Insufficient quantity of oil

[NotJuliaChild]

Does anyone else find that the proverbial "1 Tablespoon Canola oil" is woefully insufficient to pan fry/sear even the smallest quantities of food?

Nearly every recipe I try uses very small quantities of oil and I find myself always having to use significantly more.

[ipsedixit]

You're not using the oil efficiently.

[darrentran87]

I agree. 1 tablespoon is actually more than i ever use. you really just need the oil to very very lightly coat the pan. Make sure, like corneygirl mentioned, to heat up the pan before adding oil.

[fourunder]

I have never measured any amount of oil to fry or sear any food.....other than to count....one, two, three or four while tilting the bottle. Not trying to be rude, or a smart ass, but since you have come to this revelation, costs aside, wouldn't it just be easier now to double the amount initially?

For the record, I rarely use recipes, but when I do, I rarely pay attention to the measurements so your problem is not on my radar or experience. I would also agree with the hot pan before adding oil to the pan.

[corneygirl]

If the pan is hot before I add the oil a little goes much farther.

[tim irvine]

If you use a like amount of butter with it, it seems to go farther!

;)

[todao]

The quantity of oil necessary for sautéing is relative to the size of the pan.

[NotJuliaChild]

This is true, but most of time I'm looking at recipes that call for a 10 inch pan.

[Hank Hanover]

Yeah... that seems optimistic at best. I'm not even sure I could sweat a minced shallot with that.