4 Steps to Healthy Frying
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Step 1: Heat the Oil
Step 1. Heat the Oil.
Once you’ve selected a heart-healthy oil with a high smoke point (we use peanut oil; soybean and canola oils are also good), place the oil in a large pan like a deep skillet or Dutch oven. The pan you should choose depends on the foods you’ll cook—you don’t want to overcrowd the pan. Clip a fry thermometer to the side of the pan.
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Step 2: Coat Your Ingredients
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Step 3: Maintain the Temperature as You Cook
As you add foods, temperature can drop. Watch the thermometer, and slow the pace or adjust the heat. Too-hot oil will burn the exterior before the interior is fully cooked. Oil that’s not hot enough will slow the cooking process and result in greasy, soggy food.
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Step 4: Drain
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Fried Catfish with Hush Puppies and Tartar Sauce
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Maple-Glazed Sour Cream Doughnut Holes
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Tempura Tofu and Spring Vegetables