Summer is here and the barbecues are on fire!
Everyone is hitting the beach or chilling out in the garden and bringing their barbies with them. But a workman is only as good as his tools, and having a nice, big expensive barbecue doesn’t mean you’re going to make a delicious meal.
A good cook knows exactly what to put on the grill, but also which oils to use while cooking. As we’ve explained before, different oils do different things, so the oil you use can make a huge difference to the final taste of your meal.
With barbecue season well and truly underway, we’ve put together this list of the top 5 oils to use when cooking, solidifying your reputation as the barbecue King or Queen.
High smoking oil
The most important thing to remember about barbecue cooking is the temperature is hotter than your usual kitchen stove. A lot hotter!
This means the oils will oxidise faster, changing their chemical make-up and therefore their flavour and effectiveness.
To counter this, you need an oil specially designed to have a high smoking point.
Our High Heat Cooking Oil is a blend of Extra Virgin Avocado and Olive Oils, together with a touch of Sunflower Oil, giving a very mild flavour that won’t overpower the meat.
Peanut oil
Peanut oil is a light golden oil often used in Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. This versatile and healthy oil is great to use on the barbecue, with its smooth, nutty flavour and high-smoking point.
Peanuts contain zero trans-fats (the bad type of fat) and are packed with monounsaturated fats (the good type).
Packed with Vitamin E and containing high levels of antioxidants, peanuts have a wide range of health benefits, including slowing the onset of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as lowering the risk of stroke.
Sesame oil
The Queen of Cooking Oils as it’s sometimes known, sesame oil has been a staple of our diet for millennia.
After thousands of years of old wives tales about sesame oil curing what ails you, recent scientific studies show that it can actually assist in the management of cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as in weight reduction.
Olivado’s Extra Virgin Sesame Oil has a mild, nutty flavour and is excellent as a neutral cooking oil for the barbecue, and of course, works well at high heats.
Sweet Almond oil
With a high smoking point of 220°C, our extra virgin sweet almond oil will take anything your barbecue can throw at it, helping to perfectly cook your meal and add a delicious flavour at the same time.
Originally from South West Asia, Sweet Almond Oil has become an essential ingredient in French and Italian baking and desserts, and is a great source of Vitamins D and E.
Avocado oil infused with chilli
Avocado oil has a very high smoking point of over 270 degrees Celsius, making it the highest of the oils on this list.
As well as being perfect for the barbecue, avocado oil is one of the healthiest oils available.
The pulp of the avocado is packed with around 20 minerals and vitamins, and thanks to our pioneering cold-extraction method, our oil keeps the goodness after the fruit is transformed.
An avocado contains more potassium than a banana, more protein than any other fruit, half the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin K, and a third of Vitamin C.
On top of its health benefits, avocado oil is also delicious, bringing a stunning flavour to any meat it’s added to.
For a barbecue, you can take things to another level and use our avocado oil infused with chilli, adding a little bite to your cooking.
The perfect oil for a barbecue
No matter what it is you’re looking for when it comes to a barbecue cooking oil, Olivado have the answer.
Whether it’s the sweet nutty flavour of our peanut oil or the spicy kick of chilli, we have options for everyone’s taste.
Barbecuing can be hard work, so why risk using an inferior oil with a low smoking point?
Best case scenario, your food turns out burnt because the oil didn’t work.
Worst case, the cheap oil burns, loses its flavour, and becomes carcinogenic!
If you have any questions about us or our delicious and healthy cooking oils, then please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Or why not join us on Facebook and let us know what you think, or head over to our new Pinterest or Instagram pages to check out the latest news and recipes.