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After a wonderful Christmas holiday with friends and family it’s tempting to try to capture that nostalgic charm, recalling a time when life was slower. With a quick flash back to the fifties, these Appliqué Tea Towels and Apron bring a creative glamour to your culinary style. With detailed edging and a fabulous band across the bottom the tea towels are perfect for hanging over towel rails or oven handles. A brilliant way to spoil your inner domestic goddess, these textiles bring retro kitsch back in style. Available from Bombay Duck, the Appliqué Tea Towels and Apron are currently on sale!
Appliqué Tea Towel - £9.20
Appliqué Apron - £9.68
Posted by Kate on January 1, 2009 12:09 AM
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Looking for a challenge in the New Year? Try your hand at urban husbandry with an Eglu. This sleek compact pod fits neatly into your backyard, while providing a safe home for 2-4 chickens. A great way to try your hand at farming, just a couple of chickens can provide you with a constant supply of fresh eggs. The smooth sweeping plastic house is easy to clean and perfect for first time chicken owners. An innovative design the Eglu is quick to set up and features a fox-proof run all wrapped up in a sporty modern style. Available in seven colours from Omlet, the Eglu lets you experience the joy of producing your own food.
Eglu - £353
Eglu with Two Chickens - £388
Posted by Kate on January 2, 2009 12:09 AM
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If your kitchen struggles to pack in today's modern appliances, you'll want to check out the new Candy Trio. Hidden within the normal looking cooker is the standard hob, a 39L top oven and a small dishwasher. Big enough to hold six place settings; you can now spend your time cooking instead of scrubbing dishes. With A and B energy ratings, this jack of all trades appliance won't even cost the earth to run. Fantastic for those short of both space and time, the Candy Trio promises to have you in and out of the kitchen as fast as possible. Available with either a gas or ceramic hob, the Candy Trio is available from Boots Appliances.
Dual Fuel Candy Trio - £839
Electric Candy Trio - £920
Continue reading "The Candy Trio" »
Posted by Kate on January 5, 2009 12:02 AM
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While shipping from the States is nothing to be scoffed at, who could resist featuring this iconic Space Invaders Cutting Board? Handmade by Cameron Oehler, these chopping boards bring the engaging energy of youth to our now grown up lives. If you fondly remember the rush of adrenalin as you shot rows and rows of these marching aliens, this chopping board will bring that old school style back. Made from walnut and hard-maple the Space Invader Chopping Board is assembled by hand and then sanded silky smooth. A brilliant piece of 80s nostalgia, the Space Invaders Cutting Board about £89 ($129.99 USD) at Think Geek.
Space Invaders Cutting Board - $129.99 USD (about £89)
Continue reading "Space Invaders Cutting Board" »
Posted by Kate on January 6, 2009 12:01 AM
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Who wants to be cleaning when you could be creating in the kitchen? But with Fred’s new microfiber glove you find it much more tempting to do the dusting. This rather surprised looking bunny will sweep away dust and dirt from your cabinets and shelves. The high-tech fibres make the task quick and easy, and are safe to be thrown in the wash when dirty. An adorable character that brings a whimsical energy to your daily chores, the Dust Bunny is £6.99 from Totally Funky.
Dust Bunny - £6.99
Posted by Kate on January 7, 2009 12:08 AM
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With the New Year comes the inevitable resolutions and as everyone starts their diets you’ll have a hard time dishing up all those delicious desserts. These Colourful Springform Pans can create mini versions of your favourite cheesecakes and treats. At just 13cm across, these small slices will be irresistible! Constructed from heavy-gauge steel these brilliant blue pans have a non-stick coating and are oven safe to 230°C. A cheerful addition to your baking collection these vibrant Mini Springform Pans pans are available from Lakeland for £6.84.
Colourful Mini Springform Pan - £6.84
Posted by Kate on January 8, 2009 12:03 AM
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Inspired by old fashioned ski poles, the ergonomic Spudski Mashers makes a speedy creamy mash. With an unusual design, the Spudski juxtaposes the rush of winter excitement with the delicious taste of home. The sculpted handles fit comfortably in your hand, whether you hold it from the side or from above. Designed by Black & Blum, the mashing plate has been carefully designed to clean itself and push the potato away from the stem. Made from nylon and reinforced with glass fibre, the Spudski won't damage your non-stick pans. Available in Lime and Black, the Spudski Potato Masher is £11.50 from 'Not on the High Street'.
Spudski Potato Masher - £11.50
Posted by Kate on January 9, 2009 12:04 AM
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When cooking this Christmas did you realise you were short of dishes and space? Lakeland has found you a brilliant solution. Made from a new material ‘ceramber’ which blends silicone and ceramic, this clear roasting dish can even collapse flat when not in use. Safe in the oven, microwave and freezer this versatile container is perfect for serving, storing and cooking. The new material ensures your dish won’t lose its shape, while making it suitable for a wide range of uses. A fabulous addition to the kitchen, this large dish has hundreds of uses while taking up only a couple of inches in your cupboard. Dishwasher-safe and featuring an airtight lid, the Collapsible Roaster is £19.56 from Lakeland.
Collapsible Roaster - £19.56
Posted by Kate on January 12, 2009 12:04 AM
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If you’re a gadget lover counter space is always at a premium, so compact appliances have a huge advantage. The Moulinex Minuto is perfect for creating falafel, spring rolls and other creative dishes. The small basket can fry 400g of food at a time, which is perfect for snacks or when you only want one or two portions. The fixed bowl features a non-stick coating for easy cleaning, while the permanent metallic filter suppresses those nasty cooking odours. A great choice when you don’t want to commit a large chunk of counter space to an oddly shaped appliance, the Moulinex Minuto Deep Fat Fryer lets you stretch your culinary choices. Available from Amazon UK
.
Moulinex Minuto Deep Fat Fryer - £24
Posted by Kate on January 13, 2009 12:00 AM
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Love KitchenCritic? Why not join our group of kitchen fanatics! To keep up to date with site news and chat about your favourite products simply...

Posted by Kate on January 14, 2009 12:02 AM
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After two year and over 500 articles, even websites should have a party! And what’s better to serve than this fabulous Giant Cupcake! There’s enough for 10-12 people, so you better shout now if you want a piece. The two-layer cake bakes in a single tin and when assembled created a delicious cake 20cm tall. Quick and easy to decorate, the Giant Cupcake is ready to serve in just a couple of hours. The professional weight cake tin is made from cast aluminium and has a non-stick surface. And to top it off this dishwasher safe cake tin has a lifetime guarantee! Available from Firebox, the Giant Cupcake Cake Tin is £27.95.
Giant Cupcake Cake Tin - £27.95
Posted by Kate on January 14, 2009 12:05 AM
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A new year can be the perfect time for a new start. Why not invest in the future with these new eco appliances from Morphy Richards. The Ecolectric Toast uses an impressive 34% less energy than your average toaster. The unique auto-close lid captures escaping heat to toast your bread faster and save energy. With a sleek modern style, the Ecolectric can evenly toast everything from wafer thin slices to thick doorstops.
• Defrost, Reheat & Bagel Settings
• Motorised bread carriages
• Illuminated Cooltouch buttons
• Deep vari-width toasting chamber
• Integrated cord storage
• Removable crumb tray
An innovative new design that re-evaluates the traditional toaster, hopefully the new Morphy Richards collection is just the
first in a new trend of economical, affordable and environmentally friendly appliances.
Available from Amazon UK, even all the packaging is recycable.
Ecolectric 2 Slice Toaster - £34.26
Posted by Kate on January 15, 2009 12:00 AM
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Also available from the Morphy Richards Collection is the Ecolectric Slow Cooker. An unusual appliance to redevelop, the slow cooker has been used for years as an efficient alternative to conventional ovens. The Ecolectric Slow Cooker uses an impressive 44% less energy than other slow cookers and 66% less than a full-size electric oven! Much of this improvement is due to the insulated lid which traps heat in for efficient performance.
• 3.5 litre capacity
• Heatproof glass
• Low, medium and high settings
• Dishwasher safe removable ceramic pot
Developed in partnership with the Carbon Trust, the Ecolectric Collection is just the first phase in Morphy Richards plan for intelligent and environmentally sustainable household solutions.
Ecolectric Slow Cooker - £34.99
Posted by Kate on January 16, 2009 12:08 AM
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Bound to delight children (and even a few husbands), the Dino Cutter will certainly add charm to your normal packed lunch. Perfect for bored or picky eaters, the Dino Cutter makes even plain sandwiches interesting. The green plastic cutter creates two identical dinosaurs from a single sandwich. A brilliant way to make someone smile, the cutter is also great for Dino toast or making Jurassic cookies. Such a simple way to make lunches exciting the Lakeland Dino Cutter is £1.95.
Dino Cutter - £1.95
Posted by Kate on January 19, 2009 12:04 AM
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Well known for their trendy bamboo tableware, Bambu have also created eco-friendly utensils for kids. Made from organically grown bamboo and finished with food-grade oil, Bambu utensils offer a safe alternative to plastic spoons and forks. The Baby Spoon and Fork are sculpted to make feeding easier and suitable from 6 months old, while the Kid’s Fork and Spoon Set features straight handles like adult cutlery, and is suitable for children over 9 months old. Available from Kiddies Kitchen, the Bambu Fork & Spoon Sets are a trendy natural utensil for modern children.
Set of 2 Bambu Baby Fork & Spoon Set – £6.99
Bambu Kids Fork & Spoon Set - £3.99
Posted by Kate on January 20, 2009 12:06 AM
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Around here January is the month for birthdays! It’s rare to find a cake suitable for all occasions, but with the Happy Birthday Cake Mould by Suck UK you’ll have a quick cake ready whether it’s for you 15 year old nephew or your great-grandmothers 100th. Decorated with a sculpted ring of letters, the Birthday Cake Mould creates a detailed cake without the fussiness. Made from flexible silicone, the birthday cake pops easily out of the mould ready for you to add the candles. The non-stick mould can even be popped in the dishwasher for quick cleaning. A brilliant cake for every birthday, the Happy Birthday Cake Mould is £19.99 from IWantOneOfThose.
Happy Birthday Cake Mould - £19.99
Posted by Kate on January 21, 2009 12:05 AM
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If you love Eastern cuisine this Tadka Spice Pan can help you achieve those authentic tastes. The small circular pan is designed to roast your herbs and spice to release and enhance their exotic flavours. By quickly frying your spices you release the essential oils and amplify the delicious tastes. Made in India from hard anodised aluminium and stainless steel the 4” Tadka Spice Pan is suitable for electric, ceramic, halogen and gas hobs. A must have for creative culinary explorers; the Tadka Spice Pan is available from Lakeland for £9.78.
Tadka Spice Pan - £9.78
Posted by Kate on January 22, 2009 12:09 AM
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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve been looking for new items to help you celebrate. While many of the items we highlighted last year are still available, Kitchen Critic will hopefully find some new gadgets to inspire you. Like these new Heart-Shaped Ice Cream Moulds, easy to use they create a simple yet elegant dessert. The plastic mould cuts through the cookie dough base, while the plunger presses the ice cream into shape. The perfect end to a romantic meal, the Heart-Shaped Ice Cream Moulds are available from Lakeland.
Set of Two Heart-Shaped Ice Cream Moulds - £6.84
Posted by Kate on January 23, 2009 12:00 AM
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If your Valentine’s Day celebration starts with breakfast, you’ll love the Heart-Shaped Pancake Mould. A romantic start to the day, these elegant pancakes will add a touch of glamour to your morning. The clever mould even lets a heart-shaped hole in the centre! Simply place the mould in your pan and pour in the batter. A simple way to improve your presentation, the Heart-Shaped Pancake Mould is available from Lakeland.
Heart-Shaped Pancake Mould - £2.44
Posted by Kate on January 26, 2009 12:02 AM
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Known for their iconic English kitchenware, Mason Cash has created a cute mixing bowl perfect for Valentine’s Day. The earthenware bowl is decorated with a ring of raised hearts and a latticework rim. Perfect for mixing up holiday treats or using as a festive fruit bowl, the Mason Cash Heart Mixing Bowls are available from John Lewis.
Pink Hearts Mixing Bowl - £17.50
Cream Hearts Mixing Bowl - £17.50
Posted by Kate on January 27, 2009 12:03 AM
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What a perfect Valentine for your favourite cook! Tie it with a red bow and you’re sure to be in for a treat! Besides the obvious heart-shaped bowl, the Wooden Spoon also features the message ‘Made with love’ down the handle. Made from trendy Bamboo, the Spoon even has a cute heart shaped hole through the handle! The ergonomic design means it great to use for cooking and serving. A Valentine’s Day gift that’s both beautiful and practical, the ‘Made With Love’ Spoon is available from Heart&Parcel.
‘Made With Love’ Wooden Spoon - £7.50
Posted by Kate on January 28, 2009 12:09 AM
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An extension of their Daniel Craig tea towel design, Emma Bridgewater have created a new saucy mug for your significant other. The Half Pint Mug declares "I Had a Really Nice Dream Last Night..." but the answer is only revealed as you sip your tea or coffee. Available with pink or blue lettering, you can even have a matching set of His & Hers Mugs. A perfect choice for those sick of hearts and flowers, the Nice Dream Mugs are available online from Emma Bridgewater.
Blue Nice Dream Mug - £15.95
Pink Nice Dream Mug - £15.95
Boxed His & Hers Gift Set - £32
Posted by Kate on January 29, 2009 12:06 AM
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This one certainly is more kitsch than practical, but there is still something endearing about these Heart Shaped Jugs. I’m not sure the heart shaped bowl is ideal for beat or mixing, but I bet that long spout is perfect for pouring! With a soft vintage style, these Heart Shaped Jug would make a fabulous ‘gift basket’ when filled with cookie ingredients or small kitchen gadgets. A brilliant beginning for a kitchen themed gift basket, the Heart Shaped Jugs are available for £15 from Heart & Parcel.
Pink Heart Shaped Jug - £15
If you want something a bit more brash, Paperchase@Amazon offer a similar melamine Jug in bold Red & Fushia for £8!

Posted by Kate on January 30, 2009 12:04 AM
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