Lots of people are doing much more cooking at home these days, but are still relying on the same cooking oils to get the job done, like butter, mustard oil, olive oil, and others. Those are marvelous oils, of course, and very versatile in the kitchen. But why limit yourself? There are plenty of other edible oils on the market that offers you different flavors, oils that can be used for baking, salad dressings, and drizzling over veggies and other dishes. The sky’s the limit! But all oils have different chemical compositions, which means one may be great for getting frying, but a different one is needed for a light, zingy salad dressing.
Mustard Oil:
“Sarson” or mustard is at the centre of Indian cuisine. Mustard oil can be seen on the grocery list of all Indian families. It is an essential item for all Indian households and some foods taste better when cooked in mustard oil. It is the 2nd most important oil seed in India after groundnut.
The oil is reddish yellow in color with a strong aroma, intense flavor and tangy taste. Mustard oil is rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Cold pressed mustard oil is quite stable at high temperatures making it ideal for cooking and even deep frying.
Uses of Mustard Oil:
deep frying
Stir frying, shallow frying
treating muscle aches and body pain
Coconut oil, contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and is one of the richest sources of lauric acid.
MCTs are directly absorbed in the small intestines without undergoing any modification during digestion. For this reason it can be used as a primary source of energy for children, especially those suffering from malnutrition or any problems related to the digestive system.
The fats in coconut oil are cardio-protective, meaning they do not cause any heart-related diseases and do not increase blood cholesterol levels.
Generally, oils with a smoke point above 2000 C are better suited for frying but as the smoking point of coconut oil is around 1770 C.
Uses of coconut oil are:
Shallow frying
For salad dressings and
For making salad dressings and mayonnaise
Sesame Oil:
sesame oil is well known for being a great source of both mono and polyunsaturated fats, which reduce your risk of heart disease and lower your blood pressure.Sesame seeds are also a great source of vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins: B vitamins are great for providing you with energy and vitamin E is good for your skin
Minerals: iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus are all available in good supply, but zinc and copper are the real powerhouses. They’re both good for your red blood cells, blood circulation and metabolism. Zinc also helps with collagen production and immune function, and copper is also an anti-inflammatory agent.
Antioxidants: these nutrients fight off free radicals that cause inflammation, cancer, aging, and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Uses of Sesame Oil:
baking
roasting/ stir frying
shallow frying
Peanut Oil:
This is occasionally called “groundnut oil,” or “arachis oil,” as it comes from the seeds of the peanut plant. Peanut oil can be sweet, nutty mild, or strong in taste, depending on how it’s processed.
Peanut oil that’s refined has a smoke point of about 435 °F, making it hugely popular with people who use deep fryers. It can take a lot of heat, and has a mild taste, meaning it doesn’t “shed” flavor as much into the food being fried in it.
deep frying
Stir fry and sautéing
Almond Oil:
The uses of almond oil in cosmetics and therapeutics are not new to us. But many are still doubtful regarding the use of almond oil in cooking. Definitely, it can be used in baking, frying goodies and salad dressing. Also, this nut oil has monounsaturated fatty acids that help lower cholesterol. Also, almond oil is low in sodium. It is surely a healthier substitute to salted butter and shortening in baking. Because of its high calorie count, using 1 tablespoon of almond oil for cooking or serving food yields 120 calories.
Uses of Almond Oil:
baking
stir frying
skin
Walnut Oil:
Cold-pressed walnut oil: This is the most expensive kind. It’s made by grinding walnuts into a paste and pressing the paste to separate the oil and solids. Because the walnuts are never heated, this is the least bitter in taste. Cold-pressed walnut oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to promote healthy skin.
Uses of Walnut Oil:
salad dressing
sautéing
can be used to massage skin and eyes
Sunflower oil is obtained by pressing the seeds of the sunflower plant.
Sunflower is an excellent source of Vitamin E, many other nutrients, and some essential fatty acids which are considered to be beneficial for the skin, and hair and help to treat sleep disorders in children.
Sunflower contains an amino acid named tryptophan which is converted to melatonin in the body. Melatonin is the hormone that helps children to sleep peacefully.
Uses of Sunflower Oil:
Stir-frying
Sautéing and as
Salad dressing
The health properties of virgin / extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are attributed to the fatty acid, vitamin and polyphenolic compounds found in it.
Consumption of virgin olive oil by mothers during pregnancy boosts the newborn baby’s immune system and helps against inflammatory diseases in the early stages of life.
Olive oil also has been shown to promote brain development due to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in it.
The vitamins in olive oil are vitamins A, D, and Vitamin A is important for healthy eyes, vitamin D is for healthy bones and E is for healthy skin and hair in children.
Some studies have shown that the consumption of olives during childhood reduces the risk of developing diseases like obesity and heart disease during adulthood.
Uses of Olive Oil:
Baked foods
Mayonnaise
Finger snacks and even
Shallow fried snacks
