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oil

Oils & FatsYear-round; most culinary oils are refined and stored products with extended shelf lives, though harvest seasons for source plants (olives, rapeseed, sunflower) occur seasonally and affect availability of fresh-pressed and early-harvest oils.

Oils are calorie-dense sources of fat, providing 120 calories per tablespoon; composition varies by type, with olive oil and avocado oil rich in monounsaturated fats, while coconut oil contains primarily saturated fats, and oils from seeds typically contain polyunsaturated fats including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

About

Oil is a lipid substance that is liquid at room temperature, derived from plant seeds, nuts, fruits, or animal sources. Oils are composed primarily of triglycerides—fatty acids bound to glycerol—and vary widely in their fatty acid composition, which determines their flavor, smoke point, and culinary applications. Plant-based oils are extracted through pressing, crushing, or solvent extraction from sources such as olives, rapeseed (canola), sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, coconut, and peanuts, while animal-derived oils include fish oil and rendered fats from meat. The color, flavor intensity, and nutritional profile vary significantly by source and extraction method; cold-pressed or extra virgin oils retain more flavor and nutrients, while refined oils undergo processing to remove impurities and increase smoke points.

Culinary Uses

Oils serve multiple functions in cooking: as cooking mediums for sautéing, frying, and roasting at temperatures suited to their smoke points; as finishing drizzles to add flavor and richness to completed dishes; as emulsifying agents in vinaigrettes and sauces; and as a primary ingredient in marinades and dressings. Different oils are matched to specific applications based on their heat stability and flavor profiles—neutral oils like canola and sunflower are used for high-heat cooking, while robust oils like extra virgin olive oil and sesame oil are typically used unheated or at low temperatures to preserve their distinctive flavors. Oils also feature prominently in baking and pastry-making, where they contribute to texture and moisture in cakes, cookies, and breads.

Used In

Recipes Using oil (832)

RCI-BR.008.0116.001

Malawian Pancakes

Malawian Pancakes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.004.0168.001

Maltese Fried Rice

300px| Maltese Fried Rice Makes 3 to 4 servings

RCI-VG.001.0361.001

Mango-Avocado Tropical Salad

Mango-Avocado Tropical Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0554.001

Mango Chicken I

Mango Chicken I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0555.001

Mango Chicken with White Wine

Mango Chicken with White Wine from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0196.001

Mango Date Chutney

Mango Date Chutney from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.002.0080.001

Maple Tarragon Sweet Potatoes

Maple Tarragon Sweet Potatoes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.003.0028.001

Marinated Carp

In Romanian: Marinata de crap

RCI-MT.001.0158.001

Marinated Tangerine Beef

Marinated Tangerine Beef from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0336.001

Marmalade Cake

Marmalade Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.002.0081.001

Masala Aloo

Masala Aloo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0236.001

Masale

Masale from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.005.0152.001

Matar Paneer

Serves 3.

RCI-SP.005.0151.001

Matar Paneer

Serves 3.

RCI-VG.003.0081.001

Matki Chi Usal

Ethnicity - Marathi, West Indian Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner

RCI-SC.002.0029.001

Mayonnaise I

In Romanian: Maioneza

RCI-VG.003.0082.001

Mbaazi wa Nazi

Mbaazi wa Nazi from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.003.0083.001

Mdammas Aljazar

Mdammas Aljazar from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SW.003.0049.001

Meat and Veggie Pitas with Yogurt

Meat and Veggie Pitas with Yogurt from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0160.001

Meat Arepas

Meat Arepas

RCI-MT.005.0183.001

Meatless Loaf

Meatless Loaf from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0211.001

Meat with Peanut Butter Sauce

Good with chicken too.

RCI-ND.006.0049.001

Mee Goreng (Fried Noodles)

Here is a basic recipe. You can improvise by adding different ingredients of your liking.

RCI-VG.004.0866.001

Melitzanes me Saltsa Karydia

Melitzanes me Saltsa Karydia Eggplant with tomato and nut sauce

RCI-MT.004.0572.001

Melon Baal Canaf

Melons with wings

RCI-BR.004.0339.001

Merengue Layered Cake

In Romanian: Tort bezea

MGM Grand Spicy Jambalaya
RCI-RC.006.0081.001

MGM Grand Spicy Jambalaya

MGM Grand Spicy Jambalaya Here is the MGM Grand specialty Spicy Jambalaya. This is in a large quantity so you may want to consider cutting this one back in size.

RCI-BR.003.0277.001

Millet Quick Bread

I make my own breads as i don't care for the wheat-free, egg-free, milk-free breads that you can buy. Our favorite here for a sandwich bread is this one. This bread is very good lightly toasted. This recipe makes 2 slightly small loaves.

RCI-SP.001.0081.001

Milookhia (Green Herb Soup)

Milookhia (Green Herb Soup) from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.005.0206.001

Minced Meat-stuffed Peppers

Minced Meat-stuffed Peppers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0420.001

Minestrone Soup II

Serves 10-12; preparation time 20 minutes; cooking time 2 hours. The soup may also be frozen before the macaroni is added.

RCI-SN.002.0208.001

Mini Corndogs

Mini Corndogs from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0169.001

Mishakiki

Mishakiki are skewer-grilled marinated meat, also called Swahili shish kebabs.

RCI-SP.003.0424.001

Mixed Cereal Stew

A few years ago, swapping his Mercedes for a Toyota was Lesotho King Moshoeshoe II’s gesture to show his commitment to wealth redistribution. But it won’t be easy.

RCI-VG.004.0893.001

Mixed vegetables

Several different dishes are called ""; they all consist primarily of different kinds of vegetables cut into pieces and mixed together, then either served as-is or else cooked, typically by sautéing.

RCI-VG.004.0894.001

Mixed Vegetables

Several different dishes are called ""; they all consist primarily of different kinds of vegetables cut into pieces and mixed together, then either served as-is or else cooked, typically by sautéing.

RCI-SN.004.0103.001

Modeling dough

Modeling dough from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0899.002

Moin Moin

also moimoi, moyin moyin, is a traditional West African dish based on black-eyed peas or other beans. It is usually conical or cylindrical in shape, based on the shape of the mould used to make it.

RCI-VG.004.0899.001

Moin Moin

also moimoi, moyin moyin, is a traditional West African dish based on black-eyed peas or other beans. It is usually conical or cylindrical in shape, based on the shape of the mould used to make it.

RCI-VG.004.0900.001

Moldovan Lentil Soup

Moldovan Lentil Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0120.001

Moldovan Vinaigrette

Moldovan Vinaigrette from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0901.001

Molondrones a la vinagreta

Molondrones a la vinagreta from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0902.001

Molondrones Guisados

Molondrones Guisados from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.004.0024.001

Mom Marcon's Spaghetti Sauce

This is my mom's spaghetti sauce recipe. She was a full blooded Italian, and a great cook. This sauce thickens up while it cooks. She never measured anything, as you can see from her seasoning ingredients. She would just eyeball it and toss it in.

RCI-ND.007.0037.001

Monpetok

Monpetok (sweet rice and coconut Pyramids) can be served either as dessert or snack.

RCI-BR.004.0363.001

Moroccan Cake

Moroccan cake - a moist dessert just waiting to be baked!

RCI-VG.004.0912.001

Moro de Habas

Moro de Habas from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0913.001

Moro de Habichuelas

Moro de Habichuelas from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.005.0159.001

Motanjen Khoreshe

If you'd like something out-of-the ordinary in meatballs, try these Iranian ones, made with Lamb.

RCI-DS.003.0220.001

Mother's Peanut Butter Balls

Mother's Peanut Butter Balls from the Recidemia collection