Oil Temperatures...2nd Try!

[Angelina]

I was wondering if it's proper to say in a recipe "boil potatoes in oil" as opposed to (I hope) "fry potatoes in oil". Wouldn't the temperature of boiling oil be much higher than frying oil? Or is it the same thing? In this case, it's supposed to be olive oil. Oh, and then when I asked for a clarification I was told that if boiled in a shallow skillet, it's quite safe. I envision boiling as boiling like water...a rolling boil. :eek:

I don't know...when I think boiling oil I think huge cauldrons of oil being lifted off the ramparts of a castle to pour on the hordes of invading marauders. Not a cooking image, unless you are a cannibal who likes his meat fried..or boiled?

[fci5767]

I don't know...when I think boiling oil I think huge cauldrons of oil being lifted off the ramparts of a castle to pour on the hordes of invading marauders. Not a cooking image, unless you are a cannibal who likes his meat fried..or boiled?

I don't have an answer for you but I love your description of boiling oil.

[blazedog]

Don't have an answer but cooking foods in oil in a shallow pan is generally referred to as sauteing or pan frying. Olive oil has a lower smoke point and isn't generally used for "frying".

I think boiling for food prep is pretty specific to water based methods of cooking and implies submerging food completely in water which is at the boiling stage. The analogy would be deep frying but this is done in a deep pan or even a Dutch oven for safety.

Strange recipe -- where did you get it from ?

[Angelina]

Strange recipe -- where did you get it from ?

Here it goes...it was emailed to me by a new friend, so I am just not going to press the issue. ;)

Cut up a few potatoes as thin or thick as you like put it in a bowl with some olive oil (depends on how many potatoes) and add adobo and paprika. Let it boil in a preheated shallow pan with olive oil and let it get a little brown. Remove from oil and enjoy.

In answer to my question if it was dangerous, she said:

If the pot is shallow enough you should be fine.

[sneezles]

OK, that definitely reads like sautéing to me. Depending on how refined the olive oil is determines its smoke point (extra virgin has a low smoke point compared to a second or third press) even EVOO would be fine for a sauté. The recipe seems to be for skillet potatoes.

[blazedog]

Yup -- this is just pan sauted potatoes -- never heard it referred to as boiling :rolleyes: The only twist is that it is seasoned with adobo as opposed to more common salt, pepper, paprika and maybe garlic salt.

I guess she is differentiating sauteing in a shallow skillet which from deep frying which is more hazardous but the only time I've ever read a reference to boiling oil is, as you posted, when thrown down from the parapets during a castle siege.