I Put Tesco's New Healthy Cooking Oil Spray to the Test

I've been sitting on these oil sprays for a few weeks now, thinking about how best to show off some demonstrations as to how they work at close eye and finally got cracking.  If you're a regular recipe reader, you'll know that most of my recipes call for low-calorie oil spray; it allows you to have more control over overconsumption and in turn, treat yourself to more serious things.  This is just one of many little changes that I insist you try if you're still pouring oil directly in to your frying pans.

There are many oil sprays out there that are part oil and water and three months ago I noticed that Tesco jumped on a trend wagon and rightly so; with a bit of luck, hopefully most people will be converted to this way of cooking and make a difference.  I am predominantly a Tesco shopper and have been for years, but when I do venture on to new grounds from time to time, I have noticed other retailers are now stocking other brands' versions, such as Clover, Lurpack and more than I'm probably aware of.

So what is the difference between this and my usual?  Well firstly I instantly noticed a difference in packaging.  I think Tesco beat majority here with their transparent "nothing to hide" image in pure oil form.  This makes me more self aware of how much I'm using and how soon until I need to buy my next one.  However, this does bump it up to 2 calories per spray, so if you're on a special diet plan, you will need to check whether this is acceptable and how to count it.  But what is in one calorie?  You decide.  Although it does not spray in a fine mist unlike others, the fact that it is pure makes it easier to glide in the pan when the heat is turned up.

So far we have been given a choice of four classic flavours which are Sunflower and Rapeseed at £1.50 whereas the Olive and Extra Virgin Olive Oil price pointed at £1.65.  I have no doubt that these flavours would be accepted in most people's kitchens but for those who have been using oil sprays for years, I am hoping for far more exciting taste bud ticklers down the line once it becomes more established, such as ginger, paprika etc.  Sometimes fresh herbs are not always possible and can really enhance a dish.

So in short, they are really great oils that would benefit those more who don't have non-stick pans.  My first test was sauteing diced onions in my steel pan (the base of my 3 tier steamer) and I had no issues with burning or catching at all, so when I tested my new anodised non-stick set, I knew it would be a dream.

If you want to see the sprays in action, then here is my YouTube demonstration as I test them with difference scenarios:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGBgZIhWu6EIt's up to you and your diet plan (if you're on one) whether you that extra calorie matters.  I don't dwell on it personally as it is much more beneficial that pouring unknown quantities straight from the bottle.  However, I'm not 100% sure yet whether I'm fully converted and won't know until I need to buy some more which may boil down to who is the most competitive on price.

So please let me know your thoughts on it too and if you're not using this, what particular oil spray do you recommend?  And if you haven't been converted yet to use any oil spray, then I urge you to try a bottle and see how you like it.  Think small changes.