Many many weeks ago I attended the Tefal ActiFry product launch event where I got to try cooking with the new multicooker from Tefal. Most people may think that it’s another kitchen appliance that does air frying, but the ActiFry actually does a lot more than giving you crispy french fries using minimal oil. At the product launch, we got to cook fried noodles, sauteed vegetables and scrambled eggs – all using fresh ingredients instead of frozen items.

This is quite an incredible appliance that’s suitable for people with busy lifestyles (don’t we all???) as the appliance is set automatically to cook, freeing up precious time to do something else in the meantime while waiting for food to be ready. I enjoy cooking and spending time in the kitchen, but there are days when I have to multitask a few dishes at once or I’m simply too tired/lazy to cook anything elaborate. Meanwhile I don’t want to compromise the quality and flavor of the food that I cook and eat, hence the Tefal ActiFry is a great solution for that!

The Tefal ActiFry is already a best-seller in the UK and some of the appliance’s highlights include:

Through sheer good luck I ended up winning a brand new Tefal ActiFry during the lucky draw segment of the event and I became one of the first few to own this appliance once it’s shipped into Singapore several weeks later. Now that I’ve got this in my home, it’s time to seriously take the new Tefal ActiFry on a test drive.

Using the Tefal ActiFry for the first time at home, I’m making one of my fave Thai dishes – Pad Kra Pow Moo (spicy ground pork with basil).

Let me walk you through how an automated kitchen appliance can yield this dish, using all fresh ingredients and a seasoning packet (additional shortcut).

This is what the Tefal ActiFry looks like right out of the packaging box. This drum-shaped kitchen appliance is made in France and relatively light-weight so it’s easy to move around.

The Tefal ActiFry can cook up to 1kg capacity (which is quite a lot of food, enough to feed a family).

The “pot” is completely removable, which makes it easy to wash and clean up after cooking.

Furthermore, the center rotating paddle is also removable. This rotating paddle cooks food evenly when the appliance is turned on.

Here are all the parts detached and removed. I gave all the removable parts that will come in contact with food a thorough rinse since this is a brand new appliance out of the box.

I then assembled the ingredients that are needed for my Thai dish. Clockwise from top left: ground pork, a packet of seasoning, fresh basil and chopped bell peppers.

I picked up this packet of seasoning during my last trip to Bangkok. Pad Kra Pow is one of my favorite Thai dishes and I eat this quite frequently. There are variations using ground chicken or ground beef, but ground pork is my preference.

Every Tefal ActiFry comes with a measuring spoon. All you need is just a spoonful of oil to cook with the Tefal ActiFry, which makes this an efficient appliance to produce healthy, low-fat cooked foods.

Step 1: Measure a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil (an even healthier option than regular cooking oil) using the Tefal measuring spoon.

Step 2: Distribute oil evenly into the cooking ‘pot’.

Step 3: Add ground pork (already thawed to room temperature).

Step 4: Add chopped bell peppers.

Step 5: Sprinkle seasoning and close the lid.

Step 6: Turn on the appliance.

Step 7: Set the timer by pressing on the “+” button.

Step 6: The device comes on, the center rotating paddle starts moving and the cooking process begins. Halfway through, I opened the lid which automatically paused the machine and I added fresh basil leaves.

Step 7: Voila! The dish is done and it tasted just as it would using normal cooking method. But of course I’ve successfully hacked the cooking process because basically all I did was place all the ingredients into the appliance and it did all the work for me. No slaving over the hot stove and stir-frying the food in the wok. I just set the timer on the Tefal ActiFry and it went on autopilot. Super duper easy peasy.

Verdict: This is a very convenient appliance to have. Imagine coming home from work with thawed food ready to be cooked, so just put everything into the Tefal ActiFry, set the timer and leave it to do its thing while you go have a shower. The appliance will automatically stop cooking once the set time is up so after you are done showering, your dinner is ready! I am definitely not complaining about the easy clean-up afterwards, thanks to the detachable parts. The entire cooking surfaces, including the rotating paddle, are non-stick. This is way easier to clean up than a traditional deep fryer that’s full of oil. Speaking of which, I like that not a lot of oil is required to cook food.

I haven’t tried using this appliance to make deep fried food yet so that’s what I plan to use it for next; I have a packet of sweet potato fries inside my freezer – follow me on Instagram as I will post pix of my result there. As you have already seen in my example above, this appliance is very versatile and you can use it to stir fry and sautee as well. With the Tefal ActiFry, you can make chilli, meatballs, curry, fried rice, stir fry beef, risotto, etc! How awesome is that? No wonder Oprah’s raving about it.

Nomz,
-MB.

I’ve not been to Greece yet but I am already in love with Greek food. Pylos serves rustic Greek home cooking and honors traditional greek cuisine by bringing fresh, wholesome cooking from all regions of Greece to the East Village. I caught up with my former roomie (whom I first met on IRC eons ago!) over dinner at Pylos one evening.

Started with appetizers of Htenia Me Fasolia Kai Roka – grilled wild sea scallops tossed with white beans and arugula and served with a dressing of extra-virgin greek olive oil and fresh lemon juice, and Dolmathes Avgolemono – grape leaves stuffed with rice, ground veal, herbs, golden raisins and pine nuts, served with egg-lemon sauce.

Moving on to entrees, she had the Lithrini Ston Fourno – whole red snapper, oven braised and served with seasonal vegetables. I had awesome Grilled Whole Bronzini (prepared in the simplest yet most delicious way, just lemon juice, olive oil, capers and parsley) with a side of Patates Psites – roasted potatoes seasoned with lemon, oregano, garlic and extra-virgin olive oil.

Pita and Hummus – on the house.

Dolmathes Avgolemono - grape leaves stuffed with rice, ground veal, herbs, golden raisins and pine nuts, served with egg-lemon sauce.

Htenia Me Fasolia Kai Roka - grilled wild sea scallops tossed with white beans and arugula and served with a dressing of extra-virgin greek olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

Lithrini Ston Fourno - whole red snapper, oven braised and served with seasonal vegetables.

Grilled Whole Bronzini (prepared in the simplest yet most delicious way, just lemon juice, olive oil, capers and parsley) with a side of Patates Psites - roasted potatoes seasoned with lemon, oregano, garlic and extra-virgin olive oil.

One of the few ways I really enjoy eating fish is when it’s prepared this way. As for the lemon potatoes, I love them so much I’ve made them several times at home, it’s super easy! Will share the recipe sometime.

I enjoy Greek food tremendously because it’s hearty yet never too heavy for me. Maybe all the fresh lemon juice helps. I can’t wait to go to Greece!

Pylos
128 E 7th Street
(between Avenue A & 1st Ave)
New York, NY 10009

Pylos Website

The Lobster Roll from Luke’s Lobster is seriously laced with crack!!! SSSSOOOOOO GOOOOOODDDDDD. :9~ The hot dog bun is toasted to perfection with a nice buttery exterior, and it is generously filled with large fresh chunks of lobster and only lobster (no fillers like chopped veggies or anything else). The lobster chunks aren’t heavily coated with mayo either so the sweet flavour of the lobster really comes through. And that sprinkling of spices and seasonings, OMIGOD… definitely addictive.

The first time I had this was in 2010 when my besties brought me there. And that was it, having lobster roll elsewhere would never be the same again.

Luke’s Lobster (East Village)
93 E. 7th Street
New York, NY

Luke’s Lobster Website for more locations