Cooking with ghee is a Wise choice for multiple reasons.

Cooking with ghee is a popular choice. Chefs worldwide prefer cooking with ghee as it is a proven ingredient for adding a unique nutty flavor in cooked dishes and is good for digestive benefits. Surprisingly, the list of ghee benefits in cooking does not end here. You will be delighted that there are more benefits to cooking with ghee.

Cooking with ghee is versatile: ghee offers a high smoking point.

Globally known as brown butter and clarified butter, ghee is a staple in modern kitchens for its versatility. You can try cooking with ghee for deep frying and baking and slow cooking. Unlike other cooking oils, pure ghee offers a high smoking point. It is measured that the smoke point of ghee is 485 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much higher and safer than most usual cooking oils (200 °C or 392 °F) when we cook with ghee. 

Because of the high smoke point, cooking with ghee is safer.  Cooking with ghee is safer, and ¹ is better than vegetable or mustard oil.

Cooking with ghee is safe: what makes ghee safe?

Although pure clarified butter is a dairy product, it is completely lactose-free.  A major group of people worldwide cannot digest lactose, hence acting as dairy product allergic. Cooking with ghee is safe for them.

But while cooking with ghee, the risk of lactose intolerance is completely zero.  The method of making ghee takes out the least trace of the lactose in butter and leaves behind a pure clarified butter oil, known as brown butter.

For lactose intolerant people, ghee is a dairy elixir, and cooking with ghee instead of butter is risk-free for food allergy.

Cooking with ghee: Does ghee need refrigeration?

The great advantage of cooking with ghee vs. oil is this dairy staple’s storage-friendly character. Buy quality clarified butter, and you will enjoy at least 12 months of shelf life from the date of manufacturing. The habit of cooking with ghee is, therefore, a safe bait for homemakers.

Just store ghee in an airtight jar, away from light exposure and direct heat.

Use a dry spoon to make clarified butter out of the jar. Ghee does not require refrigeration support, making it a chef’s darling for kitchen preservation.

7 tips for cooking with pure ghee

• Choose Quality Ghee: Opt for high-quality grass-fed ghee for better flavor and nutritional benefits. Look for ghee that’s free from additives and made using traditional methods.
• Start with a Small Amount: Ghee is concentrated and has a rich flavor. Begin with a small amount and gradually adjust to your taste preferences, especially if you’re new to using it.
• Use Medium to High Heat: Ghee’s high smoke point suits it for various cooking methods. Use it for sautéing, frying, and even roasting at medium to high heat without worrying about it breaking down.
• Flavor Enhancer: Ghee imparts a delightful nutty flavor to dishes. Use it to enhance the taste of vegetables, grains, and proteins, or drizzle over finished dishes for a final touch of richness.
• Substitute for Butter or Oil: Replace butter or cooking oil with ghee in recipes. It works well in baking, imparting a buttery flavor to baked goods, and ghee can also be used as a spread for bread.
• Indian Cuisine: Explore Indian cooking with ghee. It’s a staple in many Indian dishes, adding depth and richness to curries, lentil dishes, and rice preparations.
• Store Properly: Ghee has a long shelf life due to its low moisture content. Please keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration is not necessary, but it can help extend shelf life further.

Remember that while ghee offers various benefits, it’s still calorie-dense, so moderation is key. Experiment with different cooking techniques to fully appreciate its versatility and flavor.

Cooking with ghee: You can try ghee on all types of dish

You can try cooking with ghee for all types of dishes. Vegetarian, non-veg, and sweet dishes can be prepared with ghee as cooking oil. This all-rounder quality is one of the benefits of cooking with ghee.

Whether baking a cake or preparing a salad, brewing a cup of coffee, or cooking with ghee, you can use ghee for a yummy taste and a spoonful of good quality fats for keeping your curves in perfect shape.

Keto and Paleo diet freaks can add ghee to their diet for good results.

Cooking with ghee: Is ghee good for the stomach?

Ghee is counted as a healthy fat. In fact, it is the clarified form of butter. According to Ayurveda, it increases the absorption capacity of the small intestines and reduces the acidic pH of our digestive tract. Ghee is a reliable and rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce LDL cholesterol.

While ghee is digestion-friendly, it is full of saturated fats and may take 3-4 hours to get digested.

The fat content makes it a filler food, which helps in reasonable calorie intake control. 

5 reasons grass-fed ghee is a better option for healthy cooking

Grass-fed ghee is often considered a better option for healthy cooking due to its unique nutritional profile and cooking properties. Here are five reasons why:

• High Smoke Point: Grass-fed ghee has a high smoke point, typically around 485°F (250°C), which makes it ideal and safe for high-heat cooking methods like sautéing, frying, and roasting. Unlike other cooking oils, ghee doesn’t break down and release harmful compounds at high temperatures.
• Lactose and Casein-Free: The clarification process removes milk solids, including lactose and casein, making grass-fed ghee a safe option for individuals who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy proteins. It provides the rich flavor of butter without the potential for digestive discomfort.
• Nutrient-Rich: Ghee retains fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K2, along with other beneficial compounds like butyrate and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). These nutrients can support immune function, aid nutrient absorption, and provide potential health benefits.
• Balanced Fat Composition: Grass-fed ghee has a balanced composition of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats. Healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, can improve heart health and well-being.
• Enhanced Flavor: The process of making grass-fed ghee gives it a pleasant nutty flavor that can enhance the taste of dishes without the need for excessive amounts. This can encourage a more mindful and moderate approach to cooking and eating.

When incorporating grass-fed ghee into your cooking, remember it is still calorie-dense, so portion control is essential. As with any dietary change, individual preferences and needs can vary, so it’s a good idea to seek advice from a healthcare professional or an experienced dietitian if you have specific health concerns or dietary goals.

Recipes:

Cooking with ghee for chicken roast

Chicken is cooked in spices roasted in ghee, resulting in tender, juicy, & flavorsome pieces of chicken. Heat ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ginger garlic paste and sauté until it gets fragrant. Lower the heat to low, and add the spice powders – Paprika, Cayenne, crushed fenugreek seeds, cumin powder, and Turmeric.

Slowing the heat before adding the spice powders to the Ghee is vital. This is to stop the spices from burning. If spices burn, the result may taste bitter.

Using a large skillet for cooking with ghee and chicken roast is better. And you need to place the chicken pieces in one layer. This confirms even heating and preparing chicken roast cooking with brown butter recipe.

Cooking with ghee is not a matter of preference, it may be considered as a conscious choice because of the obvious health benefits it offers.

However, all these benefits can enjoyed with pure and unadulterated brown butter ghee only.