From the Frying Pan Chanukah conjures up images of flickering flames, family reunions, dreidel games and hours standing at the hot oven flipping oily latkes and donuts while everyone else parties. Dreading the thought, but don t want to disappoint your family? Here are some gadgets that will make your frying experience easier and faster. Waring Professional Mini Deep Fryer MSRP: $50.00 Often, when you order French fries from the pizza shop, they are unappetizingly soggy by the time they get to you. Solution? Make them yourself. With this budget-friendly gadget, you can dish up French fries and other delicious fried foods to add some variety to your Chanukah menu. Oster DuraCeramic Griddle with Warming Tray MSRP: $30.00 With this extra-large griddle, you ll cut your latke making time in half. Rather than squeezing just a few latkes into your frying pan, you can fit about fifteen latkes at a time on the 10 x18 surface. Plus, it cooks about 20% faster than a regular pan. It s non-stick, but unlike many non-stick products, it s made of a Dura Ceramic coating that won t flake or peel. Best of all? There s a little surprise right underneath the griddle a pullout warming tray where you can stick the finished batch to stay warm while you fry the rest. OXO Good Grips 3-Cup Batter Dispenser MSRP: $12.00
Save even more time by using this unique device. Rather than painstakingly pouring each spoonful of batter onto the pan/griddle, simply pour the batter into the dispenser and squeeze a uniform amount easily and quickly. Chef Buddy Chef Buddy Perfect Pancake Maker, set of 2 MSRP: $40.00 Is flipping the worst part of your latke frying experience? Skip it with this tool. You ll no longer have to struggle with sliding the spatula under the latke without cracking it simply close the lid and flip the entire pan over when the first side is complete! Though you can t make a lot at a time, the convenience may just make it worth it. Pantelligent - Smart Pan MSRP: $199.00 Can t resist technology, even in the kitchen? Then this is the perfect pan for you. It looks like just a regular pan, but it s not. Imbedded in the pan is a sensor that measures the temperature of the cooking surface just where the food touches the pan. The sensor is connected to the Pantelligent App that you download so you get a pop-up message when your food is up to the next stage!
There are two ways you can use this pan Recipe mode or Freestlye Mode. In the Recipe mode, you pick from a range of recipes on the app, from simple recipes like Chicken Breast to more complex dishes like Mushroom Risotto. Before you start, you're given an ingredient list and prep instructions. Once you're ready, "Start Cooking and your phone will connect to your pan via Bluetooth. Then it's super easy to follow the instructions -- the app tells you what temperature the pan currently is, if you need to raise or lower your heat, when to flip your meat, and so on. If you re cooking something not on the Recipe mode, the Freestyle mode just lets you monitor the pan s temperature and set a timer. (And if you really want the pan to do the cooking for you, you can get the other two gadgets you need to use the Autopilot mode Waring SB-30 Electric Hot Plate (MSRP $20) and WeMO Wifi Enabled switch (MSRP $40). With this, your Pantelligent App can remotely control the temperature of the hot plate! So all you have to do is put the food in and wait for instructions on when to flip and when to remove.) GoWISE USA 3.2-Liter Electric Air Fryer MSRP: $133.99 Love the taste of fried foods, but not the calories? This is your answer. Electric air fryers are just what they sound like electronic gadgets that fry your food with air, not frying. How is that possible? They use a superheated air system with rapidly increasing temperatures that achieves the same effect as deep frying. With this product, you can finally get through Chanukkah without breaking your diet. T-fal Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Fry Pan, 12.5 Inch
Despite all the new gadgets out there, some of you may prefer to stick with a good old fashioned frying pan. This item is just that with a little gimmick that will make life a lot easier. The T-fal pan has a Thermo-Spot heat indicator that turns red when the pan is just hot enough for frying. This feature will go a long way in preventing overcooked or underdone latkes. Sunbeam FPSBDML920 Donut Maker MSRP: $20.00 Many busy moms just skip the homemade donuts and buy them, because it s simply too complicated and time consuming to get them right at home. With this donut maker, you can delight your kids without the hassle. Just whip up the batter and fill the five donut shaped holes, snap the lid shut, and wait until the ready light goes on. This can even be a fun baking activity on Chanukah vacation days, as your kids can easily help out with pouring in the batter and, of course, with the decorating! Simply Calphalon Nonstick Puff Pancake Pan MSRP: $33 Looking for something new to serve this Chanukah? Try making some puff pancakes. Using your regular pancake recipe, simple pour the batter into the holes and watch the fun little puff balls appear. Want to make them even more exciting? Using a cream-injector, fills the balls with any filling you like chocolate, caramel, or even cheese. (If you re getting this, you ll need a Mrs. Anderson's Baking Ebelskiver Turning Tool, MSRP 6.99, to flip the puffs without damaging them.)