Here, Howard shares some of the most fascinating kitchen discoveries she’s made—many of which changed the way she thinks about food. How to select a good olive oilIt’s easy to assume the best olive oil comes from Europe or that a higher price always means better quality. When shopping, she advises choosing olive oil in an opaque container, which protects it from light, and looking for a harvest date on the label. Finally, she says domestic olive oil can be just as good as European options. The rice helps clear out lingering spices and turns into a flavorful powder that carries whatever spices were left behind.