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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.005.0478.001

Passover Mandelbread

Passover Mandelbread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0312.001

Passover Muffins

Passover Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.005.0063.001

Passover Orange Granola

Passover Orange Granola from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0401.001

Passover orange walnut cake

Passover orange walnut cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0313.001

Passover Rolls

Passover Rolls from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.005.0097.001

Pasta and Peanut Salad

Pasta and Peanut Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.001.0065.001

Pasta Fagiola

Spaghetti Sauce (Meatless) by the US Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-SN.005.0050.001

Pastelles

Pastelles from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0240.001

Patacones I

Fried green plantain 6 – 8 servings

RCI-VG.002.0114.001

Patatas a lo pobre

Patatas a lo pobre

RCI-VG.001.0443.001

Patzarosalata

Patzarosalata Beetroot salad

RCI-SC.006.0023.001

Peanut sauce 2

Peanut sauce 2 from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0636.001

Pelau Chicken

Pelau Chicken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-PF.001.0024.001

Peppers in vinegar

peppers in vinegars are much liked salad in all Balkan countries. One can buy them in tins.

RCI-MT.004.0641.001

Persian Cutlet

I first had these on a trip to California with my friend and his sister. We had them picnic-style, served cold, with nane lavash, and chutney. You can serve them warm also. They are good as an appetizer as well as a main course.

RCI-SF.002.0203.001

Peruvian-style Mussels

Peruvian-style Mussels

RCI-BR.003.0321.001

Pesach Popovers

Pesach Popovers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.007.0097.001

Phyllo dough

Phyllo dough from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.005.0236.001

Picadillo

The Mexican dish picadillo is a great filling for tacos.

RCI-VG.005.0150.001

Pickled Gerkin Soup

Alternate version: The soup can be made richer by adding some thick cream together with the gherkins.

RCI-VG.005.0168.001

Pickled Vegetable Medley for Winter II

In Romanian: Zacusca pentru iarna II

RCI-RC.004.0220.001

Pigeon Peas I

Pigeon Peas I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0156.001

Pilafi me Garides

Pilafi me Garides Rice pilaf with shrimp Serves 6 – 10

RCI-MT.004.0651.001

Pineapple Chicken

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Serves 4 to 6

RCI-RC.004.0223.001

Pineapple Fried Rice

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group * Categories: Or

RCI-VG.004.1032.001

Plaki Beans in Tomato Sauce

Plaki Beans in Tomato Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0219.001

Poached Carp

In Romanian: Crap rasol

RCI-MT.004.0656.001

Poached Chicken Dip

Poached Chicken Dip from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0200.001

Pogaca

Nice, simple Turkish flat bread, Serbian-style. (Prep.

RCI-BR.001.0202.001

Pogacha

Rich bread

RCI-RC.006.0092.002

Pohe

Pohe is a very popular breakfast dish in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

RCI-RC.006.0092.001

Pohe

Pohe is a very popular breakfast dish in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

RCI-BR.002.0086.001

Pooran Poli

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

RCI-BR.008.0168.001

Poor Knights

This 16the century recipe takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

RCI-VG.004.1037.001

Poriyals

Vegetables South Indian-syle.

RCI-BR.001.0203.001

Pork Schnitzel

In Romanian: Snitel din carne de porc

RCI-SP.003.0517.001

Pork Stew Two Ways

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 4 servings o

RCI-SN.002.0248.001

Portabello Wedges

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-VG.005.0174.001

Posna Sarma

Posna Sarma Serbian sarma is similar to Greek dolmas, though it's made with cabbage instead of grape leaves. The usual sarma is made with ground pork and chuck, resulting in a rather disgusting combination of meat, oil and cabbage.

RCI-SP.003.0521.001

Posole

Posole is a traditional Mexican dish from the pacific coast region of Jalisco. A thick soup that's usually made with pork, hominy, garlic, onion, chili peppers, cilantro, and broth. This is a delicious recipe and well worth the effort to make.

RCI-SP.002.0155.001

Potato and Leek Soup

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-SN.002.0249.001

Potato and Mushroom Croquettes

Potato and Mushroom Croquettes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.001.0049.001

Potato and Onion Omelet

Potato and Onion Omelet from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0421.001

Potato and Onion Pancakes

Crispy Potato Pancakes with a slight hint of Onion.

RCI-BR.004.0423.001

Potato Cakes

These are very inexpensive and generally sold as street food to be eaten on the street as an egg and potato sandwich stuffed into flatbread with a thin sauce tomatish.

RCI-SN.002.0251.001

Potato Croquettes

Potato Croquettes

RCI-EG.003.0113.001

POTATO KUGEL

(Yiddish: קוגל kugl or קוגעל, pronounced koo-gel or ki-gel, also often referred to in the diminutive , ) is any one of a wide variety of traditional baked Jewish Recipes side dishes or desserts. It is sometimes translated as "pudding" or "casserole".

RCI-BR.004.0424.001

Potato Pancake

Potato Pancake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1063.001

Potato Salad II

In Romanian: Salata de cartofi II

RCI-VG.004.1064.001

Potato Salad III

In Romanian: Salata de cartofi III