Are there non-GMO/organic alternatives to canola oil and vegetable oil?

[no_hypocrisy]

For cooking and baking?

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. People sing praises of coconut oil.

Trying to find it is a problem tho. Mainstream stores don't seem to carry it.
and peanut oil is great for frying but very expensive.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. What would you use for say, salad dressing, aside from olive oil?

I could see coconut oil for shortbreads and muffins.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Grapeseed oil!

I bought a bottle of it, the bottle is actually very pretty, about a pint for 5.00, on sale, and we only use it for salad dressing. Has a light flavor.
And very heart healthy.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Very cool indeed!

Thank you!

Does it bake well too?

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Too expensive for baking, have not tried.

I assume it would be same as any other liquid oil, taste is very mild, not even as strong as the mildest olive oil.

[Lucinda]

10. There are lighter flavored coconut oils that work well for dressings

And I don't notice the coconut flavor of the ones I use (more strongly flavored) when you add the other ingredients

[noamnety]

13. I've had no problem finding coconut oil.

Walmart carries LouAnna brand, Meijer carries Spectrum Naturals I think.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. LouAnna brand of ..coconut oil?

I know LouAnna brand has peanut oil.

Out here in the boonies where I live, even in our Wal-Mart, no coconut oil.

[noamnety]

15. LouAna makes coconut oil too.

I stopped in at meijer on the way home today and just for the heck of it checked what they had - they had both the kinds I mentioned above. The LouAna was $6 for 2 pounds, the other was about twice that.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Hmmmm..

I shop online at iherb.com, which carries, besides the vitamins and herbs, some oils, brewer's yeast, etc. and shipping is free over 40.00 purchase.
Since our sales tax out here in the deep boonies is 9.5% on everything but prescriptions, I order organic oils and stuff from iherb and save a bundle.
Gotta go check out their coconut oil options.

[Warpy]

5. For light, flavorless oil with a high smoke point

I use peanut or safflower. Just be careful of peanut oil when you invite potentially allergic people to dinner.

Safflower oil is usually available in the supermarket. It's a bit pricier than the ubiquitous canola oil but my innards like it better. Peanut oil might be more of a specialty oil, available in very large supermarkets, health food stores and international markets.

Coconut oil is partially saturated, has a low smoke point and a strong flavor that doesn't go well with many foods. We used to use it to lubricate squeaky wheels and hinges when I worked in a health food store. However, it's a big fad now. I might use it in Thai or Indian cookery but that's it. It's quite nice used topically as a replacement for Vaseline.

[Major Nikon]

6. Light olive oil

[Jazzgirl]

8. I have found organic canola and other vegetable oils.

I find them all the time at the Health Food Store or even at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's if there is one of those near you. Spectrum is an organic alternative for canola oil. I use it a lot.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Thank you so much!

[Lucinda]

11. You could also make Ghee (if you don't mind using dairy)

Great storage time and high smoke point

[Glassunion]

12. You can actually get both organic/non-GMO

The "non-GMO project" website is a good place to start. http://www.nongmoproject.org/

I have a small mom and pop place I do all my shopping at. http://www.kimbertonwholefoods.com/featured-products

They have most everything I need including non-GMO oils.

Also, you can look at imported products from countries where GMO is banned. All of the EU, Australia and Japan are non-GMO. So even though it may not be labeled non-GMO, it is as long as it is produced in that country. Careful with the meats however if you are looking for Hormone/Antibiotic Free. Italy for instance does not allow hormones, however they do allow antibiotics. You are better off going local on that, I'd stick with a farm you are familiar with.

All of my olive oils I choose to get in bulk sizes that are imported from Greece or Italy and it's not too expensive. I just bought one of those large cans of olive oil for $14. It should last me months.

[easttexaslefty]

17. Cool pressed coconut oil n/t