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Safflower Oil - Healthy and Great for Salads
Safflower oil is made from the thistle-like seeds of safflowers. It is golden yellow and has a light texture. Safflower oil suitable for making salad dressings because it does not solidify when chilled. It is also used in margarine, dips, and mayonnaise. It has a smoke point of 450ºF so is also perfect for baking, sautéing and frying.
Safflower seeds have been discovered in Egyptian tombs, over 4000 years old. The flowers of the plant have been used as a dye for clothing for many years and, in Chinese medicine, the safflower petals are thought to stimulant blood circulation and speed up fracture healing. Safflower seeds resemble sunflower seeds but are nearly white. Safflower grows in warm, desert-like conditions because the safflower thistle does not like rain. It has a strong taproot so it can exist in such dry conditions.
India is the largest producer of safflower for oil, although not much is exported. California is the second biggest and exports a lot of its oil to Japan. Mexico is another large producer of safflower.
Health Benefits of Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is a polyunsaturated fat, which is healthier than a saturated or monounsaturated fat. It contains a higher percentage of polyunsaturated fat than many other oils. It contains the essential omega-6 fatty acids, which the body uses for various processes and functions. The body does not produce sufficient omega-6 fatty acids itself so relies on foods such as safflower oil. Deficiency of these acids can lead to poor skin, kidney or liver problems, and reproductive disorders. Such fatty acids are also necessary to break down Vitamins A, D, E, and K within the body. Other good oil sources of omega-6 fatty acids are soybean, sunflower, sesame, and corn oils. Safflower lacks Vitamin E, which you would find in a lot of other vegetable oils.
High Oleic Safflower Oil
The preferred form on safflower oil is high oleic safflower oil, which contains more monounsaturated, or oleic, fatty acids than other types of safflower oil. High oleic safflower oil is 76% monounsaturated, which is healthy for the heart because it lowers bad cholesterol while maintaining good cholesterol in the body. This type of safflower oil is less susceptible to oxidization, which is another bonus. Because of its neutral flavor, high oleic safflower oil can be use for sautéing over a high heat. You can use it instead of peanut, canola, or olive oil for baking or cooking. Look for expeller-pressed, high oleic safflower oil for the best in quality and nutrition. This kind of oil is produced via traditional methods rather than using biotechnology.
Recipe - Poppy Seed and Safflower Dressing
Ingredients -
2 cups safflower oil
1½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
⅔ cup vinegar
½ cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 heaped teaspoons poppy seeds
Preparation:
Mix and beat the salt, sugar, oil, vinegar, and mustard. Add poppy seeds and onion. Beat for another minute and serve over salad. This is a great recipe because the dressing takes literally 5 minutes to make and is good for you as well as mouthwatering!
(Serves 32)
Wine Suggestion:
Wine to Serve with Poppy Seed and Safflower Dressing
Safflower oil can be used to make salad recipes and the health benefits of safflower oil make it an attractive choice. If you are making a poppy seed and safflower dressing with vinegar though, it can be hard to find a good wine to go with it, which will taste all right with the vinegary dressing.
Choose a pungent Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the acidic dressing or a dry aromatic white wine like a Pinot Blanc. A dry blush wine, or rose wine, would be a third option to match with this safflower oil salad dressing recipe.
