I have used my Philips Airfryer since 2013. That makes it more than five years since it has occupied a space in my precious kitchen counter top. I started with the first generation Viva Collection 9220 series, then moved on to the Avance XL Digital Collection. And now I can’t wait to tell you what I love about the XXL HD9654/91! Check out all my Philips Airfryer recipes here.

Why do I love the Philips Avance XXL Airfryer? Here are my five top reasons:

Family-sized meals
The ultra large 1.4kg capacity is big enough to handle a whole chicken and even baked potatoes and root vegetables by the side. The space is equivalent to six portions of fries, so imagine how many bottles of crab sticks I can do at a go during Chinese New Year! It is big enough to even fit FOUR slices of bread all together:

Innovative Fat Removal Technology
With the Twin TurboStar technology which uses a powerful heater and motor to make hot air swirl
fast like a tornado, the Airfryer XXL allows you to enjoy delicious meals with up to 90% less fat as compared to a conventional Philips fryer. Whenever I have a fries treat, there’s always a pool of oil collected at the bottom of the Airfryer tray which I can easily dispose of. I love this feature the most. So not only do you NOT need to deep fry precooked fries and nuggets (and intake even more oil in the process), you’re actually expelling unnecessary oil when you airfry!

More than just a fryer
It’s a myth that the Airfryer is only good for cooking processed deep fried frozen food! I probably use it about 10% of the time to cook fries and hashbrowns. The rest of the time, I bake, grill and roast fresh food like chicken wings, whole chicken, salmon fillets, pork chops, cakes and cookies! The easiest thing to do after a long day at work is is to Airfry salmon for 7-8 minutes and dinner is on the table. Oh, and cbb loves her airfried meat balls too. 6-8 minutes is all it takes.

QuickClean basket with non-stick mesh
Airfryer’s QuickClean basket has a removable non-stick mesh for easy cleanup. Both the basket and removable drawer with non-stick coating are dishwasher safe – and frying with air saves you and your home from the odor of traditional deep-frying.

Keep Warm mode for flexible serving time
The Keep Warm function lets you serve the food when you are ready for it. You can keep your dish warm up to 30 minutes. As a mom, I just want to get settle everything else before having dinner. With the Keep Warm function, I can still have warm food for myself after cooking for cbb, bathing her and taking a shower before sitting down to have my own dinner. Moms would recognise this luxury, right? LOL.

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Recipes

The versatility of the Philips Airfryer is unmatched. Look at the different meals I have prepared in my Airfryer. You can do the same! Here’s the simple recipe of our homemade pizza:

Quick and Easy Lamb French Cutlets in Char Siew Glaze [CLICK FOR RECIPE]

Finger food for kids: Crispy potato and veggie bites [CLICK FOR RECIPE]

Airfried Cajun Salmon [CLICK FOR RECIPE]

Airfried Cod Fish with Crispy Skin, HK Style [CLICK FOR RECIPE]

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New to cooking?

If you’re new to cooking or to the Airfryer, there’s no need to fret. Every purchase of the Philips Avance XXL Airfryer comes with a recipe booklet with more than 30 delicious dishes. From quick healthy snacks to full family meals, the free recipe book offers easy-to-follow instructions that everyone can follow.

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Get 20% off for Budgetpantry readers!

Ready to explore the new way of cooking with the Avance Collection Airfryer XXL HD9654/91?

Click here to buy online at 20% off retail!

Code: twinturbostar (key in at check out)
Discount: 20% off – applicable only on the Philips e-store
Applicable models: HD9654/91 and HD9723/11 – both models come with Twin TurboStar technology

Share this deal with your friends and look out for a sweet giveaway coming your way soon on Facebook!

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The post 5 reasons why I love the new Philips Airfryer XXL appeared first on Budgetpantry | Singapore Mummy Blog on Food, Recipe & Baby.

Have you heard of ‘Eat With Your Family Day’?

EWYFD is an initiative that encourages companies and schools to end all work-related events by 5pm on a designated day every year. This will allow all staff to return home in time for dinner with their families.

This year, EWYFD falls on 26 May. If you haven’t made plans to have dinner with your loved ones, why not do so this Friday?

I am a full-time working mum who cooks every day. My job as an editor is demanding, but I’m very lucky that my company’s official knock-off hour is 5pm daily. This gives me time to pick cbb from her infant care, get home, prepare her dinner, feed her and then cook for the family.

Since I have maybe 30-45 minutes to cook, before I have to shower myself and then cbb (before she goes mad at 8pm – her bedtime), I can’t possibly prepare a feast every day.

Philips Avance Collection Digital Airfryer HD9643/11 (link)

All of you know I rely a lot on my Philips Airfryer for quick and simple meals. I have been using the first generation analogue Philips Airfryer since it was first launched about 5 years ago. It is still working well!

Today, I am testing out the Philips Avance Digital Airfryer HD9643/11.

What I really like about this? The QuickClean basket. The non-stick mesh/net of the basket now isn’t attached to the entire handle, and simply slides into and rests on top of the side catches. What this means that cleaning is now even easier.

The HD9643/11 also comes with a grill pan that is interchangeable with the basket, so there’s no need to buy a separate pan. I love cooking chicken chop with the grill pan:

Other highlights:

The digital airfryer is ready to use immediately with a turn of the knob. At home, we use our AF to heat up anything from bread to otah, to curry puff and fried rice. I also like to add cheese on top of fried rice and transform a leftover dish instantly.

The general misconception is that an airfryer is only good for frying processed, frozen food. I mean, it is EXCELLENT when frying frozen food without a single drop of oil, but that is 10% of what it can really do. Isn’t it the same as an oven then, skeptics ask. It’s not. With constant, circulating hot air, an airfryer cooks food faster and more evenly than any oven ever could. I use it to cook fresh food from scratch, and also bake small cakes with it. I love my airfryer vehemently!

Just how easy-to-use is the Philips Airfryer? Let’s just say that if my two aunts (they’re 78 and 82 this year) can use it every day, ANYBODY can. Take a look at my Airfryer recipes. Everything you see in the link was made with a Philips Airfryer. My favourite things to prepare in the AF? Hands down chicken chop and grilled fish, which take 7-12 minutes max to cook from start to end.

I get it, cooking isn’t second nature to everyone. That’s why Philips has made available over 200 super simple recipes in their app and has provided a free physical recipe book with every airfryer purchase. With instructions to make potato gratin, roasted wings, sweet and sour shrimp and even brownies in just a few steps, you won’t be running out of ideas anytime soon!

Click here to find out more about the Philips Avance Collection Digital Airfryer HD9643/11.

Philips Viva Collection All-in-One Cooker HD2137/62 (link)

I have heard good things about this all-in-one cooker and it was time to test it out. This cooker allows you to slow cook, pressure cook and multi cook all in one machine. I have never used this before. My first dish was Radish and Soft Bone Soup, pressure cooked and ready in 20 minutes!

What I like about it:

The pressure regulator valve automatically turns on to release pressure right after cooking. There’s no need to release the pressure manually or wait for the pressure to drop naturally as the food cools – you can enjoy your meal immediately!

You can select direct menu buttons to multi-cook (yogurt, stew, bake) and pressure cook (soup, risotto, rice, steamed dishes, meat, etc). The preset recommended cooking times ensures your meals are cooked just right. My soup was ready in all of 20 minutes and the hubby said it tasted wonderful.

The slow cook function allows you to select high and low temperature settings of up to 12 hours.

You can automatically keep your food warm for up to 12 hours after cooking is completed. There’s also a reheat function so you are guaranteed piping hot meals everytime.

This is one item that every small kitchen needs! More information and specs about the All-in-One Cooker can be found here.

Using the airfryer and all-in-one cooker, I spent less than 45 minutes cooking these two dishes from start to end, including time needed to clean the meats and chop ingredients.

What better way to celebrate Eat With Your Family Day than cook a simple meal at home? Remember to knock off work early and spend time with your loved ones over home-cooked food this Friday!

Discover more about the Philips Avance Digital Airfryer and Viva Collection All-in-One Cooker and make your cooking lives easier today!

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*I received the Philips Avance Collection Digital Airfryer HD9643/11 and Viva Collection All-in-One Cooker HD2137/62 for the purpose of this blog post. All opinions are my own.

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The post Eat With Your Family Day 2017: Will you let your family have more of you? appeared first on Budgetpantry | Singapore Mummy Blog on Food, Recipe & Baby.

I can’t believe it’s already the end of the year. 2015 seemed to have whooshed by in a flash! I had fun cooking and experimenting, although not as much as I’d like due to job demands and terrible lighting at dinner time :) I hope to bring us even more quick and simple recipes in the coming year!

I have posted about 100 recipes in the past year, and if you’re looking for a few to start with, here you go! My favourites of 2015, in order of preference:

1. Creamy Homestyle Chicken Stew, June 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/homestyle-chicken-stew/

This is a family recipe, passed down from my 80-year-old aunt. I’ve never seen anyone else cook chicken stew this way! Everything is from scratch and I don’t use canned soups or packaged creams. I ate this as a child and still love this today. My favourite way to cook this is on the stove top. This dish is perfect with rice and my #1 comfort food! Try it and you’ll know why!

2. Airfried Cod Fish with Crispy Skin, HK Style, January 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/airfried-cod-fish-with-crispy-skin/

I often cook this dish, or variations of this dish using different types of fish like sea bass and salmon. The best part is that it can be done easily in the airfryer. You don’t have to worry about over steaming it, nor do you have to care about skin that sticks to the pan (and messy splatters!) if you choose to fry in oil. I love how the rock sugar and boiling hot oil (that you ladle over at the end) really makes a difference to its flavour.

3. Mongolian Chicken, October 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/mongolian-chicken/

I seldom deep fry my food, but when I do, I make sure it’s worth it! And this is worth it! ‘Mongolian Chicken’ doesn’t seem to be available in Mongolia, just like how Singapore Noodles is non-existent here, but deep fried chicken pieces slathered in creamy, buttery gravy perfumed with evaporated milk and curry leaves is too good to pass up, no matter where this dish really is from.

4. Wok Fried Kam Heong Prawns, October 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/kam-heong-prawns/

One of my missions for 2016 is to make seafood-in-a-bag with kam heong sauce! Imagine crabs, prawns, lala, corn and carrots served Dancing Crab style but with kam heong sauce.. I think it’ll be a great match. Let’s see if it happens!

5. Salted Egg Sotong, March 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/salted-egg-sotong/

I did a few versions of salted egg sauce this year. This version is my favourite. I prefer not to steam the egg yolks first to get the sandy texture and more fragrance. The addition of stock also made a big difference to how this dish turned out. This recipe recorded the highest hits ever for the blog, with over 5000 unique views in a day!

6. Traditional Pumpkin Rice 南瓜饭, May 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/traditional-pumpkin-rice/

This is another of my go-to recipes for fuss-free dinners, especially when I don’t know what to cook! When you’re out of ideas, all you want is to throw everything into the rice-cooker and let it do its magic.

7. Airfried Cajun Salmon, December 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/airfried-cajun-salmon/

When cooking salmon, always remember not to overdo it! I’ve had my airfryer for 3 years – it’s the first generation Philips 9220 and it has served me well. The one thing I have cooked the most in my airfryer? Salmon. I will never pan fry salmon again with this fool proof recipe. Just wash, sprinkle on Cajun spices, and airfry for 7 minutes in a preheated 180C AF. This recipe is so simple, dinner is literally on the table in 10 minutes, including prep time!

8. Low carb lunch idea: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks, June 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/grilled-cauliflower-steaks/

One of the most beautiful dishes I have photographed.. I’m not a fan of cauliflower when it’s stir fried but when roasted, grilled or baked, cauliflower is totally transformed, emitting a delicious, intense, nutty flavour. So good!

9. Hakka Abacus Seeds for Noobs, December 2015
Recipe at: https://budgetpantry.com/hakka-abacus-seeds/

I had to include this because it was the most back breaking thing I have ever attempted. If you’re a noob at this like me, you’d like this recipe.

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So that’s my round-up for 2015! Thank you for sticking around, especially those who are with me on my Facebook Community – you have no idea how much your likes, shares and comments mean to me!

Love,
Chris

The post 2015 Budgetpantry’s recipe round-up! appeared first on Budgetpantry | Singapore Mummy Blog on Food, Recipe & Baby.

I made these Airfried Zucchini Patties sometime back, and decided to do a similar version with spinach. After all, my trusty Philips Airfryer makes frying so easy- I don’t even need to pan fry them in shallow oil but you can do that and achieve the same results.

Spinach is the choice vegetable for my family because they’re so nutritious and readily available. Whether you’re using round or sharp spinach, you won’t have a hard time finding them, unlike the very elusive YELLOW CHIVES which the veggie auntie told me she’s only seen twice in the two years she has been working there. It’s almost like they are wanted by the FBI.

I usually cook spinach by quickly blanching them in boiling water, adding to soups at the last minute, or stir frying them with anchovies. They’re a rich source of Vitamin K which protects your bones and helps to normalise blood clotting, Vitamin A (especially lutein, a carotenoid vitamin which many think of as the “Eye Vitamin”) and Iron (which is good for people like me who are sometimes anemic, sometimes not). More information on the nutritional components of spinach can be found here. I really loved making these spinach balls as they fun to eat. Anything fun to eat usually end up delicious!

Makes 20 Spinach Balls

What I used:

1 package fresh spinach, blanched, cooled, drained and chopped
1 carrot, peeled and grated
Half a yellow onion, chopped
1 egg
2 slices bread, toasted and processed into bread crumbs
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Half teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
Half teaspoon black pepper
2 slices Kraft singles, cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon cornflour

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except breadcrumbs. Mix well.
2. Add the breadcrumbs last and shape into balls.
3. Airfry in preheated Airfryer at 180 degrees for 10 minutes. Alternatively, heat up some oil in a skillet and shallow fry each side til golden brown.

How much I spent:

$0.50 for spinach
$0.30 for carrot
$0.20 for onion
$0.80 for cheese
Everything else from my pantry!

Total cost per serving: $0.60 (6-7 spinach balls per person)

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I used to add parmesan cheese to my zucchini/ spinach patties but decided I prefer less potent cheese. I used kraft singles for these and the cheese melted beautifully within. This is a great way to start your picky eater on vegetables (I don’t mean your husband). I just hope Aegon will eat these!

The post Airfried Spinach Cheese Balls appeared first on Budgetpantry | Singapore Mummy Blog on Food, Recipe & Baby.

I experience major cognitive dissonance when it comes to pork chops. One part of my brain (the health freak part) tells me I should cook with pork loin chops, the lean meat that hardly contains any fat, and the other part (the understanding, indulgent twin) tells me I should always make pork chops with pork shoulder butt.

I don’t particularly like the texture of pork loin because those that I’ve had outside tend to be a little dry as the meat is very lean. Some people love the texture though, but not me.. I love a juicy, succulent  piece of pork chop with some fat.. which the seasoning caramelises together with to form a savoury, sticky sauce that coats the meat perfectly. There isn’t that much fat in reality.. it is ok to have some fatty meat (it’s not that bad anyway) as long as you watch portion size. Everyone should make pork chops with pork shoulder!

I prepared this dish two ways- oven baked the first time as I was cooking a few pieces together, and airfried the next day for a single serving. Both were lip-smackingly tasty and tender. The airfryer version didn’t have much gravy because I used the grill pan, but it was still very juicy. Because my table-top oven is small, I always cover chicken or pork with foil before baking so that the meats don’t burn or dry up easily. To reduce the stock which I cook the meats in, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes and spray some cooking oil on top to get the glaze or crusty finish. The meats always turn out moist this way.

The picture above is making me drool.. I can even see the marbling of the meat! (click on the pic to enlarge it!)

The post Juicy Oven-Baked Pork Chop in Char Siu Sauce (Airfryer option!) appeared first on Budgetpantry | Singapore Mummy Blog on Food, Recipe & Baby.