Let’s talk about deep frying: here’s what you need to know

Deep-fried foods are tasty, crispy, crunchy and hot. It is the “crunch”that most seek from deep-fried fast foods. Although too much deep-fried foods from fast food outlets are bad for you, you can safely deep fry at home. There are safe ways to deep fry that are not that bad for you.

First you need the correct equipment

• Deep fryer, or a thick-based deep pot,
• A spider to drain the food,
• Food thongs to put the food in and remove from the hot oil,
• Kitchen towel to drain excess oil.
• A thermometer or test with a piece of bread if bubbles start up around it immediately the oil is ready if not wait a few minutes and retry.

Consuming too much of deep-fried foods only becomes bad for the body if the same oil is reused too often or if done incorrectly and the deep-fried food absorbs too much of oil. Every time the oil is reused it breaks down further this causes the oils to be absorbed into the food, those extra oils in turn boosts your cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

RECIPE: Fried chicken

When deep frying it can easily go wrong if the oil is too cold the food will absorb too much of oil, dry out and not be crispy. If the oil is too hot then the outside will cook too fast and the inside will be raw. The ideal temperature to deep fry is between 176 – 190°C irrespective of the oil used. Oils with higher smoke points, can fry at higher temperatures without imparting a smokey or burnt smell and flavour.

In order to deep fry successfully we need a lesson in Oil

• All oils have a smoke point; this is the temperature that the specific oil begins to
• smoke.
• The more refined any oil the higher the smoke level.
• Different oils have different smoke points.

Here is a oil guide:

Lard

Lard is fat rendered from pork. It is heat stable so is ideal for deep frying, it does lend itself to more crisping as well as impart a “porky” flavour so it is best used for pork or foods that are enhanced by this flavour. Lard can be made at home or purchased online.

Ghee

Ghee is clarified butter, which means all the milk solids and water have been removed. It has a very high smoke level of 245°C. Ghee is also much more heat stable and also adds minimal taste or flavour. It is widely used in Indian cooking, sweetmeat making and for prayer offerings.

Tallow

Tallow is fat rendered from beef. It has a high smoke level, is cheaper to use, as you can render the fat at home. It imparts minimal flavour and taste. Best to use with other beef products or foods that are enhanced by a beef flavour.

Refined Coconut oil

Refined Coconut oil has a high smoke point level of 400°C, so it is ideal for deep frying. It loses its nutty flavour when heated so it is safe to use with both meat and vegetable as it does not add any flavour to the food.

Canola Oil

Refined Canola oil has a smoke point of 200°C; this allows for it to be a better medium for deep frying. As it is refined it is also odourless and tasteless so anything from French Fries to Crispy Chicken can be fried using it.

Sunflower Oil

Refined Sunflower oil has a smoke point of 225°C; it used to be a cheaper and healthier option to deep fry in. It does not impart any taste or flavour to the food. Frying vegetables as well as meat proteins can be fried in sunflower oils with excellent results.

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