Cooking with Linseed

Like all unsaturated nut and seed oils, Linseed should not be cooked at very high temperatures because it destroys the oil’s most important properties. But it can be added to cakes, biscuits and buns, or stirred into dishes at the end of cooking time to give them a healthy boost.

Its unique, fresh taste makes Linseed a fabulous base for vinaigrettes and gives home-made smoothies an irresistibly creamy texture. Here you’ll find a selection of some our best-loved recipes. For more ideas, turn to our order page for the book Fabulous Flax.

Banana Mash

This makes a delicious sugar-free breakfast or snack – the flavour of banana has a special affinity with Linseed oil and it’s rich in complex carbohydrates and fibre, making it a good way for anyone with a sweet tooth to enjoy Omega 3 oil.

Method: mash a soft banana with a fork and incorporate 1-2tsp of High Barn Oils Linseed Oil. Add honey and cinnamon to taste. Eat immediately.

O So Smoothie

This smoothie, laced with healthy omega 3 from linseed, satisfies a sweet tooth but with no added sugar! The banana absorbs the oil and makes the silkiest, richest smoothie you’ve ever tasted.

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 bananas
  • 1 cup orange juice or freshly squeezed whole oranges
  • 1-2tsp linseed oil

Method: Whizz all the ingredients in a blender, chill and serve. Try adding a cup of raspberries, strawberries, kiwi, peach or nectarine, or combinations of seasonal fruit, for an extra vitamin C boost.

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Big O3 Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2tsp olive oil
  • Tin chopped and strained tomatoes
  • Pinch of dried herbs
  • Pinch salt
  • Pinch sugar
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1tbsp Linseed oil

Method: Simmer all the ingredients except the Linseed oil together until soft and well reduced. Take off the heat, allow to cool slightly and stir in Linseed oil. Keep in the fridge.

Linseed Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

  • 1tbsp olive oil
  • 1tbsp Linseed oil
  • 1-2tbsp lemon juice or wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Pinch dried tarragon
  • Crushed garlic to taste

Method: Mix the oils and lemon juice or wine vinegar together thoroughly until emulsified. Stir in seasoning, herbs and garlic.

Quick Easy Dhal

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 chopped onions
  • 2-4 crushed cloves garlic
  • 1 chopped green or red pepper
  • ½tsp turmeric
  • 1tsp garam masala
  • ½tsp chilli powder
  • ½tsp crushed black pepper
  • 1 cup dried red lentils
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 thinly sliced onion
  • Ghee or cooking oil
  • ½tsp cumin seeds
  • ½tsp mustard seed
  • 1 chopped red chilli
  • 1-2tsp Linseed oil per person
  • Fresh green coriander to garnish

Method: Place chopped onions, garlic, green or red pepper, turmeric, garam masala, chilli powder, pepper, lentils and tomatoes into a sauce. Cover with enough water to prevent sticking and boil until lentils are soft. Brown in a frying pan the sliced onion in a little ghee or oil. Add cumin, mustard and red chili. Fry until the seeds start to pop. Take off the heat and stir in 1-2tsp of Linseed oil per person and immediately stir into the lentil mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Tip: Try using Linseed oil dribbled on top of cooked vegetables instead of butter. It tastes especially good on cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower or with herbs on boiled or mashed potatoes.