Because I am not completely boring, I do normally buy myself a present at Solstice, just to keep in with the spirit of the season. There isn’t much that I need, of course, but something I can treat myself with is a kitchen gadget. I’m a sucker for those, after all.

So this year I decided to buy myself an air fryer. I’d resisted buying one for a long time, because I didn’t believe the marketing promises. But I do miss proper chips (that’s fries for North American friends). The various frozen or re-heatable options that they have in Tesco just aren’t the same. Having done a bit of research (thanks, Which?), I opted for a Tefal Actifry. It was expensive, but the considered opinion of reviewers was that cheaper models didn’t do the job, whereas this one did. With some trepidation, I made myself chips to go with the venison steak for my Solstice meal.

And they were great. Considering that this was my first time using the thing, I was really pleased. There are supposedly lots of other things you can cook in the machine, but even if all I use it for is making decent chips then I shall be very satisfied.