How to use gac oil in cooking is becoming a topic of interest for many Vietnamese families thanks to its superior health benefits. Gac oil not only brings distinctive flavor but also provides abundant nutrition for the body.
In this article, we will share in-depth knowledge about this precious medicinal plant, helping you understand the relationship between plants and humans through the scientific and most effective use of gac oil.
1. Overview of Gac Oil
Gac oil is extracted from the seeds of gac fruit – an Asian fruit tree with high nutritional value. This is a natural medicinal herb that has been used in traditional Vietnamese medicine for thousands of years.
1.1. What is Gac Oil?
Gac oil is a product extracted from gac fruit seeds (Momordica cochinchinensis), containing beta-carotene content 10 times higher than carrots. How to use gac oil in Vietnamese traditional cooking is often shown through the bright red sticky rice dish during festivals and Tet holidays.
The popularity of gac oil comes from its beautiful color and naturally delicious aroma. Many modern families have applied how to use gac oil in cooking to daily dishes like rice, soup, and stir-fried dishes.
1.2. Gac Oil in Traditional Medicine
According to traditional medicine documents, gac is considered a precious medicinal plant that nourishes blood and enhances vision. Ancient doctors have passed down how to use gac oil in cooking to treat eye diseases and enhance overall health.
The relationship between plants and humans is clearly demonstrated through the use of gac as a functional food. Ancient people understood the nutritional value of this medicinal herb and applied it to daily life.
1.3. Why Choose Gac Oil?
Gac oil is superior to regular cooking oils thanks to its high vitamin A content and natural antioxidants. Proper use of gac oil in cooking helps the body absorb maximum nutrients without worrying about harmful effects like industrial oils.
This is an ideal choice for those who care about health and want to adopt a green lifestyle. Gac oil also has better preservation ability and is less oxidized compared to other vegetable oils.
2. Top 5+ Benefits of Using Gac Oil
Modern scientific research has confirmed the wonderful benefits of gac oil for health. Properly applying how to use gac oil in cooking will bring the following positive effects.
2.1. Enhance Vision and Eye Health
Beta-carotene in gac oil is converted to vitamin A, an essential nutrient for the retina. Regular use of gac oil in cooking helps prevent dry eyes, night blindness, and age-related eye diseases.
Many studies show that regular consumption of gac oil can improve night vision and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. This is an important benefit for people who frequently work with computers.
2.2. Support Digestive System and Nutrient Absorption
Gac oil contains essential fatty acids that help improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Using gac oil in cooking combined with green vegetables will enhance the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K.
This medicinal herb also has the effect of protecting gastric mucosa and supporting digestion. Regular use of gac oil helps reduce digestive inflammation and improve gut health.
2.3. Boost Immune System
- Antioxidants: Lycopene and beta-carotene in gac oil
- Vitamin E: Protects cells from harmful free radicals
- Omega fatty acids: Enhance natural immune response
Regular use of gac oil in cooking helps the body fight infections and enhance resistance. Particularly effective in preventing colds and respiratory diseases.
2.4. Anti-Aging and Skin Protection
Vitamins A and E in gac oil have powerful anti-aging effects on the skin. Regular use of gac oil in cooking helps skin become smooth, reduces wrinkles and improves elasticity.
Studies show that beta-carotene also has the ability to protect skin from UV damage. This is a great benefit for those who frequently expose to sunlight.
2.5. Support Height Development in Children
Vitamin A plays an important role in bone development and growth in children. Proper use of gac oil in cooking for children helps support protein synthesis and cell development processes.
Gac oil also provides abundant energy for children’s activities. Adding this medicinal herb to daily meals will help children develop comprehensively both physically and mentally.
2.6. Protect Cardiovascular Health
Unsaturated fatty acids in gac oil help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Using gac oil in cooking as a replacement for regular oil will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Lycopene has the effect of protecting blood vessel walls and improving circulation. This is an excellent choice for those with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.
2.7. Improve Brain Function
Vitamin A and essential fatty acids in gac oil nourish brain cells and improve memory. Regular use of gac oil in cooking helps enhance concentration and learning ability.
For the elderly, gac oil can help prevent memory decline and neurodegenerative diseases. This is an important benefit in maintaining long-term brain health.
3. How to Use Gac Oil in Cooking
To maximize the benefits of this precious medicinal herb, you need to master the basic principles. Scientific use of gac oil in cooking will ensure preserving nutritional value and safety for health.
3.1. Optimal Usage Temperature
Gac oil contains many vitamins sensitive to high temperatures, especially vitamins A and E. The best way to use gac oil in cooking is to keep the temperature below 150°C to avoid decomposing nutrients.
Add gac oil at the end of the cooking process or use it for raw dishes like salads. Long boiling will lose the characteristic red color and reduce the nutritional value of this medicinal plant.
3.2. Mixing Ratio with Other Cooking Oils
For economical and effective use of gac oil in cooking, you can mix it with other vegetable oils in a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4. This both helps reduce costs and maintains the natural flavor of dishes.
Pure gac oil can be used directly for special dishes or when maximum nutrition supplementation is needed. However, do not use more than 1-2 teaspoons per day to avoid excess vitamin A.
3.3. Timing of Adding Gac Oil to Dishes
The most effective way to use gac oil in cooking is to add it at the end of the processing. For rice, mix gac oil when the rice is still hot to create a beautiful red color and delicious aroma.
For soup dishes, drop gac oil into the bowl before ladling soup. For stir-fried dishes, add gac oil in the final step and turn off the heat immediately after to preserve nutrients.
3.4. Nutritional Preservation Methods
Gac oil needs to be stored in dark glass bottles, tightly closed and kept in a dry, cool place. Avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures to maintain medicinal quality.
After opening, use within 3-6 months to ensure the best quality. Proper use of gac oil in cooking includes appropriate storage to avoid rancidity and nutrient loss.
4. Dishes Using Gac Oil
4.1. Shrimp Porridge with Gac Oil
Shrimp porridge is a simple but nutritious dish that supplements protein, calcium, and iron for the body. This dish is very suitable for everyone, especially young children, elderly people, and those recovering from illness.
Preparation:
- 150g tiger shrimp.
- 20g rice.
- 10g green onions.
- 1 teaspoon minced shallots.
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce.
- 2 teaspoons gac oil.
Instructions
- Peel tiger shrimp, grind or mince finely then marinate with minced shallots and fish sauce. Wash green onions and chop finely.
- Put shrimp shells in a pot, add 500ml filtered water and boil for about 20 minutes to extract broth.
- Wash rice clean, add broth and cook until it becomes porridge.
- Add shrimp, boil for about 5 more minutes then add green onions and turn off heat.
- Finally, mix 2 teaspoons of gac oil into the porridge before serving.
4.2. Crab and Tomato Soup with Gac Oil
Crab and tomato soup is a dish loved by many Vietnamese families at every meal. The way to cook crab soup is quite simple, just spend a little time and you will have a delicious, cooling soup for your family.
Preparation:
- 200g ground crab.
- 2 ripe tomatoes.
- 80g dill.
- 50g green onions.
- Fermented rice.
- Cooking oil and gac oil.
Instructions:
- Add water to ground crab to extract crab meat.
- Heat pan on stove, add a little cooking oil to stir-fry tomatoes until cooked.
- Cook crab water with stir-fried tomatoes until cooked.
- Add fermented rice and seasonings to taste.
- Finally, add dill and green onions to the soup pot, add 1 tablespoon of gac oil before turning off heat.
4.3. Stir-Fried Ribs with Gac Oil
Stir-fried ribs is a rice accompaniment dish that children absolutely love. Let’s go to the kitchen with the recipe below, you will create a dish of tender, crispy ribs soaked in sweet and sour sauce that is irresistibly delicious.
Preparation:
- 300g pork ribs.
- 100g bell peppers.
- Onions, green onions.
- Ground onions and garlic.
- Gac oil and other seasonings.
Instructions:
- Wash ribs clean, blanch quickly in boiling water to remove odor.
- Stir-fry onions and garlic until fragrant, then add ribs and stir-fry until cooked.
- Add bell peppers, onions, green onions and stir evenly.
- Finally, season and add gac oil, stir well before turning off heat.
4.4. Cucumber Salad
Cucumber is a fruit rich in vitamins and minerals that helps with weight loss and effective skin beautification. With the cucumber salad recipe below, you can help family members cool down their bodies during hot summer days.
Preparation:
- 5 cucumbers.
- 1 onion
- A few fresh mint leaves.
- Half cup of grated cheese
- 1 lemon.
- Salt and pepper
- 1-2 spoons of gac oil.
Instructions:
- Wash cucumbers and onions clean, slice into bite-sized pieces. Wash mint clean, chop finely.
- Put cucumbers, onions, mint in a bowl then add cheese, a little salt, 1 spoon of pepper, 1 spoon of lemon juice.
- Mix the mixture evenly with 1 tablespoon of gac oil to make the cucumber salad attractive and eye-catching.
4.5. Gac Oil Fried Rice
Fried rice is a familiar dish, easy to prepare and suitable for many people’s taste. When combined with gac oil, the dish will have an attractive color and rich flavor. This is a creative way to both enjoy delicious meals and take care of the whole family’s health.
Preparation:
- 1 bowl of cold rice
- 2 spoons of gac oil
- Tiger shrimp or chicken/pork (optional)
- Dried onions, green onions, seasonings
Instructions:
- Fry dried onions until fragrant, add shrimp and fry until cooked then set aside.
- Add cold rice to pan and stir evenly until hot.
- Add fried shrimp to rice, season to taste.
- Finally, add gac oil and stir quickly, then sprinkle chopped green onions on top.
Start applying how to use gac oil in cooking to your daily menu to enjoy these wonderful benefits. With the basic principles that VietPlantEx has shared, you can safely and effectively use gac oil for your family’s health.
