You’re Smokin’ Hot: Grapeseed Oil Turns the Heat On

Yesterday your man treated you right. Dark chocolate, paper kisses and a rub-down good enough to put your masseuse out of work just sealed the deal. Your gift in return? A three-course meal with dessert so hot you made Smokey the Bear blush. But before you could stop, drop and roll, your main dish was on fire. Not you, my little tart, your stir-fry.

Was it the heat? The pot? Maybe, it was your cooking oil.

Smoke Point vs. Flash Point. Smoke-point is the temperature to which an oil can be heated before it smokes, generating toxic fumes and harmful free radicals. At the smoke point, the oil begins to give off unpleasant odors and unsavory flavors to your meal. At the flash point, there are tiny wisps of flames and at fire point, a fire is blazing. Duh.

The best oils for cooking and frying are those that have a high smoking point - that is, they can be heated to high temperatures before burning. There is a general misconception that extra-virgin olive oil should be used across the cooking board. Not so much. Olive oil has a very strong flavor and a low flash point making it bad for cooking. So what is good? Drum-roll - grapeseed oil.

Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point of 420-degrees Fahrenheit, and is perfect for stir-frying, sauteing, and baking. Although there are other oils good for cooking, grapeseed oil has a clean, light taste that holds flavor really well and can rock any salad dressing. There are also some health benefits to point out here so hold your pants:

The Right Fats. Reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol levels in the body with a healthy serving of mono and polyunsaturated fats, which contain the lowest levels of saturated fat of any oil.

The Right Acids. High in linoleic acid (the healthy omega fatty acids) and rich in vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and beta-carotene. Yes-a-ree, Bob.

The Right Stuff. Some studies have shown that grapeseed extract may be helpful in preventing the growth of cancerous cells in the stomach, colon, prostrate and lung. Certain compounds found in grapeseed oil are believed to improve vision, flexibility of joints and blood circulation.

But before you start skinning all the grapes in your house, do know it's readily available at your grocery store. And, it's no more expensive than olive oil. How you like them grapes?

For more tips like these visit www.healthybitchdaily.com.