Peanut oil has a nutty flavor with a pleasing aroma that is light and wonderful at the same time. It has a unique property and is ideal for deep frying.
In addition, it has a great taste of its own. The flavors of the food remain intact and it does not get absorbed by the oil.
Thus, you can use it in different cooking as it adds flavors to the cooking and at the same time maintains a great taste of its own.
Peanut oil can be used in various types of recipes and it is considered one of the best oils for frying even by numerous restaurants.
What is Peanut Oil?
Peanut oil, also known as groundnut oil, is a type of vegetable oil that is derived from peanuts, a legume crop.
It is a popular cooking oil due to its mild flavor, high smoke point, and ability to retain flavor of the food being cooked.
Peanut oil is also a good source of unsaturated fats, vitamin E, and phytosterols.
It is used in various cuisines, especially in Asian and African cooking, and is commonly used for deep-frying due to its high smoke point.
Peanut oil can be found in different varieties such as unrefined, refined, roasted, and blended with other oils.
Uses of Peanut Oil in Indian Cuisines
Peanut oil is having a versatile usage of its own. There are types of peanut oils that are available in the market.
100% Peanut Oil
Though there can be minimum mixing of other oil this variety of peanut oil is simply wonderful and tasty.
Deep Frying Choice
As it maintains its unique taste and flavor, at the same time it maintains the taste of the ingredients that are cooked along.
It is very good as a deep-frying agent as it can simply retain the heat. It can simply reach a high temperature while it is being deep-fried. Thus, it simply makes the food crispy on the outside while moist on the inside.
Refined Peanut Oil
Refined oil is bleached, deodorized and it is perfectly processed. It is available in almost every store.
Gourmet Peanut Oil
This oil is made after roasting the peanut to produce an aromatic well which is considered a specialty oil. This brings flavors and aromas to various food products.
Now let us check out some of the recipes which are simply good as peanut oil offers a nice flavor while cooking.
Til Jowar Puri: This is made up of til and jowar which is considered a nice snaking item. The puri is deep-fried in peanut oil for both flavor and texture.
Oats & Poha Chirwa: Here both chirwa and poha are stir-fried with little peanut oil which add flavor to the entire dish.
Baked Palak and Methi Puri: The palak saag and methi both are kneaded in a dough with peanut oil for their aroma.
Ragda Patties: This is a famous street food in Mumbai. This recipe is also made with the help of peanut oil.
Green Peas, Potato and Paneer Cutlet: The three items are mixed and aromatic spices are added ultimately forming a cutlet shape. This is then fried in peanut oil.
Corn & Potato Tikkis: Here the corn and potato are smashed with a few aromatic spices, and then these are fried in peanut oil.
Pudina Paneer Tikki: Paneer is grated with pudina paste and then tikkis are made which are then fried in peanut oil.
Broccoli & Paneer Tikki: Broccoli and paneer are both packed with a little bit of salt and masalas. Loads of herbs are used here and the taste of Pudina is taking it to a next level.
Methi Thepla: This is one of the prime snacks of the Gujrathi people. This methi thepla is made with flour, chopped methi, and a very small amount of peanut oil.
Jowar & Peyaj ki Roti: The jowar and peyaj are added to the whole dough and then it is formed to make roti.
Paneer Veggie Wrap: This wrap is made with paneer stuffing made with veggies and a few masalas.
Jowar Pancakes: This is made with jowar and oats flour which makes it crispy and at the same time wonderful in taste.
High fiber Chilla/Moong Dal chilla/Channa Dal Pancakes: You can make this with mixed dal. A few herbs and other masalas are making it tasty. A batter is made and then with peanut oil chila is prepared.
Mixed Poha and Sprouts: Sprout and Poha are sautéed lightly with peanut oil which is wonderful to taste.
How Do You Make Peanut Oil at Home?
Making peanut oil at home involves several steps, including cleaning, roasting, grinding, and pressing. Here’s a general overview of the process:
Clean the peanuts: Start by selecting high-quality peanuts and removing any dirt or debris. Rinse them thoroughly in cold water, and then let them dry completely.
Roast the peanuts: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the peanuts on a baking sheet and roast them for about 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown. This process helps to enhance the flavor of the peanuts.
Grind the peanuts: Once the peanuts are cool, grind them into a paste using a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Add a small amount of water to the paste to help with the grinding process.
Press the oil: Using a mechanical oil press, extract the oil from the peanut paste. You can buy an oil press machine online or from a kitchen appliance store. Alternatively, you can wrap the paste in cheesecloth and squeeze it by hand to extract the oil.
Filter and store the oil: After the oil has been extracted, filter it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining particles. Transfer the oil to a clean, dry container, and store it in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.
Please note that making peanut oil at home can be time-consuming and requires some specialized equipment. It’s important to take appropriate safety precautions when handling hot oil and machinery.
Questions & Answers:
Is Peanut Oil Good for Cooking?
Yes, peanut oil is good for cooking. It adds flavor to the entire dish.
Is Peanut Oil Good for Deep Frying?
Yes, peanut oil is good for deep frying.
What is Peanut Oil Called in Different Languages?
Peanut oil is an English word and it is known as “badam tel” in Bengali and “mumfali ka tel” in Hindi.
Conclusion
Peanut oil is a versatile vegetable oil that is popular for its nutty flavor, high smoke point, and ability to retain the flavor of food.
It is used in various cuisines, particularly in Asian and African cooking, and is commonly used for deep-frying.
Peanut oil is a good source of unsaturated fats, vitamin E, and phytosterols.
It can be found in different varieties such as unrefined, refined, roasted, and blended with other oils.
Peanut oil is ideal for deep frying as it maintains its unique flavor and texture, and can reach high temperatures to make food crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.
Peanut oil is used in various Indian cuisines, as it adds flavors to the cooking while maintaining its great taste.
Making peanut oil at home involves cleaning, roasting, grinding, and pressing the peanuts.
