Dear Dr. Gourmet,

Q: Should I use grapeseed oil, or is there a better choice out there? I fondue meats and veggies (in hot oil), not cheeses and chocolate.

A: This is a tough question to answer because deep frying is not the healthiest of cooking methods. There is the issue of getting extra fat from the deep frying, but also many questions about what happens to oils when they are heated to very high temperatures. Fondue Oil

Q: I often enjoy fresh jalapenos in many meals – and even roast them, stuffed with cheese, on the grill. Are the peppers themselves a problem for me in terms of vitamin K and my Coumadin prescription? Are they high in Vitamin K? I usually eat about six of them when they’re stuffed with cheese, and I like to throw in a few in many recipes.

A: Each jalapeno contains about 1.5 micrograms (mcg) of Vitamin K. This is very low in Vitamin K and safe for you.

Q: I have been making my own granola recently and enjoy it for breakfast with yogurt and fresh fruit. My question is: do I get the same health/nutritional benefits from eating the oats in the form of granola as I do from eating them as cooked oatmeal? I find your column informative and enjoyable! Thanks for considering the question.

A: It appears that there is not a great deal of difference in cooked vs. uncooked oats. Cooking foods does cause the loss of some vitamins and minerals. Consequently, if there is any difference at all, the raw oats that you use as part of your granola could have more vitamins. Granola vs. Oatmeal

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