This week, I thought I’d cover some things that have. been on my mind when it comes to the kitchen. Maybe they have been on your mind too…

This is the book I am referring to.
  1.  Are microwaves safe? About 28 years ago or so, i read book called Fit for Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond.  They talked about the cons of microwave use. We were building a house at the time and I considered not putting a microwave in. The kitchen designer discouraged that because she said for resale purposes, you would want a microwave in the kitchen and we were doing built-ins so we installed one. I’ve always wondered, though how safe they are. Scrolling on Instagram over the last few weeks I have seen microwave warnings which led me to do some searching on my own, which led to know articles that I could find available to me that talked about the negatives of microwave use. Now what I did see was people concerned about using plastic in the microwave or saran wrap or plastic wrap that does post risks.  Over the last couple months, since seeing some warnings about the microwave, I have I have been heating water in the tea kettle if I need heated water for a recipe or I melt butter in a little sauce pan on the stove. I find myself using the microwave hardly at all over the last couple months. These are just my thoughts I’d love to know what you think on this issue.
a kitchen counter with a microwave and a potted plant
Photo by Andrea Davis / Unsplash I’d love to know your thoughts on microwave oven use. Most likely the biggest issue is NOT using plastic in the microwave. I’ll keep reading up on this one and let you know.

2.        Canola Oil.  I remember several years ago. Canola oil was touted over corn oil. We were all told the many benefits of it well over the last few years we have been made aware of the negatives of canola oil.  Canola oil is actually made from rape seed. It is called canola oil because it was originally grown and manufactured in Canada. The issues with canola oil are mainly in the processing of it, and it is genetically modified in the process from what I’ve read. So although I used to use it because I thought it was recommended. Here are the oils with the most health benefits for cooking:

clear glass cruet bottle
Photo by Roberta Sorge / Unsplash The most popular oil and most healthy is olive oil.

1.  Olive Oil (best selection for salad dressing too)

2.  Avocado Oil (very mild taste, good for frying, baking & roasting)

3.  Sunflower Oil (light and has almost a buttery taste)

4.   Untoasted Sesame Oil (good for sautéing or roasting)

5.  Peanut Oil (good for stir frying or sautéing)

6.  Chia Seed Oil (good for sautéing and baking)

white pillar candle on brown wooden coaster
Photo by Tijana Drndarski / Unsplash I like using coconut oil for baking when appropriate.

What about Coconut Oil?

     Coconut oil is solid when you buy it and often used as a substitute for butter in baking. I like to use it when making granola, when melting the honey, peanut butter, vanilla and coconut oil on the stove until all is blended together, not over heating. When substituting for actual baking, you’d use about 25% less than the called for amount of butter, since the coconut oil has a higher percentage of fat solids that butter. I have also used it when making banana bread. 

white ceramic round plate on brown wooden table
Photo by Sincerely Media / Unsplash


     Back to the good oils to use.  I picked up Sunflower oil today at the grocery store. I’ll be making homemade Mayonnaise for egg salad this week. I have used olive or avocado oil. Of those two, the avocado is more mild and a better choice, but this week, I’ll be using the sunflower, as I was thinking it will be even more mild and the end result will be a mild mayonnaise that will more closely resemble the Hellmann’s from the grocery store.

Where else besides home are we going to have a dinner like this?

3.  I am finding that we are eating in so much more. How about you?  Maybe it’s because cooking is an interest of mine and making it all look so good and setting a pretty table, but I do think my friends are doing the same. I find myself saying, “I can make that so much better, I know that the meat/produce is fresh, healthy and I know our kitchen is clean. My Dad’s restaurant had the cleanest kitchen. Now I can tell you that there were no organic or free range groceries at Atlas Coney Island, but that kitchen stainless steel tables were spotless. But I cannot say that for every other kitchen. I know what I like to eat and sometimes it’s hard to find what I want on a menu. I’d love to hear your thought on that. 

Author, Mary Yana Burau. Pictured is Homemade Rustic Bread-recipe here on the website.

I think that’s all this week.  There was no recipe or meal that I made this week that was new or jumped out at me. Every once in a while I like to just write about what’s on my mind.  Hoping your week is off to a good start and wishing you a Great Day 🍴