Cooking Oils

I often get asked what oils are best and healthiest to cook with so here are my top tips-

1. Never cook with cheap canola/sunflower oils.
2. Use Olive oil or coconut oil for cooking-especially if you have high cholesterol or heart issues. Coconut Oil contains medium chain triglycerides and no cholesterol so it wont elevate bad cholesterol-your LDL's. Olive oil is the cornerstone of the mediteranean diet which has been proven to lower your risk of heart disease.
3. Only use rapeseed oil if you suffer with a sluggish bowel or constipation-it can have a laxative effect.
4. Extra virgin olive oil is for dressings only-too low a smoke point for shallow frying with ie.it will burn.
5. If you do HAVE TO deep fry please throw out the oil afterwards. Once used once the oild will contain free radicals that can cause ill health.
6. If baking use coconut oil for making cakes,flapjacks and buns instead of butter.
7. Use sesame oil as a seasoning for dishes especially asian cuisine(it is in my satay recipe on www.facebook.com/taramcanning).
8. Keep your cooking oils away from direct sunlight, as it can cause rancidity.
9. Never!!!use margarines-they contain hydrogenated or trans fats which are extremely toxic-even in baking...

Coconut Oil is solid at room temperature

The better the quality of olive oil the stronger the smell of olives.