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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)

Dolsot Bibim Bap
RCI-RC.004.0106.001

Dolsot Bibim Bap

Rice in stone pot with assorted mixtures Dolsot Bibim Bap

RCI-SP.005.0080.001

Domoda

Domoda from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0356.001

Dread Mon's Island Hot Wings

Fire up those taste buds!

RCI-VG.004.0423.001

Dried beans, Greek style

In Romanian: Fasole boabe preparata greceste.

RCI-VG.003.0060.001

Dried beans salad

In Romanian: Salata de fasole boabe.

RCI-SF.001.0118.001

Dried Fish Gumbo

Dried Fish Gumbo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.005.0088.001

Drumstick Leaves Curry

Drumstick Leaves Curry

RCI-MT.004.0363.001

Duck with Olives

In Romanian: Rata cu masline

RCI-SP.005.0090.001

Dum Ka Gosht

Occasion: Any Effort: Easy

RCI-MT.005.0075.001

Dum ka qimah

South Asian cuisines

RCI-SP.005.0091.001

Dum ke Pasandey

Dum ke Pasandey from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.006.0009.001

Dutch Peanut Sauce

A nice sauce made out of peanut butter. Originally used on dishes like sateh, but nowadays also used on chips and anything else the Dutch can come up with.

RCI-SP.004.0128.001

Dutch-style Beef and Cabbage

A nice way to prepare Beef. You can also cook this in the oven in a covered casserole.

RCI-MT.004.0368.001

Easy Chicken Stir-fry Skillet

This tasty stir-fry, made with lean meat, can fit into a healthful eating plan.

RCI-SP.005.0092.001

EGG CURRY

EGG CURRY from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0063.001

Eggless Sweet Matzo Brie

Eggless Sweet Matzo Brie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0372.001

Eggplant and Chicken Thighs Casserole

Eggplant and Chicken Thighs Casserole from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0441.001

Eggplant Russian-style

In Romanian: Mincare de vinete preparata ruseste.

RCI-SP.004.0131.001

Eggplant Stew

Eggplant Stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0132.001

Eggplant Stew with Ham and Fish

Eggplant Stew with Ham and Fish from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0442.001

Eggplant with Garlic

In Romanian: Mincare de vinete cu usturoi.

RCI-EG.002.0021.001

Eggs Benedict Forever

Always check the ingredients to make sure the product is vegan.

RCI-DS.001.0228.001

Eight Precious Pudding

Chinese cuisine

RCI-EG.003.0063.001

Eijjat Kausa

Eijjat Kausa from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.003.0064.001

Eijjat Prooklo

Eijjat Prooklo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.003.0065.001

Eijjat Sapanikh

Eijjat Sapanikh from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.005.0094.001

Elu Mus

Sri Lankan mutton curry

RCI-MT.006.0020.001

Empada

right|EMPADA(chicken mini pies)

RCI-SN.005.0017.001

Empanadas de Horno

Empanadas de Horno Makes 10 baked empanadas.

RCI-SC.007.0103.001

Enchilada Sauce

This Y-group is international. Good food from all parts of the world. A place where we can share the wonderful food from all over the world.

RCI-VG.001.0207.001

Ensalada de Coliflor

Ensalada de Coliflor from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0458.001

Ensalada Hervida

Ensalada Hervida from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.002.0041.001

Enyucados

Enyucados from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0122.001

Escabeche de Corvina

Escabeche de Corvina from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0376.001

Escallion Chicken

Escallion Chicken from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0133.001

Estofado de pollo

Estofado de pollo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.003.0062.001

Ewa Dodo

Seafood, plantains, and black-eyed peas. Yield: 6 servings.

RCI-VG.004.0468.001

Faina

Faina is a type of flatbread made with chickpea flour (harina de garbanzos). It is sometimes eaten with a slice of pizza, in which case it is called pizza a caballo (pizza on horseback); this is very popular in Uruguayan and Argentine pizzerias.

RCI-VG.004.0469.001

Fajita Packets

Fajita Packets from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0476.001

Fasoulia Khadra

Green bean stew

RCI-BR.008.0067.001

Fast Mango Crêpes

Make 12 crepes.

RCI-VG.001.0220.001

Fatush

Fatush from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0135.001

Festive Condensed Nut Casserole

* Serves 8

RCI-VG.004.0488.001

Fettat Adis

A very tasty and delicious appetizer to Serve with bread.

RCI-SP.003.0261.001

Fire-alarm Chili

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: my old rec

RCI-SF.001.0133.001

Fish and Mushrooms

Fish and Mushrooms from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0262.001

Fish Ball Soup

Fish Ball Soup

RCI-SN.002.0142.001

Fish Cake

Fish Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0136.001

Fish Casserole with Hulled Grain

Fish Casserole with Hulled Grain from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0137.001

Fish Curry

Fish Curry from the Recidemia collection