Sourdough pizza recipe and a Delonghi Multifry giveaway
About once a month, KP has a desperate longing for egg and chips. I know, I know – we seem to fit our nation’s food clichés to a tee (cue Shirley Valentine), but it has to be using the best free range eggs and with really excellent chips.
Once upon a time I had a deep fat fryer for this purpose. It was perfect as you could raise the basket while keeping the lid closed enabling an initial fry at a lower heat, then a second high heat crisping up. After it broke we tried a few other models but they all seem expressly designed NOT to make good chips.
I’d been tempted by the various ‘air-fryer’ style machines which have come on the market but they had mixed reviews about the chips and they are rather large and expensive. So I was really pleased to put one to the test when De’longhi sent me their Multifry.
It is a large machine, but surprisingly light, and while I had been focused on the chip making, when I started reading the manual I was intrigued to see that you could make all sorts of other things in it too. There are recipes for pizza, stews, risotto and even cake, plus you can download an app with many more ideas.
I tried a variety of things out in the De’longhi Multifry FH1394 and this is my verdict:
Chips
Double or triple cooked crispy fried perfect chips (aka French fries) they are not. However, it’s super easy to make a batch using a minute amount of oil. I would advise soaking the cut chips to remove the starch as long as you can in advance and then patting them dry thoroughly (as I would do with conventionally fried chips). You put them in the non-stick bowl with the oil, set to the time and heat specified in the booklet and the paddle slowly turns them around for about 30 minutes (depending on the amount of chips) until done. I added 5 minutes extra time to achieve a deeper golden brown. Adding herbs like chopped rosemary or spices such as paprika would be a good option.
Sweet potato fries
These were not very crisp at all but sweet potato fries never are. They cooked a little unevenly but for a stress free side dish it was pretty good.
Roast baby potatoes
I did a batch of little baby potatoes from the Farmers’ Market with some olive oil. Like the chips, they are not very crisp but it’s an easy and economical way of cooking them, rather than heating the whole oven. My next project is to try normal sized roast potatoes this way.
Keema
There are a variety of meat-based stew and sauce recipes in the book. I used my normal keema recipe and wasn’t as pleased with the end result compared to when I do it on the hob. I think the onions didn’t get hot enough at the start to produce the nice caramelised taste and the meat gave off more water. The paddle didn’t really keep the mince separated either so I had to stir it occasionally, somewhat negating the whole point. I need to experiment more with this kind of dish.
Pizza
I adapted the De’longhi recipe to use my sourdough. The measurements in the book were a bit odd including 13 ml of olive oil – Germanic exactness. After some swapping and changing I came up with the recipe below. There is only enough cooking space for one pizza at a time (and it takes 30 minutes so impractical to cook for many) and the texture is quite crisp. Not as good as oven baked but pretty simple to make and veggie teen gave it a thumbs up.
Chicken drumsticks
Again, I faltered when going to switch the oven on to cook these and was really glad I did. I chucked a pack of chicken drumsticks (after patting dry with kitchen towel) into the bowl after removing the paddle. I sprinkled with salt, pepper and a bit of smoked paprika, set the timer for 40 minutes and ran around the house doing other things. I only stirred them twice and they were cooked really well, with brown, fairly crisp skin all done with no oil at all. I dabbed some barbecue sauce and chopped coriander on before serving but they were tasty unadorned.
My verdict
I like the multi-purpose functions of this machine as it would be difficult to justify something of this size solely to make the occasional batch of chips. It doesn’t make perfect chips but they are good enough especially without the extra fat content. The recipes in the book and on the app have suffered a bit in translation and would need a bit of experimentation, however there is lots of scope to use this instead of switching on the oven. It would actually be great for a student or someone with a small kitchen due to its versatility.
A Giveaway
Want to try one yourself? I’m delighted that one of you can, as De’longhi will give one away to one of my readers – if you live in the United Arab Emirates. Just tell me in the comments why you’d like a De’longhi Multifry and we’ll select a winner on Friday 12th June 2015 (after midnight UAE time GMT+4).
Sourdough Margharita pizza in the De'longhi Multifry
Ingredients
- 35g sourdough starter
- 60ml water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 130g strong white bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 150g tomato sauce (I used passata)
- 100g mozzarella
- oregano (to taste)
Method
- Add the water and olive oil to the sourdough starter mix lightly to combine
- Put the flour and salt into a mixing bowl, made a well in middle and pour in the liquid. Draw in the flour from the sides to add gradually to make a dough.
- Give a few turns of the dough to knead very lightly and form into a smooth, round ball by tucking the sides underneath.
- Put into an oiled bowl, cover and leave to develop for about 4 hours.
- Roll out the dough into a circle. Remove the paddle from the bowl. Oil the bowl and place the pizza inside using your fingers to push out to the edges.
- Spread with the tomato sauce and the oregano. Close the lid, select the ‘pizza’ programme, set to power level 2 and the cooking time for 30 minutes. Press the start button.
- After 15 minutes, open the lid and lay sliced mozzarella over the top. Close the lid and resume cooking.
Want to know more?
My friend Sarah (in the UK) did a great video review of the De’longhi Multifry. It’s a slightly different model and mine is definitely much quieter but it gives a good idea of the look and functions.
You can find the De’Longhi MultiFry in the UAE, in all good home appliance and
electronics retailers, and in all Jashanmal stores. Prices start from RRP of 899 aed. Special Ramadan season offers start from 599 aed.
Competition to win one is now closed. Winner notified by email (will get their permission to reveal their name – and maybe a pic too. Thanks to everyone who let me know why they would like a De’longhi Multifry in their kitchen.
Comments are closed.
My Custard Pie 
Dear Sally,
for three readins I would need Delonghi MultiFry :
1. Have quilt-free chips more often
2. No need to be afraid of boiling oil jumping out from pan – for safety
3. learn how to bake with Multifry, one needs to be up to date with kitchen helpers.
Wish me good luck!
I have an Actifry for years it was pretty good I have to say, but after it died we through the towel in and bought a traditional deep fat fryer. It gets used about twice a month, for chip. Mr GA likes good chips with his steak. I can cope with the guilt.
I’d always assumed these air fryers did really good chips but were useless at frying anything else you might use a conventional deep fat fryer for. Judging from your critique though, it seems like I’d got it backwards, with questionable chips but lots more versatility.
I love my Actifry and the chips I get from it. It is a bit of a trial & error process but once you figure it out, it tastes really good! We don’t deep fry our chips at all anymore. The one from Tefal isn’t as versatile as yours looks, but I’ve fried chicken, nuggets (need to be frozen after coating though), samosas and even stir fried veggies with good results.
But I’ll put myself in the running cause the versatility of this one is pretty awesome! The baking feature in particular seems promising.
Because my husband has high blood pressure so this would be a healthier way to cook for him
I’m not a fan of deep frying, but that’s a neat idea. I still believe that the best chips are the Jamie Oliver way of cooking oven chips….I would challenge you to make a better chip than those and they have virtually no fat save for a drizzle of olive oil. I’ll blog them soon:)
Nothing wrong with egg and chips!! Especially nicely made homemade egg and chips 🙂
Funnily enough, last week I bought the DeLonghi Roto Fry. I’ve never had a deep fat fryer, and never wanted one, but this is working well. It uses half the oil of a deep fat fryer and the basket rotates, it cooks enough chips for my two males in under 10 minutes. I’m impressed so far 🙂
A really good review. My Actifry air fryer doesn’t do good sweet potato either but the chips are OK as you say. Great for the low faff and low fat.
I must try those drumsticks for my girls. They’d love them.
Have you tried granola in yours? I use mine all the time for this purpose alone. perfect granola in 7 minutes.
Hi can I have the fryer
A great review Sally. My kitchen worktop is limited. Yet being able to do low fat ‘fried’ food in a sealed environment is hugely attractive!
I want one to make our weekly dose of crispy pork belly, I can possible save a whole lot of oil when I win this multi-fry.
I’m sure my Mom would love one. She’s never really asked for one but window shops for them a lot. For someone who keeps experimenting with oil levels in food trying to generate that perfect balance, I’m sure this will make a world of a difference! Plus, its helps that I’ll be testing the end results of her ‘experiments’. 😉
We are rather fond of frying different types of food among our community but never had the chance for any of us to try it.
Just found out that the De’longhi Multifry is not only healthier fryer but a versatile multi cooker as well.
This sounds very interesting.
Thank you for the review
Love to cook for my family, love to see them eating. And would love to have the De’longhi Multifry to make my busy life easier and healthier! Thank you! 🙂
My children adore french fries. Every other day I would have them begging, imploring and pleading for a plate of fries as their evening snack. I however dont let them indulge in these too often considering the amount of fat that goes into its making. French fries or rather ‘almost french fries’ with little or no oil seems like magic to me. Would love to win this!!!
If I won I would finally start “frying” at home.
Apart from the healthy issue of deep frying I can’t suffer the smell in the house …
And also, hopefully, my son would start eating potatoes at home. In fact he only eats french fries when we dine out, but doesn’t like potatoes in any other form.
Thank you also fro the accurate review, Sally!
My mouth is so watering right now and I do love air fryers as so healthy:-)
Dear, CP. Hi
I love this friendly device , I used this for trying some recipes on temporary basis, and I completely fall in Love. This is a new cooker cum oven cum fryer, like all in one , I desperately want this for my Kitchen to serve my family healthy yet delicious food. Thanks
Kind Regards
Fussfreecooking
My hubby is into too much fried food and loves the crunchiness of fried food. I have tried converting him to go for healthier baked stuff but still not succeeded. Have heard about delonghi multi fry specially for preparation of snacks. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Would love to throw my hat in the ring for a chance to win the frier. Always fancied having one in the house and my grandson (and me) would thank you every weekend. 🙂
Mine would go straight to my mom’s kitchen, so that Dad can get to enjoy all (ok, some) of the food he loves (he’s all savory) without as much harm to his BP 🙂
This post makes me crave some home-made thick cut chips now! 🙂 Also that pizza looks delicious, so impressed you made that in your multi-fry.
I am so happy to know that De’Longhi, the company most famous for coffee machines has come out with the De’longhi Multifry. To top it, it is backed by renowned chef Mark Sargeant. My hubby and two teenage kids demand a lot of variety in their food and especially love the deep fried type. With De’longhi Multifry, I will be able to cook up some guilt-free perfect and healthy meals. The dedicated app will also help me to conjure up some refreshing new recipes. The De’longhi Multifry will also allow me to spend more time with the family while it is cooking, save on a lot of post-preparation washing up and thus free up time to watch my favorite soaps. In a nut shell, the De’longhi Multifry will serve as a versatile big health fryer.
I need to first stop drooling over the fries, rather airies and the pizza to be able to comment.. looks amazing..
We would love to have De’longhi Multifry in our kitchen. We will create new dishes and make our cuisine even more exciting. Since we are all about healthy and clean eating, this will be an amazing addition !!
Being a blogger myself I know how hard it is to maintain your weight especially with all that eating out and tastings. So having a airfryer at home would definitely help me keep those extra calories away and because it is ramzan we surely will be having a lot of frying going on sp this would be perfect for me 🙂
I would love the opportunity to own the fantastic De’longhi Multifry so that I can cook and encourage my family to eat more fresh and healthy meals. With a family history of cholesterol, frying has been off our menu for a long time, which we miss a lot. With the De’longhi Multifry I would love to explore healthier low fat fried dish options. Also, Risotto is one of my favourite dishes, but always have difficulty making it right, so would Iove to create different perfect risottos that taste good. The De’longhi Multifry would be my ideal kitchen helper for all my frying and cooking needs.
I would love to have one of these in my kitchen. I like the versatility from the suggestions you listed above. This seems like it would help provide some easy side dishes for my family of 5! I look forward to trying this out if I am chosen as the winner!
Very nicely done with all dishes chips pizza n drumsticks need some more too
My Gran set her kitchen on fire frying chips about 45 years ago and I’ve always been terrified of frying since then! I love the idea of fear free chips! The drumsticks would be an added bonus and get the dogs’ vote as well!
I’d love to try out the De longhi air fryer, if I win it, to make ‘fried’ food more healthy. I’ve never had an air fryer before and it would be exciting to experiment with. There’s nothing like fried potato chips or Indian pakodas in a healthy version for iftar. So, fingers crossed!
Hi sally,
You reminded me tbat this multi fryer is a must in my household with ramadan being around the corner and we srilankans have mostly fried short eats which are really unavoidable amidst the fact that they are not healthy with all those oil. If i have a delonghi multi fryer it would help me on making my favourite sri lankan rolls, cuttlets and patties daily.
I hardly fry now cos hubby hates oily food and smoky house and if i had a delonghi multi fryer it would prevent mw from getting scolded for smoking the house with deep frying.
I’d love to make potato chips for my son using this daily 🙂
Good luck to me self 🙂
I would love to get my hands on this! Trying to get the whole family to hop onto the health bandwagon and this would be a major ingredient in the successful plan =D
Competition now closed. Thanks to ALL of you for these fantastic entries. I wish I had more than one Delonghi Multi-frier to send but there can only be one winner. An email winging its way on Sunday plus delivery arrangements too. I’ll ask the winner if they are happy for me to share their name and maybe some of their first cooking experiences too – let’s see.
Totally having egg and chips for dinner tonight! Sadly I don’t have a cool fryer thingie, but am also English so make top notch chips without it! I think it’s in our DNA!!