oil question

yes, they are interchangeable. (there's a reason why the bottles all look the same, except for the color of the printing on the label.)

Soybean oil and safflower oil can also be used interchangeably with vegetable/canola/corn oil (which is usually a blend of corn oil and whatever else is available at the time).

Canola oil is 'lighter' than the others, but it usually doesn't matter which one you use. Some are more suitable for deep frying than others, but for baking and pan frying, it usually doesn't matter.

Olive oil, sesame oil, and walnut oil are not interchangeable with the other vegetable oils. Technically, peanut oil is interchangeable, but there are problems with peanut oil (rampant peanut allergies, which can be triggered by baked goods with peanut oil in them, for one).

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net

Yes, they are interchangeable. The only difference would be flavor. They are all technically vegetable oils.

There have been some recent studies that have failed to show a link between commercially refined peanut oil and allergic reactions. Which would make sense, because most allergies are protein related, and a properly refined oil would have next to no protein in it.

- Eric

Whatever. It's just something to be aware of, since there are hyper sensitive people out there who freak out at the *sound* of the word peanut. It's just easier to not use it. (there was a case a few years ago of a peanut allergic kid having a reaction to some french fries....the only thing they could find was the peanut oil that the fries were cooked in.)

It doesn't matter to me, since a) I don't have peanut oil in my house (peanut butter, yes; peanuts, yes, but no oil); and b) no one in my house is allergic to peanuts.

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net

Thanks so much. I've been guiltily substituting canola oil thinking I was affecting the final product. Now my mind rests easy...... Amy

Here's a link to the FDA proposal on Canola oil.