Groundnut oil is one of the most versatile oils for cooking. Because of its mild flavour, it may have high smoke points, making it perfect for frying, sautéing, and baking. Let’s see how to best use groundnut oil in the kitchen with great enjoyability.
Why Choose Groundnut Oil?
Groundnut oil, otherwise called peanut oil, is extracted from peanuts. There are two types available like refined oil and cold-pressed oil. Cold-pressed groundnut oil contains a higher amount of nutrients. No heat is applied in this process. Additionally, it is pure, natural, and has an exceptionally rich nutty taste, full of healthy fats and antioxidants helpful to the heart.
Cooking with Groundnut Oil: Tips
To fully take advantage of groundnut oil, here are some suggestions:
Use it for High-Heat Cooking
On the other hand, groundnut oil boasts a very high smoke point of about 450°F. This makes it excellent for frying and grilling. Try frying some crispy snacks or sear the meat using it.
Mix with Other Oils for Flavor
However, you should mix groundnut oil with neutral oils if you want a milder flavour. Mixing it with oils such as canola or sunflower oil can help put a balance to the flavours.
Use in Salad Dressings and Marinades
For salads and marinades, you could also apply this groundnut oil for cold dishes. You can add a rich nutty flavour to your dishes because only a small amount is necessary.
Store Properly for Freshness
Store groundnut oil in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. Wood-pressed, or cold-pressed oils may require refrigeration.
Recipes Using Groundnut Oil
Now, let’s go through some simple recipes that use groundnut oil. These recipes are easy to make, and the oil’s flavour enhances each dish.
- Crispy Groundnut Oil Fried Chicken
This recipe uses groundnut oil for deep frying. It creates a crispy, golden crust on the chicken.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Groundnut oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes.
- Mix flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Pull out every drumstick through the flour mixture.
- Heat groundnut oil in a deep pan.
- Fry the chicken until golden and crispy on both sides, that should take about 10 minutes on either side.
This fried chicken tastes wonderful with cold-pressed groundnut oil. This gives a nice nutty flavour to the crunching crust.
- Stir-fried vegetables with Groundnut Oil
Groundnut oil is ideal for stir-frying as it can tolerate high temperatures.
Ingredients
- 1 bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 carrot (sliced)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon groundnut oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
Instructions
- Heat groundnut oil in a wok or large pan.
- Add ginger and stir for a few seconds.
- Add the vegetables and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Add soy sauce and stir till the vegetables are tender.
This is a very simple stir-fry that tastes fresh and delicious with the added nutty flavouring through groundnut oil to the vegetables.
- Peanut Sauce with Groundnut Oil
Peanut sauce is great for noodles, satay, or salads. It’s creamy and rich in quality, which gives for a smooth sauce that is easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup groundnut oil
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add water to achieve the desired consistency.
It best goes with cold-pressed groundnut oil. The nutty flavour goes well with the peanut butter.
Health Benefits of Using Groundnut Oil
Groundnut oil possesses some special health benefits. First, it is a good source of monounsaturated fats. These have been proven to have healthy heart-related aspects. Additionally, it is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells.
But use groundnut oil only in moderation. Therefore, it contains calories just like every other oil, so just regulate the portion size. The cold-pressed or wood-pressed oil has retention of nutrients and hence is a healthier choice in comparison.
Groundnut Oil in Baking
Groundnut oil is just one of the secret oils that many people unintentionally use to get the perfect baked product, therefore, it moistens without overpowering any flavours. Additionally, you can replace butter and other oils with groundnut oil when baking cakes, muffins, cookies, and even olive oil bread. It bakes into light, fluffy products with a hint of nuttiness.
Storing Groundnut Oil: Keep It Fresh
Proper storage is needed for the preservation of fresh groundnut oil. Store it in a cool, dark place. Some cold-pressed or wood-pressed oil may need refrigeration. However, such processes prevent oil from rancidity thus contributing to longer storage life. The bottle should always be kept tightly closed. Air exposure might prove harmful to the oil.
Choosing the Right Groundnut Oil
When shopping, try to get cold-pressed or wood-pressed oil if possible. Cold-pressed oil retains nutrients. The oil processed in wood presses comes naturally. So both give a better taste and better health benefits.
Final Thoughts
This groundnut oil is suitable for frying, cooking, and baking with a healthy taste that’s deliciously flavoured. Additionally, the cold-pressed and wood-pressed oil brings a higher health benefit in using them. So why not try it out now on your favourite recipes?
