| The words "deep fried" might strike fear into some | | | | while it fries. You might need to turn the heat up or |
| people but, to be honest, there is nothing wrong with | | | | down as your food cooks. When the food is golden |
| enjoying deep fried food occasionally. Your doctor | | | | brown, it is done, and you can remove it with a slotted |
| would never advise you to deep fry every meal but | | | | spoon. If you are frying your food in batches, you can |
| sometimes a country fried chicken recipe or a bowl of | | | | keep the cooked food warm in an oven heated to |
| French fries makes a satisfying treat. | | | | 200 degrees F until everything is ready. |
| Which Oil to Use | | | | Some people claim that they reuse their cooking oil |
| You should use oils with high smoke points when deep | | | | and the food tastes fine but the truth is that it starts to |
| frying. Examples of these include canola, safflower, | | | | break down from the heat, forming trans fatty acids, |
| sunflower and peanut oil. A heavy, deep pan is best, if | | | | so it is best to use it once and then let it cool and |
| you don't have a deep fryer, and you should pour the | | | | discard it. |
| oil into the pan, stopping two inches before the top | | | | Recipe for Deep Fried Cheese Sticks |
| because it will bubble up when you add your food. | | | | You will need: |
| Prepare the country fried chicken or the food to be | | | | - 1 lb mozzarella cheese sticks |
| deep fried and make sure it is dry. You can coat it in | | | | - 1/3 cup cornstarch |
| breadcrumbs or flour or drain it on paper towels. It is | | | | - 2 beaten eggs |
| very important not to add wet foods to hot oil. Oil and | | | | - 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs |
| water do not mix and adding water to hot oil can | | | | - 1/4 cup water |
| make it explode. If the oil catches fire, you should | | | | - 1 quart oil, for deep frying |
| cover it with a cookie sheet or pan lid, so have one | | | | - 2/3 cup all purpose flour |
| nearby and perhaps a fire extinguisher too. Never | | | | - 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt How to make it: |
| throw water on to an oil fire! | | | | Combine the breadcrumbs and garlic salt in one bowl, |
| Heating the Oil and Frying the Food | | | | the flour and cornstarch in another bowl and the eggs |
| Heat the oil to about 365 degrees F. A deep frying | | | | and water in a third bowl. Heat the oil in a big, heavy |
| thermometer is very useful for this. If you do not have | | | | pan to 365 degrees F. |
| one, drop a bread cube into the oil. If it browns in one | | | | Dip the cheese sticks in the flour mixture, then the egg |
| minute, the oil is the correct temperature for deep | | | | and water mixture and finally the breadcrumbs. Fry |
| frying. | | | | them for half a minute or until they are golden brown. |
| Add the food without crowding the pan and watch it | | | | Drain on paper towels and serve them hot. |