What are the culinary uses of vegetable oil?

Question

For example, if you're baking a cake, what would the oil do to the cake?

Answer 1

Oil affects moisture and texture in baked goods. You would have a very dry cake indeed without oil. In order to limit fat intake, some people use applesauce or some other fruit puree to replace some or all of the oil in cakes, brownies, etc.--it works okay, but, the items are a bit different.

In other uses, oil is used to lubricate (greased cookie sheets, etc.) and to transfer heat (fried foods). Without oil, many things would not the foods you know and appreciate.

Happy cooking!

Answer 2

It's main use is for cooking, many receipes require vegetable, canola or other type oil(s). It is also very handy for protecting (seasoning) cast iron cooking pans/skillets and implements, and for coating the cutting edges of can openers. There are undoubtedly many more uses both culinary and otherwise. Uses include deep frying, pan frying, and salad oil....

Answer 3

There are thousands of ways to use vegetable oil but when I have used it (and I've tried) my cakes turned out like frisbees.

Answer 4

It promotes browning and bonds to the sugar