Mamta or anyone.
Some of my recipes call for mustard oil. I have today bought some from my asian supermarket, only to find on the bottle the note 'external use only'. Can this oil be used in cooking or not?? Any pointers appreciated. PS - Massive fan of this site - I use so many recipes which all turn out superb!!
Hello Bate
Pure mustard oil has been used in Indian cooking for ever. I use this oil available from Indian grocers which says 100% pure mustard oil. I know it says 'for external use only' due to some EU regulations, but I have always used it without any ill effects. It is to do with Erucic acid that it contains. Look it up on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_oil and http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Mustard-Oil-Statement.html
Unfortunately I can't tell you whether it is safe for you to use or not, you have to make up your own mind.
Mamta
While we're on the subject of oil, do you ever use coconut oil in your cooking, Mamta, and if so what brand do you/would you suggest?
I bought some coconut oil (KTC) from a local Asian grocery store a while back and when I went back to buy more the Indian girl told me that it was only supposed to be used for massage and that she only uses it on her hair...
It was refine and had no smell to it at all. I was told by a doctor that coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils you can use in cooking - not quite sure why though.
I've since been on the lookout for a good quality coconut oil.
John, I use coconut oil in dishes that use other coconut products, especially prawn dishes. Its also good for shallow frying, I have found.
However, your doctor is incorrect. Coconut oil is solid at room temperatures (it maybe liquid on very hot days) and so is quite a saturated fat, which is not so good for us, and the same goes for palm oil. But, being vegetable fats/oils, they do not contain cholesterol.
The brand I use is KTC