Air fryers / coolers.
30 years ago we had this new fangled cooker that cooked with hot air. Very unconventional for use in the house, but exceptional for the rv. But then again traveling in the rv meant that you generally ate all your meals in restaurants as you traveled. So the new fangled air cooker got little use. And at home, everything was traditional... oven, stove, or grill. So the air fryer / cooker was years ahead of its time and basically faded away. The glass housing let you see the food cooking, and it was easy cleanup... Nevertheless, traditional cooking methods reigned supreme.
Now... 30 later, healthy cooking & healthy eating is in the forefront... air fryers prepare food faster and healthier... so they have been reborn. So why the name fryer rather than cooker? Americans love affair with fried food runs deep. Years ago fried foods were cooked in lard, shortening, then oils... none of which were healthy, but it was part if the American dream drought on by fast food restaurants. It's only natural, and a good marketing ploy, to call them friers and cash in on the American love of all things fried.
So now... 30 years later... we have an air fryer. And except for grilling out side ( greatly curtailed in food weather), it does indeed cook many things very well. Chicken, pork, fish, and vegetables... and especially good french fries. All cooked healthy and tasty and in half the time of conventional ovens and stoves. We started with french fries, then chicken, and pork. Continued the trend with fish, potatoes, veggies and so on. Just about something from nearly every meal is cooked in the air dryer. We got the smaller dryer for just the two of us but sometimes wish it was a larger version to cook several things together all at once. Still, a great cooking devise revived from years ago when the fad of air cooking really didn't catch on. Trying new air dryer recipes all the time. Saves time, saves money, and dies a great job at home.
I know what you are thinking... an air fryer? Not exactly what Gordon Ramsey would cook with. But then again, in this fast paced world of everything being done quickly, the culinary art of taking time reflect on planning & preparation of a meal is mostly lots except for special food holidays.
Tip: use spray shortening or olive oil on the foods helps make it crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Favorite item fixed in the air dryer? Chicken nuggets... fresh white meat breasts, cut into nugget size... dipped in olive oil and rolled in seasoned breading and spices... and it's like magic... better than Chick-fil-A nuggets right at home... Delicious!
Something worth looking in to. Bon appetit!
