Culinary Corner: Cooking with Essential Oils

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A New Way of Savoring Food

Aromatics are wonderful in the kitchen and with a bit of experience, some guidelines, and a creative mind, the culinary possibilities are endless.

There is no dish whose flavor cannot be enhanced with essential oils and no limit to the new possibilities for culinary delight that they offer. Using them is simple, too.

My aim is to give you some suggestions to get you started out cooking with essential oils. New ideas will come to you as you make these delicious recipes flavored with therapeutic grade essential oils!

Sensational Flavor of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils 

Health Benefits

Aroma is responsible for about 90 percent of our taste. Smell is the only sense that connects directly to the limbic lobe of the brain - the center of taste, emotion, and memory. This direct link gives scent its emotional power and is why we form such strong attachments to things that smell or taste good.

Being concentrated, essential oils contain virtually all the plant's healing nutrients, oxygenating molecules, amino acid precursors, co-enzymes, vitamins, hormones, and more. And, because they are so concentrated, essential oils are 50-70 times more therapeutically potent than herbs. Essential oils provide natural preventative care with their antibiotic and other medicinal properties, as well as having a psychological effect.

Having essential oils in your pantry is like having a herb garden in constant full bloom, except the access is easier. Essential oils perfectly capture the essence of the living plant, in both aroma and flavor. With the exception of citrus oils, which need to be stored in the refrigerator, essences can be kept for years in a cabinet ready for use.

Tips for Using Essential Oils 

Not all essential oils are edible. 98% of essential oils sold should NOT be ingested due to lack of purity.

An edible essential oil will be labeled "therapeutic-grade" and have a "Supplement Facts" box on the label showing the nutritional value - do NOT use just any brand of essential oil for cooking/flavoring foods. Be sure to use pure oils from reliable sources, not synthetic scents or flavorings. Absolutes are never used in the kitchen because of the solvent residues that may be left as a by-product of the extraction process. It is wise to use those essential oils that you think of as food.

Essential oils are potent. One drop equals about 1 tablespoon of dried herb.

Nothing is more important than dosage. Experiment, but be conservative until you get the feel for how essential oils flavor food. Start with one drop and go from there. As Elaine Pinar says, "If the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon, I rub the edge of the bottle stopper on a piece of carrot or other chunky veggie. One-half teaspoon would likely be about what would stick on the end of a toothpick. Since everyone's taste is different you'll want to do the taste test."

Add essential oil towards the end of cooking as high heat will destroy the therapeutic benefits.

Making your own flavoring extracts is easy, economical and a good way to reduce dosage. Use olive oil for savory extracts. Start with 5 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. Adjust to suit your taste.

Rosemary Oil  

Natural Antibiotic and Preventative Care

Do you eat potatoes, toast, crackers, chips, cereal, or other carbohydrate-rich foods cooked at high temperatures? If so, you're exposing yourself to acrylamide - a dangerous carcinogen that's been linked to several types of cancer in humans.

To prevent exposure to acrylamide, your best bet is to avoid these high-glycemic, nutrient-void foods altogether. But, for the occasional indulgence, protect yourself with rosemary.

Recent research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that adding a small quantity of rosemary to dough prior to baking wheat-based buns at 225 C (437 F) reduced the acrylamide content by up to 60 percent.

If you choose to roast some potatoes or make bread from scratch - add a bit of rosemary to boost flavor and help protect yourself from this harmful carcinogen.

Savor These Delectable Recipes 

Aroma + Health Benefits

Essential oils do more than make foods taste delicious. These aromatic essences promote health and well being through a series of actions that are age-defying. The vegetarian diets so often associated with good health rely heavily on the use of seasonings. But, you don't have to be a vegetarians to gain the amazing health benefits that these flavor enhancers have to offer.

Using nine common therapeutic grade essential oils, lavender, lemon, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, clove, basil, and oregano you can create delectable dishes that are powerfully attractive!

Savor these delectable foods at your next gathering.

Lavender Roasted Vegetables 

Easy and Delicious

INGREDIENTS

3 red potatoes
5 carrots
1/2 cup whole garlic cloves
1 large white onion, sliced or 2 cups of pearl onions, whole
2 cups zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch slices
3 Tbs. olive oil
sea salt to taste
2 tsp. dried lavender buds or 1 drop of lavender essential oil

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic with olive oil. If using lavender essential oil, mix with olive oil before coating. Sprinkle lavender buds or essential oil and sea salt over vegetables. Roast 25 minutes. Add zucchini and bake an additional 15 minutes.

Makes 4 servings.

Citrus Fruit Sauce 

Breakfast in Bed

Being served breakfast in bed is one of life's little pleasures. Be spontaneous and choose a beautiful, sunny morning to show your spouse your love and appreciation for him or her by cooking this fabulous breakfast that is sure to please. First, make your favorite whole wheat pancake, waffle, or French toast recipe, then add a special touch with our Citrus Fruit Sauce drizzled on top:

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 c. frozen (unsweetened) orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 c frozen (unsweetened) apple juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 c water
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or 1 drop lemon essential oil
2 Tbs. cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

Whisk cornstarch into orange juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, and water. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add lemon juice or lemon essential oil. Serve hot. Makes 2 1/2 cups.

Garden Salad with Yardley Poppy Seed Salad Dressing 

Energy and Stamina

Yardley Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

INGREDIENTS

Combine the following:

1/3 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. Blue Agave
1 tsp. Real Salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 Tbsp. grated onion
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Whisk in very slowly 1/2 cup sunflower or olive oil.

DIRECTIONS:

Serve over mixed greens or mesclun mix.

Garnish with raw goat cheese, if desired.

Source: Yardley Inn and Spa

Butternut Soup 

Warms From the Inside Out

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
salt
pepper
2 lbs. butternut squash, peeled and cubed
4 c. vegetable broth
2 drops Young Living clove oil
3 drops Young Living nutmeg oil
1 drop Young Living cinnamon oil
plain yogurt (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a soup pan over medium heat, saute onions, garlic, salt, and pepper in olive oil until tender. Add cubed squash and cook for 3-5 minutes. Next, add broth and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Continue to boil for 25 minutes or until squash is fork tender. Remove from heat. Using a hand mixer, puree until smooth. Stir in oils. Allow oils to infuse the soup for 5-8 minutes and then serve. Garnish with a spoonful of yogurt. Makes 5 1/2 cups.

Spinach Frittata 

Great Paired With Butternut Soup

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 drop Young Living basil oil
1 drop Young Living oregano oil
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
10-oz. bag spinach
6 eggs
salt
pepper
1/3 c. plain yogurt
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled

DIRECTIONS

In a saute' pan mix olive, basil, and oregano oils. Add green onions and garlic, and saute' on medium heat until tender. Add spinach in small bunches until wilted and heated through. Set aside. Whisk eggs, salt, and pepper together. Add yogurt to egg mixture and mix thoroughly. Drain spinach and place in a nonstick cake or pie pan. Pour egg mixture over spinach and gently mix. Add feta and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, until firm. Let cool slightly. Slice and serve with fresh cut tomatoes. Makes 8 slices.

Note: Recipe can be made in an oven proof frying pan.

Dill Deviled Eggs 

Quick and Easy

INGREDIENTS

6 hard boiled eggs, shelled and cut in half lengthwise
1/4 c. organic mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. minced celery
1 Tbsp. minced fresh chive
1 1/4 tsp. Dijon mustard
5 drops Young Living dill oil
pinch of sea salt
dash of red pepper

Garnish
6 Manzanilla olives, halved
12 short slices of chives
paprika

DIRECTIONS

Remove egg yolks into a small mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add all other ingredients and stir vigorously until smooth. Spoon mixture into a piping bag with a large stir tip and pipe into empty whites. Garnish each egg with half of an olive, a piece of chive, and a dash of paprika.

Oven Baked Yams 

Quick and Delicious

INGREDIENTS

3 Tbsp. Young Living Blue Agave or maple syrup
5-6 drops Young Living Orange Oil
1 medium or large yam

DIRECTIONS

Mix Blue Agave and orange oil, set aside. Peel yam and cut in half. Cut each half lengthwise so the yam is quartered. Slice each quarter about 1/2 to 1-inch thick and place in baking dish sprayed with olive oil cooking spray. Drizzle half of the Blue Agave mixture over the yam and gently stir. Cover pan with tin foil and bake for 20-25 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Remove tinfoil and check for tenderness. If fork tender, drizzle remaining Blue Agave mixture over the yams and let sit for 2-3 minutes. Gently remove slices and serve. Makes 2 cups.

Note: Yams can be mashed and served with the Grilled Chicken Salad recipe found in the new Young Living Cookbook, Healthy Cooking for the Body, Mind, + Soul.

Orange Cranberry Muffins 

INGREDIENTS
1 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. fresh orange juice
1/4 c. Young Living Blue Agave
1 tsp. grated orange zest
6 drops Young Living orange essential oil
1/2 c butter
2 large eggs
2 c. rice flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. fine salt
1/2 c. almond milk

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a sauce pan, combine the cranberries and orange juice and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off heat and let cool. With an electric mixer, mix agave, orange zest, orange oil and butter until smooth. Add eggs and mix well. Fold in 1 cup of flour, baking powder, and salt. Next, stir in milk and add remaining cup of flour. Gently fold cranberries into mixture. Lightly coat a 12-muffin tin with butter or line with paper baking cups. Put a heaping tablespoon into each tin/cup. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until just barely golden brown. Serve warm with agave-butter.

Makes 24

Sensational Brownies 

"I just wanted to send you a story of how I used peppermint essential oil to enhance a regular batch of brownies. I put five drops of peppermint oil in the batter just to experiment. They turned out wonderful! They remind me of Girl Scout cookies. The only problem is that they were gone too fast." - Dana Christisen

Fudge Brownies

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick unsalted butter)
1/3 c. natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c. coconut flour or whole wheat flour
1/4 t. aluminum-free baking powder (Arco)
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c. Blue agave or 1 cup sugar
2/3 c, sweet potato puree*
1 large egg
5 drops peppermint essential oil (Young Living)
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. instant coffee powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350. Butter an 8 inch square pan; set aside. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Remove pan from heat, and stir in cocoa. Let cool slightly.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. Stir in agave and sweet potato puree, then egg. In a small bowl, stir together peppermint essential oil, vanilla and coffee until coffee is dissolved; add to cocoa mixture.

4. Add flour mixture to cocoa mixture and stir until no traces of flour remain. Spoon into prepared pan; smooth the top. Bake until surface of the brownies look barely dry and an inserted knife comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature before serving.

*If you can't find sweet potato puree, make your own using baked or canned sweet potatoes. Puree in processor until completely smooth.

Cordon Bleu Ice Cream, Mousse and Yogurt 

Here are a few ways to enhance your recipes using essential oils:

Chocolate Mousse:

Add 1 drop of peppermint, lemon, or orange essential oil to 2 1/2 cups of mousse - you have to taste it to believe it!

Ice Cream:

To a half pound block of chocolate ice cream, add 2 drops of tangerine or mandarin essential oil.

Yogurt:

4 oz vanilla yogurt
2 drops Citrus Fresh blend essential oil (Young Living)
Blue Agave to taste
1/3 smashed banana

Mixed together, it is heavenly. Imagine adding a few more ingredients and making a smoothie. The Citrus Fresh gives it such a clean fresh taste. Imagine a wholewheat lemon poppy cake with an icing made with Citrus Fresh. Or what about the fresh fruit salad with citrus fresh...

Party Lavender Lemonade 

INGREDIENTS

4 1/2 gallons water
1 quart juice lemons
1 - 1 1/2 quarts Blue Agave
10 drops Young Living lemon essential oil
10 drops Young Living lavender essential oil
4-8 T concentrated lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Mix ingredients together. Pour over pebbled or crushed ice. Garnish with a lavender swig, if desired.

Makes 5 gallons.

Tea Cozy 

Healthy and So Delicious

INGREDIENTS

1 c pure water
1 drop Young Living oil of choice...spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon bark, nutmeg, lemon, orange, etc.

DIRECTIONS

Heat water until hot.
Put one drop of essential oil in bottom of cup.

Add hot water and serve!

Usage tips: Drinking 1 drop of spearmint in a quart of cool water per day may help with mood swings. - Julia Ross

I put a drop of cinnamon bark in my apple juice. Tastes great! - Sue

Cookbooks - Bringing Back the Basics 

Using Essential Oils in Everyday Cooking

Because the food you eat directly impacts the way you look and feel, incorporating essential oils into your daily diet can make it easier to obtain remarkable results. With the release of our newest cookbook, Volume 2, there are more ways than ever to prepare healthy and delicious recipes.

Young Living Cookbook Volume I, Item No. 3947, Retail $18.36
Healthy Cooking for the Body, Mind, and Soul, Item No. 4369 Retail $18.36

Available online - see resource section below.

Sharing Recipes - Books  

Cooking with Healthy Oils

Aroma: The Magic of Essential Oils in Foods and Fragrance

This book makes evident that aroma, not taste, is our primary experience of food. This seminal work will open your senses to the aromatic, even sensual, dimension of food and fragrance.

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Aromatherapy in the Kitchen: Fragrant Foods for Body, Mind and Spirit

This book brings the benefits of aromatherapy into the kitchen! You will discover ways to incorporate herbs and flowers into your cooking, as well as create the desire mood for your dining experience.

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The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Over 600 Natural, Non-Toxic and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health - Beauty - a Safe Home Environment

This book contains every conceivable use for essential oils and aromatherapy in everyday life. The author, a practicing aromatherapist for over 20 years, unlocks the power of essential oils in more than 600 recipes, most needing only a few essential oils. Unlike over the counter products, the recipes you make yourself contain no harmful preservatives. Most basic needs can be covered with just ten essential oils.

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The Coconut Oil Miracle (Previously published as The Healing Miracle of Coconut Oil)

Studies have shown that this uniquely curative oil actually has innumerable health benefits ranging from disease prevention to anti-aging. Now, in his revised edition of the first book to describe the therapeutic properties of coconut oil, Bruce Fife offers a nutrition plan with dozens of tasty recipes that will allow anyone to experience the healing miracles of what he deems the "perfect food."

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Coconut Lover's Cookbook

Fans of coconut will find Coconut Lover's Cookbook by Bruce Fife to be a compelling little guide which packs in both sweet and savory recipes for use of the coconut, from healthy blender drinks to main courses, biscuits and breads, and desserts. No photos, but the easy dishes don't require them, while the range and variety of coconut dishes will delight coconut enthusiasts.

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Welcome to the World of Essential Oils 

Getting the Most out of Essential Oils

I only recommend Young Living pure therapeutic grade essential oils for ingestion.
Young Living Essential Oils Direct
How to Order Young Living Essential Oils: Young Living pure therapeutic grade essential oils are safe, effective and 100% natural. They may be purchased through your authorized Young Living distributors and are not sold in retail stores. If you have purchased Young Living products or were referred to our website by someone you know, please contact your Young Living representative. If you have never purchased Young Living products before, please visit Young Living or call 1-800-371-3515 and use ID #703949. If you are not sure about which products you need, we will be happy to provide expert assistance.

Disclaimer: All information contained here is intended for educational purposes only. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Sage Hill Farms Link
Sage Hill Farms is family owned and operated. Striving to be better land stewards by organic and natural methods of growing and processing of the foods they eat and market.

Culinary Links 

Taste and Smell
Seventy-five percent of what we perceive as taste comes from the sense of smell.
Culinary Equipment
Nomi Shannon shares on kitchen equipment and recipes for preparing raw food.
Yardley Inn and Spa
Nestled near the Rocky Mountains, the Yardley Inn and Spa, located in Manti, Utah, is one of those perfect getaway places.
The Story of Young Living Essential Oils
Dedicated to the travels, discoveries, and work of D. Gary Young for over 20 years, Gary has traveled the world researching the health benefits of essential oils. He hopes to share and bring mainstream attention to the healing properties of essential oils and the joy it brings to millions around the world.

Learn more about the blessings that nature's oils can bring you.

Did you enjoy Culinary Corner? Did you find what you were looking for? 

faye_durham wrote...

in reply to Maree Hanna

Peppermint creams would be yummy. Care to share your recipe with us? I use peppermint essence made by Young Living Essential Oils, the world leader in the production of therapeutic grade essential oils. They have a warehouse in Europe and they ship all over the world. For more information, visit the website at http://tinyurl.com/38m2bs or contact me directly.

ReplyPosted September 17, 2009

Lensmaster

Maree Hanna wrote

[in reply to Carl-Peter
Could you tell me please where I can buy peppermint oil or essence as I would love to make peppermint creams. I come from England and I live in Vienna now and find some of the ingredients difficult to find. I have found the vanilla esence which is in Bobbys Food store.Thanks.

Reply Posted September 17, 2009

Lensmaster

Carl-Peter wrote

Hello Fay, great article! We do operate a aroma cuisine concept in our restaurant 'at eight' in our hotel The Ring, Vienna's Casual Luxury Hotel in Vienna/Austria where the head chef does cook with aromatic/essential oils and fresh herbs, we find it pretty hard to market this restaurant and the concept correctly in order to be succesfull....any ideas? We tried everything...even implementing an explanation in our menu card...
have a look at the website www.ateight-restaurant.com Looking forward hearing from you at cpechtermeijer@jjwhotels.com Best Regards

Reply Posted August 11, 2009

txmom wrote...

Hi Faye, great page. I've never tried cooking with essential oils. Good resource.

ReplyPosted January 28, 2009

RinchenChodron wrote...

Great lens. I cook with Young Living oils - taste wonderful!

ReplyPosted January 08, 2008

by faye_durham

My name is Faye Durham. I am a clinical research monitor and health care consultant in natural health care. I specialize in therapeutic nutrition, ar... (more)

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