Coconut oil questions

[ORChick]

I don't want to hijack freemotion's thread on fats, so I thought I'd start a new one. I have read about the benefits of coconut oil, and even have a jar on the shelf, but I guess you might say that I am "scared" to use it. I don't dislike coconut, but am not so fond of it that I want everything to taste like it. Is this just a matter of *getting used to it*? Or is it not as apparent in the cooked foods as I fear? I think I could use it in Indian curries, and such, and it is probably very nice in certain candies - but I don't make candies . Oatmeal coconut cookies of course. But what else? Somehow I can't imagine a lot of what I cook tasting good with that hint of coconut in it.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I use it when I make pancakes (to grease the pan). I honestly don't notice the taste. Experiment with foods you woudn't mind the flavor in, and see if you can tell. Some people seem to notice it more than other. I like coconut, and don't notice the flavor in the oil so much as I would with coconut milk or shredded coconut.

 

[FarmerChick]

Coconut oil is not all it is cracked up to be. Good for you vs. the bad, yea I think so for the amt. we will use to fry, bake, etc. etc.

http://www.healthcastle.com/coconut-saturated-heart.shtml



I use coconut oil. first pressing, virgin pure. does it change the taste of food---yup, some things. I hate it with shrimp but OK with beef. So it is a matter of taste and getting used to "whatever taste you might" be tasting.

(hmm...alot of tasting there..HA HA)


But I use canola, safflower and olive oil more in this house than coconut oil definitely---but in general, the purest form of any oil is the way to buy.

first press, virgin, organic if you can etc. etc. and use sparingly of course

 

[big brown horse]

It can stand the heat, hua? If you are using it to grease the pan? What brand etc. do you guys recommend?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I use Spectrum brand coconut oil. Yes, the reason I use the coconut oil is it is supposed to be stable under relatively hot conditions. The Spectrum brand tells you on the label what cooking temperatures are recommended for their various oils.

From what I have read, heart related diseases are not necessarily linked to saturated fats because heart related diseases are highest in people who eat a western diet, but are less prevalent in people from other cultures who eat lots of saturated fat. There are plenty of cultures that eat tons of coconut as a staple in their diet and yet they have only recently had problems with heart disease, now that they are eating more like us.

 

[big brown horse]

Makes sense.

 

[Iceblink]

I give my dog a little spoon of coconut oil in her food. It's a great supplement for their coat and allergies. Start really small to avoid diarrhea.

I like to mix it with applesauce, cinnamon and whatever sweetener I feel like and spread it thinly on toast.

It's also great for cooking eggs in, I have never really noticed a coconut flavor, but the edges of the egg turn nice crispy brown. It could be because my eggs are pastured and really flavorful.

Oh, and I use it as the fat in granola recipes. I can taste it there. Of course, I also like to add shredded coconut too.

 

[big brown horse]

Yummy.

Quick question, what about grape seed oil?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I think you aren't supposed to cook with grapeseed oil because it is polyunsaturated.

 

[Wifezilla]

From what I have read, heart related diseases are not necessarily linked to saturated fats

Actually it has absolutely nothing to do with saturated fats. It's the sugars that do your heart in.