The Role of Cold-Pressed Oils in Enhancing Traditional Festive Flavours

You know what season it is, don't you? It's the season of festivities, a time for celebration, joy, and cherished traditions. Food plays a central role in these gatherings, bringing families and friends together.  

While the recipes may vary across cultures, the common thread is the use of high-quality ingredients that enhance the flavours and textures of the dishes. One such ingredient that can improve the taste of your festive meals is cold pressed oils for cooking. Wondering what the cold pressed oil benefits are? Let’s find out.

Benefits of Cold-Pressed Oils

Cold-pressed oils are extracted from plant seeds or nuts using a mechanical process that does not involve heat or chemicals. This method preserves the natural nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants present in the oil. Here are some of the key benefits of cold pressed oil: 

• Nutrient-rich: Cold-pressed oils are packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are vital for overall health.
• Better taste: The natural flavour and aroma of the oil are retained, enhancing the taste of your dishes.
• Digestive health: These oils can aid in digestion and promote gut health.

Cold-Pressed Oils for Festive Cooking

When it comes to festive cooking, cold-pressed oils can add a unique and flavorful dimension to your dishes. Here are some popular cold press oil benefits:

1. Sesame Oil:
   
   
• Flavour profile: Nutty and slightly sweet.
• Uses: Perfect for stir-fries, marinades, and dressings.
• Festive dishes: Try using sesame oil in a stir-fry with vegetables and tofu for a quick and healthy meal.
2. Mustard Oil:
   
   
• Flavour profile: Pungent and slightly spicy.
• Uses: Traditionally used in Indian cuisine for tempering and cooking vegetables.
• Festive dishes: Add a touch of mustard oil to your favourite vegetable curries or lentil dishes.
3. Coconut Oil:
   
   
• Flavour profile: Sweet and slightly nutty.
• Uses: Versatile oil that can be used for cooking, baking, and skincare.
• Festive dishes: Use coconut oil to sauté vegetables or add it to your favourite baking recipes.
4. Olive Oil:
   
   
• Flavour profile: Mild and slightly fruity.
• Uses: Widely used in Mediterranean cuisine for cooking, dressings, and marinades.
• Festive dishes: Drizzle olive oil over grilled vegetables or use it to make a creamy aioli for dipping.
5. Ghee:
   
   
• Flavour profile: Nutty and buttery.
• Uses: Used in Indian cuisine for cooking, baking, and ghee roast.
• Festive dishes: Add ghee to your favourite rice pilaf or use it to make a delicious ghee roast with vegetables.

Indian Festive Dishes Enhanced by Cold-Pressed Oils

Here are some popular Indian festive dishes and tips on how to use cold pressed oil for cooking them: 

1. Malpua

A popular festive dessert, malpua are deep-fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup, often served during festivals like Holi or Diwali. The batter is typically made from flour, milk, and sometimes mashed bananas.

Frying the malpuas in ghee adds a rich, buttery taste to the crispy pancakes, making them more indulgent. Ghee’s high smoke point ensures the malpuas cook evenly and attain a beautiful golden hue, balancing the sweetness of the syrup with a delightful crisp.

1. Paneer Tikka Masala

This creamy and flavorful dish features marinated paneer cubes cooked in a tomato-based gravy. The paneer is often marinated in a mixture of yoghurt, spices, and lemon juice, giving it a tender texture and a subtle tang. 

Drizzling a bit of ghee over the finished dish can add a rich and nutty flavour that compliments the creamy gravy and the subtle sweetness of the paneer. Ghee's high smoke point allows it to be used for finishing dishes without burning, ensuring that the delicate flavours of the paneer tikka masala are preserved.

1. Vegetable Biryani

Biryani, a fragrant rice dish, is a masterpiece of Indian cuisine. It typically consists of rice, vegetables, spices, and a flavorful masala. Using coconut oil in the cooking process can impart a subtle sweetness and coconut flavour to the rice, adding a layer of complexity to the dish. 

Coconut oil's neutral flavour allows it to enhance the other flavours without overpowering them, making it a versatile choice for biryani.

1. Gulab Jamun

This sweet and indulgent dessert is made by deep-frying milk-based dough balls and soaking them in a rose-flavoured syrup. The dough balls are typically made from a mixture of milk, flour, and a few other ingredients. 

Using ghee to fry the dough balls can give them a crispy exterior and a rich, buttery flavour. Ghee's high smoke point allows it to be used for deep-frying without burning, ensuring that the dough balls cook evenly and develop a golden-brown crust. The buttery flavour of ghee complements the sweetness of the rose-flavoured syrup, creating a harmonious and indulgent dessert.

1. Puran Poli

A traditional Maharashtrian festive dish, puran poli is a sweet flatbread stuffed with a mixture of jaggery and lentils (chana dal). This is a must-have during celebrations like Gudi Padwa.

Adding a bit of ghee while cooking the puran poli enhances its flavour, adding a rich, nutty aroma to the dish. Ghee’s ability to complement both the sweet filling and the outer bread makes it an essential part of the puran poli preparation, ensuring the dish remains soft yet flavourful.

Tips for Using Cold-Pressed Oils

Now that you know why are cold pressed oils better, let’s look at maintaining this goodness:

• Store properly: Keep cold-pressed oils in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. This helps to prevent oxidation and preserve the oil's freshness and flavour.
• Taste before using: The flavour of cold-pressed oils can vary depending on the source material and processing method. It's a good idea to taste a small amount of the oil before adding it to your dishes. This will help you appreciate its unique flavour profile and determine the appropriate amount to use.
• Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different cold-pressed oils to find your favourites. Each oil has its own distinct flavour and aroma, so you may discover new and exciting taste combinations. Consider using different oils in various dishes to explore their versatility and enhance the overall flavour profile.
• Consider the smoke point: Different cold-pressed oils have different smoke points, which is the temperature at which they start to break down and produce smoke. When cooking at high temperatures, it's important to use oils with a high smoke point to avoid burning and releasing harmful compounds. Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and mustard oil are good options for high-heat cooking.

Cold-pressed oils are a versatile and delicious addition to any kitchen, especially during the festive season. By adding these oils into your Indian cooking, you can make your traditional dishes flavoursome and create unforgettable meals for your loved ones. Remember, Gramiyaa is your trusted partner in providing high-quality cold-pressed oils in India that can enhance the taste and nutritional value of your food.