I have heard that you can cook with Coconut Oil, is this true and if so, in what ways?
There are many ways that you can us Coconut Oil when cooking in the kitchen. You can:
- Bake with it
- Fry with it
- Roast with it
- Flavour with it
- Spread with it
Will cooking with Coconut Oil cause it to become hydrogenated and toxic like hydrogenated oils?
Definitely not. Hydrogenation is an industrial process where hydrogen molecules are introduced to the oil to make it solid at room temperatures. This process chemically alters the oil turning it into harmful trans fatty acids. Cooking with coconut oil definitely does not introduce hydrogen into the oil or hydrogenate it. Coconut oil is a very stable oil even at higher temperatures. However, it is best not to cook beyond the smoke point of coconut oil, which is 350F/1777C. Heating oil to the point where the oil begins to smoke produces toxic fumes and harmful free radicals, the oil and it turns yellow. The oil should not be used once it has turned dark yellow.
Can I use Coconut Oil as a butter substitute?
Most definitely and it is much healthier. Use a cup to cup ratio when replacing it in recipes for butter. When solid you can use it easily for greasing pans, pie crusts and such. In its liquid form, it is ideal for baking, cooking and sautéing.
Why is coconut oil good for baking?
Coconut Oil is usually sold in a solid state. Although it is 92% saturated fat, it is still a good fat due to its makeup. It is the type of fat that contains the strong bonds that are resistant to higher temperatures and this makes coconut oil safer to cook and bake with and less likely to attract free radicals. Scones, cupcakes and such will have a much lighter consistency than cooking with butter and of course that wonderful coconut taste. If you want to reduce the coconut tate, then just substitute half the butter for coconut oil.
How do I bake with coconut oil?
To use Coconut Oil as a dairy-free butter substitute, use the ratio of1 cup to 1 cup when replacing butter in recipes with coconut oil. Do the same with lard and in its solid form you can use for greasing pans, pie crusts, etc. Healthy substitute to butter spread on bread or to fry an egg. Same when following a recipe, just use the same amounts as the recipe states only substituting the coconut oil for the other oil or butter. Use Coconut oil at room temperature for flaky baked products. Melt coconut oil and use it in its liquid state to replace vegetable oil and butter. Always keep in mind that Coconut Oil will mix well when the rest of your ingredients are at room temperature or it will solidify into clumps quickly.
Will Coconut Oil work okay on vegetables?
It works wonderfully on your vegetables. Roast your potatoes, beets and such as normal. Make up a mixture of lemon juice, rosemary, salt and pepper together with coconut oil. Pour over or mix into your vegetables fro a wonderful addition to pep up your dish.
What about Coconut Oil for my salad?
The addition of coconut oil to any salad dressing will give it a little lift and a wonderful aroma. Try mixing up half melted coconut oil to half olive oil. Hmmm! Makes a wonderful dressing. Add it to your homemade mayonnaise and watch those smiles.