Olive Oil goes Southern!

When you think of using oils or fats in your cooking do you still think of plain ol' vegetable oil, shortening, butter, and (gulp!) the dreaded lard? Well, those things may still have their places rare occasions, but it is time to become of a part of the olive oil revolution, if you haven't already. I, like many others, have been cooking with olive oil for years. Also known as sweet oil, olive oil reportedly has many healthful properties and, I can say from experience, lends a lovely flavor to savory dishes. If you want to be true to your Southern roots and still use a luscious olive oil, I have the solution for you. Not long ago at a wonderful market (Poppies) in Brevard, NC, I tasted an olive oil that is bottled in, of all places, North Carolina. It truly is the best olive oil I've tasted. The brand is Theros, and the website is http://www.therosoliveoil.com/. The family who makes the oil, as I understand it, has a family olive grove in Greece. The oil is extracted there and then bottled and sold in NC with the help of a local culinary school's kitchen. The taste can't be beat and the product is the most local olive oil I know about. So check out the website and see if there is a retailer near you (pssst --- you can also order online). Then grab a loaf of bread, tear off a hunk, and start dipping. Of course, it is great for cooking, too! And next time you're in Brevard, NC, go to Poppies market for other great finds!

Do you have a great cooking find to share or a product you would like us to review? Send us an email - thesoutherndish@gmail.com.