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Pan frying

language culture Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Pan frying is a special way to cook food.

Pan frying sausages
Pan frying sausages

It uses a very small amount of oil or fat. You only use enough to coat the pan. Some foods like bacon have their own fat. You might not need to add any oil at all. This method helps keep meat and seafood moist.

Flickr - cyclonebill - Andebryst
Flickr - cyclonebill - Andebryst

This way of cooking works by using heat from oil. The oil carries the heat to the food. You must use the right temperature and time. If the heat is wrong, you might burn the food. You usually flip the food at least once. This makes sure both sides cook well. The hot oil helps steam escape from the food. This steam stops the oil from soaking into the meat.

People use this for large pieces of food. You might cook chicken breasts or pork chops. You might also cook steak or fish fillets. These pieces are not cut into small bits. Because they are large, you use lower heat. This is different from a way called sautéing. Lower heat keeps the inside cooked and moist. It stops the outside from overcooking too fast.

Choosing the right pan is an important step. A shallow pan works well for this job. However, a deep pan can help stop oil from splashing. It is best to use a heavy, dense pan. A heavy pan helps keep the temperature steady. Some people use an electric skillet for cooking. These often have a thermostat to control the heat.

Pan frying sausages
Pan frying sausages

Sometimes, cooks add a coating to the food. They might use a batter made of flour and milk. Or, they might use a standard breading procedure. First, you dust the food in flour. Next, you dip it in beaten eggs. Finally, you coat it in bread crumbs. You should season the food with salt and pepper first. Let the food rest for 15 to 30 minutes. This helps the coating stick with great tenacity.

Flickr - cyclonebill - Andebryst
Flickr - cyclonebill - Andebryst
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File:Pan frying sausages.jpg
Pan frying sausages.jpg
File:Flickr - cyclonebill - Andebryst.jpg
Flickr - cyclonebill - Andebryst.jpg
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