The who’s who of food bloggers and culinary enthusiasts were “enlightened” today about canola oil in honor of Diwali by CanolaInfo and Chef Surjan (“Jolly”) Singh. The event, featuring a cooking demo by this celebrated chef and high tea, gave guests a first-hand experience with versatile and healthy canola oil. It was held at the Indian Women’s Press Club in New Delhi.
“Canola oil is a staple in my kitchen because it is one of the most versatile oils that makes every dish healthier and more delicious,” says Chef Singh. “Its light texture makes it great for sautéing and stir-frying; its high smoke point is perfect for deep-frying and its neutral taste makes it the ideal partner for traditional Indian dishes with their characteristic spices and flavors. You can even use canola oil for baking cakes and muffins as it reduces their overall fat content while maintaining moistness.”
Guests at the Diwali high tea discovered for themselves how well canola oil works in Indian snacks and sweets. Chef Jolly prepared Patties (Akhrot Nadru Anjeer Tikki) and Chicken Sukka in a demo and served other snacks cooked in canola oil, such as Shami Kebab, Paneer Tikka, Chole Bhature and Jalebi.
Canola oil is free of trans fat and cholesterol but is high in monounsaturated and omega-3 fats. It is the third most consumed cooking oil globally and has been making steady inroads in the Indian market. Consumers here are becoming increasingly aware that the contemporary urban lifestyle contributes to the growing burden of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
“More and more Indian consumers are choosing canola oil because of its health benefits and suitability for any cuisine and any type of cooking,” notes Bruce Jowett, vice president of market development at the Canola Council of Canada. “In fact, recent findings from an Indian consumer survey show people want the attributes of canola oil in cooking oil. Events like today’s Diwali celebration are a great way to spread the word about canola oil and encourage people to make it a regular item in their grocery lists.”
CanolaInfo.org has a great database of recipes made with canola oil, including soups, salads, appetizers, main courses, side dishes and desserts. There are also diabetes-friendly and heart-smart recipes on the website.
CanolaInfo is the information source about canola oil for consumers, health professionals, chefs, media, educators – everyone who wants to know more about one of the world’s healthiest oils. The CanolaInfo team is supported by Canada’s canola growers, crop input suppliers, exporters, processors, food manufacturers and governments.