As the fall foliage begins to change colors, the crisp mornings lead to cooler days. Coffee shops emit the everlasting aroma of pumpkin spice, while bakeries whip up cobblers and pies. Through these sensory clues, we can admit that fall is upon us. This means that Thanksgiving is just around the proverbial corner. While this year’s celebrations may be different, the spirit of Thanksgiving remains the same. From recreating old family recipes, to maintaining social distancing while delivering meals to others, Thanksgiving remains centered around family, friends, and food. This year, why not incorporate healthy olive oil into traditional Thanksgiving favorites? The experts at Texas Hill Country Olive Co., a leading Texas olive oil company, share their tips for elevating the ole’ turkey. 

Elevated Turkey, Courtesy Of Texas Olive Oil

The cornerstone of every traditional Thanksgiving feast, the roasted turkey can be prepared in a myriad of ways. Swapping heart healthy olive oil in favor of higher fat dressings, marinades, and flavor injectors makes the bird a little more healthier, flavorful, and elevated. The experts at Texas Hill Country Olive Co. suggest rubbing the turkey with Texas olive oil to give skin a crunchy finish. For a classic taste, olive oil can be mixed with simple herbs and spices. To kick things up a notch, aspiring home chefs can incorporate non-traditional herbs into olive oil, like cardamom, cumin, and even curry powder. To take the guesswork out of creating a delicious turkey rub, Texas Hill Country Olive Co. offers infused Texas olive oils. These expertly crafted blends will lend heat via jalapeno peppers, or a sweet finish with blood orange infused oil. 

In addition to treating the skin prior to baking, Texas olive oil can be used as a flavor injector for thighs and breasts. Making these pieces extra juicy and tender, flavor injectors are often utilized immediately prior to roasting. Instead of utilizing unhealthy injection counterparts, like butter, olive oil can accomplish the same results with a healthier content. Similar to basting rubs, flavor injections can be flavored to preference. The experts at Texas Hill Country Olive Co. boast the versatility of flavor injectors. From cajun inspired to traditional southern BBQ, there are vast flavor profiles to explore, all complimented by the profile of olive oil.

Veggies Steal The Show

It’s no secret that vegetables are considered “sides”, and are often overlooked in the breadth of the entire meal. To make veggies shine, and earn a well-deserved moment in the spotlight, consider drizzling them with olive oil immediately before serving. Boiled and steamed veggies will gain a heightened buttery finish, while roasted and sauteed veggies will benefit from a little crisp flavor infusion. To maximize flavor and texture, the experts at Texas Hill Country Olive Co. recommend drizzling immediately prior to serving brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and other dinner staples. 

Mashed potatoes can also be made lighter and more flavorful with Texas olive oil. For an elevated take on the dinner classic, swap butter for olive oil when mashing. Finish mashed potatoes with a little bit of garlic, or chives, or any preferred garnish. Traditional baked potatoes get a crispy skin if they’re brushed with a little bit of olive oil prior to baking. According to culinary experts at Texas Hill Country Olive Co., the smooth texture and rich mouthfeel of olive oil renders it the perfect additive to potatoes.

Baking Up Winning Recipes With Texas Olive Oil

While cornbread is a popular addition to meals throughout the year, cornbread can be fancied up with the addition of olive oil, and a few finishing touches. For a spicy southwestern take on classic cornbread, Texas Hill Country Olive Co.’s bakers recommend swapping butter for jalapeno infused olive oil, and adding sliced jalapenos into the batter after mixing. For a Mediterranean feel, incorporate olive oil with fresh olives and capers.

Texas olive oil doesn’t have to be reserved only for savory baking recipes. Chocolate olive oil cake combines the rich and decadent texture of chocolate with the smooth mouthfeel of olive oil. This creates a perfectly balanced, yet interesting, cake recipe. Lemon also compliments olive oil beautifully, so feel free to substitute butter for olive oil in any zesty lemon recipe for a bold new take on dessert. For adventurous bakers, consider a base vanilla olive oil cake, and go wild with additions. From nuts to dried fruits, the possibilities are deliciously endless.

Final Thoughts

Olive oil is an incredibly versatile ingredient and lends flavor, aroma, and richness to any finished product. Most Thanksgiving recipes rely on such schematics, making the meal a rich, filling, and classic culinary experience. Many traditional Thanksgiving recipes call for the use of butter, shortening, or other relatively high-fat ingredients. To make the holiday healthier, and incorporate new tastes, consider switching to Texas olive oil. For the professionals at Texas Hill Country Olive Co., olive oil is the secret weapon to a successful Thanksgiving feast.