'Moreish' and crunchy chips can be made with 1 surprising veg instead of potatoes
French fries, or chips as we fondly call them here, are a fast-food favourite with their irresistible crunch and endless flavour possibilities. Yet, the traditional potato version isn't exactly the healthiest choice for regular munching. But fear not, fry aficionados!
The culinary whizzes at Good Food have let us in on a veggie secret that's just as satisfying and can be rustled up in half an hour. With a few simple tweaks, this veggie revelation is a breeze to make and serves up a guilt-free treat.
They've even gone so far as to claim: "Ditch the potatoes and try these moreish courgette fries as a snack or side dish. Scatter with Parmesan before serving."
Here's what you'll need for this game-changing courgette fries recipe that serves two, preps in five minutes, and cooks in 25, reports the Express.
Ingredients
Two tablespoons of plain flour
Two courgettes
Oil
15g of Parmesan grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Now, onto the method. Kick things off by slicing your courgettes into 1cm sticks. Grab a bowl, chuck in some flour, and give it a light dousing with a couple of tablespoons of water. Whisk it up until you've got a thick batter, then season it well with salt and a good crack of black pepper.
Toss those courgettes in until they're nicely coated. Next, get a deep pan and heat about 4cm of oil to 180°C – just remember to keep it less than two-thirds full to avoid any kitchen mishaps.
Before plunging the courgettes into the bubbling oil, check it's at the perfect temperature by dropping in a tiny bit of batter - it should fizz and turn golden within 30 seconds.
Once you're satisfied it's ready, gently lower in half the battered courgettes and let them sizzle for five to six minutes, flipping them after roughly a minute until they're gorgeously crisp and golden.
Should any pieces cling together, delicately prise them apart using tongs. Pop them onto a plate lined with kitchen roll to soak up excess oil, then repeat the process with the remaining batch.
Dust with Parmesan and serve immediately whilst piping hot. These courgette chips have earned themselves a stellar five out of six star rating from impressed home cooks.
One delighted reviewer said: "Great recipe, really tasty. I cut my courgettes a little bit thicker than written here (a bit closer to the shape of potato wedges), but they still fried well. Very sweet, crispy on the outside, very soft in the middle. Will absolutely become a staple in our house."
Another foodie offered their own twist, suggesting: " Add paprika to the fires." However, one curious cook wondered: "Can you cook these in the air fryer rather than deep fat frying them?"
Good Food replied: "We haven't tested this in the air fryer, so we can't guarantee the results. You'll need to make sure there's no excess batter on them, as this can cause problems with the air fryer.
"You might be better to just coat them in seasoned flour, spray or drizzle with some oil, then cook in the air fryer. We hope this helps."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Lavender plants will keep thriving and not 'go woody' if one task is done in August
Gardeners shouldn't be slacking on their tasks to keep their lavenders happy and healthy for the rest of the year It's crucial for green-fingered enthusiasts to stay on top of their gardening tasks to ensure their plants remain vibrant and thriving as we approach the tail end of summer. Michael, better known as the Mediterranean Gardener on TikTok, has shared a handy checklist of jobs that should be tackled in August. One key tip revolves around lavender, which is nearing the close of its blooming season. Given that lavender blossoms from late spring through to summer, neglecting proper care can lead to a woody appearance, so it's essential to maintain their compactness. Here's what Michael suggests doing with your lavender this August, reports the Express. Lavende For those cultivating lavender in their gardens, Michael advises that regular pruning is the secret to keeping the plant healthy and ensuring it continues to flourish year after year. He recommends carrying out this task post-flowering. Flowering usually wraps up between August and September. To keep your lavender plants in prime condition and boost their chances of blooming annually, it's advisable to give them a 'hard' prune. The Royal Horticultural Society suggests removing any wilted flower stalks along with roughly 2.5cm (1in) of leaf growth. If you notice your plants are looking a bit dishevelled or have suffered frost damage during winter, it's a good idea to trim back the foliage come spring. However, be careful not to prune too aggressively down to the woody stems, as lavender struggles to produce new growth from old wood. While trimming your lavender, Michael recommends taking softwood cuttings from the plant, which also applies to other woody herbs like rosemary. Failing to prune your lavender correctly can lead to the plant becoming 'leggy'. A 'leggy' lavender plant is one that has long, thin, and often woody stems with fewer leaves and blossoms than a well-pruned, flourishing plant. Garden designer Ish shared some wisdom in a TikTok video: "So at the end of summer, you give it something known as a summer prune, where you take the big bunches of it off and cut a really good third of it right down. "By stunting that growth, it'll develop a thicker side shoot, get nice and bushy, but not tall and leggy, keeping it nice and happy, and no woody bits."
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits who cut their hedges in August risk fine and prison sentence
Many Brits have been making the most of the good weather and heading outside to give their gardens a spruce up - but there are rules you need to know before cutting back hedges Gardeners are being warned to tread carefully when tending to their hedges this August, as they could risk imprisonment or an 'unlimited fine' for breaking the law. With the sun making a welcome appearance recently, albeit with intermittent showers, hordes of gardeners have been seizing the opportunity to carry out vital upkeep in their green spaces, aiming for that perfectly manicured look. However, those planning to trim their hedges must consider not just the potential impact on the plants' blooming phase but also the possibility of contravening environmental regulations. From April 1 to August 31, cutting farm hedgerows is against the law, except under exceptional circumstances that would necessitate a licence. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment. While it's permissible to prune hedges in domestic gardens during this period, any harm caused to bird nests, whether deliberate or accidental, constitutes a legal infringement, reports the Express. Specialists at Husqvana clarifies: "Under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to intentionally damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being built or in use. "That includes consciously using a hedge trimmer when there is a bird's nest in your hedge, and in the process of doing so, causing the nest to be damaged or destroyed." The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds corroborates this stance. The legislation states that an individual is violating the law if they deliberately harm a bird's nest while it's in use or under construction. This extends to hedge trimming, with the guidance noting: "The moment it becomes active, it is illegal to destroy it." Breaching this law could result in an unlimited fine and up to six months behind bars as the maximum penalty. The RSPB emphasises: "The consequences for the above, even in the event of harm to a single bird, nest or egg, is an unlimited fine, up to six months in jail or both. Suffice to say, it is certainly not a risk worth taking." What happens if you demolish a bird's nest? Wildlife specialists Arbtech outline how the offence is pursued in reality. They explained: "Pieces of environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended are regulated by a combination of the police, Natural England / Natural Resources Wales / Scottish Natural Heritage (based on location), the Environment Agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), the local authorities, the Partnership of Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), various public bodies, and relevant organisations based on the endangered species in question. "Once an action breaking the rules of the Act has been carried out, the offence will inevitably result in a police investigation. The police will enforce part 1 of the Act, as it focuses on the fundamental wildlife protection over wildlife species and what exactly necessitates a breach of the rules. In fact, dedicated departments of the police specialise in breaches of environmental and wildlife laws, such as the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs). "Any law relating to the environment and wildlife are taken just as seriously as any other piece of active legislation. Even in respect of a breach of the Act involving a single animal or habitat, the person responsible would be liable to pay a potentially unlimited fine, spend up to six months in prison, or possibly even both."
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Gardeners urged to put chilli powder in their garden this August
Gardeners are being urged to scatter chilli powder around their garden to help wildlife. Gardeners are being urged to scatter chilli powder around their garden this August for one important reason. It might sound strange but chilli powder is the perfect aid if you leave food out for hungry birds, as it doesn't get stolen by other animals. Birds in the UK are still struggling to find enough food, with declining availability putting many species at risk. Insect populations have dropped by as much as 60% over the past two decades due to habitat loss and climate change, causing ripple effects throughout the food chain. With significantly less natural food available, birds face an increased risk of starvation - particularly during spring and summer when they're nesting and feeding their young. As a result, gardeners are being encouraged to support local birdlife by putting out bird food, the Express reports. Peckish, a bird feed firm, states that although August is a quieter month for garden birds, gardeners should still leave out food and water, which can be hard for the birds to find in August. Peckish states: "August is well known as a quiet month for garden birds. Many birds are done with breeding for the year and the abundance of wild food in the form of seeds, fruits, and insects means our garden feeders are in less demand. Common birds, such as Robin and Blackbirds, will also begin to moult at this time of year." "Moulting allows birds to get rid of the worn feathers from a busy breeding season and prepare for migration and the cooler months ahead. Like us, they prefer to change their outfits in a private and safe space, so they slink about in the undergrowth as their ability to fly is reduced," they continue. The bird feed firm, urges: "Water is the most valuable commodity for birds in summer. Be sure to leave shallow trays of water out for birds, particularly during dry spells. Even better are ponds, which won't need to be topped up as often, and will also provide insects for birds to eat." The issue with leaving bird food out is that other animals such as squirrels, will attempt to steal the food. This is where the chilli powder comes in. If you have a birdbath or bird table, or any spot where you leave food for birds (and if you don't, it's worth considering adding one) you can provide a mix of chopped peanuts, seeds, mealworms and fruit slices like apples. Soaking the food in water also helps ensure birds have access to essential hydration. Birds really enjoy bruised apples and pears, as well as scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs. However the RSPB says you should avoid using too much of these carbs. You should lace it all with scattering of chilli powder or chilli flakes, including water and the birds will have the food and water supplies all to themselves due to them being unable to taste the spicy from the chilli. Whereas squirrels and foxes can taste it and know when to avoid it. The RSPB says: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of peanuts, seeds and live food like mealworms and waxworms." "Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and blackbirds. Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally." "Strong chilli powder or pepper sauce (like tabasco) can be shaken onto bird food. Birds aren't bothered by the chilli, but most squirrels can't put up with the burning sensation and will leave the food alone," they conclude.
