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If you’re like me, you have your same old go-to pantry items like olive oil or vegetable oil. But once in a while, a new product comes across your path. So you have to share about it.
Upon meeting the couple behind the product, hearing their story and learning of the nutritional benefits of the cold pressed virgin sunflower oil, I had to tell you my 5 reasons to use sunflower oil.
I received one bottle of Healthy Hoosier Oil cold pressed virgin sunflower oil from Healthy Hoosier Oil through Rachel’s Taste of Indiana store in exchange for this sponsored post.
5 reasons to use sunflower oil
1. Locally grown
First of all, Healthy Hoosier Oil brand of sunflower oil comes from non-GMO sunflower seeds that are grown, processed and bottled at the Boyer Farms in Central Indiana.
I’ve personally visited their family farm and have witnessed how the sunflower seeds are cold pressed into oil.
Mark Boyer, as a sixth generation farmer, branched out from the traditional corn and soy beans. Instead he now produces canola and sunflowers for oil. Their farm hopes to soon process hemp seed (known for even higher nutritional value) for oil as well.
Furthermore, nothing is wasted. Even the sunflower seed leftovers are used in a neighbor’s hog feed as a nutrition supplement. If sustainability and zero-waste are important to you, this sunflower oil is a product you can support.
Most noteworthy, I learned that the largest purchaser of their sunflower oil is Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis. Their enormous facility uses only Healthy Hoosier Oil Virgin Cold Pressed Sunflower Oil for all of their cooking needs. Certainly, this speaks to the nutrition and taste of the oil, and its cooking versatility.
You can purchase this sunflower oil online through their website at Healthy Hoosier Oil. Or at their storefront, Rachel’s Taste of Indiana in Converse, Indiana.
2. Support small business
Mark and his wife Rachel are so passionate about not only their own products, but other Indiana Grown products as well. As a result, a storefront started a little over a year ago in Converse, Indiana: Rachel’s Taste of Indiana. So only Indiana products are proudly sold there.
The “Indiana Grown” label is part of a state initiative to bring attention to the wonderful products made in Indiana. Indiana Grown products can be found throughout the state at grocery and retail stores, and from the online stores of businesses who qualify for the Indiana Grown label.
But Rachel’s Taste of Indiana allows you to easily discover so many quality Indiana Grown products under one roof. Throughout the year she’s hosted special tastings and festivals to showcase the amazing Indiana products. Like her facebook page to find out more about her store and upcoming events.
Items for sale include gourmet dressings, sauces, snacks, candies, coffees and locally-raised meats. Midwest Fresh Bacon Jam remains one of their top sellers. Other showcased items are Indiana-made artisan jewelry, home decor, kitchen decor, baby items, clothing and much more.
Rachel’s Taste of Indiana proves to be a treasure trove of unique gifts for friends and family, no matter where they’re from.
For example, I recently sent some Albanese gummy candies (purchased at Rachel’s) to some friends in California and they testified they were the best gummy bears they’ve ever had in their lives! It’s time the rest of the nation know about the amazing products made right here in Indiana.
If you feel like making a day of it, I highly recommend Jefferson Street BBQ right next door to Rachel’s Taste of Indiana. There are many other cute stores to check out in downtown Converse as well.
3. Amazing health benefits
The health benefits of sunflower oil outweigh other vegetable-based oils, even olive oil. Cold pressed oil maintains its nutrition. What’s more, according to their website, Healthy Hoosier Oil grows a mid-oleic variety of sunflowers. This means there’s a healthy balance of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — the healthiest combination for an oil to possess. More cold pressed sunflower oil facts include:
- produces more Vitamin E than other vegetable oils
- provides energy and reduces cardiovascular risks through the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats present in the sunflower oil
- low in saturated fats
- zero cholesterol or trans-fats
- non-GMO, unrefined, and non-hydrogenated
4. Incredible Taste and Versatility in cooking
My first taste of this sunflower oil yielded a wonderfully nutty, subtly familiar, earthy flavor of sunflower seeds. I couldn’t wait to cook with it! The incredible taste alone yields more than 5 reasons to use sunflower oil.
You can use sunflower oil in many of the same ways you can use regular olive oil, however, cold pressed sunflower oil has a slightly higher temperature threshold. This gives it greater versatility than extra virgin olive oil.
And the taste of virgin cold pressed sunflower oil fantastically compliments these everyday cooking methods:
- salad dressings and vinaigrette such as this Hawaiian Dressing
- drizzle over popped popcorn with a dash of salt (delicious!)
- use as dipping oil for warmed bread (yum!)
- saute vegetables
- fry potatoes
- cook with eggs
- use in sauces
- cook pork chops in a skillet
- marinate meats
- prep foods for grilling, cooking in foil on a grill or over a fire
- or prep oven pans before cooking
- sheet pan cooking — keep reading for a recipe!
5. Delicious Sheet Pan Dinner
Anymore, the less prep I have to do before a meal the better. Have you tried a sheet pan dinner? Everything goes on one baking sheet and into the oven all at once. I love that. You can use parchment paper or cover the baking sheet in foil for super easy clean-up.
To round out the 5 reasons to use sunflower oil, here’s one way to use this fantastic oil.
Baking veggies at this high heat does something amazing to the starches. The high heat caramelizes the starches, which sweetens and enhances the flavors. Any kind of fully cooked sausage works. ALDI happens to carry all of these ingredients too.
This easy and fast meal became even more delicious by using cold pressed sunflower oil.
Sheet pan cooking is so versatile. The possibilities really are endless when you add a fantastic nutty-flavored sunflower oil and high heat to whatever is on a baking sheet.
Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies • nickelplatekitchen.com
This versatile dish combines an all-in-one meal with meat and veggies roasted on a single sheet pan in cooking oil such as sunflower oil.
Ingredients
- 2 medium peeled sweet potatoes, cut 1 inch by 1 inch
- 8 oz brussel sprouts, cut in half
- 4 oz cremini mushrooms, cut in half
- 1 red onion chopped into 1 inch by 1 inch chunks
- 14 oz package of fully cooked Kielbasa sausage cut into 1 inch chunks
- 3 Tbsp sunflower oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 450°.
- Step 2 Line rimmed baking sheet (15 x 10 x 1) with aluminum foil (or parchment paper) for easy clean up.
- Step 3 Prep veggies and sausage and toss in a large bowl with sunflower oil and salt.
- Step 4 Spread a single layer of veggies and sausage onto the lined baking sheet.
- Step 5 Bake in oven for 30 minutes, until veggies are tender and browning. Add salt to taste. Serve immediately.
Welcome to Nickel Plate Kitchen! I'm Elizabeth, wife of Jim and mom of two boys (a 3yo and a newborn). I'm passionate about good food on a budget with room for extravagance now and then. I hope you find something helpful while you're here. Thanks for stopping by!