvenate dry skin and delay the signs of aging. Honey can be applied on the lips to reduce dryness and chapping. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, honey is used to treat sunburn, dry and eczematous skin. It is also used in some products to treat acne as it has anti-bacterial properties.

Different types of honey have different flavonoid profiles, depending on the floral source of the nectar. The different variants of honey available at the gourmet online store - olivetreetrading.com, are : Eucalyptus Honey, Wildflower Honey, Orange Blossom Honey, Chestnut Honey, Acacia Honey – each with its  distinctive taste and unique properties.
Darker the honey, higher the antioxidant levels. This nature's super food is befittingly called liquid gold.

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Knowing Quinoa better – Eating healthy!

El Olivo's Organic quinoa varients- Red,white & black

A complete protein and fantastic wheat-free alternative, the demand for quinoa has risen sharply in recent years. Who would not want to reap the benefits of this amazing super food?

A few tips to help you cook your super grain better

The first mistake people make is thinking that quinoa is a grain. It’s actually the seed of a grain-like crop closely related to beets. Maybe this isn’t a “cooking tip” – but you should always know what you’re eating.

Quinoa grows with a bitter, protective coating called saponin that needs to be rinsed away- if you don’t do it, it’s going to taste wrong. And when you rinse it, use a fine-mesh strainer. You don’t want those tiny seeds to disappear down the drain! Once you have rinsed it well, it can be cooked like rice. It will expand to several times the original size during cooking. 

Toasting quinoa in a skillet with a little bit of oil over low heat for a few minutes before adding it to boiling water gives quinoa an even more intense nutty flavor.

Quinoa holds lots of water, so you have to make sure you drain it thoroughly after it’s cooked. Otherwise, it will make your whole dish watery. And don’t forget to use that fine-mesh strainer again!

After it has cooked, use a fork to fluff and separate the grains.

Now that you know how to cook your grain well, here’s what all benefits you can reap from this super grain.

Quinoa contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains.

Quinoa is one of the most protein rich foods we can eat.

Quinoa contains iron, is rich in magnesium and contains lysine.

Quinoa contains high content of manganese and is high in riboflavin.

Visit olivetreetrading.com to purchase / for more information on our products.