Monday, October 3, 2011

All you need to know about oils


Oops! I am not about to bore you with those hydrocarbons. Although I am in oil and gas industry but I am not going to talk about that oil.. I have received an interesting article on oils that are closer to us - our stomachs.

Gone are the days when all you had to do was choose between sunflower or olive oil. Now it seems you can buy the oil from just about every plant, nut or seed out there but should we be adding them to our stir fries or drizzling them over our salads?

Find out at a glance guide to 9 of the best.

Best oils to cook with

Top rated - rapeseed oil
Rapeseed oil contains omegas 3, 6 and 9, essential fatty acids so it's great for heart health, brain health and joint mobility. It is also a rich, natural source of vitamin E — essential for healthy skin and a strong immune system. High in mono-unsaturated fats and with less than half the cholesterol raising, saturated fats of olive oil.. it is one of the few natural oils that can be heated to deep-frying temperature without its antioxidants, character, colour and flavour spoiling. In short, one of the best oils there is and what's more — some of the very best rapeseed oils are produced right here (the clue) in Britain.

Best all rounder - olive oil
Olive oil is a great source of heart protecting, cholesterol lowering, monounsaturated fat as well as free radical fighting antioxidants known to protect the body against premature aging and cancer. It can be used to cook with up to temperatures of 180 degrees and is mild enough in flavour to be used with most dishes. However, extra virgin olive oil (the oil that is extracted from the first press) is not quite so stable so it is best used cold.

Best for tight budgets - sunflower oil
Cheap, easy to find and a great source of the free radical fighting antioxidant - vitamin E. In fact, just 1-2 tablespoons contains all your daily requirement. It is also a good source of cholesterol reducing omega 6 polyunsaturates. However, it contains very few omega 3's so if you use sunflower oil regularly, you need to be sure you're getting enough omega 3s in your diet from other sources to balance things out. A chemically stable oil, it is suitable for deep-frying but don't be tempted to re-use the oil more than a couple of times as re-heating it to high temperatures can result in the formation of trans fatty acids known to raise cholesterol and increase the incidence of some cancers.

Best for high temperatures - groundnut oil
Ground nut oil — sometimes called peanut oil has a high smoking point making it ideal roasting, making Yorkshire puddings or frying. It is an excellent all-rounder and has a very neutral, light flavour perfect for use in oriental dishes that often combine quite delicate flavours. Do be careful though as this oil is made from peanuts so anyone with a nut allergy should steer well clear.

Best for adding flavour - sesame oil
Another great source of cholesterol lowering omega 6 fatty acids light sesame oil can be used for deep frying and the dark or heavy sesame oil (made from roasted sesame seeds) adds a delicious rich flavour to stir-fried meats or vegetables. Used a lot in oriental dishes it's rich flavour works as a seasoning in itself.

Best for rice dishes - avocado oil
Avocado oil has very little if any omega three fatty acids but it is a great source of monounsaturated fats and is also rich in skin enhancing vitamin E. It has a slightly nutty flavour that is delicious drizzled over salads or rice dishes. However, it can also be used to cook with as it has a higher smoking point than many oils so it's fine to grill, sauté or stir-fry with it.

Best oils for dressings, drizzling and dipping
Top rated - walnut oil
A delicious, aromatic, nutty oil that is a good source of omega three fatty acids and tastes delicious (used as a dip along side a good balsamic vinegar) as a dip for freshly torn, warm breads for warm breads. It's also great for drizzling over salads and risottos and goes really well with white fish, meat, mozzarella and goat's cheese. However, this oil tends to become bitter when cooked and can go off very quickly so buy in small quantities and store in a cool, dark place.

Best for vegetarians - linseed oil
Linseed oil is a much richer source of omega 3 than any other oil and a great choice for strict vegetarians who need to get omega 3 fatty acids solely from plant foods. Omega three fatty acids help to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, increase concentration (particularly in children), alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and they may also help prevent Alzheimer's. Linseed oil however, is not suitable for cooking as heat can make it taste bitter and it can quickly become rancid if it is not stored correctly (in a cool dark place). Studies show that if this happens the benefits are negated and possibly reversed.

Best for drizzling - hazelnut oil
Hazelnut oil is a great source of Vitamin E which helps to maintain a heart health, good skin, a healthy reproductive system and a strong immune system. Fairly pricey and not so readily available as many other oils it is worth seeking out either from your local health food store or on line to drizzle over salads, rice dishes or fresh pasta adding a delicious, subtle, nutty flavour.

This post was uploaded from an article from my e-mail group posted by Zubia Kiran.

Now you may wonder why our own beloved coconut oil and our palm oil are not listed here.. your guess is as good as mine.. this article was probably written by those who do not appreciate our palm oils... Yes! it is from Britain ;)

It is not that I am not patriotic or something .. I am too busy trying to find the other oil.

Have a good day.


22 comments:

Cat-from-Sydney said...

Ayoh Wang,
Bakpe minyok dagu takdok dalang list? Saje nok usik tuh! Sebenarnya apa minyak pun kalau excessive use akan jadi mudarat. Even the one you're busy finding, kan? purrr....meow!

Sir Pök Déng said...

Minyak lintah is good too! To be sprinkled on our batang buruk.

Kah! Kah! Kah! Kah!

Anyway I never tasted other kinds of oils. Thinking about buying a small bottle of olive oil. Nok terai jugok rasa guana olive oil tu.

The Tea Drinker said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_oil

might want to look at the oil with 92% saturated fat. coconut oil!

nasi lemak should really be banned. hehe.

Al-Manar said...

Bila Ayah Wang dah naik minyak, watch out!

Wan Sharif said...

CfS Dearest,
Minyok dagu takdok dalang list - kerana list tu list minyok makan.. Orang kata minyak dagu untuk memikat orang, betul ke?
You were right.. any excessive use of any oil can be detrimental to health..
Praise be to the Almighty who has made "excessiveness" as one of bad virtue.

Wan Sharif said...

Minyak lintah is reputed to be good for batang buruk. I have not tried this.. Kah! Kah! Kah! Kah!

Olive oil is mentioned in our Book.. in the verse .. that meant Light above light etc... in AnNUr.
Like honey.. some Muslim also believed olive tree and its derivatives are full of goodness (Baraqah).

Wan Sharif said...

TTD dearest,
I did not have time to fully document the coconut and palm oils.. Guess that the coconut oil is not too good for health..
Nasi lemak should be banned!? No.. NO.. Our government will not do that if they do not want to lose few hundreds if not thousands of precious votes..
We can not do that.. banned meant haramkan.. Mengharamkan yang halal.. oii tak boleh.. tak boleh.. membahayakan agama.
Moderation ..my dear.. moderation is the key word.
P/s I have difficulty to drop any comment on your latest and very interesting post..

Wan Sharif said...

Dearest Bang Hassan,
Ayah Wang naik minyak?! bila temmu ngan "orang minyak" yang sedang berbogel dan mengamalkan ilmu hitam..
Watch out..I am gearing up for EidulAdha's balik kampung.. if my son MMU's and my family's schedule are not too tight then..
Oops! the rig have moved from my previous well location to my new well location.. Eidul Adha is 35 days away.. the well will be reaching its drilling's objectives.. Argh.. will I have enough sleep to make it to your NURI.. InsyAllah, I will try if you are going to be celebrating the Eid in Seberang Maras..

Anonymous said...

now we r done with oils, why not try defining cheese pulak..

School Of Tots said...

Ambo paka minyak kasturi
Harum semerbak sesuai ke surau.

Lee said...

Hi Wan Sharif, Many of the oils you mentioned are exported from Canada. Rapeseed or Canola....
Like a sea of yellow.....
Yes, these are good oils.
Same time I drink Chinese green tea to get rid of the oil so don't exceed my already 205 pounds weight.

Best oil for bila isteri naik angin?
Minyak chap kapak. Ha ha ha.
Have a nice day.
Lee.

Coffee Girl said...

Ok ive never heard of rapeseed oil before, nor linseed oil. Thank you! This is very informative! And i take extra virgin olive oil a teaspoon a day before brushing teeth for cholesterol lowering and vein-cleansing. doctor recommended.

Mulan said...

ada olive oil & sesame oil.. corn oil & sawit oil pon ada..

gamat oil utk sapu2 kalo lenguh.. hehehe...

Wan Sharif said...

Dear Anon..
To try defining cheese.. oh it might be a tad difficult for me.. for I am not a lover of cheese.. back in 1983 when I happen to visit a house famous for its cheese.. (native and available only) in Southern France. My Trengganu smell buds could not stand the exquisite (?) tangy smell of that particular cheese and that is one of my not so fortunate adventure with cheese..

Wan Sharif said...

Sot Dearest,
Demo ambik manno minyak kasturi ?
Pasal kasturi mempunyai bau yang disenangi Rasullullah.
Malang bagi saya orang rumah saya kurang menyenangi dengan wangi2an.
Berbotol botol atar tersimpan kaku di rumah saya.

Wan Sharif said...

Brother Lee Dearest
Many of the oils mentioned are exported from Canada!.
Then what I have posted is nothing new to you..
I am making note to myself on these good oils.
You drink Chinese green tea to get rid of the oil! … that’s a good tip.
The Arabs, I heard, consumed lime after meals for that and today I heard if you get fish bone stuck in your throat.. you can try to use lime (citric acid) to soften the bone..
Minyak chap kapak is the best oil for bila isteri naik angin?. Have to remember this tip..
I normally waste “minyak petrol” taking my bike around the housing estate to let the wind to settle down.. ha ha ha

Wan Sharif said...

Coffee Girl Dearest,
You are very welcomed should you find the post - very informative!
Your Doctor asked you to take extra virgin olive oil a teaspoon a day before brushing teeth for cholesterol lowering and vein-cleansing.. this is an extremely good tip.. thank you for sharing your life experience..

Wan Sharif said...

MULAN Dearest,
Macam macam foreign cooking oil ada..
Mmmm.. Ayoh Wang use gamat oil for small cut or abrasion. Kadang kadang ada orang nasihat suruh minum minyak gamat..aa yang ni Ayoh Wang terlupa kenapa..

Kama At-Tarawis said...

yohwang, olive oil saya guna skali skala untuk memasak.. mahaaaal! saya patriotik sokmo-sokmo, thus banyok pakai minyak kelapa sawit for cooking.

Wan Sharif said...

Lady Kama Dearest,
Saya pun terlebih patriotik tak pernah guna minyak masak selain minyak kelapa sawit. Dalam perkara ini saya banyak bergantung kepada pilihan Mok Wang.. puteh kata dia puteh lah kata saya:D

Diana said...

Ayoh Wang, orang Morocco dop tumis pakai olive oil, carcinogenic katanya.. kalu pakai sejuk gaul dalam salad dop ape..

Wan Sharif said...

Diana dearest,
Olive oil is one of the oil specifically mentioned inThe Book. To me it must be something special.. But I could not swallow sardine in olive oil.. My throat or rather sense of taste may be too used to sardine in tomato sauce..;).
May the new year brings you and yours nearer to Allah's Pleasure, Magfirah, Rahmah, Nikmah and His Blessing :))