Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Pepper, Ginger & Thyme Soup
With Halloween just around the corner, what better excuse to make the most of pumpkin season.
For generations, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been the cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking, prized for its flavour, aroma and health benefits. At The Governor, our early‑harvest, high‑phenolic EVOO brings bright, grassy freshness and a peppery finish that enhances everything from quick sautés to slow roasts.
Baked Feta with Autumn Figs, Pears and Walnuts
These gorgeous pears came straight from my mum’s pear tree, so I wanted to put them to good use!
Tandoori-Roasted Cauliflower and Carlin Bean Salad with Kumquats, Crispy Kale, and Coconut.
Warming tandoori-spiced cauliflower, sweet-sharp kumquats, crunchy roasted kale, toasted coconut and crispy carlin beans.
The Governor's Kitchen Cookbook
£24.99
If you have purchased a bottle of our EVOO but need help incorporating it into your daily diet, then this book is for you!
The Governor's Kitchen is a collection of over 60 of my healthy, delicious and well-balanced recipes. Learn how Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Cooking with the superfood of the Mediterranean brings exceptional taste and a wealth of health benefits. These recipes celebrate EVOO's versatility and how this kitchen staple can transform something simple into a taste sensation.
Enjoyed by my whole family, there are vibrant and flavourful salads, soups, plant-based mains, fish and meat dishes, and some healthier treats, all nutritionally supercharged with our 'Governor' extra virgin olive oil.
The Governor's Kitchen Book is available for purchase through found.us.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Cooking
Why cook with extra virgin olive oil?
Extra virgin olive oil is far more than a finishing touch or something to dip your bread in. Thanks to its natural antioxidants, known as polyphenols, it stands up beautifully to heat and brings both flavour and nutrition to your cooking. Opting for a high-phenolic EVOO means you get a richer taste and an oil that keeps its goodness even when the temperature rises, making it a smart choice for everyday meals.
Key benefits:
- Rich flavour: Fresh green, fruity notes and a pleasant peppery kick.
- Nutrient retention: Hand‑harvested, cold‑extracted oils keep their natural antioxidants.
- Cooking stability: Phenolic compounds support stability throughout the process of sautéing, roasting and even deep‑frying.
- Health benefits: EVOO contains anti‑inflammatory polyphenols and heart‑healthy fats.
How The Governor tastes and performs
Our oils come from Corfu’s Lianolia olives, picked early to retain high polyphenol levels. Expect a strong aroma, grassy fruitiness and balanced pungency, a profile that holds up in the pan and shines when drizzled over finished dishes.
How to use high‑phenolic olive oil
- Daily serving suggestion: Around 20g (roughly 2 tablespoons) a day is associated with health benefits for very high‑phenolic oils; 1 tablespoon can be sufficient.
- Cooking methods: Sautéing, roasting, pan‑frying and even shallow frying are all suitable. Use higher volumes or longer heating times with care, but rest assured EVOO performs well in most recipes.
- Finishing touch: For salads, soups and grilled vegetables, a final drizzle of The Governor elevates flavour and aroma.
Cooking with EVOO
It’s a common myth that EVOO has a low smoke point and so isn’t suitable for cooking. In fact, high-quality EVOO typically has a smoke point between 190 °C and 230 °C (≈ 375 °F to 450 °F), which safely covers many everyday home-cooking methods.
Here’s how EVOO performs over different kitchen techniques:
- Sautéing / pan-frying (≈ 160 °C-190 °C / 320-375 °F): Perfectly suited for EVOO, the oil’s profile enhances flavour whilst retaining its beneficial fats.
- Oven-roasting / baking (≈ 160 °C-190 °C): Again, safely within EVOO’s usable range. Ideal for vegetables, fish or meats when you want great flavour and health benefit.
- Deep-frying (≈ 175 °C-190 °C / 350-375 °F): It’s possible with EVOO, though due to cost and usefulness, many people reserve this for occasional use rather than daily frying.
- Stir-frying/high-heat methods (≈ 200 °C-230 °C / 400-450 °F): This pushes the top end of EVOO’s safe range. With constant movement and good ventilation, it can be used, but care is needed.
This makes EVOO a better choice than refined seed oils, which are chemically processed and stripped of valuable compounds.
Storing your olive oil
Keep your EVOO away from heat and light. Store bottles in a cool, dark cupboard away from the oven and windows. For our premium oils, keep them in the protective box to preserve freshness and flavour.
Recipes & inspiration
Explore our favourite ways to cook with EVOO: from bright dressings and quick sautés to comforting soups and weekend roasts. Visit our Recipes section for step‑by‑step ideas and seasonal inspiration.
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