Oils/Fats

Canola oil

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Throughout this book, I have often called for oil without specifying what kind, with the exception of olive oil (see below). In all of these cases, when I was developing the recipe or making it for my family, I used canola oil. Because of its neutral taste, canola oil is like a blank canvas, making it the ideal cooking and baking partner. Canola oil is naturally high in monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fat. It’s high in omega-3 and a good source of vitamin… Read more >>

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil, whether it comes from California, Greece, Spain, Israel or Italy, is replete with protective qualities. A monounsaturated fat, it contains a range of antioxidants, including vitamin E. It’s also rich in polyphenols. Studies have shown that consumption of olive oil improves blood cholesterol levels. If you’re going to use extra virgin olive oil, be sure to buy oil that is marked cold pressed. This means that the oil is made from the first pressing of the… Read more >>

Trans-Fat Free Margarine

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– Trans fats are formed when a liquid vegetable oil undergoes partial hydrogenation, which transforms the oil into a solid fat, such as margarine. Trans fats, as we all now know, are a panacea to food manufacturers but not great for our health. These particular fats lower the HDL cholesterol in our bodies while simultaneously increasing the LDL cholesterol. Unlike regular margarine, trans-fat free margarines are made by replacing the otherwise high amounts of hydrogenated oil with other ingredients such as mono- and diglycerides and… Read more >>

Vegan Butter

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This version of butter is actually composed of three or more vegetable oils, and then transformed into butter using a similar process to that of trans-fat free margarine. Vegan butter tastes like real butter minus the dairy components. It also blends, creams and cuts into pastry much like dairy based butter does. It`s a wonderful alternative to those who wish to eliminate butter from their diets but still crave a buttery spread for their morning toast or an afternoon cookie nosh. Read more >>