As modern parents living in Singapore, we are always on the go. But there is one thing for sure—no matter how busy we are—quality is something that we will never compromise on. When it comes to essential oils in Singapore, we want to ensure that they are safe, especially if there are young children at home.
Essential oils are extremely versatile, and are most commonly used through aromatherapy. However, did you know that you can also apply it on the affected areas of troubled skin, and even as food flavourings to your meals?
When used in the right way, essential oils can present various health benefits such as improving one’s mood and reduce stress.
However, as a guideline, it is advised to keep essential oils away from babies younger than 3 months, according to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Essential oils in Singapore: Are all essential oils made natural and safe?
As not all essential oils are made equal–what is then considered a true essential oil? How do we determine if they are safe for our family to consume?
It all boils down to the way that the oils are produced. For one, essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered as a true essential oil, and may be looked upon as being unsafe.
Fortunately, there are natural essential oils out there such as Young Living Essential Oils that are made 100% natural from plants origins. Not only that, they adhere to strict quality control standards with their Seed to Seal® process, having gone through rigorous testing from Sourcing, Science and Standards.
With the recent launch of their Plus essential oils in Singapore, families can experiment with 5 amazing flavours: Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary, Dill and Celery Seed dietary essential oils.
Why is it a good idea to add dietary essential oils to your cooking?
1. Packs a punch!
When it comes to good things, you really don’t need much. Such as the Plus essential oils where you only need only a drop or two to achieve the same flavour impact.
Plus, because these essential oils are packed with rich, powerful and intense flavours, they greatly enhance the flavour of food. They are also versatile and have a long shelf life of 3 years.
2. Hassle-free for busy parents
Indulge in the wonderful flavours of food, with just a simple addition of these high quality dietary Plus essential oils. Even with just one or two drops, its taste will not be compromised.
Furthermore, there is no added mincing, cutting and chopping, on top of all the other activities you need to do as busy parents. Not only does that reduce your food preparation time, it also reduces food wastage from only using a small quantity of ingredients (e.g. lemons for its zest) bought at the supermarket.
Hence, incorporating the dietary essential oils offers convenience and efficiency.
3. Chemical-free, a pure healthier alternative
The Young Living Plus dietary essential oils are generally recognised as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. They are 100% natural and derived from plant origins (vegan-friendly too!). So parents, you can can rest assured that they are safe to be ingested.
Besides, as compared to the conventional food flavourings found in supermarkets, which are usually chemical-laden, the Young Living Plus range of dietary essential oils are pure and can be used to substitute spice and herbs. Not only can you include them in dishes, you can also add them to all of your favourite drinks and even desserts!
Try:
- Adding 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil to water for a refreshing touch.
- Mixing them into your hot or cold drinks as per your liking.
- Adding a drop or two of the peppermint plus essential oil into your hot chocolate drink (yum!)
- Dill plus is great as a flavourful ingredient for soups, stews, and even fish! It is known to be a key flavour in many traditional Russian, European, Mediterranean, Asian, and Scandinavian dishes.
What are the precautions to note when incorporating these essential oils?
Essential Oil Singapore: Local celebrity chef, Angela May, does a cooking demonstration using the Young Living Plus essential oils.
“It is always best to refer to the label directions when consuming any food products,” says Angela May, local celebrity chef.
Here are some tips from Angela May herself:
- Avoid exceeding the recommended usage instructions as there is high concentration levels of the Plus dietary essential oils.
- Use only a small amount to add flavour and avoid excess (that could overpower the taste of the entire dish). When in doubt, try a toothpick first on a fresh dish or in a mocktail.
- Avoid burning by lowering your stovetop temperature.
- Blending dietary essential oils with a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil.
- Add the oils after the dish is removed from heat.
- Best added after cooking for the most flavour.
3 Specially Curated Essential Oil Infused Recipes That Kids Will Also Love
Chef Angela May’s top pick amongst the Plus dietary essential oils would be the Lemon Plus essential oil (R.P. S$13.81). It could be families’ favourite as it is extremely versatile, able to be used in all kinds of dishes–from savoury to sweet recipes, from creating main dishes to canapes.
Tip: Always use glassware or stainless steel when cooking especially when dealing with essential oils. And avoid wood as they may absorb the scent.
Here are 3 simple and yummy recipes specially curated by Angela May, using the dietary plus essential oils:
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Barramundi en papilliote (featuring Dill and Lemon Plus Essential Oils)
Serves: 1
Total prep time: 10 mins
Total cooking time: 12 mins
Use of essential oil Singapore, the Dill Plus and Lemon Plus essential oil.
Ingredients:
- 180g locally caught barramundi
- 1⁄4 stalk lemongrass finely sliced
- 1 deseeded sliced red chili, finely sliced
- 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced
- 2 baby corn cut, halved lengthwise
- 2 sugar snap peas, cut into 1 inch lengthwise
- 20ml pre-packed coconut cream
- Fish sauce
- Soy sauce
- 1 drop Young Living Dill Plus essential oil
- 3 drops Young Living Lemon Plus essential oil
Method:
- Place fish skin side down on foil.
- Mix coconut cream, fish sauce, soy sauce, Young Living Dill Plus and Young Living Lemon Plus
essential oils together and pour around fish.
- Place peas and corn around fish.
- Place lemongrass, chili and half the kaffir lime leaves on top of the fish.
- Carefully crimp the edges of the foil to make a half moon bag and carefully place it on a
baking tray.
- Bake the barramundi for 12 minutes 180 en papilliote – open tableside.
- Top with Micro cress salad and remaining kaffir lime leaves.
- Finish with arbequina olive oil mixed with more Young Living Lemon Plus essential oil.
- Plate and serve.
-
Rosemary infused Chicken Skewers with Chicken and Prawn Dipping Sauce (featuring Celery Seed and Lemon Plus essential oils)
Serves: 4
Total prep time: 10 mins
Total cooking time: 12 mins
According to Irene Cheng, Product Marketing & Distributor Education Manger; Certified Nutritionist of Young Living Singapore, the chicken skewers is a “perfect snack for kids”.
She thinks it is delicious and finds that children usually prefer when their food is served a bit differently. So, skewers and a dip would be a fun way for them to consume their snack.
Use of essential oil Singapore, the Celery Seed Plus and Lemon Plus essential oil.
Ingredients list
- 100 g finely minced chicken
- 1 cup pre-packed coconut milk
- 1 red chili (deseeded)
- 10 g tamarind soaked and strained
- 1⁄2 tsp white pepper
- 1 diced shallot
- 2 tbsp cilantro stems and roots
- 4 cloves garlic, finely diced
- Fish sauce
- 100 g finely diced prawns
- 2 drops Young Living Celery Seed Plus essential oil
- 5 drops Young Living Lemon Plus essential oil
- Olive oil
What you will need:
- A packet of wooden skewers
- Young Living Celery Seed and Lemon Plus essential oils
Garnish
- Mint leaves
- Cilantro
- Micro cress
- Coconut cream
Method to create the dipping sauce:
- Pound cilantro, garlic, 1 chili and white pepper in a clean mortar and pestle.
- Transfer the ground mixture from the mortar and pestle into a medium pan. Over a flame, add in the coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer; stir occasionally for 7 minutes.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients and continue to stir.
- Add the Young Living Celery Seed and Lemon Plus essential oils and turn off the heat.
- Transfer into a serving bowl and drizzle some coconut cream over the dipping sauce.
- Garnish with coconut cream, chili slices and salad dressed in Young Living Lemon Plus
essential oil together with olive oil.
Tips for plating the dish
Use your favourite serving plate and add a variety of dipping options. Options include steamed long beans, roasted cauliflower and rice crackers.
OR if you would like to prepare just the Rosemary Chicken:
Ingredients list for Rosemary chicken:
- Young Living Rosemary Plus
- 400 grams Chicken
- 1⁄4 cup Olive oil
What you will need:
- A packet of wooden skewers
- Young Living Dietary Plus range essential oils Young Living Rosemary Plus
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees
2. Skewer chicken and set aside
3. Mix 1⁄4 cup olive oil and 7 drops of Young Living Rosemary Plus
4. Brush chicken skewers with rosemary and olive oil mix
5. Bake in oven for 12 minutes
-
Chocolate Mint Bundt Cake (featuring Peppermint Plus Essential Oil)
“A decadent dessert with a hint of refreshing mint, and it’s simple to make!” says Irene.
Meanwhile, Angela May provides a glorious tip: use up the leftover chocolate sauce, add water and a drop of peppermint plus oil for a smooth chocolate-y drink!
Total Prep time: 15 mins
Total cooking time: 50 mins
Essential Oil Singapore: Peppermint plus pairs very well with anything chocolate! The perfect pair, according to Angela May.
Cake Ingredients
- 225g unsalted butter
- 285g unbleached all-purpose flour
- 70g cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 120g whole milk
- 100g plain yogurt
- 300g sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Method
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together, whisk and
set aside.
- In another large mixing bowl, mix together milk and yogurt and set aside.
- Beat butter and sugar until pale (approximately 5 minutes), add eggs one by one, add vanilla bean
paste.
- Using a spatula, carefully incorporate a third of the dry ingredients then half of the wet ingredients,
then alternating to finish with dry ingredients.
- Bake for around 50 minutes.
Essential oil Singapore: ganache topped with rich, gooey chocolate.
Ganache Ingredients
- 160g full cream
- 60g whole milk
- 5 drops Young Living Peppermint Plus Essential Oil
- 15g honey
- 140g chocolate
- A pinch of salt
Method
1. Heat cream and milk to 40 degrees.
2. Melt chocolate over a water bath. Once it is fully melted, add a pinch of salt, honey and Young
Living Peppermint Plus essential oil.
3. Turn off the heat. Mix cream mixture and chocolate. Stir rapidly, mix well. Continue stirring until
fully incorporated.
4. While it is still warm, pour over the baked bundt cake while making sure to hit all the nice grooves.
5. Plate and serve.
Did you enjoy this article on essential oils in Singapore? If you are interested in the Young Living dietary plus essential oils, they are available in Singapore (all flavours) at TripleOne Somerset and online via www.youngliving.com.sg.
Source: Healthline, Naturopathic.org, Young Living
