The “Gourmet” Olive Oil I’m Tossing With Roasted Potatoes Until Further Notice

A really nice bottle of olive oil is my go-to gourmet gift. Need something special for your salad dressing? Fancy olive oil. Want to level up your basic roasted potatoes? Fancy olive oil. Want to make your ice cream taste restaurant-quality? Fancy olive oil. It just has so many uses.

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I like to gift a flavored olive oil, like Corto’s Agrumato-Method Olive Oil Gift Set, to add a little pizzazz. The duo comes with a Calabrian Chili Olive Oil and Lemon Verbena Olive Oil that you can give together (as intended) or break apart for two small, separate presents.

Calabrian chili olive oil.

Credit: Micki Wagner

What You Should Know About Corto’s Agrumato-Method Olive Oil Gift Set

Corto has made a name for itself selling premium oils, like its Truly Extra Virgin Olive Oil and La Padella Sauté Oil. The Agrumato-Method Olive Oil Gift Set is new to the brand — and the term “agrumato-method” was new to me, so let me explain. Basically, this means that the ingredients are all pressed together to make the oil, instead of infusing the flavorings into the olive oil after pressing, according to Corto’s site. This, the brand says, “creates a sensational, complex, and multi-dimensional flavor experience.”

Each bottle is 500 milliliters (just over two cups) and can be bought separately for $42 each or as a gift set for $80.

Sliced pork tenderloin with roasted carrots, potatoes, and a swirl of cream on a white plate.

Credit: Micki Wagner

My Honest Review of Corto’s Agrumato-Method Olive Oil Gift Set

The intention behind this gift set is that you use the chili oil for savory dishes and the lemon oil for sweet. I’ve used them both for savory plates exclusively, and they’re both delicious that way. Because I love spicy food, I tend to use the chili oil more often. It has a deep, rich red color and a nice subtle heat that complements roasted potatoes well. (I’ll be using it with chicken thighs next!)

The lemon verbena oil is coming for the chili oil’s throne in my kitchen, though. I also love this with roasted potatoes. I’ll toss it with the potatoes before they go into the oven and then give them another little drizzle before serving. With a crack of pepper and sour cream for dipping, it’s my perfect potato flavor combo.

I also made homemade chicken soup recently and added a little drizzle of the lemon oil to finish. It was beautiful, and added a dash of brightness and freshness to the very savory soup.

This olive oil set would be so fun to find under the tree, and it’ll majorly amp up day-to-day cooking. If you want to seriously impress your favorite home cook, grab them a set.

Buy: Corto Agrumato-Method Olive Oil Gift Set, $80 for two (500-mililiter) bottles at Corto

What’s your favorite flavored olive oil? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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