Removing oil from soup

Posted by raincatcher (841 days ago)

What's the best way to remove oil from soup? No matter how much I've removed, there is always some left in my pot of hot soup.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by annebin (841 days ago)

if you make the soup stock/broth a day before and leave it in the fridge, you can skim off the congealed part that forms on top. and this goes for stews too.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by raincatcher (841 days ago)

So do you just discard the oil in your sink? Won't this block the drain?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by annebin (841 days ago)

You can either use ziplock plastics or a small plastic bag lined with paper towel (so it won't leak), tie it up and throw in your rubbish bin

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Witley (840 days ago)

Try gently pressing sheet(s) of kitchen towel over the surface - that should soak up a lot of the oil.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by AYM (840 days ago)

There is an item sold at Japan Home Centre (or perhaps elsewhere as well) for $20 which removes oil from the soup.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Witley (832 days ago)

A bit of trivia here, but I just read in latest issue of BBC's Good Food magazine that emptying oil, fat etc. down the sink in the UK is actually illegal! Not sure how they'd nick you for it, but it got me wondering if there are any other 'crimes' we might occasionally commit in the kitchen...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by raincatcher (832 days ago)

Hahahha! I guess they'll make those plumbers their informants. So whenever when you call a plumber to clear a clogged drain and if he finds out that it's because you've down oil in the sink, the plumber will report you to the authority! Eeeeeeeeeeee!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by lianz (832 days ago)

Another tip, soak in lettuce leaves, though it doesnt help much but at least take some oil from the food. The best way second to annebin.
I discard the oil and throw it in plastic bag.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by sub (814 days ago)

My Chinese mother in law blows lightly on the surface of the soup to gather all the little spots of oil together at the opposite side to scoop off. This is after scooping as much as possible the normal way. A bit unhygenic, but it really works.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by wibb (810 days ago)

If you didn't make the soup in advance, and need to skim off oil when it's hot, pour all the liquid in a sturdy plastic bag (like zip loc). The oil will have floated to the top. Snip off a little corner and let the soup drain into a container. Stop when you get to the oil. I use this method for pan juice when I make gravy and it's really easy.

(I am based in Hong Kong)