Cooking encyclopedia When it goes wrong

My fried food is greasy

The oil was too cool, or the pan was too full, which is the same thing.

160โ€“190 ยฐC (320โ€“374 ยฐF)

What it is

Get the oil back to temperature between batches and fry less at a time. Drain on a rack, not on paper.

Why it works

A properly fried surface keeps oil out by boiling its own moisture outward. Below about 160 ยฐC there is not enough of that outward pressure, so oil moves in instead. A full pan drops the temperature the moment the food lands, and takes a long time to recover.

When to use it

Chips, fritters, crumbed cutlets, doughnuts, spring rolls.

What goes wrong

Frying without a thermometer; adding cold food straight from the fridge; draining on paper, which traps steam and softens the underside.

Meridian cooking encyclopedia โ€” Watchman Productions

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