BBQ or Frying - The Choice is yours

New to the site and first article so enjoy.

To be upfront, I am trained chef out HS that moved into the stupid corporate world just wanted to see what others thought on the topic. Judge later, I enjoy corporate paycheck better, let’s stick to the topic!

So grilling can be very carcinogenic not so much in a smoker but on the BBQ with a flame or charcoal, which lets be honest, who doesn’t love a good BBQ'd piece of meat. Though is it healthier than frying, since most of the fat drips away from the food while cooking.

Frying food for the most part absorbs the oil it is cooked it, and depending on the meat and cut retains its own fats. I know there have been studies charcoal grilled foods produced some levels of carcinogenic “bad stuff” I guess, with disagreements I’m sure. Definitely not a carcinogenic expert. Though I am more inclined towards the health benefits gained from the removal of fat, so yes, in my opinion BBQ grilling is probably healthier than frying.

Here’s where technique come in to play. You can grill foods but don’t burn them over the direct flame or heat. Common sense, albeit the best tasting part (I’m guilty) the charred parts are most likely to be carcinogenic. So what do we do with the charred parts? Give them to the pets and let them eat all the Carcinogens. That I leave up to the Chef/Cook of the household. I myself will enjoy some of that Char and just say it’s better for us than frying.

Another tidbit on frying, if you fry at the right temperature and drain well, some leaner fried foods in moderation isn’t going to clog your arteries overnight, though I’m not a Dr just a great cook. If you fry at too low a temperature, the foods will absorb too much of the oil. If you fry at a too high of a temperature you might burn the food just like grilling, so either way stick to smaller pieces of what you are frying. Plus it won’t change the temp of oil enough when your batch cooking. The type of oil you use may also be wrong for high temperatures. Peanut oil is always a good option. Pricey but holds well to the high temps and always recommended on turkey day, so it must be good choice.

HAPPY GRILLING OR FRYING!!