The holidays are here, and family gatherings are around the corner; you want everyone to have an unforgettable experience, but you need to know how. Well, have you thought of cooking a good meal for the family? Food is the key to every memorable celebration, so instead of that awful, tasteless meal with overflowing soup, try deep frying.
Below is all you need to know about deep frying like an expert, so your family is left licking their fingers;
Have you ever tasted deep-fried food and wondered how talented the cook could be? Well, to your utter surprise, it is not a talent but a skill that even you can learn, practice, and be exceptionally perfect. Below are tips on being a pro in deep frying food.
Dry your food first
Ensure you dry your food before starting because dry frying removes humidity. Therefore, if your food is wet, it beats logic and upsets the whole idea.
Deep frying equipment
A deep fryer is the best equipment since it automatically regulates the cooking temperature. However, if you lack one, you can use a saucepan (with a heavy base) together with a deep-frying basket.
If you want the process to be easy, equip yourself with a sensitive thermometer, tweezers, apair of tongs, kitchen paper, and a strainer to place the food for excess fat to run off.
Ensure you use the proper temperature
- Give the oil time to heat up to 150 – 190 degrees Celsius.
- Then deep fry at a temperature of 175 – 180 degrees Celsius. This temperature range allows the food to turn brown without burning.
The best oil to use
The oil you use should have a neutral taste so it does not overpower the food. It is also advisable to use pressed oils rather than chemically extracted ones. The most recommended types of oil are olive oil, peanut, rape seed, and sunflower oil. Please note that oil can be used in more than one cooking session.
Avoid splashing oil
Many people, especially beginners, tend to drop food from a far distance, thinking it is safe. However, this is not the case, as dropping food from afar only leads to splashing, which may be harmful. Instead, “sink” in the food gently to avoid splashing, and if splashing is unavoidable, ensure the oil splashes away from you.
Fry your food in small amounts
You can deep fry small amounts of food at a time to avoid overcrowding the saucepan or fryer. This is because overcrowding lowers the temperature of the oil, and if the temperature goes below 100 degrees, the food absorbs the oil rapidly, resulting in greasy food.
If the temperature goes below 130 degrees, the food browns at a prolonged rate, therefore, it will overcook before the coating has perfectly browned.
How to know the food is perfectly deep fried
Check the following to know if your food is ready:
- The surface should be golden brown
- Check the texture using a fork or toothpick
- You can taste the food to ensure it is well-cooked and crispy
Season the food immediately after deep frying
As soon as the food comes out of the frying basket, season it using either salt or vinegar (you can use both if you like). Salt gives the food an even coating as it sticks to the oil on the surface, while vinegar is necessary to keep the food crispy.
Remove excess oil
After removing the food from the fryer, place it on the kitchen paper to drain the excess oil. This step is necessary to avoid leaving the food tasting greasy.
Conclusion
If you follow the steps above keenly, you will deep fry like a pro. Try repeatedly following and practicing the above steps in your kitchen and watch yourself transform into a deep frying expert. Check also chips warmer.
