The Secret to Healthy Deep-Fried Turkey - Peanut Oil

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Nov 23, 2010, 09:37 ET

ALBANY, Ga., Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Why not surprise your family and friends this year with a new twist on an old favorite. Rather than roasting your turkey for hours in an oven, fry it in less than an hour in 100 percent peanut oil and introduce your guests to a new taste that's been a long-time favorite in the South. The unbeatable combination of moist turkey encased in crispy, golden skin most likely will be at the top of their "best turkey eaten" list. The website www.turkeyfrying.net shows how to master this technique.

Peanut oil is the preferred product for frying because it's naturally trans fat-free, cholesterol free, and low in saturated fats. A major study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that 100 percent peanut oil provides the same heart healthy benefits as olive oil. Peanut oil is high in unsaturated fats, especially monounsaturated fat, and is a natural source of heart-healthy vitamin E and phytosterols.

According to the American Heart Association, "Most of the fats you eat should be the 'better' fats – monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats." Vegetable oils such as peanut oil, as well as avocados, peanuts, seeds, and seafood are recommended sources of these fats.

Fried turkey is traditionally prepared in peanut oil because it naturally maintains high temperatures throughout the cooking process and stops the oil from absorbing into the meat. This results in a bird that's crispy on the outside, moist on the inside and has a slight nutty taste.

Deep-frying cuts way down on cooking time as it takes about three minutes per pound, as opposed to the hours needed to roast a turkey. Professional chefs also know that peanut oil is the only oil that doesn't transfer flavors from one food to another. So you can use the same oil to cook your sweet potato fries or fritters.

To view recipes, safety tips, view videos of top chefs, and other information, visit

http://www.turkeyfrying.net

The Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization that supports nutrition research and develops educational programs to encourage healthful lifestyles. Learn more about peanuts and health at www.peanut-institute.org

SOURCE The Peanut Institute