GF French Fry Cravings...Solved!

French fries are one of those things that you must be careful about as a Celiac. Many restaurants use the same deep fryer to cook things like battered pork bites and chicken tenders, including fries. This automatically excludes Celiac's from enjoying this simple food when out and about, since this causes cross contamination. Even these small amounts of gluten that are transferred to fries in this way causes problems for my Celiac daughter- severe cramping, bloating, the sensation wanting to vomit but can't, and then for the next day or two... a general blah lethargic feeling combined with headache often and becoming lactose intolerant for a week. Not fun.

For many (including myself), making fries at home is an intimidating proposition. I have attempted it, but my results have varied greatly ranging from burnt tasting to underdone, to oily and risking my skin to being scorched by the hot oil. Oven fries on the other hand, are either soggy or tough. Some of the frozen oven fries are not even gluten free, having been coated with gluten to adhere flavorings to their exterior. A losing battle it seems all for the sake of a simple comfort food. But I am here to tell you that all this fuss and frustration can be pushed aside!
 
Perfect homemade fries are possible. The "How", is called the ActiFry -made by T-fal. My son has been wowed by the commercials for the last few months and has begged for us to get one. Although intriguing, it was not on my priority list.

With Christmas coming, I took stock of my Airmiles that I have collected over the year, and began using my points to purchase various gifts for my family. As I browsed, I came across the long desired ActiFry that my son was wowed about. Well as you might guess, I bought it with my Airmiles.

It arrived yesterday. My son was elated, and hurried to help me wash the components. (If only I could get him that excited about doing dishes all the time! Lol.) I asked the kids what they wanted me to make with our new appliance, and in unanimous shouts it was FRIES.

I must say that I was impressed with results. The fries were golden brown, perfectly done and had an audible crunch to their exterior while still being tender and fluffy inside. All this was done with a tablespoon of oil! No more dealing with oil baths and splatters...and not to mention the cost savings in oil usage alone.

The ActiFry also comes with a cookbook. Here you will find everything from risotto to shrimp, and even desserts. Tonight I am going to try out a creation of my own. I will share it with you if it turns out! In the meantime here is a link to see for yourself what this contraption is all about. To briefly describe its cool factor... it is similar to what people have told me that they did when they got their first front loading washing machine (myself included)- stand there and watch it! http://tfalactifry.com/