Ask Me Anything: What I Really Think About Air Fryers

Plus: I promise to be more specific about chiles, what traveling means to me post-pandemic and a lot more.

Hello and welcome back to Ask Me Anything! We had some great questions this week, about subjects that range from the most bizarre foods I’ve ever eaten, some of my favorite candies and whether I’d join Robert Downey Jr. in driving a car that smells like french fries.

I take questions from Spilled Milk readers every week—and when I say ask me anything, I mean anything: In previous editions I’ve discussed how to buy knives, my favorite foods at IKEA, my thoughts on Spam and a whole lot more. Paid subscribers to Spilled Milk can leave questions in the comments section below.

Links! Here’s my recipe for rabbit simmered in red chiles. Here’s my chat with Ana Marie Cox, and here’s where you can find her other work.

This week’s questions

Denise: 

[This week’s recipe for Summer Vegetable Rolls] looks like a fun appetizer. But I’m not a big fan of frying — if I skip the breading I think they would grill nicely?! Will be trying.

Matthew: 

Hi Andrew - you often refer to “chiles” and not specific peppers. When you say chiles, what peppers are you typically referring to? My markets have bell, serrano, jalapeño, and maybe others — just nothing referred to as chiles.

Karen: 

Could one air-fry your Hot and Cold Fried Green Beans instead of deep fry? Just trying to save some calories.

Sam: 

Hi Andrew, I was recently listening to a conversation you had with Ana Marie Cox on her podcast in the midst of the pandemic (thank you for doing that - your conversation on recovery was hugely helpful to me). You mentioned to Ana that you didn’t want to go back to traveling post-pandemic the way you did pre-pandemic. I was wondering about your current thoughts and experiences on travel and how the pandemic changed things for you?

sc1an: 

Favorite candy? 

Rory: 

I like to unpack as soon as I can when I get home from a trip. My partner doesn’t like to unpack until I’ve tripped over her suitcase for several days. I also like to unpack when I’m in a hotel room, if I’ll be there for more than a day. I guess I don’t like using suitcases except when I’m in transit? Anyway, what are your thoughts on unpacking? 

Aida: Have you ever cooked Moroccan? 

Heather: 

What’s the deal with palm sugar? Is it much different from brown sugar? 

Pabsfragoso: 

What are some of your favorite Mexican foods? 

William: I just saw an episode of Robert Downey Jr.’s new show where he changes a classic car to run on biodiesel made from used cooking oil. Do restaurants sell cooking oil to companies that make biodiesel, or do they just give it away? Also, would you drive a car that smelled like french fries? 

Paola: 

What are some of your favorite “Bizarre Foods” episodes and what is the most bizarre food you’ve ever eaten? 

Skimmilk4: 

If I could make you an edible wig, would you wear it?