Olive oil — and especially extra-virgin-olive oil — in addition to ts superb flavor, also boasts many health benefits. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat (the good kind) and has antioxidant properties. It reduces heart disease, controls cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, prevents colon cancer, and the list goes on.
So naturally, we were quite happy to oblige when Martinis offered to let us sample their newest line of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Our families and guests devoured it all; we loved the robust flavor of olive oil pressed from Kalamata olives, and the balsamic vinegars were also outstanding, especially the 12-year aged syrupy balsamic vinegar. You may recognize the Martinis name from bottles of olive oil and Kalamata olives at Trader Joe’s. Their newest line is called Agape Martinis, a premium private reserve line of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 25% of all sales this month at the Agape Martinis website will be donated to MarchForHaiti, a fundraising project to support earthquake victims in Haiti. The Agape line is available only online and is not sold in stores at this time.
Agape Martinis has graciously offered a gift set of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and olives valued at $100, to be given away to our readers. All you need to do to enter this drawing is to comment below, telling us your favorite uses of olive oil. The winner will be chosen randomly among all comment submissions received by midnight PST on April 15, 2010.
In addition to our gift prize here, you can also enter Agape’s own separate giveaway at Agape Martinis.
Good luck, and here’s to healthy cooking with olive oil!