(NC)—Deep frying. The words alone send shivers down the spine of anyone trying to live a healthy lifestyle. But an oven just doesn’t compete with the golden, crisp and tasty fries from a fryer. The same holds true for chicken, fish, and a variety of fritters and breads where the fryer rules supreme. But don’t sacrifice taste that quickly; there are ways to have both good taste and a healthy meal all in one.

Battering and frying unquestionably adds fat and calories, but most of this happens through absorption as food is sitting in the oil. Making sure the oil is at the optimum temperature before adding your food helps reduce absorption. A temperature indicator is a great feature that ensures the fryer is ready. If your deep fryer doesn’t have a temperature indicator, you can test its readiness by dropping a cube of crustless white bread in the oil. It should be golden brown in about 60 seconds.

Another simple and effective way to ensure you’re frying healthier is to avoid crowding your food in the fryer. When there’s too much food in the fryer, the temperature of the oil drops requiring a longer cooking time, which increases oil absorption. When looking for a new fryer, make sure it has enough capacity for all your cooking needs.

Deep fryer manufacturers are aware of our health concerns and are developing innovative ways to reduce your calorie intake, while still allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal or snack.

“The new George Foreman ‘Lean Mean Fryer’, which will launch this fall uses several innovative technologies to minimize oil absorption by up to 94 per cent,” says Yvethe Rodriguez, Director of Innovation at Applica Corporation, distributor of George Foreman grills. “The Lean Mean Fryer uses a spinning technology to remove fat, and while spinning, hot air convection continues cooking the food.”

Lastly, change your oil. Just like a car, regular oil changes keep you and your fryer healthy. You probably need to replace your oil if you notice any of these signs:

• Excessive smoking at normal temperatures
• Strong oil discoloration
• Strong odours
• Excessive foaming around the frying food

By keeping these tips in mind, the next time you deep fry, you’ll minimize oil absorption and still come up with great tasting, healthier food.

- News Canada

Tags: healthy eating, deep frying, oil, tips