We all love fried, spicy Indian food. Packed with flavour and texture, they not only fill our stomachs but also satiate our souls. However, most of our desi meals are not considered healthy due to the use of a generous amount of oil while cooking. Be it curries, puris, or fried snacks like pakoras, when the oil from the food touches our fingers, we start counting our calories.
But do we have to compromise with taste to reduce excess oil in food? Not really. There are many ways to reduce the oil in our favourite dishes. It cannot be brought down to zero but can be effective to a great extent. You can also use steaming, air-frying, or any other oil-free method of cooking to make a dish ideal for a healthy diet.
Apart from this, there are some simple hacks to remove extra oil from food without compromising on the flavour. Here are eight simple yet useful tips to remove excess oil from your food.
Use Paper Towels
This trick works best for fried foods like pakoras, samosas, puris, and fried chicken. After cooking, place the food on absorbent paper or a paper towel, and then pat gently. This will let the towel soak up most of the extra oil, and you can enjoy your favourite crispy dish without that greasy flavour.
Fry At The Right Temperature
No doubt, the frying method absorbs oil, but by being a little careful, you can reduce excess oil absorption. Ideally, most food items can be fried at about 220 degrees C. The temperature below this will make the food absorb too much oil and also lead to uneven cooking. So, if you can resist fried foods, follow this tip.
Soak With Tissue While Cooking
We all have been in that situation when we mistakenly pour excess oil into the cookware and realise after adding spices and onions. Most of us panic at this moment, thinking our efforts have been wasted. But there is a simple solution to this problem. All you have to do is take a napkin, fold it into a serviette, and remove the extra oil.
Use Ceramic Or Seasoned Cast Iron
Investing in good-quality cookware is always the right decision. It not only makes your cooking easier but also makes the food chemical-free. There are many non-stick pans and pots available on the market, but they react with heat and impart some chemicals into the food. So, use naturally non-stick cookware like ceramic or seasoned cast iron for cooking, as it requires less oil and your food doesn’t stick to the bottom of the utensil.
Skim Off The Fat When Cold
If you are not aware of this hack, then get ready, as it is going to blow your mind. This trick can be used for soups, curries, stews, and even chutneys. To get rid of excess oil through this method, refrigerate the dish after cooking. It will allow the fat to solidify on the surface, forming a thick layer of oil. Then skim off the layer and reheat before serving.
Use Other Cooking Methods Instead Of Frying
No doubt, frying makes the food really delicious, and no other cooking method can beat that. But if you are health-conscious, then you can opt for baking or grilling instead of frying. These less-oil methods can be used for meat dishes, vegetables, and snacks like fries and chips.
The Ice Cube Trick
A video went viral on social media that showed how to remove excess oil using an ice cube. All you have to do is dip a big block of ice in the cooked gravy dish. This will cause the excess oil to collect at the bottom of the ice, and when you pull it out (or take it out using a spoon), the layer of fat comes out along with the ice.
Scoop Out With Ladle
This is a common practice in many households. We also do this with food ordered from restaurants. Many curries have a thick layer of oil floating on top; it can be removed using a ladle or spoon. All you have to do is take the ladle, press it a little against the dish from the top, and then squeeze out the excess oil.