Air Fryers are the new ‘must have’ aren’t they? I admit to having resisted them until very recently, when a colleague made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, but now I’m a convert. They really do produce tasty food quickly, and, importantly, use less oil. In my incessant battle with a waistline bent on emulating Mr Blobby, this has to be a plus.
But air fryer meals have just become even easier thanks to the brainchild of Noel Davis, a British food manufacturer and distributor with over 30 years’ experience. He spotted the one thing missing in the Air Fryer landscape, and that’s Ready Meals. Yes, the Air Fryer cooks meals quickly, but how great to just take a bag from freezer to fryer, and 15 minutes later have a delicious meal on your plate? One which tastes just as good as if you’d spent hours peeling potatoes and battering fish or chicken.
Noel’s company, MJ’s Diner, majors on chip shop favourites and ‘fake-aways’ – cheaper, healthier and less-calorific versions of takeaway meals. Did you realise that 30-50% of people in the UK admit to having takeaways up to 4 x per week, according to surveys1,2? I must admit I was shocked. Did you also know that one portion of takeaway chicken katsu and chips comes in at around 1150 calories – this is serious news for both waistlines and arteries.
In contrast, MJ’s Diner Katsu Chicken Curry With Chips has less than half those calories and with just 15 minutes total preparation time its’s actually quicker and easier than grabbing a takeaway. Even without an air fryer, you can bung it in the oven for 30 minutes.
But of course the million dollar question is – does MJ’s Diner taste good? A resounding YES. You can see in the photo below the freshly cooked Fish Fillet With Chips, a generous fillet of soft flaky fish, crispy batter and chips which I can confirm taste as good as they look.
However the acid test is my grandchildren – they’re delightful, but quick to vote with their feet if grandma’s evening meal doesn’t come up to scratch. I tried the Chicken Goujons With Chips and the Beef Meatballs With Chips And Gravy this evening and they demanded ‘seconds’, which is a first. Did I tell them it wasn’t actually my cooking? Absolutely not – I just basked in the unaccustomed glory and will continue to make frequent trips to my local Farmfoods for more supplies.
So where can you get these wonderful (grand)mother’s helpers? Besides Farmfoods, MJ’s Diner air fryer-ready meals are available at Poundland, Oops Food Clearance in St Helens, and over 300 independent retailers nationwide. Many of the meals cost £2.49 – significantly cheaper than any takeaway, and the Battered Fish Fillet With Chips is just £1.99. What are you waiting for?
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.
