To Fry Or Not To Fry?

Here's a little known factoid - did you know that KFC changed its image by retiring the slogan Kentucky FRIED Chicken. Instead, they became known as serving up Kitchen Fresh Chicken. Long are the days of Wesson Oil commercials that proudly encouraged yummy fried chicken for dinner. When was the last time you saw a splatter screen? How about a Fry Daddy? It must be a pretty big sin to eat fried foods these days. Or is it?

Look at the menu at Long John Silvers; nothing but fried foods. Look at any menu for that matter, deep fried beer battered shrimp, fried clams, french fries, fried potatoes, fried eggs. Outback restaurant has the Blooming Onion, that puppy is soaked in oil. Fried Fried Fried.

So perhaps no one is trying to say that fried foods are good for you, but nations sure are indulging in the grease laden foods, especially Americans. Perhaps this isn't a good time to bring up the Obesity statistics. But here's the kicker, "It tastes so good!" Granted, some fried foods are just too greasy, but a majority of them just taste delicious. That's why loads of indulgers treat themselves to a so many artery-closing delicacies!

First there were the french fries, now there are deep fried dill pickles and deep fried Oreos? How did THAT leap happen? Don't forget deep fried ice cream and deep fried peaches. Of course what menu isn't complete without the deep fried mushrooms, deep friend cheese sticks, and deep friend cauliflower? Perhaps if you deep fry vegetables, it's a little healthier? Is that how it works? Or if you deep fry already fattening nibbles, such as ice cream and Oreos, then it doesn't really matter because you're already cheating?

Nevertheless it continues. There's deep fried strawberries, Snickers, potato salad, zucchini, tofu, cheesecake, rice balls, bananas, corn, shrimp, and even deep fried turkey. Product flyers claim the winged bird is "so much juicier when cooked in a deep fryer!" So we got rid of the little table top Fry Daddy and went for the floor model turkey fryer. Umm, ok.

Then there's the big decision about what kind of oil to use? Olive, peanut, vegetable, canola, lard, butter, margarine or Valvoline 10-40? Certainly don't forget to check out your saturated fats against your polyunsaturated fats versus the monounsaturated fats.

Maybe you should say fats. Did we ever decide if fried was a bad word? Perchance the better word is Sautéed. Indeed. Sautéed Oreos - much healthier!

Eileen Church is the webmaster for http://www.finechickens.com, a wonderful resource on the subject of all things chicken. Be sure to visit http://www.finechickens.com for more information on chicken!

---

Using Bread Machine Mixes in Your Oven

You don't have to own a bread machine to enjoy... Read More

The World of Cornbread

We're partial to cornbread. We like its rustic texture and... Read More

Understanding Baking: How Yeast Works

Did you ever wonder why flour tastes like sawdust but... Read More

ServSafe Food Program in Montana a Success

Montana has a great program for restaurant employees. Each preparer... Read More

What is Gluten and Why does it Matter?

Gluten is a substance made up of the proteins found... Read More

Little-known Tips for Easy Holiday Baking

Are you wondering if you have the time to bake... Read More

Eat your Veggies! Simple Cooking Methods

Vegetables add colour, taste, texture and bulk to our daily... Read More

The Almighty Beer-Can Chicken

A popular method of cooking chicken in recent years both... Read More

10 Wide Open Tips For Food Safety In The Great Outdoors

Hiking, camping, and boating are good activities for active people... Read More

Barbequing, a Fun and Convenient Way to Make Dinner

"There's nothing more enjoyable than having friends and family gathered... Read More

How to cut a cake

Have you ever wondered how to cut a cake? I... Read More

Modifying Your Recipes, More or Less

You just found that great recipe that you have been... Read More

Whisk Your Way To a Perfect Meal Every Time!

The whisk. A true versatile cooking utensil. Whisks come in... Read More

A Cookie Assembly Line: Efficient Cookie Baking for Busy Cooks

As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More

The Joys of Refrigerator Cookies

Baking cookies seem to fill the house with a sense... Read More

Pyrex Mixing Bowls ? A Kitchen Favorite

Pyrex mixing bowls typically come in sets of 3 with... Read More

Fine Tuning Bread Machine Mixes

Sometimes bread machines can be tricky. We were trying to... Read More

10 Simple Ways To Safely Store Food

Storing foods can present its own set of problems. And... Read More

Prepare the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More

Solving The 7 Most Common Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistakes

Let's face it EVERY cook makes mistakes (yes, even us... Read More

Must Haves for Any At-Home Chef

With the holidays on their way soon, many people will... Read More

What You Need in a Gourmet Kitchen

The best way to decide what you need in your... Read More

Substitutions for Commonly Called for Ingredients

What should you do if you are in the middle... Read More

Why do We Need to Knead?

Bread dough needs to be elastic in order to capture... Read More

How to Prepare the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More

The Noble Crescent Roll - How to Roll a Masterpiece

Ahhh?the noble crescent roll. In some forms it has its... Read More

Barbecue Success With The Rule Of Thirds

Ever been to a barbecue party where the 'chef' placed... Read More

Hot Apple Pie - The American Apple Pie Legacy

While each country might have its own preferred style, "American... Read More

Baking Perfect Breads, Cookies, and Desserts

We're all looking for that perfect pie, or cookies, or... Read More

Compact Refrigerators Are Great When Small Is Needed

The small refrigerator can be used in many places that... Read More

Cake Pans

Cake pans?.the secret behind every successful cake. My husband tells... Read More

How to Make Homemade Ice Cream (Without an Ice Cream Maker!)

COLFAX, WISCONSIN - June is Dairy Month and what better... Read More

Grilling Tips ? Safety Comes First at the Barbecue

You're standing at the gas grill in the hot sun,... Read More