All articles
Recipes

Manos Lince Special Feature

Extra virgin olive oil in everyday life: small gestures, great flavours

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the simplest yet most important ingredients in Portuguese cuisine. It features in traditional dishes, quick meals, shared starters and the little touches that make food taste better.

With Manos Lince extra virgin olive oil, every drizzle adds balance, aroma and character to the dish.

Manos Lince3 min de leitura
Manos Lince
A rustic Portuguese table with Alentejo bread, fresh cheese, ripe tomatoes, a simple salad and olive oil being served.

To start a meal

One of the purest ways to enjoy olive oil is with bread. Alentejo bread, mixed-grain bread or toasted bread take on a whole new dimension when accompanied by a good extra virgin olive oil.

All you need is a small plate, a drizzle of olive oil and, if you like, a pinch of fleur de sel. It’s a simple starter, but full of flavour.

In fresh salads

In salads, olive oil should enhance the ingredients without overpowering them. It pairs particularly well with ripe tomatoes, lettuce, rocket, onion, cucumber, fresh cheese and aromatic herbs.

For a simple dressing, combine extra virgin olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt and pepper. The result is fresh, balanced and natural.

With boiled or roasted vegetables

Simple vegetables can be transformed into a more complete dish with a drizzle of olive oil at the end. Potatoes, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, pumpkin, courgettes or peppers become richer and more aromatic.

In roasted vegetables, olive oil helps to add texture, shine and flavour. Just before serving, a small extra drizzle enhances the dish even further.

For fish and cod

Grilled fish, roasted cod, octopus, sardines and sea bream pair naturally with olive oil. It can be used before cooking, during preparation or just at the end.

In dishes such as ‘cod à lagareiro’ or ‘Lagareiro-style octopus’, olive oil is more than just an ingredient: it is an essential part of the recipe.

In soups and creams

A drizzle of olive oil before serving a soup or purée adds aroma and smoothness. It works very well in vegetable soup, pumpkin purée, caldo verde, tomato soup or açorda.

It is a simple touch, but one that can enhance both the presentation and the flavour.

In soups and creams

A drizzle of olive oil before serving a soup or purée adds aroma and smoothness. It works very well in vegetable soup, pumpkin purée, caldo verde, tomato soup or açorda.

It is a simple touch, but one that can enhance both the presentation and the flavour.

Conclusion

Using extra virgin olive oil in everyday life doesn’t require complicated recipes. You just need to know when to add it and let it bring the dish to life.

At the table, Manos Lince olive oil complements the essentials: good ingredients, simple meals and shared moments.

A Manos Lince story, shaped by its origins, time and high standards.