TresSugar

Olive Oil: Everything You Need to Know

Heather Dale — Fri, 06 May 2011 03:05:41 PDT

Originating from Mediterranean countries, olive oil is delicious, flavorful, and rich in monounsaturated fats, making it a healthy option to cook with and enjoy daily. But what's the difference between regular olive oil and extra-virgin olive oil? And doesn't it go bad if you store it for too long? Or what about overheating it - does that make it lose all of its nutritional goodness? Here are all of the important details you need to know about incorporating olive oil into your diet.

Fabio on Cooking With Different Olive Oils

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:12:05 PST

Top Chef Italian stallion Fabio Viviani was out and about at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. But he wasn't drinking too much wine or flirting with scantily clad females. Instead he was hard at working promoting a cause he stands fully behind: Bertolli olive oil. The chef has worked with the brand to create a product that is traditionally Italian, complete with three different cooking oils (light, classico, and extra virgin) and a line of vinegars. For the top takeaways from his oil demonstration, read on.

There's Oil in Them Thar Skin Care!

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:00:51 PDT

Putting oil on your skin might seem daft, but it is not always so. It all depends on what type of oil you choose and what kind of complexion you have. Dry skin? Oil can help perk up dehydrated complexions, especially after months of suffering in cold weather. And while it's wise to check for comedogenic ingredients in general, even acne-prone skin can benefit from certain oils.

The biggest obstacle is getting over the idea of putting it on your face. Fortunately, you need only a few drops to cover all of your face. The idea is to warm the oil with your fingers, gently press it into skin, and if you wish to follow with a regular moisturizer, you can. (I find that I don't need one, though.)

I've been trying out more oils than an Exxon speculator lately, so for a roundup of mini-reviews, read more.

How to Fake Shorts-Ready Legs in 5 Minutes

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:01:03 PST

This past weekend, it warmed up enough to wear shorts, and I'd already slipped into too-short cut-offs when I got a good look at myself in the mirror. After months of grizzly-like hibernation and total laziness, my legs needed some TLC. Luckily, until I can work exfoliation, intense moisturizing, and regular shaving (ahem) back into my regimen, there are plenty of easy ways to look good in those Daisy Dukes. So to join me in the ranks of those who fake it 'til they make it, just keep reading.

What Kind of Oil Do You Cook With?

partysugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:00:35 PST

One topic that most of the chefs covered at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival was cooking oil. It seems that everyone has a preference for what type to use. Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, and Claire Robinson cook with canola oil and save olive oil for finishing sauces and vinaigrettes. Rachael Ray and Anne Burrell disagree and always cook with extra-virgin olive oil. What kind of oil do you like?

Fab Tip: Battle Oil Stains and Win

FabSugar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:00:22 PST

I like to think of myself as a pretty tidy eater. But every now and again, I get a stain that makes me gasp. Recently, I was eating grilled artichokes - yum! - when the oil from the dip landed on my gray sweater. I knew I had to act hastily, and even though I didn't have the best tools available immediately, I was able to get rid of the oil stain hours later when I got home. Want to know how I handled it all? Then

I grabbed a napkin and blotted the oil stain immediately, soaking up as much of it as possible. Remember to blot, not rub. Rubbing will only push the stain further into the fabric.
Since I didn't have access to dishwashing soap, I soaked the stain with water and regular soap, but did not rub, just blotted.
When I got home a few hours later, I spilled two tablespoons of dishwashing soap, like this Palmolive Liquid Dishwashing Soap ($3), on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
I then handwashed the sweater, paying special attention to the stain, rubbing all the excess oil off. Once the sweater dried, the results were in: oil battle victory!
Note: If you have immediate access to dishwashing soap, start with step one and jump to step three.

Is Palm Oil the New Trans Fat?

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:00:17 PDT

Partially hydrogenated oil is a type of trans fat that has gotten a lot of flak, and rightfully so. This chemically altered fat is known to raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and increase your chance of developing coronary heart disease. Many companies are replacing hydrogenated oil with palm oil, saying that's it's a healthier option.

On nutritional labels you might see this ingredient listed as palm-fruit oil, since it's extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree. This is not to be confused with palm kernel oil, which comes from the palm seed found inside the fruit. Eighty-six percent of the fat in palm kernel oil is saturated (the unhealthy fat), and 50 percent of the fat from palm-fruit oil is saturated, so it's the better choice of the two, but is palm oil considered healthy? To find out

Palm oil is high in saturated fat, and so are butter, whole milk, ground beef, and skin from chicken. These fats should be limited just like trans fats; they clog your arteries and can lead to heart problems. Small amounts of palm oil are seen as safe, but I wouldn't go out of your way to eat foods containing it, and would instead look for foods made with canola or olive oils.

Palm oil has also been in the news over the past couple years for environmental reasons. The palm fruit is found in rain forests, and the production of palm oil is leading to deforestation, which is in turn driving orangutans to near extinction. So if you're concerned about your health and the well-being of the planet, I'm sure you'll be diligently label reading the next time you hit the grocery store.

Do You Use Other Cooking Oils?

partysugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:15:35 PDT

Casa Quickie: Put Your Veggie Oil to Work

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:00:02 PDT

If your vegetable oil thinks it can get away with only working in the kitchen, you better tell it to think again. Veggie oil isn't only good for cooking: you can also use it to remove adhesive left from sticky labels (or the stickers themeselves) on anything around the house. Just drop a bit of oil onto a paper towel or a tea towel and give the adhesive a good rub. If the item you're working on is washable, rinse it with a bit of soap and water. If not, just dampen a tea towel and use a drop of dish soap, then wipe away the oil and adhesive with the cloth. Bye-bye sticky stuff!
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Disneyland Trains Now Running on Frying Oil

partysugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:15:43 PST

Can you imagine a land where you would go to McDonald's to purchase fuel for your car? Well that world might not be too far off. As of last week, all of the trains at Disneyland's Los Angeles theme park run on a biodiesel oil made from discarded cooking oil. Not only is the park saving money by reusing already purchased oil, but they are demonstrating how large corporations can make an effort to go green. Disneyland's five railroad trains are ridden by an estimated 6.6 million people each year using up about 200,000 gallons of fuel. The resort will generate enough cooking oil to provide half of this fuel. Disney's executive chef, Chris Hustesen, loves the idea and hopes the switch will "make more guests hungry for our fries."

Considering that I always reuse my cooking oil, I admire Disneyland's resourcefulness and commitment to being eco-friendly. I can't help but wonder if other companies will follow their lead. What do you think of the news? Do you recycle old frying oil?

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