Oils are primarily made up of fats and contain neither protein nor carbohydrates. This is because extracting oil removes all other macronutrients, leaving only the fatty acids behind. So, no cooking oils have any level of protein worth writing home about. In fact, only a couple of fats have trace amounts, which are butter and bacon fat. Both contain only 0.1 grams of protein per tablespoon! Is Cooking Oil [...]
How to Make Your Own Margarine (Vegan Butter)
On the quest to figure out how to make actual margarine at home, I discovered I could not. To make margarine like they have in the supermarket, you would need to be able to hydrogenate oil at home, and as I do not have a science lab, it wasn’t possible. SO! Instead, I made more of a vegan butter, which is better for you anyway, and it turned out really tasty. Much nicer than margarine! There are multiple ways to make [...]
What’s the Best Oil for Baking?
When it comes to baking, there is no one-size-fits-all ‘best’ oil for it. It depends on your recipe and what that might call for. I use butter, animal fats, avocado oil, macadamia oil, and olive oil, and most recently, I’ve started using some vegan butter that I made to see how that works! So why so much versatility when it comes to oils for baking? Let’s talk about it. The Role of Oil in Baking Oil plays a [...]
What’s the Best Cooking Oil for Broiling?
When it comes to broiling, using a neutral oil has its advantages. It allows the flavor of the dish to take center stage, whether you're trying to showcase the natural taste of the ingredients or experimenting with a range of herbs and spices. Avocado and macadamia oil are my personal go-tos for a healthy option, offering both versatility and a subtle taste. However, if you're watching your budget, high-heat canola or [...]
What’s the Best Oil for Deep Frying?
Refined neutral-flavored oils are often used for deep frying due to their high smoke point and subtle taste. These usually come in the form of peanut oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, and canola oil. Avocado oil is also an option, but remember that a larger quantity is required for deep frying, which can be expensive. From a nutritional standpoint, oils rich in saturated and monounsaturated fats are preferable for deep [...]
What’s the Best Oil for Grilling?
Like broiling, grilling is about the seasoning and the flavor of the food or the charcoal grill. Usually, I use a neutral flavored oil like avocado for grilling unless I really want the oil flavor of my food to shine (think olive oil for Greek chicken or coconut oil for Thai grilled fish in banana leaf). My personal favorites are avocado oil for an all-around neutral grilling oil, olive oil for mediterranean flavors, and [...]
