The best cooking oil

Some people mistakenly think canola oil is the same as low-quality vegetable oil, but the 365 Everyday Value Organic Canola Oil is very healthy and great for cooking.

Made from hybridized rapeseed, canola oil is high in monounsaturated fat, and contains a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids. It has a very mild taste that works with any sort of recipe, and has a fairly high smoke point. Because just about all supermarket canola oil in the US is pressed from genetically modified rapeseed, however, it's best to choose an organic variety.

Our favorite organic canola oil comes from 365 Everday Value, Whole Foods' in-house brand. You can trust that it's not genetically modified or altered in any way.

Used at moderate temperatures, this canola oil is excellent for baking, sautéing, stir-frying and as a base for dressings. Its mild taste makes it a good match for any dish that has stronger spices or flavors.

Pros: Versatile, lots of Omega-3, organic, works at moderate temperatures, affordable

Cons: Mild flavor isn't for special dishes

La Tourangelle's flavorful peanut oil adds character to any dish that could benefit from a touch of nutty goodness.

With its peanutty flavor and high smoke point, La Tourangelle's peanut oil is excellent for deep-frying and stir-frying. It is lower in healthy fats than olive oil or canola oil, but does have a good level of Omega-6.

La Tourangelle's expeller-pressed roasted peanut oil isn't refined chemically, either, so it's extra healthy. Although refined peanut oil has the peanut allergen removed, it is still safest to avoid using this oil if you are cooking for anyone who might be allergic to peanuts.

Peanut oil is popular in Asian stir-fry recipes and is also a good choice for frying potatoes or even a whole turkey. La Tourangelle's peanut oil is absolutely delicious and quite healthy.

Pros: Delicious flavor, not refined chemically, great in stir-fry

Cons: Bad if you're allergic to peanuts, expensive

If you love stir-fry or other Asian dishes, your pantry is not complete without a bottle of dark sesame oil by Ottogi or Napa Valley Naturals' light sesame oil.

Though it has a moderately high smoke point, sesame oil is best used with low or medium heat. It contains a high level of healthy polyunsaturated fats. Sesame oil is processed into dark oil, which has a strong flavor, and light oil, which is milder, but still flavorful.

We love Ottogi's dark sesame oil for Asian cooking, and it's particularly good for a stir-fry. If you're ambitious, you can also use it to make your own sauces for tofu, pad thai, and other fun dishes.

Napa Valley Naturals' light sesame oil is delicious in salad dressings and for sautéing, though it's not quite as strong as the dark oil.

Regardless of which one you buy, store your sesame oil in the refrigerator to keep it from going rancid.

Pros: Delicious flavor; great for stir-fry, Asian cooking, salad dressings, and more

Cons: Expensive, strong

Mild in flavor and with a high smoke point, Sunvella's sunflower oil is useful for all sorts of medium-to-high-heat cooking techniques.

Low in saturated fat and high in Vitamin E, Sunvella's sunflower oil has a mild flavor. It's good for making French fries or other potato dishes, sautéing, or using as a base for salad dressing.

You might see sunflower oil labeled high oleic. This oil has been modified to have a higher level of oleic acid, which increases its level of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. We recommend Sunvella's oil because it's unrefined. Refining removes some of the oil's nutritious aspects.

If you want to expand the oil's use beyond the kitchen, it's also a good choice for use as a carrier oil for your favorite therapeutic essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, or citrus, because sunflower oil has little odor and is quite lightweight and easy on the skin.

Pros: Mild, versatile, Vitamin E, unrefined, doubles as a beauty product

Cons: None

Viva Naturals' coconut oil is not just a boon in the kitchen, it's also a versatile beauty tool for your hair and skin.

Coconut oil is very unusual among plant oils because it's mostly saturated — not unsaturated — fat. That's why coconut oil turns solid at room temperature. However, instead of the long chain triglycerides found in animal fats, coconut oil mainly consists of medium chain triglycerides, which are far easier for the body to metabolize.

Viva Naturals' coconut oil is an excellent cooking oil that can be used in place of butter, lard, other cooking oils, or margarine. It works great for sautéing and baking, plus, it adds a hint of the delicious taste of coconut to your dishes.

Keep it over medium heat, however, as it doesn't have a very high smoke point. Coconut oil also works well as a substitute for butter or peanut butter on your morning toast.

You'll even find a multitude of uses for your coconut oil in your beauty routine. It's a great moisturizer for skin and hair. We love Viva Naturals' coconut oil in particular because it's organic, cold-pressed and extra virgin.

Pros: Good flavor, versatile, doubles as a beauty product, great for baking, butter substitute

Cons: Expensive

Loaded with monounsaturated fats, as well as Vitamin E and potassium, Bellas Vado's avocado oil has a mild flavor that's very versatile.

Avocado oil has more saturated fat than most other cooking oils, other than coconut oil, but it's loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats and several antioxidants. Bella Vado makes our favorite avocado oil.

It's organic and extra virgin, so you don't have to worry about additives and other issues.

Avocado oil has a high smoke point, so this is a great oil for frying, searing, sautéing, and roasting. The flavor is very mild, so don't worry that it will change the taste of your food.

It's also a great choice for salad dressing, drizzling on bread, or lightly flavoring cooked fish or chicken. On the downside, however, avocado oil tends to be expensive.

Pros: Antioxidants, mild, great for salad, extra virgin

Cons: Expensive

Looking for a way to liven up your salads? Then check out La Tourangelle's walnut oil.

Due to its very low smoke point, walnut oil isn't a good choice for cooking over heat, but it's a delicious addition to salad dressings, chicken or tuna salad, roasted vegetables, or even as a dip for your bread.

La Tourangelle's walnut oil is rich, delicious, and pure. It's made from California walnuts that have been hand roasted in cast iron kettles, expeller pressed, and lightly filtered to preserve the flavors.

Walnut oil boasts the perfect ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids for heart health, and it's high in polyunsaturated fats. Walnut oil also has lots of Vitamin K, which is essential for healthy bones. It has a rich, nutty taste, but it isn't overwhelming.

This is another cooking oil that should be stored in the refrigerator once opened.

Pros: Great flavor, perfect for salad, rich in Vitamin K and Omega fatty acids

Cons: Expensive, doesn't work well with heat

If you hate fish oil capsules, Puritan Pride's flaxseed oil can provide all the Omega 3 you need, and add zest to your salad dressings, as well.

Super-high in ALA Omega 3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil is a super-star when it comes to heart health.

Puritan's Pride flaxseed oil is made from flaxseeds that are processed under strict light and climate control to ensure that you get the most out of the oil. The seeds are pressed at cold temperatures without solvents, so you can rest assured that this oil is clean.

Flaxseed oil isn't suitable for cooking over heat, however, due to its low smoke point. Instead, drizzle this slightly nutty, slightly sweet oil over salads and cooked veggies, whip it into your favorite salad dressing or dips, or mix it with a bit of balsamic vinegar for dipping your bread.

Flaxseed oil does oxidize and turn rancid quickly and easily, however, so be sure to store it in the fridge once opened. You'll know it has gone bad if the taste is sour or bitter, and the smell is "off."

Pros: Omega-3, great for salads, nice flavor

Cons: Expensive, not for heating

But what about fat?

Oils are liquid fat, and many people are concerned about fat in their diet. Cooking oils are generally healthy fats, however. They aren't the unhealthy saturated fat that is mostly found in animal products or trans-fat, which is usually made by processing unsaturated fat into a solid form with a longer shelf life. You can usually tell the more unhealthy forms of fat because they are solid at room temperature.

Plant oils, which are unsaturated fats, (coconut oil is an exception here) tend to remain liquid at room temperature. The two main forms of unsaturated fats are:

Monounsaturated fats, which can reduce "bad" cholesterol (LDL), increase "good" cholesterol (HDL), lower blood pressure, and reduce risk of heart disease, are plentiful in nuts, olives, and avocados.

Polyunsaturated fat includes the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, both of which are essential for good health.

Storing cooking oils

Other than the few cooking oils that belong in the refrigerator, keep your cooking oils in a closed cupboard, and away from excessive heat or moisture. Oils will go stale or rancid if kept for too long once opened.

Generally, you can expect olive oil to last for around a year, other oils for 6 to 8 months. Purchase small bottles of specialty oils, and mid-size bottles of those you use frequently, such as olive oil.

The best electric kettles

Electric kettles boil water faster than a watched pot on your stove, and the best ones even offer adjustable temperature settings to ensure that the water is just right for your delicate tea leaves. Here are the best electric kettles you can buy:

• Best electric kettle overall: Krups Savoy Adjustable Temperature Kettle
• Second-best electric kettle: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle
• Best high-end electric kettle: Smeg '50s Retro-Style Electric Kettle
• Best cheap electric kettle: Secura Stainless Steel Double Wall Electric Kettle
• Best ceramic electric kettle: BELLA Electric Ceramic Tea Kettle
• Best giant electric kettle: 4-Liter Zojirushi Electric Kettle

The best cookie cutters

A great set of cookie cutters makes those delicious holiday treats even more of a pleasure to make and share. These are the best cookie cutters you can buy:

• Best overall: Ann Clark Cookie Cutter Set
• Best on a budget: Winblo 40-Piece Cookie Cutter Set
• Best for Chanukah: Rite Lite LTD Metal Chanukah Cookie Cutters
• Best 3D cutters: 3D Christmas Cookie Cutters Set
• Best indestructible set: Ateco Cookie Cutter Set in Various Shapes
• Best for kids: Wilton 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set

The best loaf pans

High-quality loaf pans cook your baked goods evenly, release them with little fuss, and are made of heavy-duty materials. These are the best loaf pans you can buy:

• Best loaf pan overall: Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan
• Best aluminized steel loaf pan: USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
• Best glass loaf pan: Pyrex 1.5-Quart Clear Basics Glass Loaf Pan
• Best loaf pan with handles: Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Loaf Pan
• Best meatloaf pan: Chicago Metallic Non-Stick 2-Piece Meatloaf Set