Norman Darlo
Of course everyone has their own preferences in terms of cooking oils, often honed through years of experience. But it seems to me that some cuisines demand a particular approach in this matter. Since I love to cook in styles from many parts of the globe, I don’t have a single favourite, but here are my three most-used oils:
1) EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, pressed exclusively by mechanical means, from the flesh of Greek olives, in Kalamata, southern Greece. This oil is the subject of a “Protected designation of origin” (PDO). To achieve a PDO, a product must be traditionally and entirely manufactured (prepared, processed and produced) within a specific region and thus acquire unique properties.I use this oil whenever preparing any dish inspired by the cuisines of countries bordering the Mediterranean. It’s the only oil I use in salads, where its unique flavour is unmatchable.
2) Cold-pressed Mustard Oil from Bangladesh. I use this oil in preparing any dish inspired by the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. In terms of authenticity, it might be more correct to use ghee (clarified butter) for northern Indian dishes, but for health reasons I prefer to avoid that. This oil has a strong flavour which adds pleasant substance to south Indian vegetarian curries.
3) Cold-pressed Rapeseed oil. This is known as Canola in north America. It is produced from Irish-grown rape and retains a specific flavour, though not as pungent as mustard oil, although they are got from related plants (both are Brassicas). Since, of these three oils, it is the one with the least strong character, I tend to use it for any kind of dish not described above, i.e Chinese, Indonesian, north European, and anything else that takes my fancy.
Now take the poll and tell us…
-
What is your favourite cooking oil?
-
Olive oil
-
Mustard oil
-
Canola/rapeseed oil
-
Sunflower oil
-
Coconut oil
-
Palm oil
-
Ghee/butter
-
Other (please tell us in a comment)
-
Sunflower oil is great as a general all-purpose frying oil, and then I use olive oil for pasta dishes, drizzled over salads, etc. It’s a bit too expensive to use it for all of my cooking!
I use most sunflower and olive oil
Sunflowers must grow a lot in the Balkans, do they?
Olive Oyle. Popeye the Sailorman’s girlfriend.
Aha, I am not the only one who thinks of that when you say olive oil. hahaha
I remember her, sassy gal that she was!
I love Olive oil. I also use vegetable oil. Not tried any of the others.
Oh and butter of course. 🙂
I guess you live in olive oil country!
There is a campsite just over the Mexican Border that I love to camp at, it is in a huge olive grove.
I use the highest sunflower oil for storing food, and olive oil for salads
Sunflower oil seems to be popular in the Balkans. I like that oil when it has the flavour of the seeds 🙂
Love peanut oil as well (Thai Food), but olive oil is the go-to!
I don;t think I ever tasted that. Is its flavour neutral, or does it taste of peanuts?
It has a slight peanut flavor.
Olive oil is my go to. Not sure about these others but I need to try them.
.. and Canola Oil 🙂
Olive oil is the oil closest to my heart, but I find myself using rapeseed (canola) quite often nowadays.