El arte de maridar aceite de oliva: 5 ideas con tomate

Churros? With chocolate. Grapes? With cheese. Potatoes? With egg. In our gastronomy there are foods that form a perfect tandem. The same happens with the olive oil and tomato, a very well-matched marriage with benefits for your palate… and your body. If you want to master the art of pairing olive oil, don't miss this post in which you will discover why these two ingredients go together so well and how you can take advantage of this pairing in your dishes.

Olive oil and tomato, beyond a tasty combination

The most obvious reason why pairing olive oil with tomato is an ancient custom is its flavor. The natural sweetness of tomatoes finds its counterpart in the slightly spicy and bitter flavor of a good EVOO.. Thus, when enjoyed together, a synergy is created where the flavors intertwine, creating a balanced and complex experience.

But beyond the pure taste pleasure, on a chemical level, This union generates contributions for the body. Keep in mind that tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties. However, as it is fat-soluble, the body's absorption of this substance - responsible for the tomato's characteristic red color - is complex. This is where olive oil comes into play, since the scientific studies have shown that Olive juice facilitates the absorption of the carotenoid, multiplying its antioxidant power. To this synergy we must add that pairing olive oil with tomato also allows you to access the healthy properties of both foods.

How to pair olive oil with tomato

Aware of the benefits of this union, how can you pair olive oil with tomato? There are many recipes that include these two emblems of the Mediterranean diet., from breakfast to dinner. Are you looking for inspiration? We propose five gastronomic ideas.

• Andalusian breakfast. To start the morning with energy, nothing better than a tomato toast with EVOO. You just have to grate the tomatoes, spread them on the slice of bread and drizzle with a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil. We recommend our variety HG Chamomile, which will give it a touch of spiciness to enhance each bite. And if you also add avocado to the toast, you will get a very healthy breakfast.

• Cheese appetizer. If you want to snack before eating, how about an assortment of cheeses? Of course, to achieve a 'top' culinary proposal, accompany the board with a homemade tomato jam topped with quality extra virgin olive oil. Try this snack with EVOO Coupage a mild oil which will highlight the flavors of the cheeses and jam.

• Vegetable starter. Whether to start the agape or if you are looking for a light dinner, opt for a refreshing salad. You don't need to get complicated with the ingredients; with tomato, mozzarella, basil and our EVOO V Centennial, ideal for the most demanding palates, you can prepare a caprese that is as easy to make as it is delicious.

• Main course. One of the advantages of pairing olive oil with tomato is that the enhancing effect of the former on the lycopene of the latter works both raw and in cooked dishes. Therefore, we invite you to make a good sauce with tomato and oil - the Hojiblanca EVOO It would be ideal - and you can integrate it into your meat or fish stews. What do you think of meat with tomato, a marmitako or a Biscayan-style cod?

• Children's menu. We know that pasta is one of the gastronomic proposals that the little ones in the house like the most. In this case, children can also benefit from the alliance between EVOO and tomato with a simple dish of macaroni with tomato sauce and olive oil. You can opt for it Arbequina EVOO, an oil with a very serene flavor suitable for children's palates.

However, take a look at our website. There you can find a complete recipe catalog traditional with EVOO to break the monotony in the kitchen. Even the renowned Michelin Star chef Martín Berasategui has created a exclusive recipe book for Hacienda Guzmán with a selection of dishes with which to learn the art of pairing HG Premium olive oil. Club!