Oil

Soy oil, which is what you’re getting when you purchase “vegetable oil,” is an inexpensive, light, transfat-free, neutral oil and my implied choice (unless otherwise stipulated) for recipes that call for neutral-flavored oil. You may substitute other flavorless oils such as canola or grapeseed. Many people cook with olive oil as their base, which is fine if you’re only cooking Mediterranean dishes. The olive flavor doesn’t go with everything, so it is important to think about which oil makes the most sense for each preparation.