Olive oil goodness

One of the coolest part of my job besides tasting wine all the time is having all sort of samples practically thrown at me. Part of my research for a project is to find amazing products in which you would probably not find anywhere in The City.

Olive oil. Hot commodity. Just like wine, it is highly volatile; sensitive to heat and most of the time people don't tell you the whole truth as to where it comes from and what its comprised of. My entanglement with the Italians grow deeper as I learn more each day.

Since I have a plethora of olive oil in my home, I decided to see how many ways to use this product in the best application. I've got home made olive oil from Calabria, fancy pants cold first press -extra virgin, Spanish olive oil and to throw in the mix your average Trader Joe's -from Greece.

Being a practical woman in this so-called recession, I decided to use the olive oil as part of my beauty regimen. Deep conditioner for my thick curly sometimes unruly mane. Heat olive oil + a squeeze of lemon juice for 30 seconds in microwave, massage into scalp, cover hair with plastic and keep yourself occupied for 30 minutes while your hair soaks the yummy goodness and allow the oil to work its magic. Let me tell you, I had to wash my hair 3x to get the greasiness out. My hair did feel silky soft and I didn't mind too much the faint smell of lemony olive oil. However, the next day I looked like a grease monkey- the funky monkey. Whoa. It was living in the 80's with super mouse in my hair. This treatment is best for the weekend staying home watching movies with someone who doesn't mind a funky monkey.

Research shows that olive oil does wonders for the skin. I have to agree. Rub it on your cuticles, your rough winter feet. Bingo! You're good as new. Olive oil has natural properties that act as an antiseptic and moisturizer. Gently rub the expensive stuff on your face before going to bed. Believe me or not, I have an amazing glow every morning. Thus far, it hasn't clogged my pores. There must be something to it, just look at those beautiful Mediterranean women-their gorgeous hair and skin. Always smiling. Damn, this must be the secret to happiness.

Finally, lets talk about cooking. I decided to make a Blood orange-olive oil cake. Doesn't sound too appealing right?! Let me tell you, this cake I made the other day, fantastico! It's a bit tricky because when you make the batter, it seems too oily, trust me, that's the way it looks, don't be alarmed thinking you measured out something wrong- follow the recipe and if you're not happy with the results you can always doctor it. (*Be sure to use your best olive oil when baking, you can save the Trader Joe stuff for sauteing or marinating items.) 50minutes later you get this beautiful moist cake with a light greenish hue when you cut into it. (the pic doesn't do it justice, I'm still learning to take food shots) mmmm. The essence of the olive oil is ever so captured and the citrus fruits balances the oil factor perfectly. Enjoy it alone, with jam, a fruit compote, please, please don't drown it with ice cream. It would be lost in translation.