Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9412070038
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
With our new '90s attitudes, we've come to recognize the place of balance in our lives, including our eating habits. We're finally giving ourselves permission to really entertain again, with special foods that are as festive, feel-good and satisfying as the occasions when friends and family gather to share them. The result? We're happily rediscovering how to thoroughly enjoy party foods that are pure, unadulterated pleasure!
The timing couldn't be better. Food pundits are predicting that the cocktail party - that bastion of '50s and '60s entertaining - is coming back. And there's no occasion that demands delicious, delightful, indulgent finger foods like a congenial cocktail party. Guests mingle. Conversation flows. Food is savored, bit by tasty bit.
These six innovative finger food recipes will certainly bring your new-age cocktail party firmly into the '90s. Each one represents a traditional party food favorite, only this time each tempting tidbit is nestled inside a golden, crunchy, irresistible deep-fried coating!
Imagine, for example, biting into a hot, crusty pinwheel made with won ton wrapper and filled with a creamy seafood concoction. Or doing a new take on egg rolls, with a delicious deviled egg inside a delicately fried roll of phyllo dough. How about a mouthwatering cheese ball meltingly tucked into a crisp dumpling of wheat or corn twists? With such creative wrappers and scrumptious fillings, these treats are sure to put your guests in the cocktail party spirit.
And speaking of spirits, instead of Manhattans or martinis, today's cocktail parties are more likely to feature nonalcoholic beer, fruit juices, bottled water and wine coolers, bringing them more in line with healthier and safer eating goals .
Even these deep-fried appetizers have been brought more in line with our dietary goals. How? By making them with fresh, nutritious ingredients and using spices and herbs instead of a lot of salt for seasoning. By frying in no-cholesterol vegetable oil. And, most importantly, by frying them right.
It's a proven fact that food which is deep fried properly absorbs little oil. The best method is using an electric deep fryer designed specifically for home use. Some of the most popular models are manufactured by Presto, including Presto's FryDaddy electric deep fryer, a family-size fryer; Presto's FryBaby's electric deep fryer, perfect for single servings; and Presto's GranPappy electric deep fryer, for big batches and entertaining.
All of these appliances make home deep frying safe, convenient and foolproof because the proper frying temperature is automatically controlled. By keeping the oil at the correct frying temperature (375, - 425, F), its heat instantly seals the outer coating, crust or surface of the food. Then the food inside cooks to delicious perfection without oil penetration.
No oil penetration also means the food has not flavored the cooking oil, so you con use the oil over again. Use it once to fry Quesadilla Crispers, then use it to fry a batch of Curried Vegetable Dumplings. When you're finished, simply snap on the convenient lid provided with Presto home deep fryers and store the oil right in the fryer.
Party food is finally fun again! So start celebrating with these innovative new finger foods fresh from your deep fryer. Your guests will savor every crunchy, golden, satisfying bite!
\ SEAFOOD PINWHEELS
DEVILED EGG ROLL UPS
QUESADILLA CRISPERS
CURRIED VEGETABLE DUMPLINGS
CRISPY CHEESE BALL BITES
MEATBALLS EN CROUTE
see microfilm for recipes.
by CNB