I just want to point out that saying that strong EVOO has the potential to overpower delicately flavored meat" is a far cry from saying that "all it does is suck the flavor out of meat." The first statement is accurate; the second one is incorrect (not to mention hyperbolic).
Kristen, I was assuming the "suck the flavor out of meat" phrasing wasn't literal, rather exaggerated semantics for effect - her in laws' way of emphasizing that the OO drowned out/overwhelmed the flavor of the meat. (A rather creative one, I think! ;) Along the lines of calling a chilly room an "icebox," or a fatty dessert "a heart attack on a plate," and so on.
I would have to agree with previous answers. It won't take the flavor out, but if the meat lacks flavor and they get a strong OO, it will potentially overpower the meat.
Olive oil can vary from lightly flavored to very pungent (even slightly bitter.) It sounds like they probably used too assertive an OO to cook a delicately flavored meat - like chicken breast or some veal, or whatever low flavor cut. Possibly they used a really strong EVOO...I'm tempted to say a cheap one, though price isn't always an indication of flavor with olive oil. (If they're used to cooking with a very neutral oil, it probably seemed even more overwhelming.)
After I told my parent in laws about olive oil that brings good flavor in ground beef. Father in law seemed interested. Then they visited me and told my husband in front of me that olive oil does nothing but suck out flavor of meat flavor.
10 Comments
You make the call.