Jenyfari
Cook
I have a pork roast that I am thinking of cooking up for Xmas and am wanting some tips on getting the crackling just right. I love it nice and crunchy.
I try not to deep fry anything (since I am not exactly slim!) I realise I shouldn't even be eating crackling (if I am that concerned about weight issues) but it is something I really enjoy. A very occasional treat.Many people use a deep fryer to make cracklings.
When I make a picnic shoulder roast, the crackling is my favorite part.
If its not crispy enough, I remove the skin and return it to the V-Rack to finish/crisp up.
I am only cooking the pork skin i.e. not a joint of pork.You could always go whole hog in a Caja China for nice crackling skin.
Many people use a deep fryer to make cracklings.
When I make a picnic shoulder roast, the crackling is my favorite part.
If its not crispy enough, I remove the skin and return it to the V-Rack to finish/crisp up.
I am only cooking the pork skin i.e. not a joint of pork.
Ha yes! Even further removed from what I had in mind but I googled Caja China and it does look like a delicious set up. More suited to major entertaining!I have no clue what a "joint of pork" is, as I was referring to a whole pig.
I have a query on crackling.
I know that, should the crackling not crisp up well in the oven, that you can finish it off under the grill. I have done this with success (needs close vigilance though since it can quickly burn).
I have a great Jamie Oliver recipe for crackling done in the oven. I usually combine using the oven with something else to cook. Today I would like to cook the remaining pork rind (sold without the meat) but don't want to use the oven since I have nothing else to cook alongside it.
Has anyone tried crisping up a pork rind under the grill from its raw state? Is it possible? If so, some guide as to how low or high the flame should be and for, roughly, how long would be welcome.
By the way, if anyone wants this recipe I would be happy to post it here. The rind is flavoured with crushed fennel seeds, salt and chilli flakes - rubbed in with a little oil into the sliced up rind. Result is a superior 'pork scratchings' - curly, bubbly and VERY crunchy!
Saturated fats have a long history of being bad news, e.g. raising cholesterol levels and thus increasing the risk of heart related diseases. (I already have high blood pressure).I don't understand the concern regarding animal fat and weight gain?
Or that animal fats are unhealthy?
Hasn't science proved this is not correct and those on low carb diets would know much more about this?
That way of thinking is becoming more and more outdated.Saturated fats have a long history of being bad news, e.g. raising cholesterol levels and thus increasing the risk of heart related diseases. (I already have high blood pressure).
Are you thinking of good fats, e.g. omega 3?
Yes I do recall your experience. Not sure if this would be the same for all though since we all have different constitutions.That way of thinking is becoming more and more outdated.
I can tell you without hesitation that I fully believe saturated fat has gotten an undeserved bad reputation over the last 50 years. I say this from both research and personal experience. For the last two years, I've been eating plenty of it. The diet I'm on has 75% of my calories coming from fat. Yes, 75%.
In addition to olive oil, I also eat plenty of butter, lard, cheese, full-fat cream, and eggs... all the stuff that the medical community has said is bad for you. Turns out it really isn't, and the evidence seems to be mounting. Since cutting out carbs and eating more fat, my cholesterol has gone down and I've dropped over 100 pounds of excess weight. My blood sugar and blood pressure are also now within a normal range. Did I mention that I feel a whole lot better, too?
So I call "baloney" on the so-called experts.
Yes I do recall your experience. Not sure if this would be the same for all though since we all have different constitutions.
Apart from not being attracted to a high fat diet, I wouldn't take the risk anyway since (as mentioned) I have high blood pressure. Also I could NEVER cut out carbs! I love them and am a self confessed
crispaholic!
I am glad you found what works for you though!
If you do eat those fats then you must cut the carbs. The mix is what doesn't work. If you eat a meal of foods with saturated fat mixed with 50% or more carb calories, your body will use the carbs because it gets energy from that easier, and try to store the fats. You end up with excess triglycerides and cholesterol in your blood as a result. (this isn't a medical treatise, just a layman's view from what I've been told by my doctor)
You have to cut way down on the carbs if you really want to safely eat fatty foods on a regular basis. You still can't go crazy with the fats either. Lots of green stuff on the plate is still a necessity.
If you do eat those fats then you must cut the carbs. The mix is what doesn't work. If you eat a meal of foods with saturated fat mixed with 50% or more carb calories, your body will use the carbs because it gets energy from that easier, and try to store the fats. You end up with excess triglycerides and cholesterol in your blood as a result. (this isn't a medical treatise, just a layman's view from what I've been told by my doctor)
You have to cut way down on the carbs if you really want to safely eat fatty foods on a regular basis. You still can't go crazy with the fats either. Lots of green stuff on the plate is still a necessity.
As mentioned I am not attracted to a high fat diet and my intake of fat is pretty low, through vigilance so I don't have the problem you outline here. Also there are many foods that help break down fat absorption ... http://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/15-fatburning-foods/You have to cut way down on the carbs if you really want to safely eat fatty foods on a regular basis. You still can't go crazy with the fats either. Lots of green stuff on the plate is still a necessity.