Today's Obsession: Spray Olive Oil

Yes, I'm typically a deciple of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spray (I have popcorn issues). That just made my discovery of Filippo Berio Olive Oil spray that much more exciting.

Although I am aware that any Bed Bath & Beyond sells olive oil misting devices, I am also an impulse shopper of sorts. Spray olive oil wasn't something I was looking for per se, so I didn't exactly weigh options. I found that the Berio version was affordable and a good idea. I was sold.

Olive Oil contains the much discussed "good fat" monounsaturated fat, which helps control LDL ("bad fat") choleseterol and increasing the good stuff. However, it still packs in some hefty calories. It clocks in at about 120 calories per tablespoon. I, like many others, blind myself to this fact, only hearing "it's good for you, add more" while cooking. Needless to say, I get carried away and often nullify the health benefits of both the olive oil and the food I'm cooking.

The olive oil spray makes me much more aware of my flawed cooking style. It makes it much easier to control my oil usage. This is especially handy when I'm cooking fish, which I tend to do much more often these days. I allows you to use olive oil both as a flavoring and and adhesive. So my food doesn't end up oily, but my seasonings have something to cling to. This way I can avoid that nasty dry spice crust that occurs (especially when broiling).

I find this little grocery gem indispensable when grilling (I'm an all-season griller). Sure, olive oil flares like crazy, but I have enough control with this baby that I can spray food while on the grill. Even though I've gotten the eyebrow-saving leap down to an art, I don't have to worry so much about burning my deck down (but really, don't attempt this unless you're uber familiar with your grill).