The General Chat Room

[Nick Armstrong]

Thanks for the tip TS.

Virgin coconut oil is the only one we cook with. When heated, it doesn't go rancid so easily like olive oil; in fact it has the highest smoking temperature of all cooking oils, and is an excellent fat for the body because it contains lauric acid. Although a saturated fat, coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids which the body easily burns up quickly, so it is not converted to cellulite.

Stored at room temperature, it has been known not to show rancidity even after one year - amazing stuff!

Very interesting. That's the second time this week I've heard about cooking with coconut oil. Does it impart a flavour of coconut...? If one were making an accompaniment to pasta, like a very simple Italian sauce like 'Aglio e Olio', say, would there be a whiff of the South Pacific about it?

[BBMmk2]

Thanks for the tip TS.

Virgin coconut oil is the only one we cook with. When heated, it doesn't go rancid so easily like olive oil; in fact it has the highest smoking temperature of all cooking oils, and is an excellent fat for the body because it contains lauric acid. Although a saturated fat, coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids which the body easily burns up quickly, so it is not converted to cellulite.

Stored at room temperature, it has been known not to show rancidity even after one year - amazing stuff!

Not expensive?

[Serial_Apologist]

Very interesting. That's the second time this week I've heard about cooking with coconut oil. Does it impart a flavour of coconut...? If one were making an accompaniment to pasta, like a very simple Italian sauce like 'Aglio e Olio', say, would there be a whiff of the South Pacific about it?

I wouldn't mind an answer to that one, too. About a year ago I bought a small bottle of olive oil for the few occasions on which I fry-cook, having been told that it is healthier than the generic vegetable oil I have always used in the past, and haven't yet used any of it. Do cooking oils - or some of them - remain usable so long as unopened, or should one always store them in the fridge?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

ahem

[gurnemanz]

Msgs 80 -82 - fascinating!

How does this thread "The General Chat Room" differ from what was formerly Platform 3? That still exists, but maybe few people go there now. Does the presence of this thread indicate a continuing "need"?

This is clearly a general thread for investigating the general concept of general threads per se.

Re Coconut oil: it figures in Rick Stein's very good current series on Indian cuisine.

[Serial_Apologist]

ahem

That's useful, thanks Calum.

On my bottle it says, "For best before end, see bottle". I am seeing bottle.

[BBMmk2]

Why cant manufacrurers just say it rather than say, "See other end"? Hmmmm....."other end", yes well...............

[Pabmusic]

...coconut oil. Does it impart a flavour of coconut...?...

Sad to say, no it doesn't. Maybe an expert could tell in a blind tasting, but I rather doubt it. It is one of the commonest cooking oils here and copes very well with anything you seem to throw at it. Or in it.

[cloughie]

Do cooking oils - or some of them - remain usable so long as unopened, or should one always store them in the fridge?

Is that a solid suggestion?

[Nick Armstrong]

Sad to say, no it doesn't.

I'm glad to hear it, I wouldn't want coconut in my pesto (or whatever). Might give this oil a whirl...

[Serial_Apologist]

Is that a solid suggestion?

Not for those with liquidity problems...

[teamsaint]

the coconut oil that we use is this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiana-Fairtrade-Organic-Virgin-Coconut/dp/B003VJQFR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372952344&sr=8-1&keywords=tiana+raw+coconut

the Raw bit is very important.
Interesting stuff, it melts above about 20 degrees.

It is brilliant on eczema, and other sore skin things.... also athletes foot.

As I mentioned a great natural deodorant, and oddly, it never seems to leave oil stains .

This stuff is magic. it is about £16 for a 500ml jar. it does seem to last for ever, and if you need to save money, Holland and Barrett during their "buy one get one half price on anything" sales is your best bet. Gets it down to £12 a jar.
also yummy on toast, if a little extravagant !

Not used it much for cooking, so can't really comment.

Try a small jar is my best advice.

[Nick Armstrong]

the coconut oil that we use is this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiana-Fairtrade-Organic-Virgin-Coconut/dp/B003VJQFR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372952344&sr=8-1&keywords=tiana+raw+coconut

the Raw bit is very important.
Interesting stuff, it melts above about 20 degrees.

It is brilliant on eczema, and other sore skin things.... also athletes foot.

As I mentioned a great natural deodorant, and oddly, it never seems to leave oil stains .

This stuff is magic. it is about £16 for a 500ml jar. it does seem to last for ever, and if you need to save money, Holland and Barrett during their "buy one get one half price on anything" sales is your best bet. Gets it down to £12 a jar.
also yummy on toast, if a little extravagant !

Not used it much for cooking, so can't really comment.

Try a small jar is my best advice.

Bloody hell - skin cream, ointment, sandwich spread, cooking oil - and even useful for the dog

Wherefore were these things hid?!

And cut-price on Amazon....

Amazing. Want some.




UPDATE: Ordered!

[teamsaint]

Hope it proves useful Cals !!
I am naturally a bit sceptical about these things, but this stuff won me over .

[amateur51]

I'm loathe to try this until it receives Anna's imprimatur for preparing Hispi cabbage