Air Fryer Tofu Stir Fry from Vicki Delany

I was given a second-hand air fryer that didn’t come with directions. I had absolutely no idea of how to use it, or even why I would want to, so it’s been sitting on my countertop for months, unused.

Then I bought a magazine from Canadian Living called Meals Made Easy with your air fryer, and I thought I’d give it a try.  I made this simple stir fry to begin with and loved it.  The dish is delicious, and so easy to make in the air fryer as it doesn’t need stirring and constant attention and switches itself off when the food is cooked.

If you don’t have an air fryer, I’m sure you can make this in your regular skillet or wok.  The marinade is lovely anyway.

Air Fryer Tofu Stir Fry

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

5 tbsp soy sauce

5 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar

2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

4 tsp toasted sesame oil, divided

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 454 g package firm tofu, drained, patted dry, cut in 1 inch cubes

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 onion, halved and sliced

1 sweet red pepper, cut in strips

1 zucchini, halved and sliced

Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving

Directions:

Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, half of the sesame onion and the garlic.  Cover and refrigerate half of the marinade, add the tofu to the remaining marinade, stirring to coat well. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees. Pat marinated tofu dry with paper towels.  Stir tofu with cornstarch coat well.

Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Spread tofu in single layer in basket.  Cook, shaking basket  halfway through cooking time, until tofu is golden and crisp, about ten minutes.  Transfer to plate

In large bowl, stir together onion, red pepper, zucchini and remaining sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper.  Transfer to air fryer basket, cook stirring half way through cooking time until crispy, about five minutes.

Heat reserved marinade. Combine tofu, vegetables, and marinade. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice or noodles.

Follow Vicki at www.vickidelany.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor. You can sign up to receive Vicki’s quarterly newsletter at Vicki Delany – Canadian Author of Mystery Novels and Suspense Novels » Contact. She’s on Bluesky at @vickidelany.bsky.social

Now Available for Pre-Order:  Shot Through the Book, the 12^th Lighthouse Library mystery by Eva Gates, coming May 6 from Crooked Lane Books.  Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates: 9798892420440 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

 

Air Fryer Pizza #Recipe @PegCochran

 

I have seen this recipe (more like instructions) in a number of places and I was dying to try it.  Toppings are up to you--I decided to keep it simple with just sauce and cheese.  I would have put some fresh basil on it but I killed my basil plant! The "pizza" was surprisingly good!  I made it for a quick lunch and really enjoyed it.  It's lighter than a regular pizza not having a heavy crust.  Don't get me wrong--nothing replaces real pizza--especially New Jersey pizza.  I may have been in Michigan for 20 years but New Jersey pizza is still my favorite.  Do you have a favorite kind--thin crust, deep dish, Detroit style, Chicago style?

I'm quite sure you could also make this in a hot oven--I saw a recipe calling for a 450 degree oven but I didn't want to heat the oven for something that would only take a couple of minutes so the air fryer to the rescue! 

Ingredients

1 10 inch flour tortilla (or whatever size fits in your air fryer)
Your favorite pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Oregano (optional)

If you air fryer requires it, preheat to 400 degrees.

Grate cheese

 

Place tortilla in air fryer.

 

Top with sauce of your choice

Sprinkle on the grated cheese and a pinch of oregano

 

Air fry for approximately four minutes--timing may vary slightly depending on your air fryer.  

 

 

You can certainly add other toppings of your choice--sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, etc.

 

OUT NOW!

Book #3 in the Open Book Series

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A murder in her quaint British bookshop drops American Gothic novelist Penelope Parish into her deadliest caper yet.

Penelope Parish is ready to close the book on her amateur sleuthing—from now on, The Open Book’s writer-in-residence will be sticking to villains of the fictional variety while she puts the final touches on her new novel. But when an author is murdered inside the bookshop, all of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke goes on high alert.
 
Now it’s up to Pen and the quirky citizens of Chumley to stop a killer and protect the charming British town she’s begun to call home.

 

 

 Book #1

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Air Fryer Gnocchi with Leeks and Mushrooms from Vicki Delany

 I’ve been having fun playing with my new air fryer. For this dish I used store-bought gnocchi, but of course you can make your own if you’d prefer.

Air Fryer Gnocchi with Leeks and Mushrooms 

Ingredients:

1 350 g package gnocchi

1 227 g pkg white mushrooms, sliced

1 leek (white part only), chopped

1 shallot, chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

2 tbsp butter, melted

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

1 cup arugula leaves

2 tbsp chopped green onion

For Vinaigrette:

3 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

For serving:

1 scoop of creamy goat cheese (optional)

Directions:

Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees. In large bowl stir together gnocchi, mushrooms, leek, shallot, and garlic. Drizzle with melted butter and oil. Toss to coat, add salt and pepper

Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Spread gnocchi mixture in single layer in basket.  Cook 8 minutes. 

Prepare vinaigrette by combining oil, vinegar, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer gnocchi to bowl, and mix with vinaigrette, then return to the air fryer for about six minutes more.

When done, put gnocchi in serving dish and mix with arugula and green onion. A spoonful of creamy goat cheese can be added if desired.

Follow Vicki at www.vickidelany.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor. You can sign up to receive Vicki’s quarterly newsletter at Vicki Delany – Canadian Author of Mystery Novels and Suspense Novels » Contact. She’s on Bluesky at @vickidelany.bsky.social

Now Available for Pre-Order:  Shot Through the Book, the 12^th Lighthouse Library mystery by Eva Gates, coming May 6 from Crooked Lane Books.  Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates: 9798892420440 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

 

Crunchy Buttermilk and Almond Chicken #air-fryer #gluten-free

By MARY JANE MAFFINI

 

Santa came early to me this year and brought something to be thankful for!  Okay, Santa might actually look a lot like me but, never mind, at the heart of the story is a new gadget that is a big hit here.  An air fryer!   We had sworn off getting new gadgets because they often have ‘big feet’ and create storage issues, but we finally caved in and got one.  We are totally hooked.  The ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ nature of the air fryer makes it ideal for two distracted people who otherwise could set the house on fire.  Plus, there are so many recipes for this gadget, which is really just a form of convection oven with great results.  

 

We’ve tried something different in it every day but decided to share this recipe with you because it is delish, fast and easy plus low-carb and gluten-free if you pick the right sides for it. .We served it with orzo and peas but we will go low-carb next time.  And there will definitely be a next time.

This recipe was adapted from Taste of Home Everyday Air Fryer.

Crunchy  Buttermilk and Almond Chicken

Ingredients

1 large egg

¼ cup buttermilk

1 ½ tsp garlic salt

½ tsp pepper

½ tsp paprika (we used Penzey’s half-sharp – nice and spicy)  or ¼ tsp cayenne

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup slivered almonds, finely chopped *

4 chicken cutlets – the original recipe called for 2 chicken breasts but the cutlets cook faster

 

Directions

Preheat air fryer to 350.

In the meantime, whisk the egg, buttermilk, garlic salt, paprika, Parmesan and pepper in a shallow dish.  

Chop the almonds and place in a second shallow dish.   

Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture and then into the almonds.  

 You may have to press some almonds on.  * We will use 1 ¼ cup of almonds the next time.  Some recipes call for ground almonds but we liked the crunchiness 

Spritz the heated pan with cooking spray or oil.  Add chicken in one layer.  

 Cook for about 12 minutes (you will need to make sure the chicken is cooked through).

 

 

Serve with your favorite side and if you have a sauce or jelly that you like  why not? I used Ranch Dressing as recommended.   So how about you: do you have a quick meal or a gadget that saves dinner for you? Let’s hear it!

 

 Hope you enjoy it!

Mary Jane Maffini is the award-winning author of three and a half mystery series: the Camilla Maffini mysteries, the Fiona Silk capers and the Charlotte Adams organizer mysteries – number six coming soon! With her daughter Victoria Maffini, MJ collaborated on The Book Collector Mysteries as Victoria Abbott. Victoria Abbott spent several happy years on Mystery Lovers Kitchen. MJ  is very glad to be back and Victoria is waving at you all!

The first five Charlotte Adams are being reissued by Beyond the Page Publishing. Recipes have been added and of course, the organizing tips continue! The Charlotte Adams books have recently been optioned for television films.  The pooches on the covers look a lot like guest posters Penny and Ivy.

Organize Your Corpses was re-released as an e-book and a trade paper on May 18. There's a great deal for the e-book.   You can order it HERE!

The Cluttered Corpse was reissued on June 15th and Death Loves a Messy Desk arrived on July 13th. 

Closet Confidential was out in August.

AVAILABLE NOW!

THE BOOK COLLECTOR MYSTERIES BY VICTORIA ABBOTT aka MJ and Victoria Maffini

Jordan Bingham has a tough time: she's the first person in her large family to go straight. She has learned some useful skills from her crooked relatives but she's trying to hang on to a legit job working for a curmudgeonly book collector. But of course, the bodies keep piling up.  There's lots of fun in the book collector series from Victoria Abbott.

Don't forget to check out MJ's Canadian books:  Camilla MacPhee features a fortyish widowed lawyer who runs an advocacy agency for victims of violent crime, in Ottawa, Canada's capital city. Life would be easier if she didn't have the world's worst office assistant, the world's bossiest sisters and, arguably, the world's greatest stubborn streak. If you like your mysteries a bit edgy with a side order of humor, these could be for you.  

Keep up on the news!  You can sign up for updates about MJ and Victoria plus fun and prizes through our newsletter HERE 

WHEN FOOD REMINDS US OF SUNSHINE

Does anyone else want to go to this Halloween party despite the evil donuts? Ginger Bolton's new book, BOSTON SCREAM MURDER will be here on August 25th!

Check below for the giveaway!

First of all, I have to confess that I have never been to Greece except in movies or the pages of novels set there.

However, one meal in a restaurant in Toronto’s Greektown made me feel like I was sitting in the sunlight on a terrace overlooking the blue waters of the Aegean. I don’t remember exactly what was in the main dish besides chicken, beef, and tomatoes. I’ll have to go back and try it another time. . . .

Meanwhile, the side of roast potatoes also tasted of sunshine and adventure and should be easier to replicate.

One of the fun things about writing a food-related cozy mystery series is, well, needing new kitchen gadgets and appliances. When I started writing about a donut shop named Deputy Donut and its co-owner, Emily Westhill, who makes and serves donuts and coffee while collecting clues from patrons about murders, the first thing I had to have was a deep-fryer.

It is wonderful at cooking many delicious things. But it has a drawback—all that oil! Not only do you have to buy it by the barrel, you have to clean it out of your deep-fryer, and you have to find a way to discard it.

Enter the air-fryer toaster oven. This is actually a small oven with a convection setting. You coat the food with a relatively small amount of oil. Hot air blows around the food giving it a crispy texture and some the flavor of frying.

Also, enter my next-door neighbor with a large bag of new potatoes from her sons’ farm. “They’re seconds,” she said, “but you can mash them, and they taste the same.”

Well! These were beautiful, huge potatoes, the kind you can cut for French fries. So what if some of them had a little bump here or there? What a wonderful gift during a pandemic!

We mashed some, we made French fries, and I played around with Greek seasoning on potatoes cut like French fries. You can find Greek seasoning in your grocery store or in a specialty shop. We order ours from the incredible Silk Road Spices in Calgary, Alberta. I like all things fries, but you can cut the potatoes into slices or wedges if you prefer and if you adjust cooking times accordingly.

OVEN-ROASTED FRIES WITH GREEK SEASONING

Ingredients:

2 large potatoes

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice—fresh or bottled

2 teaspoons Greek seasoning

Salt to taste

Preparation method:

Wash potatoes. Peel if necessary. Cut into fries.

Place fries in microwaveable container and cover.

Preheat oven, convection oven, or air-fryer oven to 400˚.

Microwave until potatoes are just becoming tender.

Sprinkle fries with olive oil, lemon juice, and Greek seasoning. Toss gently to coat fries.

Arrange fries in single layer on aluminum foil in baking pan or air-fryer basket.

Bake at 400˚ for 10 minutes or until fries start becoming golden

Remove from oven and turn fries over.

Turn on convection or air-fry setting, maintaining temperature at 400˚ and cook for two or more minutes until fries are crispy but not burnt.

Salt to taste and serve warm.

 

 

 

 

Ginger Bolton writes the Deputy Donut mystery series—coffee, donuts, cops, danger, and one curious cat. The first three books in the series are SURVIVAL OF THE FRITTERS, GOODBYE CRULLER WORLD, and JEALOUSY FILLED DONUTS. The latter was chosen as the Woman’s     World Best New Cozy Mystery of the week and was named as one of Dollycas’s Best Reads of 2019. Watch for more Deputy Donut Mysteries after BOSTON SCREAM MURDER. When Ginger isn't writing or reading, she's crocheting, knitting, sewing, or generally causing trouble. She’s also fond of donuts and coffee. As Janet Bolin, Ginger wrote the Threadville Mysteries—murder and mayhem in a village of crafty shops.

Connect with Ginger:                             
Website: https://gingerbolton.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGingerBolton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ginger_bolton
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16834862.Ginger_Bolton/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ginger-bolton

One lucky person will win a copy of BOSTON SCREAM MURDER! US and Canadian addresses only, please. Leave a comment with your email address to enter.