The Cooking Method To Use If You Don't Like The Char Of Grilled Foods
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who like to roast marshmallows until they're burnt to a crisp and those who prefer to cook them until they're golden brown. Well, the same thing is true for practically all cooked food. Either you like a heavy, burnt, smoky flavor or prefer it to be toasted to perfection.
Charring food is a given when it comes to grilling. According to Unilever Food Solutions, when your food is charred, it's not the same as being burnt. Charred food is a type of intentional browning that can give a piece of food a beautifully balanced, smoky flavor. However, when your food is burnt, it's overcooked and is no longer edible.
Whether you're grilling up some hamburgers and hot dogs or sizzling up some summer shish kabobs, you're bound to get some blackened scorching here and there. However, this can become a problem for those who don't like this slightly burnt taste. Achieving a lightly caramelized flavor can be challenging, especially on the grill. So, how can you achieve the best of both worlds when you're trying to impress charred vs. non-charred guests? The answer lies in your cooking method.
The cooking method to use if you don't like charred food
Pulling off a perfect, smoky flavor can be difficult to accomplish if you aren't a fan of char. If you don't like the classic burnt barbequed taste, then grilling may not be your best bet. Instead, MasterClass suggests broiling your food. But what exactly is broiling? The Food Network states that grilling and broiling are very similar. Both use direct, dry heat to crust the exterior of whatever you're cooking. However, broiling is a setting on your oven that allows the heat to radiate from above, as opposed to below, like a grill.
Broiling is a great way to add a touch of color and crispiness to your meal without creating any char. This final step takes only a few minutes after roasting or baking your food. It's the perfect option if you're looking to brown the top of chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, steak strips, kabobs, and vegetables.
Learning how to use the broiler setting on your oven can take a bit of trial and error. Some ovens require you to keep your oven door slightly open while broiling to prevent your food from overheating and causing a fire. Be sure to read the manual that came with your stove or look up the make and model on the internet to learn more about how to broil your food safely.
Is eating burned food bad for you?
Golden brown food can be accomplished thanks to the broiler setting on your oven, but what if you like the taste of charred food? Many people wonder if slightly burnt food is bad for their health and if they should stop eating it altogether.
Many claims on the internet state that eating overcooked or burnt food causes cancer. According to WebMD, there are, in fact, animal studies that suggest the carcinogens from burnt or charred food could potentially harm the body, but overall it is inconclusive.
Registered dietician and nutritionist Janice Baker from Palomar Health says, "The poison is in the dose." Just like many foods, eating charred food should be consumed in moderation. Broiling is a great option if you want to eat less charred food from the grill. Baker also suggests that when in doubt, you can always "cut off any charred areas before [you] eat." This way, you don't lose the smoky, grilled flavor you love.