As Texans, Bob and I grew up thinking every meal should include a little grease. Our iron-skillet-wielding mamas often fixed fried eggs and sausage for breakfast, burgers and fries (my weakness!) for lunch, and chicken fried steak, fried okra and apricot fried pies for dinner. Talk about heaven!
Today, those long-time southern favorites have become our guilty pleasures.
Bob and I may share French fries at Freddy's every now-and-then (you gotta have some vices) but I rarely reach for my iron skillet at home. Besides being a threat to both our hearts and our waistlines, frying - especially the mega-oil, DEEP-fried variety that we adore - can be a real chore.
That's why T-Fal's ActiFry portable cooker has been on my must-try list for what seems like ages. This health-minded kitchen appliance lowers the fat in foods we love (think French fries, stir fries and chili) by cooking them with very little oil.
You put ingredients in the ActiFry, close the lid and press "ON." The unit's unique hot air circulation technology system cooks at 338o F while a rotating paddle gently stirs food for even results.
The ActiFry comes with a handy cookbook and a special spoon for measuring spices and liquids that's a little larger than a tablespoon. Designed to be both delicious and nutritious, most recipes call for only 1 or 2 spoons of oil so you know they're healthier.
Everything from cooking to cleaning this gadget is simple. To make French fries, you simply put sliced baking potatoes in the pan, close the lid, press one button to set the countdown timer and push another to turn on the ActiFry. No preheating or guesswork required.
Afterwards, you can walk away. Seriously, when cooking fries, you can leave the ActiFry unattended for about 30 minutes. You're not gonna do that with a standard frying pan but this clever cooker does all the work for you. A hum tells you the hot air circulation technology is working (it's low but if someone like Bob is watching TV in the same area, he may have to turn the sound up a notch.) The rotating paddle flips the food while the see-through lid prevents greasy splatters and lets you check progress at a glance.
Cleanup is a synch because there's absolutely no leftover oil to toss. What a relief! There's no mess and I can get rid of all those plastic containers Bob collects for oil disposal. Plus, the nonstick pan, paddle, lid and filter slide right in the dishwasher. Everything else can be wiped clean with a cloth.
One taste hooked us on the ActiFry recipe for Real Tasty Fries. It calls for 1 3/4 pounds baking potatoes like Yukon Gold. If you're like me and have at thing for your kitchen scale (Bob just thinks I'm the only person who weighs all her food), here's a great excuse to pull it out. Otherwise, just use about 4 medium potatoes.
What's the trick to making great-tasting French Fries with this lower-calorie cooker? For best results, the potatoes should be sliced about the same thickness - no more than 2/3" square but we preferred them more McDonald's size ... about 1/4" square.
The potatoes also need to be washed and thoroughly dried before going in the machine. I like rinsing them in the colander of a salad spinner, putting them in the spinner for a few turns then drying them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb all moisture.
Otherwise, you just follow the instructions in the recipe below.
Crispy outside, chewy inside, these addictive delights taste amazing. They're cooked with only 1 spoon of oil (181 calories a serving) so you can feel good about putting them on the table. Plus, since they're healthier and super easy, there's no need to wait for a special occasion to indulge. Thanks to ActiFry, we've had homemade fries twice in the past few weeks. Though still in shock, Bob's lovin' this new routine!
In the meantime, I'm planning our next ActiFry adventure. Will it be Sweet and Salty Meatballs (in a ketchup-mustard-brown sugar-cider vinegar glaze) or 70-calorie Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce? Either way, this could be the beginning of a delicious friendship.
$250 at Bed Bath & Beyond and Target.
G
Peel the potatoes and cut into fries of equal thickness, no more than 2/3 inch in square thickness recommended. Rinse fries thoroughly in water; drain well. Use a clean kitchen towel to thoroughly dry the fries.
Place the fries in the ActiFry pan. Drizzle evenly with the oil. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes or until the fries are golden and cooked through, (the cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fries and the variety of potato used). Season fries with salt (adjust to taste).
Variation: Substitute a 28-ounce bag of frozen fries for the fresh potatoes with no added oil.
You'll also enjoy:
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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