From the French, a Better Olive Oil, Ready to Spread and Eat The French have figured out how to get olive oil into a creamy state that can be spread on bread or toast. The secret is the addition of monoglycerides, emulsifiers that give the oil its smooth, semisolid texture. A L’Olivier makes the spreads, which have no trans fats, in four styles: plain with a bit of green olive bite; garlic and herb, which is perfect for making garlic bread; deeply herbaceous basil; and lemon, my favorite, with a delicious bright flavor. A dollop of any of these would be a nice last-minute addition to a plate of pasta. They come in 3.6-ounce tubs for $6.98 at Zabar’s, $7.99 at Garden of Eden and $8.50 at A. L. Bazzini