What foods can be fried?

You can fry a surprisingly wide variety of foods! Here's a breakdown by category:

Proteins:

* Meats: Chicken, steak, pork chops, fish, shrimp, scallops, calamari, ground meat (for burgers, meatballs, etc.)

* Eggs: Scrambled, sunny-side up, omelets, etc.

* Tofu: Can be fried in cubes or as a "steak."

* Cheese: Mozzarella sticks, cheese curds, halloumi, etc.

Vegetables:

* Root Vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, parsnips

* Greens: Spinach, kale, collard greens (often fried with meat)

* Others: Mushrooms, onions, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, asparagus, green beans

* Legumes: Chickpeas, tofu

Other:

* Dough Products: Doughnuts, French fries, potato chips, onion rings, falafel

* Bread: Croutons, breading for meat or fish

* Fruit: Bananas, plantains (often fried sweet), apples (for apple fritters)

* Pastries: Churros, beignets, fritters

Keep in mind:

* Frying Techniques: Some foods require deep frying (completely submerged in hot oil), while others work best with pan frying (cooking in a shallow layer of oil).

* Temperature: Using the correct oil temperature is crucial for successful frying. Overheating can lead to burning, while too low a temperature results in greasy food.

* Oil Choice: Different oils have different smoke points, so choose an oil appropriate for your frying temperature.

Let me know if you're interested in specific recipes for fried food!