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I'll admit I've not much experience cooking with cast iron, but you don't have to hang around cooking sites long before you start hearing rave reviews. Le Creuset is one of the best known makers of cast iron cookware, and blends classic shapes with trendy new colours. Perfect for use on both the hob and in the oven, these beautiful casseroles then go straight to the table. Ideal for casseroles, stews, pot roasting and even for baking, they are also perfect for preparing soups and rice dishes. Due to the high price, cast iron cookware is a long term investment, so you want to chose the colour carefully. I find the graduated colours much more dynamic than their plan solid styles, and the teal specifically is so bright and full of life. Definitely an item to watch for in the sales, the Teal Le Creuset 20cm Round Casserole is currently £62.40 at John Lewis and £70.20 from Amazon.co.uk
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John Lewis
Teal Le Creuset 20cm Round Casserole - £62.40
Amazon UK
Teal Le Creuset 20cm Round Casserole - £70.20
Posted by Kate on June 2, 2008 12:07 AM
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Also available from Le Creuset is a gorgeous collection of stoneware. Lighter than it's cast iron cousin, Le Creuset Poterie offers an affordable addition to your kitchen collection. While not suitable for use on the hob, the stoneware baking dishes are oven proof and suitable for use in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher. Perfect for taking straight to the table, never have to worry about disturbing your carefully prepared dishes to serve them. Available in Le Creuset's brilliant range of colours, the glaze will not craze or scratch even under sharp knives. Chip resistant and durable, Le Creuset dishes add brilliant colour and style to your dining table. Le Creuset 28cm Oval Baking Dish in graded Teal is available for £19.00 from Tesco Direct.
Le Creuset 28cm Teal Oval Baking Dish - £19.00
Posted by Kate on June 3, 2008 12:07 AM
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The second item brought over from North America was our knives. As my father is a metallurgist, it seemed reasonable to send him out looking for good quality knives at a bargain price. The result is the Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery. Hand-forged from premium quality high carbon, no-stain German steel, each knife features a full tang, which means that the metal of the blade continues to run all the way through the handle. A full Tang provides better balance and strength, and less chance of your knives breaking. The Contemporary handle is sculpted to fit comfortably in your hand, and unlike similarly styled knives on the market, the black grip isn't made from silicone or rubber so there is no risk of it distorting over time. My favourite feature though is the knife name etched on the end of each handle. It means you instantly know what knife your selecting before you pull it from the block. A sleek modern design that is comfortable and easy to use, the Calphalon Contemporary Knives stay sharp in both blade and style. Available in a wide range of knife sets, the Calphalon Contemporary Knives are available from Amazon.com, we chose:
Calphalon Contemporary 8-Inch Chef's Knife - $29.95
Calphalon Contemporary 2-Piece Asian Knife Set (includes: 7" Santoku 4.5" parer) - $21.00
Calphalon Contemporary 2-Piece Fruit/Vegetable Set (includes: 6" Utility & 3.5" Parer) - $29.95
Posted by Kate on June 4, 2008 12:07 AM
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I've been searching for a good garlic press for ages, it seems they either never work properly in the first place or they soon break. We discovered the Anolon Stainless-Steel Garlic Press while visiting Dan's brother. We were hugely impressed with the solid construction and how well it crushed garlic in a single press. So a few weeks before the wedding when our can opener exploded, we decided to continue with the Anolon line. So far the Anolon Can Opener is living up to expectations, and we anticipate it's quality and durability will last. Each tool is made from strong solid steel and features an ergonomic SureGrip. The brightly polished stainless steel paired with the grey silicon rubber grips creates a clean modern look. A brilliant addition to your kitchen arsenal, the Anolon Stainless-Steel Can Opener & Anolon Stainless-Steel Garlic Press are both available from Amazon.co.uk.
Anolon Stainless-Steel Can Opener - £9.98
Anolon Stainless-Steel Garlic Press - £9.98
Continue reading "Anolon Stainless - Steel Can Opener & Garlic Press" »
Posted by Kate on June 5, 2008 12:01 AM
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When it comes to choosing a toaster, there are an awful lot to choose from, but I was frequently disappointed by the customer reviews I found on line. No matter what the price range, it seemed impossible to find a toaster people were really happy with. Luckily the Krups Expert 2-Slice Toaster was released a few months ago. I'm not usually a fan of stainless steel appliances, but in this case I was willing to forgive it due to it's thorough design. With a relatively compact design, the Krups expert doesn't aim to take over your countertop. It features wide slots perfect for bagels and a unique carriage control which should end the need for toast tongs. It delivers even small crumpets or buns right to the top where it's easy to grab them. It is super quick, and offers eight levels of browning control to ensure your toast comes out just how you like it. With additional features like the Re-heat and Frozen settings, a mid-cycle cancel button, a removable bun warmer and easy to access crumb tray it's no surprise that both Which? And Consumer Reports are reported to have rated it highly. We've not had it long, but so far we've been thrilled with the Krups Expert Toaster FEM231 which is available from Amazon UK for £44.95.
Krups Expert Toaster FEM231 - £44.95
Posted by Kate on June 6, 2008 12:06 AM
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Since we finally found a toaster we liked, we decided to go with the matching kettle. We opted for the plain black rather than steel finish, as many steel appliances show finger prints so clearly. The Krups FLF2 Kettle features a concealed element and offers a 1.6L capacity. The screw-on lids has a unique design that locks in place and covers the spout until you are ready to pour, thus preventing any painful accidents. Instead you simply squeeze the trigger on the handle to easily fill your cup. It boils rapidly, and offers the standard cordless design, limescale filter, auto shut-off and boil dry protection you'd expect. With water gauges on each side and an illuminating on button, the Krups kettle is what it should be. Simple and intuitive. Available from John Lewis, the Krupps Kettle FLF2 is £44.95.
Krupps Kettle FLF2 - £44.95
Posted by Kate on June 9, 2008 12:21 AM
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I'll admit I'm not a fan of electronic scales. I seem to have some weird effect on electronics, which causes them to act irrationally. Dan however is able to charm such technical devices, and at the same time finds my mechanical scales too imprecise. So we added the Salter Slim Electronic Scale to the wedding list. I'll admit the selection process for this item wasn't quite so complex. We chose the cheapest model as they all appeared to offer the same functions. The small platform design allows you to use a variety of bowls and containers upon the scale, while still tucking into a small corner of you kitchen. With easy to read 20mm high digits, the Slim Electronic Scale measures in both metric and imperial. With a capacity of 5kg/11lb, the Slim Scale measures in 1g or 0.1oz amounts. It also offers an aquatonic liquid measure function and an add and weigh function. Easy to clean and with a 15 year guarantee, the Salter Slim Electronic Scale should even survive my evil touch. Available from Amazon.co.uk, the Salter Slim Electronic Scale is just £14.08.
Salter Slim Electronic Scale - £14.08.
Posted by Kate on June 10, 2008 12:04 AM
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For those adventuring into home baking, a pizza stone can be a great gift. Despite the name, pizza stones are also great for free-form loafs and small breads. Made from an unfinished ceramic, pizza stones retain heat and evenly distributes it through your bread. The porous stone is also able to absorb excess moisture, ensuring crisp and tasty pizza bases. Simply pop in your oven before pre-heating and wait for it to reach temperature. The only trick to remember is never wash a pizza stone with soap. Just like the stone absorbs moisture, it will also absorb your sudsy soap. In stead simple scrape off any reside and then wash in warm water. A simple to use item that adds a lovely crunch to pizzas, a pizza stone is one of those must haves you'll constantly find new uses for. Easy to find at department stores and cook shops, John Lewis offer a Pizza Stone for £12.
Pizza Stone - £12
Posted by Kate on June 11, 2008 12:04 AM
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Enjoying a bit of a retro revival, serving displays like this Revolving Hors D'Oeuvres Set can make a useful addition to your buffet table. Ideal for small nibbles and dips, the revolving tray ensures guests don't have to stretch for their favourites. The six porcelain dishes nest neatly into a wooden lazy susan made of Hevea, and offer a handy flexibility. The dishes can be used individually, and the lazy susan can be used on its own or with your own dishes to create your own look and style. A brilliant way to add a creative touch to your party table, the Revolving Hors D'Oeuvres Set is available from Amazon.co.uk for £18.96.
Revolving Hors D'Oeuvres Set - £28.95.
Posted by Kate on June 12, 2008 12:14 AM
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Every so often the temptation gets to be too much and you have to give in and buy that irresistible kitchen gadget, for me that gadget was a Cookie Press. Every Christmas I pull the mixing bowls out and heat up the oven, mass producing hundreds of cookies for our friends and family. So any gadget that offers to make beautiful and professional looking biscuits is going to catch my attention. Now I'll admit I've heard many people claim they have a cookie press gathering dust in the back of the cupboard. Often they are thought to be too much effort or don't work well enough. I like this baking set because it also can be used as an icing set, so even if I get frustrated by the cookie press it will hopefully still be useful. The set includes the press, eight icing nozzles and 13 biscuit template all stored in an acrylic storage box. It will probably be a few months yet before I pull this gadget out, but I hope it add a touch of glamour to my Christmas parcels. Recently spotted in Selfridges, you can find the Cookie Press and Icing Set at Amazon.co.uk for £19.99.
Cookie Press and Icing Set - £19.99
Continue reading "Cookie Press and Icing Set" »
Posted by Kate on June 13, 2008 12:04 AM
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OXO Good Grips has always been a proponent of universal design. Whether it's through old age or injury, nearly everyone will discover that common everyday items don't work as well as you thought. From short term injuries like broken arms and legs to long term afflictions like arthritis, Good Grips aims to design stylish kitchen products for everyone. The Good Grips Mixing Bowl features a none-slip base, which gives to a firm stable surface to work against. The black non-slip handle mean you don't need to hold the bowl as tightly and you're unlikely to drop it even if things get messy. Finally the wide lip and spout make it easy to pour out batter or other mixtures. Great for whisking eggs, mixing batter and making marinades, the dishwasher safe Good Grips 2.8 Litre mixing bowl is available for £8.95 from Pots-and-Pans.co.uk.
Good Grips 2.8 Litre Mixing Bowl - £8.95
Posted by Kate on June 16, 2008 12:00 AM
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It drives me mad when kitchen items are purely designed to be functional. It might be a simple and basic item, but there's no reason for raw edges, ugly welds and general lazy planning. This stainless steel Jam Funnel is a fabulous example of how to design basic tools well. The funnel has a lovely deep bowl shape and the obvious wide spout. With subtle details like the thick band and flared edge around the top and a neat and sturdy side handle, the jam funnel achieves a simple traditional style. Proof that good design doesn't have to cost the world, John Lewis sell this Jam Funnel for £7.
Jam Funnel - £7
Posted by Kate on June 17, 2008 12:09 AM
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If you aren't a frequent coffee drinker, devoting money and counter space to a large machine just doesn't make sense. For a nice affordable alternative, a simple french press like these from Bodum might be the perfect solution. Featuring a clean and practical design, the Brazil French Press offers a polypropylene handle and base around a clear borosilicate glass beaker which is easy to clean. Perfect for those allergic or intolerant to instant coffee, you simply use a scoop of your favourite coarse ground coffee. Then fill the beaker with hot water and replace the lid, and wait for it to brew. When ready you just slowly press the plunger, pushing the grounds to the bottom. Available in three sizes, there is a Bodum Press suited to both small and big coffee drinkers. A great gadget for lovely home brewed coffee the Bodum Brazil is available from Amazon.co.uk.
0.35L Bodum Brazil Coffee Maker - £6.00
1L Bodum Brazil Coffee Maker - £14.97
1.5L Bodum Brazil Coffee Maker - £14.97
Posted by Kate on June 18, 2008 12:46 AM
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If we take a short detour out of the kitchen we find the final two homeware items on our list. Our last bath towels had been used till they were in tatters, so it seemed time to get some nice durable towels for our new home. We believe that organics are better for both our health and the environment. There are already so many artificial chemicals out there that it seems mad to keep using them unnecessarily. Cotton production alone uses 16% of pesticides worldwide, which while they aren't ingested directly, they can make their way into the soil and water. The Linea Organic Towels Collection offer some fabulous new colours like this lush Leaf green and creamy Pearl as well as a golden Sand and an earthy Pebble. Lovely, thick and soft the Linea Organic collections include large bath sheets, bath towels, hand towels and face cloths. Available from Jenners and House of Fraser the Linea Organic Towels are currently in the Summer Sale:
Linea Organic Pebble Towels
Linea Organic Sand Towels
Linea Organic Leaf Towels
Linea Organic Pearl Towels
Priced:
Linea Face Cloth - £2.40
Linea Hand Towel - £7.20
Linea Bath Towel - £12.80
Linea Bath Sheet - £18.40
Posted by Kate on June 19, 2008 12:08 AM
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If glass, steel and plastic aren't what you are looking for, this Ceramic Bathroom Scale is a brilliant alternative. Topped with a square ceramic tile, the Salter Bathroom Scale has a rich texture and complimentary colour. A single steel band frames the digital display for a contemporary finish. Featuring an ability to measure in ¼lb or 100g increments and a lithium battery, the Salter digital scale works intuitively. Perfect for those who generally don't like electronic gadgets, there's no need for prodding or fussing, you just stand on the scale and it measures your weight. A great addition to sophisticated bathrooms, the Salter 9003 Ceramic Electronic Bathroom Scale is £22 from John Lewis. or £34.92 from Amazon.co.uk.
Salter 9003 Ceramic Electronic Bathroom Scale - £22 or Salter 9003 Ceramic Electronic Bathroom Scale - £34.92
Posted by Kate on June 20, 2008 12:04 AM
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When you're already in a flurry of planning, surrounded by seating plans, to-do lists and puffy dresses, selecting items for your wedding list can feel like a few decisions too many. And while we can't help you chose your style, we can at least point out items we thought worth while. So for the next week we'll highlight the products we loved enough to add to our wedding list, products that hopefully balance quality, design and cost.
Posted by Kate on June 20, 2008 12:28 AM
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The best designs not only create sophisticated products we desire, but also reinvent the product adding intuitive new functions and features you can't live without. The Lumina LED Kitchen Mixer Tap does this with brilliant style. The sleek modern faucet it combined with contemporary lighting to communicate and dazzle. Understated at first, the LEDs illuminate when the water is released creating a magical flow of colour into your sink. But more than just glamour, the illuminated colour also indicates the temperature of the water making it ideal for children. Never again accidentally scald yourself by turning the water the wrong way, the Lumina LED Illuminated Kitchen Mixer Tap by Aaron adds safety and modern drama to kitchen designs. Manufactured in Italy, the Aaron Lumina LED Illuminated Kitchen Mixer Tap is available for £285 from NotJustTaps.
Aaron Lumina LED Illuminated Kitchen Mixer Tap - £285
Posted by Kate on June 23, 2008 12:03 AM
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Continuing their compact and clever kitchen designs, Joseph Joseph have released the new 'Chop & Rinse' which combines several bulky items into a single sleek design. Available from the end of June, the 'Chop and Rinse' acts as a single unit for preparing fruits and veg. The hinged chopping board allows you to quickly cut your vegetables, and then transforms into a triangular chute. The closed end features a perforated surface that acts as a colander as you wash your food then when finished the chute neatly tips everything into your bowl. Dishwasher-safe and featuring a non-slip rubber edge, the 'Chop& Rinse' is a fabulous gift for University students or those starting off in their first flat. Available in green, white, red and grey the Joseph Joseph 'Chop and Rinse' is £14.95 from PrezzyBox.
Joseph Joseph 'Chop and Rinse' - £14.95
Posted by Kate on June 24, 2008 12:13 AM
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When looking for ways to store sharp knives there are surprisingly few options. If you like clear counters or have curious youngsters around the house it's easy to see why traditional knife blocks might not appeal, but the Wave Knife Tray makes a great alternative. Perfect for tucking in a handy drawer, the oiled ash tray can hold five large kitchen knives in the bottom row and six pairing of table knives in the top row. A compact design that keeps knives tidy and safe, the Wave Knife Tray from The Cotswold Company is £44.95.
Wave Knife Tray - £44.95.
Posted by Kate on June 25, 2008 12:03 AM
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Everyone wants to eat healthily and reduce waste, but it can be difficult to manage everyday. The Laptop Lunch Box is a new and creative way to make a daily packed lunch. Inspired by Japanese Bento boxes, the Laptop Lunch brings fun and excitement to packed meals. Made entirely from non-toxic food-grade polypropylene and polyethylene, the Laptop Lunch Box System includes five reusable containers and a knife and fork. Most are open boxes, but one large box comes with a lid, perfect for wet items like yoghurt or baked beans; while the tiny lidded container is great for salad dressing or dips. This unusual way of packing your lunch, encourages you to find new and different healthy items to fill the brightly coloured boxes. And if you want to pack something larger, you can remove some or all of the boxes for a personalised lunch box each day. The reusable boxes remove the the need for plastic sandwich bags reducing how much you need to throw away, while also making it easier to pack fresh fruit, vegetables and home cooked meals. Each Laptop Lunch Box even comes with a 'User Guide' with recipes and suggestions to get you started. Made of durable plastic the Laptop Lunch Box is dishwasher and microwave safe and comes in four brilliant colours. Available online from BeckyAndLolo.co.uk, the Laptop Lunch is part of three different sets:
The Basic Laptop Lunch Box Set - £12.49
Laptop Lunch Kit (with insulated carry bag and water bottle) - £19.99
Bento Sleeve Kit (with waterproof sleeve and ice pack) - £19.99
Continue reading "Laptop Lunch Box" »
Posted by Kate on June 26, 2008 12:14 AM
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My project for this year is to make jam. I've never made any before, so I've been keeping my eyes peeled for the needed utensils and clever hints. Imagine my surprise when I found the Tefal Electric Jam Maker! Apparently it takes all the fuss and guess-work out of making jams and jellies. Simply add fruit, sugar and water to the Jam Maker and turn it on. In less than an hour you'll be filling jars with tasty preserves. Perfect for making just a few jars at a time, the Jam Maker lets you make a wide selection of flavours without taking over your larder. Recommended for even those who have never made jam, the Tefal Jam Maker can help you make the most of your summer garden. With six programs to choose from (including the important auto-clean), the Electric Jam Maker can make a variety of different recipes. A new and interesting gadget from Lakeland, the Tefal Electric Jam Maker is £79.99 and includes three 250mL jam jars, a ladle and a recipe book.
Tefal Electric Jam Maker - £79.99
Posted by Kate on June 27, 2008 12:16 AM
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Lighting can dramatically change the mood and ambiance of your kitchen, and with a few of these Pendant Jelly Lights you can add character and charm at the same time. Vintage jelly moulds are reclaimed and transformed into these brilliant light shades. Each shade is made from a large metal mould and then paired with a small jelly mould as the pendant's rose for a clever lighting solution. By reusing the traditional shaped moulds, they blend classic kitchen icons with modern lighting design. A brilliant addition over kitchen bars, the Pendant Jelly Lights are £45 from RE.
Pendant Jelly Lights - £45
Posted by Kate on June 30, 2008 12:01 AM
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