Pan-fry

Definition

A cooking method using moderate amounts of fat in a pan to cook food until golden brown on the outside while remaining tender inside. It's halfway between sautéing and deep-frying.

Example Usage

The schnitzel was pan-fried in butter until golden brown and crispy on both sides.

Origin

English compound word combining 'pan' (the cooking vessel) and 'fry' (cooking in fat).

Fun Fact

Pan-frying uses less oil than deep-frying but more than sautéing, making it ideal for items like breaded cutlets and hash browns.

Source: Basic cooking technique

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