Looking for an alternative

heatherhamil0808

What is a better alternative to butter and coconut oil to cook with?

DeguelloTex

Cook how?

It's hard to get better than butter.

WBB55

Define "better"? Higher smoke point? Less saturated fat? Tastier?

Sandcastles61

Olive oil, and sprays..... Somethings I will add chicken broth or water to 'steam fry'

DemoraFairy

I use spray oil, much easier (no waiting for anything to melt and spreading it round the pan), and the one I use is only 1 calorie per spray.

melaniecheeks

What are you cooking?

heatherhamil0808

I am looking for something that is healthier. Like if I am cooking on top of the stove, what can I put in the pan?

melaniecheeks

Define healthier! Is it the calories you are trying to limit?

Here's my favourite way to cook mushrooms, which involves no fat whatsoever.

Get a punnet of button mushrooms, or quarter regular ones. Pack them tightly into a wide pan like a frying pan. Just cover with liquid of your choice - stock, or even just hot water. Bring to the boil. Keep simmering away for 10-15 minutes - the liquid level will rise at first, and then reduce to a lovely glaze.

DeguelloTex

Butter can be healthy. So can olive oil.

Do you have a particular reason for not wanting to use butter?

WBB55

What's unhealthy in your opinion about butter and coconut oil? I'm not trying to bait you or anything, I just don't understand your goal.

-Less calories than butter: spray (but it contains soy lecithin), or nothing. Stop frying foods and use crockpot or make more soups/stews and salads. Or maybe a George Foreman-type grill (or regular grill or grill pan)

-Research shows long term raising of "good" cholesterol: olive oil (but has same calories as butter)

-Cheaper: canola/vegetable oil (but has same calories as butter)

cbelc2

I use mostly olive oil. I do have canola oil and some grass fed pastured cultured butter in the fridge. Canola is my high heat or tasteless option. Sometimes I want the taste of butter. Everything else is EVOO.

cbelc2

You can also saute in water or wine.

enterdanger

I like olive oil, ghee (clarified butter), and I tend to just take my oil of choice and put it in a misto. This way I don't over oil.

RavenLibra

extra virgin olive oil... you can buy it in a spray... BUT there is nothing wrong with butter... in fact new studies have concluded that Butter is actually more beneficial than margarine...

jessiruthica

melaniecheeks wrote: »

Define healthier! Is it the calories you are trying to limit?

Here's my favourite way to cook mushrooms, which involves no fat whatsoever.

Get a punnet of button mushrooms, or quarter regular ones. Pack them tightly into a wide pan like a frying pan. Just cover with liquid of your choice - stock, or even just hot water. Bring to the boil. Keep simmering away for 10-15 minutes - the liquid level will rise at first, and then reduce to a lovely glaze.

That sounds fantastic! Putting it on my list - although I'm the only one at home who eats mushrooms. Do you think they would freeze well once cooked?

tibby531

jessiruthica wrote: »

melaniecheeks wrote: »

Define healthier! Is it the calories you are trying to limit?

Here's my favourite way to cook mushrooms, which involves no fat whatsoever.

Get a punnet of button mushrooms, or quarter regular ones. Pack them tightly into a wide pan like a frying pan. Just cover with liquid of your choice - stock, or even just hot water. Bring to the boil. Keep simmering away for 10-15 minutes - the liquid level will rise at first, and then reduce to a lovely glaze.

That sounds fantastic! Putting it on my list

same here!