Batman and Robin, Rogers and Astaire, Bonnie and Clyde. What do all three of these have in common? They are all perfect pairings of course, and on Kitchen and Cook Shop we have come up with our own dynamic duos of the home.
So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to meet the Kitchen & Cook Shop Couples!
The Nespresso inissia by KRUPS and Nespresso Coffee Capsules
Pairing Nespresso coffee capsules with a Nespresso coffee machine is pretty obvious really so we won’t dwell on it. If you are looking for an affordable entrance into the world of great coffee at home without the hassle of bean grinding, tamping and other fulfilling – but ultimately time consuming – tasks, then a KRUPS inissia is perfect for you. Once you have your coffee machine, what better to get you started than 50 wonderfully tasting coffee pods in 5 different flavours. Bellissimo!
I don’t think I need to say any more, but I will. This classic pairing of food and drink can only be improved by presenting your favourite cheeses on this beautiful cheese board with handy drawer and knife set, and why not pair your choice of cheeses with a case of fantastic red wines from Spain from the wonderful Rioja region. Cheese and wine, the ultimate food pairing? Chicken and watermelon just doesn’t have the same feel to it, does it?
In the classic Sci-Fi movie Blade Runner, Rick Deckard is seen drinking 12 year old Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch whisky out of a Cini Boeri-designed “Cibi” double old-fashion tumbler. We consider this a classic pairing, and one that you too can create today at home in your own living room. Put Blade Runner on the Blu-ray or DVD player and enjoy the experience even more!
Quintessentially British, a good cup of tea and biscuits is well known to solve any problem, from a broken nail to global meltdown. Yes, a cup of Earl Grey delicately poured from a teapot and a tray of home-baked biscuits alleviates all worries.
The ingredients for the perfect biscuit need to mixed properly before cutting out the shape and we like the look of this stylish VonShef stand mixer. It is very well priced and is also available in other colours to match your kitchen. Once the mixture is ready and rolled out, the biscuits need to be cut to shape. These double edged plain and crinkled biscuit cutters are the choice for us.
The biscuits are baked and sitting upon a floral patterned plate ready to be served to our guests. Presentation is everything so I brew my Earl Grey in this pretty Wrendale by Royal Worcester hare design fine bone china teapot and place it together with the biscuits and finest china tea cups on a Wrendale serving tray. Perfect!
I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading our light-hearted look at items that can be paired together well in the home. What kitchen or cooking products do you consider to be your very own Sonny and Cher, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John or Laurel and Hardy?
In autumn 2015, there were quite a few new cookbooks released, which is always very interesting to us at Kitchen and Cook Shop. In this short article I’m going to take a quick look at five of the more popular recipe books published and see what kind of exciting dishes there might be for us to cook at home.
Please note that in this post I will be looking at the hardcover printed editions of the books, but you may find that some (or even all) of these recipe books are also available in Kindle format, eBook format or in paperback too.
NOPI: The Cookbook Hardcover by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ramael Scully
Yotam Ottolenghi is a London-based restaurateur and food writer for The Guardian. He is the owner of the Ottolenghi restaurant delis in London and the highly regarded NOPI restaurant in Soho. This new cookbook contains over 100 of the most popular dishes from the Soho restaurant. It has been developed and written with long-time collaborator and NOPI head chef Ramael Scully. With a Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and Irish heritage, ‘Scully’ brings a distinctive Asian twist to the Ottolenghi kitchen.
The hardback book contains over 350 pages and the recipes within have been adapted so that the home cook can recreate the amazing dishes in their own kitchens. Ottolenghi fans will be familiar with starter dishes such as aubergine with black garlic or roasted squash with sweet tomatoes. Main courses include beef brisket croquettes and Persian love rice.
Chapters include starters and sides, fish, meat and vegetable mains, puddings, brunch, condiments and cocktails so there are plenty of recipes for all occasions. This cookbook sounds great to me, although I am a little concerned about how easy these recipes will be for me to cook at home, because I’m not that proficient in the kitchen!
A Year of Good Eating: The Kitchen Diaries III by Nigel Slater
This huge tome of 560 pages is a completely fresh take on seasonal cooking by respected food writer and presenter, Nigel Slater. In this cookbook, the third installment of Nigel Slater’s classic Kitchen Diaries series, Nigel explores the pleasure of eating well throughout the year.
The stories and recipes in the Diaries are interspersed with short sections of seasonal quick, easy meals and larger dinners. Nigel’s characteristically simple recipes and inspiring writing make his new recipe book a great guide to good eating every day of the year. A Year of Good Eating is also available in Kindle format.
I have read Nigel Slater’s columns in The Observer newspaper before and I find his writing excellent, so I expect this book to be very well received.
My Kind of Food: Recipes I Love to Cook at Home by John Torode
Most of you will know John Torode from mega-popular BBC1 TV shows MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and Junior MasterChef where he is the judge and presenter. He is also the presenter of A-Z of Cooking on BBC2. John is also regular writer for Good Food, Olive, Waitrose Magazine, and Good Housekeeping among other popular magazines.
In this 300+ page book he offers us recipes for his favourite dishes that he cooks at home. Some recipes he learned from family and others are inspired from his many years of experience in restaurant kitchens. Chapters of the book include Brunch and Lunch, Quick Meals, Outside Cooking, and Desserts.
I’ll be honest and admit that I personally don’t like to watch John Torode on the TV. I find him rude to the contestants, however many people love him so I’m sure that this book will fly off the shelves, but personally I won’t be buying it!
Tom’s Table: My Favourite Everyday Recipes by Tom Kerridge
Tom Kerridge is a two Michelin-starred chef who now regularly appears on TV. He was recently called ‘the man of the moment’! I don’t know about that, but I know that I’m interested in Tom Kerridge’s cooking.
The recipes in this book really appeal to me too because I like meals that I can cook with ingredients that are easily available and affordable. In Tom’s Table you will find recipes such as cheddar and ale soup, the ultimate roast chicken, lamb ribs with roasted onions, stuffed green peppers, and home-made ketchups and much more. Perhaps it’s the pub lover in me that appreciates Tom and his passion for food that people like me enjoy eating.
When Christmas comes around, this will be one of the recipe books that I would love to receive as a gift. How about you? Is Tom’s Table a recipe book that you would like to read?
The Uncook Book: The Essential Guide to a Raw Food Lifestyle by Tanya Maher
Tanya Maher is a leading health coach and blogger with a large fan base of people from all over the world. She specialises in creating irresistible raw food recipes which are often on the menu in her two London cafés. In this book, Tanya draws on her years of experience as a raw food nutritionist to bring you recipes covering categories such as basic raw food recipes, fun family favorites and elegant entertaining with living foods.
Her recipes are easy-to-follow and have a modern edge; perfect for those that wish to embrace this healthy way of eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is even a section on delicious superfood cocktails, however I do not know if these cocktails include alcohol or not!
I have a couple of friends that already make raw food dishes, and to be honest, sometimes their menus are rather dull, so perhaps I shall invest in this book as a Christmas gift for them!
I think that these five recipe books all bring something different to the kitchen table – from seasonal British dishes to Asian-inspired menus and lots more in between.
Summer is here and it’s the time of year where we head outdoors as much as possible. Barbecues and picnics and Al Fresco dining are essential to our enjoyment of summer. Here at Kitchen & Cook Shop, we realised that taking your dining room outside often means turning to plastic cups and plates for safety and ease of transport. This is by no means an environmentally friendly option, especially if the plastic plates and cups are the throw away variety. Although plastic outdoor tableware is reusable, there is no doubt that it will eventually find it’s way to land fill when it has reached the end of its usefulness.
Bamboo – a popular alternative material.
Whilst looking for alternatives to plastic, we discovered that there is a wide range of products made from Bamboo. As a material bamboo is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and comes from sustainable sources. It is also lightweight and so makes a great alternative to plastic for your picnic and tableware.
Another option is glass, but although it is also an environmentally friendly option, it is not always suitable for outdoor dining if there are children involved and breakages could happen. Glass is also quite heavy and could weigh down your picnic hamper or rucksack if you plan to walk with your picnic.
Lightweight metal such as aluminium and stainless steel is also a good alternative to plastic. Think metal flasks to keep drinks cool, instead of plastic bottles. Aluminium wine coolers and metal cafetieres all make great environmentally friendly options.
The Cambridge range of Bamboo tableware comes in a range of options with a trendy flamingo design which we love. You can have a set of plates and bowls for four or eight people, a set of four cups, serving jug and carry tray, chip n dip tray, with serving bowl and utensils, or just a serving bowl and utensils. You can also have the full set of everything in a setting for four or eight.
The bamboo is strong and durable and will not break. It is also dishwasher safe which is an added bonus.
Sustainable Colourful Drinking cups
This set of four drinking cups are made from bamboo and environmentally friendly products. They come in three colours, pink, blue and green. You can use these cups for hot or cold drinks, and they are dishwasher safe. You are less likely to drop these cups as they have a slightly rough feel to the outside which acts as a non-slip surface. They won’t break or splinter like glass. A great environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.
Set of 2 Amaoma Jujube Wood Cups
These wooden cups would make a fine alternative to the traditional glass. We think they’d be great for drinking small coffees, wine, fruit juice or punch without the worry of glass breakages.
These cups are made from grade A Jujube wood and have a 200ml capacity, which is quite small so they are perfect for taking on picnics. There is also a small tray available which really sets off this set of wooden cups.
VonShef Wine Cooler Bottle Holder
The VonShef Wine Cooler is made from stainless steel with a double walled construction to keep your wine cold. It’s lightweight and portable and will keep your wine cooler for longer without the need for ice. It is designed to fit all standard wine bottles. We like this stylish plastic free stainless steel wine cooler.
See our full list of environmentally friendly Outdoor Dining ideas here, dinner sets, cups, cutlery, food covers, and more! Let us know if you have any favourites we’ve not included.
A Halloween party provides a great occasion to have some really good fun. From dressing up as spooky characters, to creating a three course ‘Adams Family’ type dinner, there’s fun to be had for all ages.
So, if you’re putting together a Halloween Party this year, for kids or adults, we have a few suggestions for you to really add an extra touch of spookiness to the occasion! (You can also find our extended list of recommended halloween party essentials in our spooky amazon ideas list here.)
Cool Cubes
It’s important to keep your guests cool after they have got all sweaty from dancing to “The Monster Mash” and other Halloween classics and we really like these shaped ice cube trays and ice ball mould. Just make sure you have enough ice ready for after you’ve been dancing to The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s “The Time Warp”. Jumping to the left and stepping to the right can really take it out of you!
You can also use these moulds for making cakes or sweets so you are getting even more spooky potential for your money.
You’ll get much more Halloween kudos if you serve your drinks and ice from skull designed glassware. This ice bucket, decanter and refillable bottles should cover all the bases.
If you plan on having some drinks at your Halloween Party then why not spend a little effort and make the occasion more memorable with this selection of halloween glassware. Shot glasses, wine glasses, beer glasse, they are sure to strike fear into the brave souls that come forward when you shout out “Shots, anyone?”. Mind you, after I’ve had a few shots, the evening becomes a blur and I can’t remember much at all so take it easy with the shots, okay!
Are you arranging an extra special party for Halloween this year? If so, perhaps you may wish to savour the occasion with some more noteworthy spirits. The vodka, rum and tequila below are all very special spirits that come in unique bottles that you are sure to want to keep and show your guests. We won’t tell anyone if you want to reuse the bottles for other drinks!
If you know of a Winnie the Pooh fan, or perhaps you are a huge fan yourself, we have chosen here some Winnie the Pooh mugs and sets that will make fantastic gifts for all occasions. The great thing about giving a mug as a gift is that because it is used often it tends to make the recipient smile each time they have a cuppa!
Winnie the Pooh Single Mugs and Mug Sets
There are many beautifully designed mugs for Winnie the Pooh fans. Some have well-known quotes from the bear about love and life, friendship and food, whilst others simple have a lovely depiction of his happy, smiling face. For those who are also fans of Tigger, Eeyore or Piglet there are character mugs that will make them smile.
If you want to give a gift to someone important to you, then these Disney Classic Collectable Mugs are perfect. They ooze style with their gold accented handles and classic black and white artwork. These Winnie the Pooh mugs are gift boxed and would make a very special gift for someone you care a lot about.
Heart shaped cookie cutters are an essential item for both the aspiring or experienced baker. Of course, when we think about heart shaped bakes we immediately think of Valentine’s Day, but heart designed bakes are also very commonly used in wedding cakes and engagement bakes. Or perhaps you might simply want to bake the love of your life some cookies to let them know how much they mean to you – and that sounds perfect to us! Below are some of our favourite heart shaped cookie cutter sets.
Heart Shaped Plastic Cookie Cutters
Plastic is a very common material for making cookie cutters and other pastry design shapes. They are easy to clean and safe for kids to use so get your youngsters into the kitchen and get them baking lovely heart shaped goodies with you this Valentine’s Day!
Some people prefer to use metal implements in the kitchen. These heart cookie cutter sets are made from either stainless steel or aluminium. They are stylish and durable and offer many years of heart shaped baking pleasure.
Here we have picked out for you three brilliant sets of cookie cutters that are perfect for your Valentine’s Day baking! Theses cookie cutter sets have heart shapes, of course, but you can also cut out more complex biscuit shapes and even the word “LOVE” with the metal cutters included.
Do you crave a cappuccino when you thirst for a coffee? If so, then this Zeller 12-Piece Cappuccino Set would be an great addition to your home.
In this lovely gift set you will find six stylish cappuccino cups with saucers incorporating a unique ‘faces’ design. This coffee set comes in a gift box, meaning that this would make a wonderful present for coffee lovers as well as for yourself! The cappuccino cups are beautifully shaped so that you can enjoy an authentic Italian coffee in style at home whenever you feel the need for a refreshing cappuccino.
At just £36.76* we feel that this makes an excellent gift. We love presents that can be put to everyday use, as well as being nice enough to be displayed when not in use!
A cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink which is traditionally prepared with espresso, hot milk and steamed-milk foam. The name comes from the Capuchin friars, referring to the colour of their habits, and in this context referring to the colour of the beverage when milk (originally: cream) is added in small portion to dark, brewed coffee (today mostly espresso). (Wikipedia)
How to make a cappuccino
Folgers, makers of fine coffees, give the following instructions on how to make a great cappuccino coffee:
First, steam the milk. Heat 236ml (1 cup) of milk in a 2 litre saucepan over medium heat. Let the milk simmer until bubbles form around the edges, but don’t boil the milk. Remove the pan from heat and set it on a flat surface.
Next, whip the milk with an electric mixer, increasing the speed as the milk begins to thicken. Continue mixing until you get the desired volume of froth.
Now, make the coffee. Measure 2 tablespoons of grounds for 150 to 175 ml of water. Try using French Roast Coffee for a full-bodied taste, or make it with Decaf Coffee for a caffeine free cappuccino. You can brew the coffee in an automatic drip coffeemaker or a French press.
Now, make the cappuccino! A classic cappuccino calls for 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam. You can mix it up by using 2 or 3 tablespoons of flavored syrups or even different kinds of milk, like chocolate or vanilla.
Krista Ricchi on her blogsite Alla Fiorentina also describes how to make cappuccino at home without using a coffee machine. It’s a great read and describes the process really well.
Essential reading
We imagine that if you’re reading this article then you probably like drinking coffee! Below are some books which aim to inform you more about this tasty, traditional brew and tips and advice on how to make the perfect drink. Enjoy your coffee!
In recent articles we have given you some great examples of heart shaped kitchenware that might suit your lucky Valentine this year including the following gift idea articles (see below), however if you are still searching for heart shaped gifts then read on.
In this article we are going to offer you some more lovely heart shaped gifts suitable for people that love to cook and bake, and we also think that they make attractive heart shaped items for your home.
These are some of our favourite love heart products for the kitchen and dining room. I think that heart shaped chopping boards are both very pretty and very useful, whist the heart ravioli stamp is a lot more specific to a particular person – one whom makes their own ravioli of course! Other gift ideas (especially for Valentine’s Day) are more to do with food presentation rather than cooking, such as the serving platters and heart shaped coasters. Whatever heart design gift you chose, I am sure that the recipient will be very pleased.
That wraps up this year’s suggestions of heart shaped gifts. I hope you have found the perfect cookery gift for lovers of love hearts! Don’t forget to check out our full list of Valentines ideas for baking, cooking and gifts in our Amazon shop.
Whether you’re baking a cake for your Valentine or making a tiered wedding cake, heart shaped cake tins are a brilliant way to represent love in cake form! Cake pans come in different designs and you may prefer one type over another. Some cake tins have removable bases whilst others have a springform clip to allow the baked cake to be removed easily. Whatever you preference, below are a few different heart shaped cake tins that are sure to make baking brilliant!
Single Piece Heart Shaped Cake Pans
Some bakers prefer to use single piece baking tins to avoid any cake batter leakage. Baking in a single piece cake pan is as old as time, however as you need to invert the cake after baking you may find that it is not so easy to remove compared to a springform cake tin or pan with a removable base.
Springform cake tins have an adjustable latch or buckle that allows you to remove the sides of the pan after baking thus making it easier to remove the baked cake. One advantage that springform cake pans have is that you do not need to invert the cake to remove it from the pan which is an essential need for some delicate bakes, such as cheesecakes, or cakes which toppings on them, however some bakers experience leakage with these types of cake tin.
If you are making a tiered cake for a wedding or engagement party the following heart shaped cake pans might be just what you need to make the perfect centre piece. With three and four tier options the following cake tins are sure to make your tiered heart shaped cake dazzle!
The final three cake tin offerings below are all a little bit different. Firstly we have a five piece cake pan set for when you want to really ‘wow’ your guests with a heart shaped cake of mighty proportions. The second cake tin from Wilton has a very clever design where you can bake a cake with a heart shaped center. The cake itself is round, but when you cut into the cake you will find a perfectly formed heart and everyone will congratulate you on your baking skills! Finally we have a 4 piece fluted edge mini heart shaped baking tin set when you want to make a frilly and delicate cake (or four).
Are you planning on baking something sweet for your loved one this Valentine’s Day? If so, creating a tasty gift in the shape of a heart is perfect! Heart shaped baking moulds can be used to make chocolate sweets, flavoursome desserts, baked cakes, cake decorations and much more. Of course, these heart moulds can be used all year round for embellishments on engagement and wedding cakes, to make wedding favours and so on. Read on to view our favourite selection of great heart shaped moulds for baking.
Bulk Baking Hearts
If you plan on baking lots of heart shaped treats at any one time, look no further than the following baking moulds that offer you the chance to bake up to 165 hearts from one single purchase! You can also see a full list of valentines baking, cooking and gift ideas in our Amazon shop.
A heart shaped mould may not be an item you use often, except around Valentine’s Day, but it is useful to have in your kitchen cupboard. The following heart moulds will not take up too much space to store but are very useful when the need arises for one. Having a baking mould shaped like a heart might even get you to bake more often, which is always a good thing!
These three heart moulds are a little bit different. The Wilton mould makes baking a breeze – just add chocolate buttons! I think the alphabet heart shaped moulds are great, and the ten cavity hearts mould in the shape of a heart looks neat. Any of these baking moulds would make baking for Valentine’s Day more productive.
How better to show someone you care than by preparing for them something tasty made in heart shaped bakeware. Individual ramekins are a lovely way to create an intimate atmosphere over dinner, and a dish in the shape of a heart can show lots of people that you care about them. It doesn’t matter if you’re making something sweet or savoury, baking your food in heart shaped dishes really does show that you are “cooking with love”!
Heart Shaped Ramekin Sets
Whether you’re planning a cosy evening in on Valentine’s Day with your loved one, or a throwing party with lots of guests, all who happen to really like crème brûlée, these heart ramekin sets are perfect!
Ramekins are perfect for individual sized portions, but personally I like something bigger to eat! Any dish prepared or served in one of the following heart shaped dishes would be perfect. There’s no denying that all these heart dishes look very stylish and they are sure to make your food look even more appetising.
During our adult working lives we will spend approximately a third of our time at work. That’s a lot of hours to be away from our home comforts and easy accessibility to food. It is important to eat during the day as we have to ‘recharge’ our bodies with energy-giving food. Grabbing a burger from the local fast food joint isn’t going to do our bodies any favours in the long run so many people take their own packed lunch with them to their job, be it sandwiches, salads, homemade healthy smoothies or shop bought goods.
Whatever food you take to work, it’s important that it arrives fresh, secure and undamaged. I can confirm from experience that cheese and ham sandwiches smothered with strawberry yogurt from a cracked pot is as disgusting as it sounds!
Lunch Boxes
Lunch boxes come in all shapes, sizes and colours and we particularly like Bento boxes that are becoming popular. It’s important that lunch boxes are tough, close securely and of a size that suits the bag you most often take to work. Below are some of our favourites.
Many people enjoy the benefits of a slow cooker at home – I know I do – so why not take some of your tasty creations to the office. If you have a microwave at work you can reheat your meals and make everyone at your job envious of your cooking skills when they catch the aroma your food, and if you don’t have any way of reheating your food, a food flask is ideal as it keeps your food hot for a decent length of time.
I would hope that your office has some kind of drink making facilities, but if not you might wish to take your own drinks bottle or flask with you. Flasks are great for hot beverages such as tea or coffee, but they are also excellent for soup which is perfect for warming you up on a cold wintry day, whilst bottles keep your fluids safe and leak-free.
Hopefully some of the products here offer you an idea on how you can make your daily trip to work a little more safer for your lunch, with the added advantage of keeping your fluids warmer or cooler – depending on your needs!
If you love desserts, what better way to enjoy them than eating fresh home made ice cream. These 5 best selling ice cream makers are a great addition to the kitchen, however some of them can be quite expensive – but worth it! Imagine ice cream with no additives, as much or as little sugar as you want and loads of your own ingredients like fruit, chocolate, and nuts. Fantastic for kids parties, or showing off your home made ice cream skills at your own dinner parties.
One thing to note when purchasing an ice cream maker is that with some machines, the bowl needs to be put in the freezer over night before you make the ice cream, so the bigger the bowl, the bigger the space you need in your freezer.
Here are our top 5 best selling ice cream makers and what makes them good.
Sensio Home Ice Cream Maker Machine
The Sensio Home Ice Cream Maker Machine is the lowest priced ice cream maker in this list. Priced at £34.95 and also available in black, despite being low priced, this machine is highly praised by buyers.
After freezing the bowl and mixing your ingredients, you can have fresh ice cream, sorbet, gelato or frozen yoghurt ready to serve in about 20 minutes. With the refill opening in the lid you can add almost anything you like during mixing to make your own favourite flavours.
The detachable 1.4 litre bowl allows you to make approximately 500-700ml of ice cream which can be served straight away at parties or put in the freezer to save for later. It is quiet to operate and with just 4 components it is easy to set up and clean. It also comes with a selection of recipes in an Ebook and a two year 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Cuisinart ICE30 Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart ICE30 Ice Cream Maker costs more than the Sensio at about £80 and is a very highly rated ice cream maker that is affordable to most. The ice cream bowl holds 2 litres of product and is able to make ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet.
The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker has an open lid that allows you to add extra ingredients such as fruit and nuts easily whilst it is in operation for a much smoother consistency. It will also keep your ice cream frozen for up to ten minutes after mixing is complete. The lid, mixing arm and bowl are all detachable for easy cleaning, and for storing the remaining ice cream in the freezer.
Savisto Compact Ice Cream Maker
Next up in price is the Savisto Ice Cream Maker at £120.00. It has a compact 1.5 litre fast freeze bowl and comes with a 133 page recipe book. It can make delicious ice cream in only 20-30 minutes and can also make sorbet and frozen yogurt.
Featuring the latest digital technology, you can see exactly how long the mixing process has before ending, and you can set the timer and return later when the ice cream has finished and turned itself off. The extra-large ingredient funnel means you can add your favourite ingredients with ease, be they fruit, herbs, sprinkles or chocolate.
Cuisinart Gelato and Ice Cream Maker
As we go up in price we find that we don’t have to pre-freeze the bowl so you can make ice cream from scratch in about 40 minutes! Costing around £250, the Cuisinart Gelato and Ice Cream Maker has a 1.5 litre capacity and 2 mixing paddles (one for ice cream and one for gelato) to give your recipe the right amount of air for the perfect texture. Buyers adore this ice cream maker from Cuisinart!
What makes the difference between this ice cream machine and cheaper models is the addition of a compressor system meaning that there is no need to pre-freeze the bowl and no need to wait between batches. Making the freshest, tastiest ice cream is simplicity itself. Just add your ingredients and switch on. During the churning you can add extra toppings through the lid such as nuts, chocolate chips, fruit pieces and sauces to create the classic ripple effect. For peace of mind it includes a 5 year guarantee.
Klarstein Vanilla Sky Ice Cream Machine
At £259.99, the Klarstein Vanilla Sky Ice Cream Machine is very similar in both price and features to the Cuisinart machine above. It is a bit larger with a removable 2-litre ice cream container and features a keep-cool mode for one hour, so the fresh ice cream does not melt if you are not able to be at the machine to transfer the ice cream to the freezer straight away.
With a digital display and 180 watt-strong compressor motor, this ice cream maker from experts Klarstein is easy to use and tasty ice cream can be made in 30-40 minutes. It is supplied with a 250ml measuring cup and measuring spoon and is also available in red.
BONUS MACHINE: Musso Lussino 4080 Piccolo Ice Cream Maker
Costing £779.00, the Musso Lussino 4080 Piccolo Ice Cream Maker is aimed at the prosumer market. Musso machines can be found in the kitchens of the best restaurants in the world, as well as at Buckingham Palace and the White House. President Clinton purchased a Musso machine for himself after tasting an ice cream made by a Musso ice cream machine in a prestigious Boston restaurant!
Made in Italy from the finest materials and components, this stainless steel cased ice cream maker has a fully automatic timer and can produce up to 750g of the finest ice cream in 20-30 minutes. No ice crystals are formed during churning giving you a denser dessert and a smoother, creamier texture. The Musso MINI Lussino 4080 makes delicious and healthy ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and frozen drinks and is easy to clean and use.
Choose any of the above ice cream makers for your kitchen and you will be very pleased with the results.
Are you looking for a gift for someone who loves to be healthy, likes to eat well and enjoys exercise? Here we have five products that would make perfect gifts for the health conscious individual. Whether it’s someone who likes to make soups and smoothies and is very active, or someone who likes to cook healthy meals there’s a gift here to suit them. If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further!
1. Breville Blend Active Personal Blender
The Breville VBL062 Blend Active Personal Blender is a very popular personal blender for those that want to make smoothies and blends quickly and cleanly. This 300w blender is robust enough to blend ice and frozen fruit, (although doing this often can dull the blades) and blends well to make a very smooth smoothie. You can make your drink directly in the drink container, unscrew the blade and add the air-tight lid to create a sports drink that you can drink immediately or take with you on the go.
This is a great gift idea for someone into their healthy drinks and smoothies, and it comes in 4 great colours too!
2. Morphy Richards Accents Slow Cooker
This Morphy Richards 48702 Accents Sear and Stew Slow Cooker allows you to sear, stew and slow cook all in the same pot meaning that a great range of recipes can be cooked in it. It’s lightweight, durable and the non-stick aluminium pot is also dishwasher safe. Slow cooked meals are often healthier and it is an essential kitchen tool for those with busy schedules. Why not come home to a ready cooked meal and an easy clean up!
This slow cooker is available in black, red (shown here), stainless steel and cream.
3. Duronic Air Fryer AF1
Do you want a healthier way to fry food? The Duronic Air Fryer AF1 does just that! It uses very little or sometimes even no oil to fry freshly cut, frozen or oven chips. It cleverly uses hot air circulation technology, and by circulating the heat quickly around and through the basket of food, it uses the foods natural oils and juices to cook itself. For the health conscious individual this would make a great gift as it not only fries food, but can also be used for pies, quiches and pasties, or to roast chicken or fillets of fish and many other recipes.
This health fryer is must-have item in the kitchen for healthy cooking.
4. NutriBullet Pro 900 Series Blender 9-Piece Set
The NutriBullet Pro 900 Series Blender is a super mini blender with 900 watts of power and 25,000 RPM for an extremely smooth drinking experience. Suitable for the health conscious individual who makes a lot of smoothies, protein shakes and blends the NutriBullet Pro is an excellent gift choice. This 9 piece set has all you need to make the best healthy smoothies and drinks including a 909ml large cup, a medium 680ml cup, a flip top lid and a stay fresh lid, and a user manual with recipes and nutritionist information.
Get the most nutrition from your food with a high powered NutriBullet Pro today!
5. Morphy Richards 48822 Soupmaker
This Morphy Richards Soupmaker makes it simple and quick to make soup at home to your personal taste, with the least amount of fuss. It has settings for chunky or smooth, and the blend function means that during the warmer months you can make smoothies and milkshakes. It really is so easy to use and you can knock up a tasty soup for up to 6 people in just 21 minutes!
This is the perfect gift for people who are often making their own healthy soups and smoothies!
We hope you have found a great gift idea for the health conscious individual or for yourself. Have a happy and health year!
UPDATE: Kenwood have stopped production of the Kenwood Patissier mixer since we wrote this article. This is somewhat of a shame because it was such a quality made and affordable mixer, however do not despair as Kenwood have a few other brilliant food mixers available. The lowest price option is the Kenwood Prospero which is a very capable stand mixer perfect for smaller kitchens but here at Kitchen & Cook Shop we suggest that you look at the incredible Kenwood kMix stand mixer which is available in four colours. It costs a little more, but you get a full sized, high quality mixer at an excellent price!
The Kenwood Patissier
If you are looking for a stand mixer and don’t know whether to go for a kitchenAid stand mixer as used by Nigella Lawson or something cheaper to suit a lower budget, we at the Kitchen & Cook Shop would like to recommend the Kenwood Patissier mixer as the best value mixer. It looks similar to the kitchenAid, but its price is more affordable. It also has a much higher rating on amazon.co.uk than the kitchenAids that are imported from America.
We think the Kenwood Patissier MX3 series is the perfect friend for your kitchen and cake making duties. It has a stylish curvy retro look, and will look good in any kitchen as it is also available in black and 6 other colours including white, cream, blue, red, pink and teal. Here at the Kitchen & Cook Shop we have had the older silver version for about eight years which is no longer available on amazon, but think the other colours are brilliant and would love to swap it for the red one!
Reviewers love the splash guard and special spout that come with this mixer for adding ingredients without making a mess. From our experience the start-up of the mixer is slow enough that it doesn’t tend to send the ingredients flying over the edge of the bowl, but the speeds are fast enough to make light work of whisking.
Other plus points that people have noted are the following:
The mixing tools reach all the way to the bottom of the bowl so everything is mixed well.
The bowl is large enough if you want to double up on cake mixes.
It is powerful at 400 watts, but sturdy and heavy enough to remain on your worktop when mixing.
The good reviews on amazon far outweigh the negatives for the Kenwood Patissier, and from our experience of using this mixer we would have to agree that it is a brilliant little mixer at a great value price. Ours has mixed many cake recipes over the years and apart from it being a little heavy when we have to lift it down from a shelf to use it (my choice of course), we love it.
Please note: Unfortunately Nespresso no longer produce the Inissia Coffee Machine but we’ve been so impressed with its performance in the 5 years we’ve had it that we decided to keep this Editor’s Choice article live as a testament to the quality of this coffee maker.
In 2015, I purchased a Nespresso Inissia Coffee Machine for my girlfriend as a Valentines Day gift. It is now 5 years since we got the Inissia and I am confident that I can give an honest and unbiased review of this KRUPS capsule coffee machine.
Firstly, why did I choose a Nespresso Capsule Coffee Machine?
We are not coffee connoisseurs by any means, however we do like a decent coffee, but I felt that a bean-to-cup or manual espresso coffee machine was both too expensive and too much trouble for us. I looked at many types of capsule coffee machines and felt that the Tassimo and Dolce Gusto designed machines were too restrictive in their functioning. The capability of being able to use as much or as little water as I wanted with the Nespresso designed coffee machines was an important factor for me. I like the fact that I don’t need to use milk pods to create certain drinks, and most importantly, there are many compatible capsules available for the Nespresso machines, which does not seem to be the case with the other two.
The Inissia Coffee Machine
I ordered a Nespresso Inissia coffee machine in Ruby Red, and despite having no other items of red in our kitchen, it looks great! I feel that it has a small foot print and it is not obtrusive at all. This was a concern of mine at the purchasing stage, but my fears were unfounded. It fits perfectly against a wall and it is easy to use in situ.
The cable length is adequate and the cleanable parts come apart and refit easily. The capsule container holds 11 used capsules and the drip tray performs perfectly. The drip tray can be folded up to accommodate glasses, mugs or cups taller than 90mm, up to a maximum height of 138mm.
This coffee machine has some useful features such as energy saving mode, water volume programming and descaling mode.
What’s great is that this coffee machine is very easy to use!
1. Add water to the detachable water jug at the rear of the machine.
2. Turn on the machine and wait about 30 seconds.
3. Lift up the handle and place your coffee capsule in the machine.
4. Close down the handle and place a cup or glass underneath the spout.
5. Press the espresso or lungo button depending on the size of coffee you want.
6. Wait for the machine to pour your coffee.
7. If you want more water, simply press the button again to turn on the flow. Press once more to stop the flow.
8. Enjoy your coffee!
“How is the coffee?”, I hear you ask. Well, this really all depends on the quality of the coffee capsule that you are using, but when it comes to the mechanics of the coffee machine, it’s very good indeed. The 19 bar pressure pump creates an excellent crema on your drink every time and there is very little wastage.
As I mentioned at the start of this Nespresso Inissia review we have had this coffee machine for well over 5 years, and I am very pleased to say that we have never had any problems at all. It makes us coffee every day and still looks as good as new. I wipe it down with a damp cloth from time to time and the capsule catcher and drip tray get cleaned weekly. It is very easy to clean and use, however the instruction booklet supplied is hard to understand when you need to read it!
The instruction booklet has been designed to cater for twelve languages therefore it uses diagrams to explain how to use all the features of this coffee machine. Unfortunately these diagrams are difficult to decipher so I was forced to search online for instructions when I wanted to descale the coffee machine. Fortunately Nespresso have a comprehensive YouTube channel and it was easy to find the answers to my questions there.
We purchased our coffee machine from Amazon. It arrived safely and well packed in its stylish Nespresso box that included, as a gift, 40 original Nespresso coffee capsules. The coffee pods supplied with our coffee machine were 10 of each of Ristretto, Arpeggio, Roma and Decaffeinato Intenso coffee capsules.
When the Nespresso Capsule Coffee Machines first arrived on the scene, the only place you could buy coffee pods was via the Nespresso website or in their Nespresso Coffee Boutiques. Now, however, there are many coffee capsule options available to the Nespresso Coffee Machine owner. Many supermarkets have their own brand of Nespresso compatible coffee pods, and nowadays you can find many manufacturers of compatible pods that can be purchased on the high street or on online.
The coffee capsules from Nespresso and other brands come in many flavours, strengths and intensities. Some are suitable for ristretto or espresso sized coffees, whilst others are more suited to larger coffees such as a lungo or a tall cappuccino (as my partner takes her coffee).
A word of warning! Not all compatible coffee capsules are as well made as others. We find that some compatible pods are not a good fit, whilst others do not pierce correctly on their end, meaning that the coffee would take ages to filter through. In these cases we have to press open their pre-cut holes before placing them in the coffee machine.
The original coffee capsules from Nespresso are made of metal. They are an exact fit for the coffee machine and work perfectly. They are also recyclable which is good news, however they can only be recycled at official Nespresso recycling points, which is a pain. I like to recycle as much as possible and Nespresso actively encourage its users to recycle the used pods but unfortunately there is no recycling point near me.
After trying out many different brands of coffee pods we feel that the Nespresso coffee capsules probably have the best flavour but other brands are now very close in quality and taste. We are often trying other brands of compatible capsules, so having a capsule coffee machine allows its owner to enjoy many flavour taste tests, which can be a lot of fun!
A note about decaffeinated coffee capsules
Recently, friends of ours purchased a Nespresso Capsule Coffee Machine after enjoying a coffee with us one day. One of our friends should not consume too much caffeine on the orders of his doctor, but he has found it very difficult to find a compatible decaffeinated capsule with any intensity of flavour, despite the fact that there are many decaffeinated coffee pods available to buy. He often describes them as weak and flavourless. It would seem that manufacturers think that people that drink decaffeinated coffee must like weak coffee, and this simply isn’t the case. I have recommended the official Nespresso Decaffeinato Intenso coffee capsules to him, which I personally found to have lots of flavour. Although they are more expensive to buy, they might just give him the intense coffee flavour he desires!
The Different Inissia Models (KRUPS, Magimix, Siemens and De’Longhi) and Colour Options
During my research into buying a Nespresso Inissia coffee machine I discovered that there were different manufacturer options and many colours available to me. After a little more reading it seems that the differences between a KRUPS, Magimix or De’Longhi Nespresso coffee machine are aesthetic only. They are all produced in the same factory on the same production line, so really your choice boils down to which colour you prefer.
When I purchased our Inissia coffee machine there were a large range of colour options available to me, including Black, White, Green, Canary, Blue Sky, Pacific Blue, Blueberry Blue, Grey, Summer Sun, Vanilla Cream, and Ruby Red.
That being said, I preferred to purchase a coffee machine with the KRUPS brand name rather than Magimix. For us, this decision worked in our favour because the vibrant Ruby Red coloured coffee machine that we wanted is a KRUPS branded product.
Check the Deals
You can get some excellent deals when purchasing your Nespresso Inissia coffee machine. Some sellers may include an Aeroccino, whilst others will offer a selection of coffee pods for you to try for free. Do your research as there are many sellers offering Nespresso Coffee Machines on Amazon UK and it’s worth looking around.
Our Rating and Final Thoughts
As you have probably discovered by reading this article, my girlfriend and I are very happy with our purchase of the Nespresso Inissia Capsule Coffee Machine by KRUPS. We’ve found it to be robust, reliable, attractive and easy to clean. What’s more, it has made great coffee day in, day out for over 60 months without fault. We think it’s a 9 out of 10 stars.
It loses one star for the following reasons, but these ‘bad points’ are minimal:
1. In my opinion, the instruction booklet is poorly designed, but this is easily remedied by seeking answers to your questions on the Nespresso website or on their YouTube channel.
2. Compatible coffee capsules can be hit and miss sometimes, but this is in no way the fault of Nespresso or of their excellent coffee machine.
3. It’s not exactly quiet whilst using, but when the machine is pumping out 19 bars of pressure you’re going to have some noise!
This is a product that I would happily recommend to people. It is very affordable and the coffee pods (especially the compatibles) are good value. I paid about £65.00 when I purchased ours and it has proved to be an excellent investment!
If you are looking for a good value coffee machine that can make great coffee to your own required taste then Kitchen & Cook Shop highly recommend the Nespresso Inissia coffee machine, it’s just a shame that it’s not made anymore.
Are you looking for a gift for someone who likes to cook? We have come up with some great ideas to give you inspiration on that perfect gift for him or her. There are tools and gadgets for the kitchen that can help a cook at every stage, so take a look at the gift ideas below to find something for the cook in your family.
Gifts to help make easy meals
There are plenty of small kitchen appliances that can take the time and pressure out of creating meals. Those that love to be in the kitchen will be happy to receive these gadgets to give them more time to be creative in the kitchen. Slow cookers can create healthy meals through the day, leaving the cook free to do other things. Electric healthy grills can be used at your dinner table as a focal point to a party, and fryers make it easier to deep fry food unattended. Rice cookers are great for fluffy rice every time whilst a sandwich toaster or soup maker can help to make an interesting and tasty alternative lunch. All these great gifts are under £70.
There are also kitchen tools that help the food preparation process saving the cook time, and enabling them to create healthy treats and meals. Steamers cook vegetables, fish and rice in a healthier way, and blenders are great for blitzing fruit into smoothies, or vegetables into soup. A food processor is great multi-function tool which can help chop, slice or dice vegetables quickly and easily and some even have blender and whisk attachments which makes it a very useful kitchen tool and a very welcome gift. If you don’t have room for a food processor then a mini chopper is a great space saver and makes a slightly more unusual gift idea.
These top ten items are sure to make your party go with a swing. There are great ideas for displaying your party food and making the table look fantastic, accessories for glasses so you know which one is yours, and of course the obligatory bottle of bubbly stuff. If you need some ideas for party accessories, things then this list is a great place to start.
1. VonShef Slate Cheese Board with Knives and Small Dipping Bowls
The VonShef Cheese board is a 9 Piece Set and includes a Slate Cheese Board, 3 Ceramic Dishes, 4 Cheese Knives, and 1 Piece of Chalk. It would make an eye-catching center piece for parties and can also be used to serve bread and tapas.
2. Apollo Rubber Wood Lazy Susan With Ceramic Dishes
The Apollo Rubber Wood Lazy Susan severing platter is a very popular turntable great for serving party food and dips. It is made from rubber wood from sustainable forests and is ECO friendly, and comes with 6 ceramic white serving dishes for dips and sauces.
3. Fred Wine Lives Drink Markers
These cute kitty Fred Wine Lives Drink Markers wine charms will help to identify your friend’s drinks at parties, and are purr-fect for cat and animal lovers. They will snooze comfortably around the stems of your wine glasses while you drink and talk. They are made of soft, flexible silicone in six different colours and will add fun to your party!
4. Bottega Gold Prosecco Non Vintage
This 75cl beautiful gold wrapped Bottega Gold Prosecco will add a brilliant focal point to your party and is a great choice for the essential bottle of bubbly. This sparkling wine has a fruity nose with scents of Golden apple, Williams pear, acacia flowers and lily of the valley. It is the ideal choice for parties and is also a prestigious gift for special occasions. Made in Italy.
5. Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne
The 75cl Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne has a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity. It’s fruity with the sweetness of caramel but also the acidity of grapefruit and ginger creating a round fresh wine. The perfect bottle of champagne for your party in a stunning white bottle with bow. Made in France.
6. Freixenet Cordon Rosado Semi Seco Cava
This case of 6 bottles of Freixenet Rosado Cava Sparkling Wine will ensure that all your party guests will enjoy a special bottle of bubbly. Cava is a sparkling wine made in Spain and this special Freixenet Rosado from Catalunya is strawberry-pink in colour with a fruity nose. The taste combines blackberry, strawberry, dried fig and dates with floral and herb overtones.
7. Durobor Alternato Wine glass set of 6
The Durobor Alternato Wine glass comes in a highly stylish modern design and looks great on the table at dinner parties. These glasses come in a set of 6 with a maximum capacity of 410ml, without a filling mark. The bowl shape of the glasses make them ideal for red wine, but are equally good for white or cocktails, they are dishwasher safe and have dimensions of 136mm high x 95mm wide.
8. Dartington Crystal White Wine Glasses – Pack of 4
This set of four Dartington Crystal White Wine Glasses are made from lead free crystal. Dartington Crystal has been hand-crafting glassware since 1967 and they are now the only remaining large-scale crystal maker in the UK. Each ‘Cheers’ wine glass has a 350ml capacity and they are dishwasher safe.
9. LSA International Champagne Flute, Pack of 4
The LSA International Champagne Flute will hold 200ml of your favourite wine or champagne. This set of 4 distinctive glasses are made from mouth blown glassware and designed for everyday living and entertaining. They are suitable for all occasions and come nicely boxed ready to give as gifts especially for weddings.
10. Dartington Debut Flute Champagne Glasses Set of 4
These quality Dartington Wine Debut Flute Champagne Glasses are made from high performance crystal and are strong and tough as well as beautiful to look at. This set of 4 champagne flutes are also dishwasher safe and come in a convenient pack format that would make a great gift. Each glass will hold 17cl of wine or champagne and is 221 mm in height.
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Take a look at Kitchen & Cook Shop's Ideas Lists on Amazon. All of our best recommendations in handy lists ready for you to buy with a quick click. Including gift ideas, party essentials and more.
