“rather an irreplaceable cultural staple in cuisine”
I beg to differ. There
are many alternatives
rather than cooking
with olive oil.
Well, there are the vegetable oils....
But olives are fruits. It’s oil commands a premium.
Then there are the nut oils, like peanut oil.
At the bottom imo is the generic “vegetable oil”.
No, the real bottom is gutter oil. Which I think only seedy restaurants use. That cheap buffet comes at a cost.
You CANNOT substitute quality Olive oil in Gambas al ajillo.
My “bring something to the party” dish.