And we're off! First Flight of my Air Fryer!

I recently got a Nuwave 6 quart Air Fryer for Christmas. Yes, it's a healthy alternative.   But my main objective was not having to keep filling my fryer.  My current fryer was open with no way to save the oil and took about 2 1/2 bottles of oil to fill and the clean up was a pain in the patuti.   As I surf online I'm starting to realize that I'm not the only one who is a little intimidated by this device.  So let's work together to master the art of healthy frying!   

First Flight!  Vegtable Lumpia

Lumpia is basically a Filipino spring roll that my husband usually fries in a small saucepan with oil on the stove.  First, I used the nuwave to make the egg rolls with the preheat function to 350 degrees then cooked them for 15 minutes with a shake at 8 minutes.  Rolls came out crispy but didn't have that fried taste. They were OK.  The next day I to used the 4 minute reheat function to make them crispy again.  By simply microwaving they were no longer crispy.  I also fried some in a pot to do a proper comparison.  The fried were definitely the better tasting.  To test out my skills I did frozen fries with the frozen fry setting.  They came out crispy and tasty, just not fried in oil tasty!  I also tried frozen potato skins by preheating to 350 degrees and 12 minutes.  One larger one came out a little oven baked consistency, but the smaller and medium ones were crispy and wonderfully.  And I didn't have to turn on the big old oven for such a tiny little treat.  

Top to bottom fresh air fried, oil fried in pan, and reheated with air fryer.  

What are your thoughts and experiences?  Let's learn together!  Tomorrow I just might jump in with both feed and try fried chicken.  

Salute to small STL Businesses!

Salute to small STL business's! Finally went to Straubs for the first time today and found these chips. I have to admit my draw to them was the cute little prim kraft paper bag. The cashier told me that the $.99 sample size I bought would be gone before I made it out of the parking lot (had to make a left on a 4 lane road!) and that I should go buy the family size. He was right! These chips were the yummiest kettle chips I've ever had. Reminded me of the King's Taters that you get at the fair. The bag claims no presevatives, no trans fats, no MSG & gluten free. Next up to try the spicy ones!http://billygoatstl.com/

Leftover Jalapeno Popper Dip

http://www.bigredkitchen.com/2008/10/jalapeo-popper-dip.html

Made this dip for New Year's Eve and it was a really good replacement for Buffalo Chicken Dip and for me who gets heartburn easily I didn't feel it was a heartburn inducing.  You can control how hot this dip gets by what jalapenos and green chilies you buy.  I was a little worried about the mayo separating, but even with keeping it on a warming plate for most of the night and reheating in the microwave since I haven't had a problem yet.  

Today I used some of the leftover dip to make Jacket Potato's for lunch and it was yummy.  Jacket potatoes are red potatoes that have been cooked, cut an x shaped in the potato but not all the way down and filling the v with a mixture of sour cream, spices, and Cheddar cheese.  I used my microwave potato pocket from Hawaii (I think you can get them at most craft shows no days) and microwaved 4 potatoes for 3 minutes.  Then cut the V and filled with the popper dip!  It was delicious and cut down on a little of the spice.

Take Two: Avocado Chicken Salad

http://becomingbetty.blogspot.com/2011/09/avocado-chicken-salad.html

The first time I made this I used canned Chicken and it was awful.  Today I made it with fresh chicken and it was wonderful.  I could eat this everyday!  I do LOVE avocado!  I'm beginning to think that this is going to be the year of cilantro and green onions.  I keep finding myself pulling out the food processor to chop the two ingredients.  

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

http://www.pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/2011/11/18/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken.html

This was very good, stayed nice and moist when it was finished .  I have to say I didn't really follow the recipe I just used the mere suggestion of it after reading it.  I had some leftover homemade salsa from last week.  Since the majority of the ingredients in the chicken recipe were already in the salsa I just added the taco seasoning packet and a little bit more cilantro and lime since I had already used quit a bit in the original salsa recipe.  When done we heated up some corn tortillas (wrap in wet paper towel and heat in the micro for 45 seconds per 4 tortillas), added some Mexican cheddar cheese, a little lettuce, and some sour cream, the chicken and chowed down. Used 6 chicken breasts and still had plenty of leftovers, which is not usually the case in our house after eating dinner and boxing up two lunches for the next day.  

http://www.dana-made-it.com/2010/12/day-14.html

Pudding for the New Year! Slippery Nipple pudding shots!

http://www.myscienceproject.org/j-shot-3.html

Oh yum yum and so decedent!  I made these shots for my sisters bacholorette party and they are rich, but so yummy and they go down a little too smooth. The are quick and easy, and I served them with ice cream sample spoons.   Also made the Mudslide shots in the past, good but way to rich for my taste.  GASP!  I'm not really a chocolate fan.

Onion Ring Dip may be a winner!

http://www.lifesambrosia.com/2009/04/crispy-parmesan-onion-rings-recipe.html

Onion ring dip

In preparation for New Years Eve I mixed up the dry ingredients and the sauces for onion rings, and pickles.  As the original chef states the sauce hasn't had time to get "married" yet, but upon first taste it reminded me of 17street BBQ onion straw sauce DELISH!!!!  Much more to my liking than the comeback sauce made last week.

http://www.17thstreetbarbecue.com/Home.aspx