Gourmet Nut Oils: Walnut Oil, Hazelnut Oil and Almond Oil

The latest oils to be the darlings of the cooking world are the tree nut oils- hazelnut oil, walnut oil, and almond oil. These gourmet nut oils have delicious, unique flavors and add a new dimension to familiar recipes.

When you purchase gourmet nut oils, make sure that they are expeller pressed oils, not refined ones. The flavor difference between these two types in like the difference between regular olive oil and extra-virgin olive oil. Refined nut oils are great for cosmetic use, but useless for food.

Not only do the nut oils add great flavor to food, but they carry health benefits. Nut oils are full of Omega fatty acids- the same Omega fatty acids that olive oil is full of. These special mono- and polyunsaturated fats reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing clots, dilating blood vessels and preventing arrthymia. They are also anti-inflammatory and can ease the pain of arthritis.

Tree nut oils are expensive, but it doesn't take a large amount to make a tasty flavor statement. If a recipe calls for a large amount of oil, use a blend of part nut oil and part mild flavored oil such as canola.

Nut oils in general are excellent used in salad dressing, over pasta with some cheese, as a dressing over grilled fish, chicken or meat, in baked goods, or for dipping French bread in.

Walnut oil goes good with balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar in a vinaigrette salad dressing. In pastries this oil is very good with apple or pears. Used in pesto, walnut oil in place of olive oil explodes the walnut flavor.

Hazelnut oil has the same Omega fatty acid balance as olive oil. It's very good with vinegar and even better with lemon juice for a delicious salad dressing. Use hazelnut oil on pasta, potatoes or beans in the place of butter. It's great over fish. In baked goods, it is super when paired with chocolate. Try making a pesto from parsley and hazelnut oil for a great treat.

Almond oil is great in situations where walnut oil or hazelnut oil would have too strong a flavor. Almond oil is great with any fish, salad or drizzled over any vegetable. In India it is used for duck or curry; in China with chicken or duck. Almond oil is rich in vitamins E and B.