Rapeseed oil – growing in popularity
If you want a healthier cooking oil that tastes great and is really versatile, then make the switch to rapeseed oil. Many people are doing just that, and chefs and foodies are enjoying the culinary and health benefits it offers.
What is rapeseed oil?
Rapeseed oil is extracted from the seeds of rapeseed plants, from the same brassica family as the health enhancing vegetables broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Along with linseed, these are the only oils grown and bottled in the UK.
Different types – what to look out for when shopping for rapeseed oil
There are two types available: standard rapeseed oil, which is often labelled vegetable oil (so make sure to check the labels) and cold-pressed rapeseed oil, which is sometimes labelled premium, virgin or extra-virgin.
Health benefits – why rapeseed oil is a good choice
The oil is celebrated for its health benefits as it has less unhealthy saturated fat than all other cooking oils and fats. It is also high in mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats omega 3, 6 and 9, so can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels as part of a healthy balanced diet – beneficial for heart health. And it is a rich source of vitamin E.
Cooking benefits – rapeseed oil can be used at high temperatures
The oil is not just a nutritional star, but a culinary star too, as you can cook with it at high temperatures without it smoking or burning, so it can be used for roasting and frying. It’s great used cold as well, for salad dressings, sauces and marinades, or for drizzling over pasta and pizza or for simply combining with balsamic vinegar for a delicious dip.
Flavour – rapeseed oil is light and delicate
Rapeseed oil has an incredibly light and delicate flavour so you get the best from the flavours of other ingredients in your dishes. And as different vineyards and different years produce different wines, flavours also vary greatly across different rapeseed oils.
Baking – rapeseed oil is a great substitute for butter
Rapeseed oil can be used instead of butter and other fats in a host of sweet and savoury dishes from cakes and biscuits to soups and casseroles. Try rapeseed oil in a carrot cake and the saturated fat can be reduced by up to 60%, making it a healthier alternative of a family favourite.
RapeseedOilBenefits.com – get recipes, ideas and more
If you haven’t tried rapeseed oil yet then give it a go! For more information and a whole host of tasty, easy and healthy recipes and ideas visit RapeseedOilBenefits.com where you can also get a recipe booklet at no cost (while stocks last!).
