How to Reuse Oil For Cooking

reuse oil

Oil once used for frying should preferably not to be reused. But sometimes we use large quantities of oil for frying, usually when we have parties or expecting a lot of guests. On such occasions once frying is done, large amount of oil is leftover after frying. In such cases instead of throwing away the oil, here's how you can still reuse the cooking oil to maximum advantage. This can happen  if one ensures that the oil is looked after and handled carefully. Follow these few steps to reuse oil used for cooking and frying:

1. Once you are done using the oil for frying, turn off the flame and allow the oil to cool down completely.

2. Used oil often have bits of fried food particles settled at the bottom. Sometimes there is a cloud of light food particles that float as a layer on the used oil. So strain the oil a couple of times to clear it out of any such particles. Use a fine mesh to strain thin and tiny particles if you missed them before. Make sure that you strain the oil immediately after cooling down.

3. Store this oil in a dry and closed container. Make sure to use a clean container.

4. Don't store the reused oil for a longer duration.

5. Use the reused oil for the right cooking. For example, if the oil was used to fry non-vegetarian food items, then it is advisable to use it for cooking non-vegetarian foods only. But if you have fried veg pakoras in the oil, then reuse the oil to make both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.

6. Use the oil in proper portions. The reused oil should be only used once.

7. Make sure that if you plan to reuse the oil for frying, then dispose it off once done. Do not reuse the oil again. There is a certain limitation for how many times you can keep frying in reused oil. Reusing oil again and again can have serious damage to your health.

Tip: Do not reuse the oil which has been used to deep fry large batches of food in a mixed variety. For example if you have fried many starters in the same oil for a party, it is advisable to discard such oil after use. Such oil should not be reused again. 

Star Anise and Orange Oil Recipe

If you are planning to wrap flavored oils in your gift baskets, then this oil is the perfect choice. The star anise  within this oil works as a pretty spice where as the presence of orange imparts good color to your oil.

Ingredients for Star Anise and Orange Oil Recipe:

Whole star anise - 50 gm, lightly roasted
Orange peel - 50 gm, dried
Oil - 150 ml, any scentless oil preferred

Method for Star Anise and Orange Oil Recipe:

Warm the oil in a pan. Make sure you don't warm it to the boiling point just heat it.

In a glass jar or large mouthed bottle place the anise seeds at the bottom. Drop in the orange peel.

Pour in the hot oil and allow to cool.

Close the bottle tight and leave standing at least for a week.

Your flavored oil is ready to be gifted. You can use it for salad dressings too.

Please note: While you leave the bottle standing for a week, try not to open the cap for a sniff. Wait!

Fried Garlic and Chili Oil Recipe

Ingredients for Fried Garlic and Chili Oil Recipe: 

Olive oil - 300 ml
Garlic pod - 1 whole, peeled and sliced
Dry red chili - 5, halved
Peppercorn - 1 tsp
Rice bran oil - 50 ml
Red chili powder - 1/4 tsp

Method for Fried Garlic and Chili Oil Recipe:

Divide the olive oil in two jars. Place few red chilies into each jar and set aside.

In a pan heat the rice bran oil and add garlic and cook till golden brown. Add the peppercorns and few red chilies. Cover the pan with the lid and allow the oil to infuse the flavors.

Let it stand overnight.

Pour the seasoned oil in the olive oil jars.