December 2006 Archives

  • Nigella Lawson’s Living Kitchen Measuring Cups

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    OK I’ll admit; I quite like volumetric measuring. It’s not great for everything, but at times it’s fantastic to just grab a cup and scoop your ingredients up rather than pull out the scales every time. Nigella Lawson’s measuring cups take the experience one step further with this fabulous retro inspired design. Each one sports a tiny curving handle, reminiscent of vintage tea sets. Granted they aren’t as compact as our trust metal cups, but they’ve such a rich persona and really bring back the kitchens of yore. They create a really interesting and homey feel when stacked and when hung individually on hooks they bring a fantastic decorative element to your kitchen. The handles are more decorative than functional, and they are perhaps not precise enough for the pedantic chef, but for those for whom cooking is an art and who love to dive in and get their hands dirty they are a joy. They also work well as prep bowls and small ramekins opening a range of creative uses. Perhaps not the most practical of item, Lawson’s measuring cups will enhance you cooking experience. They’re simply a pleasure to behold. Designed by Sebastian Conran for both liquid and dry measures, Living Kitchen measuring cups are available in a lightly textured pale blue, cream, white or black. They retail for £29.99 in the UK and $14.99 in the US.

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  • Nigella Lawson's Measuring Spoons

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    Too often our tools feel just like that, practical things to do a job. Nigella Lawson’s measuring spoons show us even the practical things in life can still be beautiful. With shapes reminiscent of fine vintage silverware, the Living Kitchen measuring spoons are full of character. Each spoon features engraved text that accents the gently curving metal. My favourite is the smallest spoon, a pinch. Finally, I know how much that is! The set’s other spoons are quarter teaspoon, half teaspoon, teaspoon, dessert spoon (two teaspoons) and tablespoon. Designed by Sebastian Conran, the set is available in brushed or polished stainless steel and is dishwasher safe. The Living Kitchen measuring spoons are available in the UK for £20 or the US for $20.

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  • Stoneware Pestle & Mortar from Debenhams

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    This wonderful stoneware pestle and mortar is not only simple domestic elegance, it’s practical and comfortable to use. The thick chunky wooden handle comfortably supports the large stoneware head of the pestle. The mortar has a light stoneware texture on the inside and a smooth creamy pastel glaze on the outside; creating a sensuous mix of subtle textures. The pestle’s broad head gives you a large surface area for grinding your spices, while the natural stoneware texture gives a slight grip that keeps those awkward seeds from running away. All this means less work is needed to add the full-flavour of freshly ground spices to your meals. With a convenient pouring spout that doubles as a pestle rest, the Debenhams’ pestle and mortar offers superior function behind effortless grace. A mere £12 from Debenhams.

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  • Typhoon Wooden Spoons – Stir It!

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    Have you gone looking for wooden spoons lately? In recent years the selection has been abysmal. They are flimsy things made of cheap wood with rough edges, over-priced and just horrible to use and clean. Now, you remember the old smooth and sturdy wooden spoons your mother used to have? Typhoon have made the spoon we’ve all been dreaming of! Lovely rounded handles and properly carved heads make a spoon that’s a pleasure to use. Each one is made of a lovely light Beech wood. The handles are then hot stamped with the name and logo, but the typewriter font adds character and personality. The spoons add a bit of trendy fun with names like ‘lift it’, ‘stir it’ and ‘turn it’. With most spoons just a £1 the Typhoon range of utensils are the ideal stocking stuffer for cooks this Christmas. They are available at John Lewis and online at Bennetts.

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  • RoyalVKB Garlic Crusher

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    Fantastically simple, the RoyalVKB garlic crusher eliminates fuss and bother. A solid steel bar with a central ridged ring, the Garlic crusher uses a simple rolling pin action to break garlic down to size. Without the small corners or tiny holes of a normal garlic press, the garlic crusher makes cleaning effortless. With a stroke of genius, designer Ineke Hans specifically chose steel for her garlic crusher. Thus while cleaning the garlic crusher it removes the adhesive garlic smell from your hands. Simple, elegant, and yet utterly fabulous RoyalVKB shows how design can make life’s irritations effortless. Available for £11.50 in the UK and $15 in the US

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  • RoyalVKB Apron

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    How often do you get to the oven and realise you’ve no idea where you put that oven mitt? With no time to search the nearest tea towel often gets pressed into service. With the new RoyalVKB Apron protection is always to hand! The distinctive design creates an apron with an overlapping split front. The bottom of each panel then seamlessly integrates a padded oven mitt. Wonderfully convenient and practical the RoyalVKB Apron is a cooks dream. Designed by Ontwerpwerk & FLEX the RoyalVKB Apron is available in dark green, blue, black and a special neolithic orange print. Available for £13.99 from LookingForIdeas.

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  • Alessi Gianni Storage Jars

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    Ok so it’s not new, but the Alessi Gianni Storage Jar is a whimsical classic. These fabulous jars were designed by Mattia Di Rossa and add spark and humour to a normally boring kitchen item. The little character clings desperately to the lids, as he tries to escape the contents below him. Each lid has a rubber seal, so the Gianni Storage Jar is perfect for keeping ingredients fresh. Available in several colours, Heal’s offers them in pink and blue and in 12 cm size for £7.50 or 20.5 cm size for £10.

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  • Joseph Joseph – Chop 2 Pot Cutting Board

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    This is one of these fabulous products you wonder how you lived with out. The Chop 2 Pot lays flat on the counter, much like a normal chopping board, but reach for the handle and it comes to life. Folding up like origami the Chop 2 Pot becomes a convenient shovel to slide all your veg into the pot easily and without spills. Made of polypropylene, the board uses the natural flexibility to create ‘living hinges’. A brilliant design that is so simple you can use it one handed and so durable it is dishwasher safe and has a three year guarantee is available for just £10.50 from Heal’s.

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  • Ouch Toothpick Holders

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    Perfect for those with a dark sense of humour the Ouch Toothpick holder will certainly be a talking point at your next cocktail party. The little resin men turn into extreme voodoo creations sprouting wood spears in all directions. Intended just for toothpicks, the Ouch would be just as fabulous for presenting canapés at your next event. Available in either black of white, the Ouch will set the mood for any celebration. A fantastic item with a hint of black humour, the Ouch is just £6.99 from DrinkStuff.com ($6.49 in the US).

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  • Nordicware Castle Cake Mould

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    The Nordicware Cake Moulds brings childhood dreams to life! No matter how old the recipient, a fantastical Castle Cake makes any birthday magical. The finely detailed cake looks stunning straight out of the tin and without decoration, making it fast and easy to present a fabulous cake your family will remember for years. A simple dusting of powdered sugar over a dark chocolate cake creates a snowy winter wonderland perfect for your Christmas crowds. And for the adventurous a bit of decorative icing makes the Castle cake come alive. Made of cast aluminium and with a 25 year guarantee, Nordicware Moulds are some of the best available. The non-stick surface ensures your cake will come out perfectly every time, and it is even dishwasher safe. Ideal for cakes, jellies and even ice sculptures, it is currently available at an amazing £24.95 from IWOOT in the UK or $25.00 in the US.

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  • Voodoo Knife Block

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    Ever had an awful day when you just want to take your frustrations out on someone? The Voodoo Knife Block can help you relive your stress while creating a humorous addition to your kitchen. Designed by Raffaele Iannello, the Voodoo features a shiny amorphous man who has certainly had better days. Made of ABS plastic, the Voodoo does border on the bizarre. Knives are secured with a magnet concealed inside his body, while frosted plastic sheaths protect the blades at the back. The block includes 5 quality stainless steel knives; a paring knife, bread knife, carving knife, and large and small chopping knives. A fabulous avant-garde item that will certainly be noticed, the Voodoo knife block is available in red and black for £59.95 while a bright chrome finish is available for £79.95 from Firebox.

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  • Laguiole Folding Wine Cave

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    As the festive season approaches even the most amateur of wine enthusiasts finds their kitchens filled with bottles in preparation of holiday parties and dinners. The new Folding Wine Cave is ideal for these occasions. Within its canvas cradles the Cave can protect up to 6 bottles of wine. Perfect for parties, the Folding Wine Cave can be used for easy access and presentation of the night’s offerings while preventing those accidental late night raids on your special reserve bottles. And after the New Year when you resolve never to drink again, it can be folded up and stored till the next holiday season. Made by Laguiole, a company well known for their impeccable knives and corkscrews, the Folding Wine Cave is a high quality product. The toughened canvas is supported by a strong triangular wood frame, and features two small pockets for accessories like the ever important corkscrew. The perfect addition for your holiday season the festive red Folding Wine Cave is just £24.99 from de Cuisine.

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  • ABC* Cookie Cutters by Fred - *Already Been Chewed!

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    These cute cookie cutters are sure to get a laugh. Available in a variety of classic shapes, each one includes a sneaky missing bite. Fabulously whimsical the ABC cookie cutters make memorable cookies people will adore. For those of you whose culinary creations disappear off the plate, just mix a few of these in and you’ll always have some cookies left over to appreciate at your leisure. There are two sets; one includes the classic heart, circle, flower and star; while the other offers three festive gingerbread men missing an assortment of appendages. Made of cast aluminium, the ABC Cookie Cutters are free of rough edges or seams, making them simple to clean. A delightful item that will bring smiles, ABC Cookie Cutters are just £6.95 from ShinyShack or $4.99 from perpetualkid.com.

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  • Inka Coffee Press by A di Alessi

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    The Inka coffee press brings a sleek ethnic style to the traditional coffee press. The frame forms a stylised human figure that wraps around the glass container. The arching back creates an ergonomic handle. Finally the crowning knob forms the head which features blue crystal eyes and a vaguely alien stare. Transparent glass gives the Inka a fabulous depth and accents the smooth sculptural aspects of the figure. Perfect for those with a modern ethnic style the Inka Coffee Press is £42 from Amara.

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  • Foodie Measuring Spoons

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    The Foodie Measuring Spoons bring a modern elegance and class to the simple measuring spoons. The distinctive spoons give a graphic representation of measurements. The half spoon is exactly that, half of the teaspoon; and the quarter merely a corner. The negative space is simply implied by a single ring. Silver plated, the Foodie measuring spoons are a clever and alluring design. A perfect choice for the designer or scientific chef, the Foodie Measuring Spoons are available for £15 from Amazon.co.uk.

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