Everyone loves Ina Garten. And whether you're looking for a Valentine's Day 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 cooking star fell for the light, 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 — which often sells out — is back in stock at Amazon. (It'll arrive by Feb. 14 for Prime members who order soon!)
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This is a light, cold-pressed California oil that fans say is tasty enough for fancy recipes and straight-up dips alike.
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."
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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 you're getting the freshest possible oil.
For over two decades, Ina Garten has been cooking up a glorious storm with Olio Santo. (Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Amazon shoppers love this oil too. It's constantly flying off the (virtual) shelves, and hundreds of 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."
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Another impressed reviewer also took the tip from Ina and has been obsessed ever since: "It surpassed my expectations!" wrote the shopper. "I love the aroma, I love the taste and I'm so happy I bought it."
A fourth buyer 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."
"This is a wonderful finishing oil," raved a final reviewer. "Wonderful for salad dressings and pastas." That said, they also wrote, "Too expensive to use in a pan for cooking."
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Can't make your own olive oil? Say it with us: Store-bought is fine.
P.S. Here's another Food Network star-approved oil:
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Italian cooking queen Giada De Laurentiis reaches for this bottle of liquid gold, which is made from olives grown in Argentina. She told Bon Appetit that she uses Lucini on "almost everything," including salads and even her morning oatmeal. "There's no such thing as too much olive oil," she says.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
