Air Fryer Cooking: How to Make Delicious Kikiam with Ease
Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, and for good reason. These countertop devices use hot air circulation to cook food, providing a healthier alternative to traditional frying. One dish that you can easily prepare using an air fryer is delicious kikiam. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to make this tasty Filipino street food using your air fryer.
What is Kikiam?
Kikiam, also known as Quekiam or Quekiam Kikiam, is a popular street food in the Philippines. It is a type of Chinese-style pork sausage that is commonly sold in small stalls or food carts. Kikiam is made by combining ground pork, shrimp, vegetables, and various seasonings. The mixture is then wrapped in bean curd sheets and deep-fried until crispy.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for making kikiam. You will need:
– ½ kilogram of ground pork
– ½ cup of minced shrimp
– ¼ cup of finely chopped carrots
– ¼ cup of finely chopped onion
– 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon of sugar
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
– 10-12 pieces of bean curd sheets
– Cooking oil for brushing
Prepare the Filling
To make the filling for your kikiam, you need to combine the ground pork, minced shrimp, carrots, onion, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix everything together until well combined. You can use your hands to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Wrap the Filling
Next, it’s time to wrap the filling in the bean curd sheets. Cut each bean curd sheet into a square shape. Place about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture onto the center of each sheet. Fold the sides of the sheet over the filling, then roll it up tightly like a spring roll. Brush the ends of the sheet with a little water to seal the kikiam securely.
Cooking with the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for a few minutes. Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, place the kikiam rolls inside the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure not to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent proper air circulation and may result in uneven cooking.
Brush the tops of the kikiam rolls with a small amount of cooking oil to help them brown and crisp up. Close the air fryer and set the cooking time to 15 minutes. Flip the kikiam rolls halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on all sides.
Serving Your Delicious Kikiam
Once the cooking time is up, remove the kikiam rolls from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Cut each roll into bite-sized pieces and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. Sweet and sour sauce, garlic vinegar, or chili sauce are popular choices for kikiam.
Enjoy the crispy exterior and flavorful filling of your homemade kikiam. Air frying provides a healthier cooking option compared to traditional deep frying without sacrificing taste and texture.
Why Choose Air Fryer for Kikiam?
Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a wide range of dishes, including kikiam. They offer several advantages over deep frying, making them a popular choice for health-conscious individuals.
Firstly, air frying requires significantly less oil compared to deep frying. With an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy texture and golden color without immersing your food in a pool of hot oil. This results in a reduction in fat content, making your kikiam a healthier option.
Moreover, air fryers provide a faster cooking time compared to conventional ovens or stovetops. The hot air circulation within the fryer ensures that your kikiam is evenly cooked on all sides, reducing the chances of undercooked or overcooked spots. This saves you time and energy, allowing you to enjoy your delicious kikiam in no time.
Another advantage of using an air fryer is the ease of cleaning. Unlike deep fryers that require extensive cleaning and oil disposal, air fryers are dishwasher-safe and have removable parts that can be easily washed. This makes the cleaning process quick and hassle-free, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your meal.
Conclusion
Air fryers have revolutionized the way we cook, providing a healthier and more convenient alternative to traditional frying. Making delicious kikiam at home is now easier than ever with the help of an air fryer. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can enjoy crispy and flavorful kikiam without the guilt of deep frying. So get your air fryer ready, gather your ingredients, and start cooking up some mouthwatering kikiam today!