I have been a french fry fan since I was a toddler. My sister remembers me sitting at the table with her at about the age of 2 eating my fries. Not the healthiest habit to have, but oh how I love my fries! The thing is, eating them at home in the oven just doesn’t compare to having delicious deep fried french fries at a restaurant (or better yet at the fair or some other event!) I’ve never owned a deep fryer because I can not stand the smell they leave behind in a house (I’ve considered purchasing one to cook things outside on the deck but am also scared of the hot oil splashing on me or the kids).
When I heard about the new (to the US and Canada, it’s been in the UK for awhile now) T-Fal Actifry appliance, promising to make delicious french fries at home with just 1 spoonful of oil, I was definitely interested in checking it out. When I explained it to my husband and friends, I kept calling it a deep fryer, because it’s the easiest similar product to relate it to. The thing is, it’s not a deep fryer at all yet produces some fantastic (and yummy) results like one would.
I was skeptical that 1 spoonful of oil would get me tasty restaurant quality french fries but gave it a shot. On the first night we used frozen french fries. The result was, to me, pretty much the same as oven fries would be. They were good, crispy, but didn’t taste like they just came out of a deep fryer.
On the second night, we made homemade french fries and now, I am convinced. The Tfal Actifry has earned a permanent spot on my pantry shelf! My mom has asked me to bring it home when we visit in July because she is eager to try it out now after hearing me rave about it.
To use, you simply place the food in the basket, drizzle the recommended amount of oil, close the lid and set the timer! The convection heat and mixing paddle work together to create the perfect fry.
To make the perfect french fry, Actifry recommends rinsing the starch off the sliced potatoes and then drying thoroughly. I think this is where we went wrong with making frozen french fries – when you think about it, there’s going to be a lot of moisture on a fry that is taken from the freezer. Here is a very exciting video of the Actifry in motion (lol):
Actually, the video is useful because you can hear how quiet it actually is, and you can see how the lid doesn’t steam up at all enabling you to keep an eye on your food. The recipe book gives you guidelines for cooking times, and with fries I think they are best when they are nice and dark so it’s great to be able to watch them cook to your desired crispness.
My home made fries were so delicious! Both my husband and I were surprised at the result considering we used just one Actifry spoon of canola oil. They tasted just like deep fried french fries, yet because they were made at home in the Actifry they had only 3 grams of fat per serving compared with as much as 27 grams of fat per serving in fast food fries. And you know what? They tasted better. Maybe it’s because I made them myself and was so proud of them, but I loved them – and this is coming from a fry conneseur from the age of 2.
The Actifry isn’t just limited to making french fries – the recipe book includes recipes for everything from Madagascan Beef Tenderloin to Glazed Apple Wedges. The recipe book is also full of healthy eating tips including serving size information from Canada’s Food Guide. In Canada, you can find the T-Fal at The Bay, Home Outfitters and Sears among others (full listing of Canadian retailers can be found here). The T-Fal Actifry can also be purchased online from www.t-falonlinestore.ca for $299.99, and yes I know that is higher than the price of a normal deep fryer. I suppose it comes down to priorities. If eating healthy and making positive changes is a priority, you may not even blink at the price. It sure beats the heck out of buying new (larger) clothes, and for my extended family including my dad who just had bypass surgery healthy eating isn’t just a great idea – it’s a must.
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