Added too much oil to your food? try these easy kitchen tricks to remove excess oil without ruining the dish

Too much oil can make an otherwise well-cooked dish feel overly rich, greasy and heavy. Whether it is a curry with oil floating on top, vegetables that have soaked up excess fat or a gravy that has turned too oily, you do not necessarily have to discard the food or cook it again. A few simple kitchen techniques can help reduce visible excess oil while keeping the dish's flavour and texture largely intact.

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Skim Oil From Curries, Soups and Gravies

If you notice a layer of oil floating on a curry, soup or gravy, skimming it off is one of the easiest solutions. Allow the dish to rest undisturbed for a few minutes. As the oil rises to the surface, use a shallow spoon to carefully scoop it away.

Use Ice To Collect Excess Fat

Ice can also help remove some surface fat from a hot dish. Place a few ice cubes inside a clean spoon and gently move the chilled surface over the top of the food. The cold surface can cause some of the fat to cling to it. Wipe the fat away and repeat the process as needed. Avoid dropping the ice directly into the dish, as melting ice can alter its consistency.

Drain Fried Foods With Kitchen Paper

Fried foods can retain a considerable amount of oil on their surface even after they have been removed from the pan. Transfer the food to a plate lined with food-safe kitchen paper or a clean paper towel. Gently pat the surface to absorb some of the excess oil.

Try a Fat Separator

A fat separator can be particularly useful if you frequently prepare soups, stocks, gravies or stews. Pour the liquid into the separator and leave it undisturbed for a short while. The oil and fat will rise to the top, while the heavier liquid settles underneath, allowing you to pour out the broth or gravy while leaving much of the fat behind.

Add More Ingredients To Balance the Dish

When excess oil cannot be separated easily, increasing the quantity of other ingredients can help balance the dish. You can add more cooked vegetables, lentils or other suitable ingredients depending on the recipe. This can distribute the excess oil across a larger quantity of food without significantly changing the overall flavour.

Avoid Adding Too Much Water

Adding water may seem like an easy way to fix an oily curry or gravy, but it can dilute the flavours and alter the consistency of the dish.

Similarly, repeatedly reheating the food will not eliminate the excess oil and may affect the texture of other ingredients. Instead, remove as much visible oil as possible first and then reheat the dish only until it is thoroughly hot..

These simple methods can help rescue an overly oily dish without requiring you to start the recipe from scratch.

[With TOI inputs]