Groundnut oil, which is called peanut oil locally, is also used widely. It becomes very common in cooking, particularly in recipes of India and Asia, as it lightens and has nutty flavours to give flavour to many recipes. Additionally, groundnut oil boasts a very good smoking point, hence suitable for frying. Let us first review some traditional and recent products where groundnut oil is used.
Traditional Dishes Using Groundnut Oil
- Peanut Chutney
Peanut chutney is an old recipe from South India. It is commonly used as an accompaniment to a dosa or idli. In its preparation, ground nuts are roasted using groundnut oil. Then peanuts and spices that comprise cumin, garlic, and chilli are mixed. Being creamy and tasty, this dish owes its flavour to the peanut oil.
- Gujarati Undhiyu
Undhiyu is one of the traditional recipes from Gujarat which consists of vegetables. It cooks potatoes and yam in groundnut oil. It gives richness to the vegetables and elevates the taste of the dish. Slow cooking helps flavours mix well.
- Peanut Brittle (Chikki)
Peanut brittle is the usual sweet snack in most Indian homes. This candy is made by dropping sugar syrup over roasted peanuts. The groundnut oil helps produce the crunch quality of the crisp before the peanuts are mixed with the syrup.
Innovative Dishes with Groundnut Oil
- Stir-Fried Vegetables
One of the quickest and healthiest ways of preparing something is by stir-frying. As groundnut oil has a very high smoke point, it is perfect for stir-frying. Most vegetables can be used as its cooking medium; bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots come to mind. The flavour of the oil does not conflict with the fresh freshness of the vegetables.
- Peanut Oil Salad Dressing
Groundnut oil is kind of an oddity. Use it, with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a wee bit of honey, as a salad dressing. The nutty flavour is nice with salads, green stuff, fruits, and nuts.
- Peanut Oil Bread
Groundnut oil or peanut oil can be used when baking soft, tasty bread. Add this peanut oil as a substitute for butter or margarine in the bread recipe. It will keep the bread moist and has a unique nutty flavour.
Innovative Cooking Techniques
- Grilling with Groundnut Oil
Groundnut oil is fantastic for grilling meat and vegetables. The oil does not burn easily because of its very high smoking point. Scrape some groundnut oil over your meat or vegetables before placing them on the grill. This ensures the moisture will seal within, and there will be a slight flavour.
- Marinating with Groundnut Oil
Groundnut oil is excellent for marinating meat and vegetables. It enables spices to cling onto the food and at the same time keep it moist. A marinade can be prepared by mixing groundnut oil with herbs and garlic. Let this soak your food for some hours before you cook.
- Deep Frying in Groundnut Oil
Groundnut oil is a good source for frying since it does not easily smoke at high temperatures. It is ideal for frying everything in samosas, pakoras, chips, etc. and doesn’t absorb flavours of other delicacies; hence, one can reuse it for multi-frying sessions.
The Health Benefits of Groundnut Oil
Groundnut oil contains a high percentage of unsaturated fats, which make the heart work better. Additionally, groundnut oil is a rich source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant obtained from plants. Vitamin E really prevents the free radicals within your body from killing further cells. This keeps your body healthy and functioning smoothly. This would place groundnut oil as one of the ‘good places’ within the diet for your wellness.
Choosing the Right Type of Groundnut Oil
When opting for groundnut oil, consider cold-pressed groundnut oil. This means that the natural nutrients and flavour of the oil are retained. This is because cold-pressed oil does not undergo refinement by heating, and therefore, any level of health benefits could be achieved when using it. Its light and nutty taste is also retained in this process.
Additionally, cold-press oils, such as cold-press sunflower oil, host the same advantages. Therefore, sunflower oil is very mild in flavour and is rich in vitamin E. It also happens to be another excellent option for salads and low-heat cooking.
Comparing Groundnut Oil to Other Oils
Where groundnut oil is compared with other oils such as kachi ghani mustard oil. Difference between two oils like Mustard oil contains the sharp strong flavour whereas the flavour of groundnut oil is mild. Both the oils have a high smoking point, but mustard oil is used in North Indian dishes while groundnut oil is used more in South Indian cuisine.
Conclusion
Groundnut oil is one versatile ingredient that can polish both old and new recipes. They can be used in stir-fries deep frying, among other techniques of cooking. Additionally, its health benefits make it a great addition to any kitchen. Select cold-pressed groundnut oil for the best flavour and nutrition. Whether you are making a traditional dish or trying out a new idea, groundnut oil can surely bring your meals up to the top level.
