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Ina Garten's favorite olive oil is flavorful, fruity and only $24 at Amazon
The Barefoot Contessa has been a devotee of California's Olio Santo EVOO for 20+ years: 'I use it for everything.'
Everyone loves Ina Garten. And whether you're looking for a gift for a foodie or just need an expert-approved EVOO for your own kitchen, we highly recommend using the Barefoot Contessa as inspiration. The celebrity chef fell for the light and lovely Olio Santo Extra-Virgin Olive Oil over 20 years ago and has been devoted to it ever since. Now, when her recipes call for "good olive oil," we all know which one she really means. And you're in luck, because Garten's go-to is in stock at Amazon.
This is a light cold-pressed California oil that fans say is tasty enough for fancy recipes and straight-up dips alike, yet affordable enough for everyday meals.
We first learned about Garten's fave after Bon Appetit studied her home studio kitchen (that's where the magic happens) and found it stocked with Olio Santo. The star confessed to the mag: "I like California olive oil better than I like Italian. It's fruitier. It doesn't have that little turpentine-y edge, or bitterness from the olives. I use it for everything. I use it for sautéing. I use it for dipping. I use it for finishing a salad.
"My favorite one is Olio Santo," she continued. "I would say I've been using it for the 20 years that I've been writing cookbooks, but probably long before that too."
Olio Santo can be used on salads, in cooking or as a finishing oil, or enjoyed simply with a fresh baguette. This oil is so versatile that Garten called it one of the seven staple ingredients every home chef should have in their cupboards. Each bottle is now harvest-dated, so you can be assured that you're getting the freshest possible oil.
Amazon shoppers love this oil too. It's constantly selling out, and over 800 shoppers give it a five-star rating.
"This olive oil is fantastic! Perfect for your favorite Italian recipes," said one customer. "It also makes a great dipping oil. Just add some herbs and perhaps some parmesan cheese. This oil is worth every penny."
"I tried this EVOO because Ina Garten recommended it, said it was her favorite," shared another fan. "And I have to say, I do love it. Many EVOOs have a bitter taste at the end. Since this one is pricey, I save it for a dip along with a balsamic glaze for bread. I also use it in salad dressings."
Another impressed reviewer also took the tip from Ina and has been obsessed ever since: "It surpassed my expectations!" the shopper wrote. "I love the aroma, I love the taste and I'm so happy I bought it."
A final reviewer said that while the quality is good, the olive oil is a bit "too mild for my taste." They continued: "I like a bold, grassy taste with a little peppery after-kick in my EVOO."
Can't make your own olive oil? Say it with us: Store-bought is fine.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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