FIRST - I just want to remind everyone in this winter storm path - to be mindful of your vents!!! IF your furnace vents out the side of your house instead of a chimney (my furnace does) or if you have a dryer vent at the side of house - MAKE SURE they are clear of any snow!!!!!!!! This is so, so important and could save lives! KEEP the VENTS CLEAR!
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Now on to fun charts. I mentioned before that I bought an air fryer at a yard sale last summer (I think). I paid $10 for a brand new one that someone was gifted and didn't want. I figured it was worth $10 to try - if I didn't like it, I would give it to someone or donate it.
Surprisingly I really like it. Is sure makes for crispy chicken and fish. Great fries. That is about as far as I have ventured!!! LOL
Well, I came across a chart that shows all kinds of things it can be used for. My book doesn't tell most of these. So I need to get busy and try some new things.
I just like that I don't have a greasy mess to clean up and I don't have to turn on the big old oven unless I want to.
CLICK ON THIS PICTURE to enlarge print to read. It gives both F and C on temps and cooking times. SO many neat things to fix!
Here is another fun and interesting comparison. I knew there were some difference - but didn't know exactly what. I usually use butter or oil in my baking.
Being the oddball I am - I always use 'olive' oil in my brownies. I get lots of raves about them. They are always moist, and they taste like high end bakery brownies to me. I have had people ask, "what is your secret" and look at me like I am crazy when I tell them!
You have any special ingredients you use that are different? How about air fryers - what all do you all make in yours?
I need ideas for the fryer!
LOL - here we go talking about food again!!!!!!!!
Well, I must say I too love the air fryer for chicken, wings, breast and drumsticks. I tried frozen fries but was not happy with them. I need to try using fresh potatoes. I have been reading other blogs that say they are good for warming or reheating things, example pizza. I am going to try to learn more about this. Lets share.
ReplyDeleteI have done fresh and frozen fries and was happy with both. I really need to expand my knowledge. Guess we are in this together!
DeleteA dear friend from high school loves to mess with her standard recipes. She recently posted that she was tired of banana bread that always seemed dry and so she added a dallop of sour cream and it turned out far moister than before. I've got a loaf in the oven now, and it certainly smells wonderful and looks delicious. Will let you know how it comes out. ALSO, if you're making chili, try adding a small pinch or a little sprinkle of cinnamon to it. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI have a recipe for banana and one for zucchini bread with sour cream. Tasty indeed.
DeleteI made a pot of chili today. No cinnamon for me - I am not of fan of that in chili.
I don't have an air fryer and really don't want to add to the small kitchen appliances BUT the idea of crisp fish, fries, etc. sounds pretty darn good to me. I tried the Instapot a few times and ended up selling it as I could not get the hang of it. Everything turned out dehydrated and dry.
ReplyDeleteI use margarine in most things, but butter is a must in shortbread cookies, and my banana bread is made with peanut butter. I do like Lori's idea of sour cream too. I was taught in my Home Ec class (why do I remember this?) that muffins must be made with oil so it makes sense that cakes would be lighter as well with oil rather than butter or margarine. I don't make many cakes but I may have to test out the theory.
I have resisted the Instapot so far. I just don't think I would use it. I like a crockpot.
DeleteYes, butter in shortbread. Funny the things we remember! Peanut butter sounds good in banana bread.
Since I am nearing 60, I guess I can start talking about food more lol!!
ReplyDeleteI was never a fan of the Tollhouse recipe. At some point, I found a recipe that uses mostly shortening and that's my fave. I always get told that it's the best cookie ever so I guess it's not just me!
As for other stuff, I always mix sour cream and mayo for things like chicken salad or egg salad.
I tasted the best sandwich at a tea and that's what the hostess told me she did. I've done it ever since.
Aside from those two, I'm not much of an experimenter. No air fryer, instapot, or such.
Good warning about the vents. Just before I turned my tablet on, I asked hubs to make sure the dryer vent was clear before I started laundry. Furnace and water heater vents are on the roof and hooded. Hopefully they're clear enough.
My Mom always used shortening in her cookies too. I like sour cream and mayo mixed. Some things I use ranch dip/dressing for as well. I am a huge fan of ranch.
DeleteI am an experimenter big time!
Thanks for the charts, Cheryl, and the tip about side of house vents. We're planning a pellet stove for our new home that will be side vented, so that's good to know. I'll have to try olive oil for brownies. Never have before, since I feared the flavor would come through. --Elise
ReplyDeleteYou are quite welcome. No, the olive flavor doesn't come through, just makes them super moist and yummy!
DeleteI bought one of the kids and air fryer, they like it, but I just don't want one more appliance. If I could find one for 10 I might snatch it up!
ReplyDeleteI was the same way. I store elsewhere - no room in kitchen. But worth a try for $10.
DeleteAir fryers are handy! We have a free standing unit and the Breville has an air frying mode. Years ago we had a Fry Daddy and everything was greasy.
ReplyDeleteOlive oil is a good thing. I haven't used shortening in years.
Be safe, going out to tend to your kitties in the morning. It's almost 8:00 p.m. and still lightly sleeting. Guess tomorrow will be a snow day!
I had a Fry Baby many years ago and used it ONCE! What a greasy mess it was. Luckily, I got it at a yard sale as well!!
DeleteI went out and fed the kids. SURPRISE - they didn't greet me at the door this morning! I cleared the back walk and deck and made a couple paths, so they could have potty places. I will go and do more later. Snowing pretty good right now.
I would love an air fryer but they're so big and I simply do not have the space for one. I don't like to fry food if I can avoid it.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty big. Mine "lives" in another room until I need it. I have no counter space to speak of - so I just bring it out when I need it.
DeleteI'm okay talking about food, since eating just happens to be my hobby. LOL We don't have an air fryer yet. We go back and forth to get one or not. I really don't have a place to store one and the counter space is all taken. But I know everyone who has one loves theirs. We got snow today but it didn't cover the dryer vent. Thanks for the heads up though.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the going back and forth. Space is a big problem for many people.
DeleteUnless it would drift really high, my biggest risk of snow at the vents would be from shoveling and piling it. I always have to watch out for that. Stay safe.
I have wondered about an air fryer. I have not gotten one simply because I am afraid I would get it and not use it, since it would have to be stored. Yet I do use my crockpot quite often, so I might use it if i had it. It would sure be nice not to have greasy mess.
ReplyDelete