Pans for Frying

Asked by tavolla. Answered on 12th January 2013

Full question

Hello! In the Kitchen TV show, I have noticed that Nigella fried her churros in a Le Creuset pan. I can't afford such a pan so which type of pan do you suggest for frying this type of food? Thank you!

Our answer

Items like churros, doughnuts and fritters are deep fat fried. For deep fat frying you need a fairly roomy pan and it does not have to be a cast iron one. You can use a metal saucepan, but we would tend to prefer to use a larger "stock" type pan than just a regular saucepan. The pan should be fairly deep and it must have a lid that fits tightly.

Always add cold oil to the cold pan and heat the oil gently. We would suggest that the cold oil should not come much more than 1/3 of the way up the sides of the pan as oil expands when it gets hot. Once the oil is at the correct temperature gently lower the items to be cooked into the pan using togs or a perforated metal spoon. Don't drop foods into the pan as the oil could splash and hot oil can cause bad burns.

Always watch the pan of oil carefully and never leave it while it is on the heat. Keep the pan lid within easy reach so that if the oil should catch fire then you can put the lid tightly on the pan to extinguish the flame.