Quick and Easy Salad - OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner Review

Spin up a delicious and easy salad with the new OXO Good Grips Little Herb and Salad Spinner.  Perfect for cleaning the leaves of those 'Living Salads' you can buy these days.  Or of course, if you grow your own then that's even better!

  I'm not a huge fan of the pre-packed salads you see in supermarkets.

Why?  Because they have their shelf-life extended using 'modified atmosphere' packaging, which creates a balance of gases inside the bag to retain moisture and prevent browning.  Research has shown that a manufacturing technique used to keep the greens crispy for longer also destroys vitamins and protective anti-oxidants.

So with that said, much better to buy an OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner and wash your own leaves!

This newly designed 'Little Herb and Salad Spinner' from OXO Good Grips is excellent and serves as an attractive salad serving bowl too. 

One-handed operation, the non-slip ring on the base sticks to your worktop whilst spinning salad in next to no time.

At the press of a button, the brake mechanism stops the spinning immediately.  The flat lid makes storage more convenient and comes apart for cleaning at the press of a button.  I love the shape of the bowl which has a wide base and a flat top.

There's a non-slip ring on the base which makes it stable even when spinning at top speed!

 The flat top of the spinner makes storage convenient in either the refrigerator or cupboard.  This spinner is available with a green or clear basket.

Personally I like the clear basket - don't you think it looks good?

The inner basket can be used separately as a colander and the
    The elegant, clear bowl is perfect for serving too.  Top-rack dishwasher safe Made from BPA-free plastic.

Salad of Baby Leaves, Peppers and Plum Tomato with Feta:

So simple there isn't a recipe!
Just wash and spin some salad leaves of your choice in your OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner.  Add halved baby plum tomatoes, diced bell pepper, sliced spring onion (if you fancy it) and crumble over some feta cheese.

Season and dress with your favorite dressing - job done.   

Thank you to OXO and Cherelle for sending me this to review.

  All opinions and thoughts are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.  I only ever post reviews on products I like the look of, and therefore would buy myself. 

GAT Winner Collection Stove Top Espresso Coffee Pot - Review

 Just look at this wonderfully curvy and cute 2 person Stove Top Espresso Coffee Pot from the Italian maestros G.A.T.

 

This is a must have for any Espresso coffee lover.  You can enjoy Espresso in just a few minutes and in the comfort of your own home.
Available in eye-catching colours Orange, Purple, Green and Blue.

Judge 2 Stage Knife Sharpener - Review

Every good chef knows that it’s important to keep their knives honed.  

This new 2-Stage Sabatier Sharpener from Judge Cookware makes the job really easy.

The pull-through device makes it easy and quick to sharpen steel knives.  There's a two-stage pre-set carbide blade and crossed ceramic stone, meaning you can restore a blunt knife edge, or simply refine/hone an existing knife edge. 

Quick Easy and Healthy - Stir-fry is the Way to Go

 The Stellar 3000 Stir-fry/Wok:

Having been sent this (oh so very good-looking) wok from the Stellar cookware 3000 range to review, I got quite excited and had to make a stir-fry straight away.  I can't tell you how much I love this wok - available in lovely Ruby Red, Cream, or Black.
For me, shiny Ruby Red it had to be!

Everyone loves a stir-fry, they are so very easy to do and anyone can make one with just a few simple ingredients.
If you look in any good supermarket you'll find a huge range of ready chopped vegetables, with or without onion, with or without peppers, the list is endless.  They'll also have 'ready to wok' noodles and more stir-fry sauces to choose from than you can shake a stick at!

 Why is Stir-frying Healthy?

For a successful and healthy stir-fry you will need a good non-stick stir-fry pan or wok and then you'll find that you hardly need to use any oil.  Just a dab of oil wiped round the pan with a piece of kitchen paper and you're good to go.
The food will cook fast and vegetables will stay crisp and full of vitamins.
Of course, the only thing you need to pay attention to is the sauce you add to them since some will have high sugar levels.

 So, why am I loving the Stellar 3000 Wok so much?

 Well, it's non-stick, 28cm so it's a good size and it has two handles.
As it's manufactured from aluminium it is quick to heat up, which keeps vegetables nice and crisp.
The comfy-grip handles stay cool in use and the best bit, this wok can go into the oven too.  Oven-safe up to 180c makes it so versatile.

Stellar 3000 pans have Teflon Platinum Plus, a triple layer non stick coating with a raised textured base which means healthier cooking as you hardly need any oil.  As I've already said, just a dab of oil and a quick wipe round with a piece of kitchen paper does the job nicely.

Suitable for all hob types including induction.

Our favorite stir-fry is Chinese Vegetables in Brown Sauce: 

   For more information on Stellar products pop over to Stellar Cookware

Thank you to Pam and Stellar for sending me this to review.

All opinions and thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.  I only ever post reviews on products I like the look of, and therefore would buy myself.

Microplane® Elite in Action - Video Review

 Now this really is a must have gadget for any cook in the kitchen.
The Microplane Elite easily removes the zest from citrus fruit and makes grating hard cheese such as Parmesan a doddle.

  The Stainless steel blade is razor sharp and non-clogging.  The safety guard doubles up to catch grated food and has an handy measure guide too.
Soft touch handle and non-slip rubber for stability.  The Microplane is dishwasher safe, but the guard must be hand washed.

    Available in black, purple, red and green and with three different blades - Fine, Extra Course and Ribbon there's one for every grating job in the kitchen!

Having been kindly sent one to review, I thought it best to try it for the very first time in a video review.  I have to say I'm totally impressed with it.  Zesting a lemon really is easy peasy lemon squeezy!

For more information on this and other products please pop over to ictc.co.uk

Thank you to Pam and ictc.co.uk for sending me one to review.

All opinions and thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. I only ever post reviews on products I like the look of and would buy myself. 

Easy Chocolate and Banana Pancakes with OXO Good Grips

Pancakes, just about everyone loves them!
Sweet or savoury they can be whipped up in next to no time, especially if you have the right equipment.

Click here for my recipe for Perfect Pancake Batter then all you need to do is add melted chocolate, sliced banana and, if you fancy, a dollop of whipped cream.

Having been sent an OXO Good Grips Pancake Kit to try, I found all three items are brilliant for doing the job.

Yoko Design Products and Their Omelette Cooker in Action

In this post you will see some lovely exciting products from Yoko Design and a video review of the Yoko Design Omelette Cooker for the first time!

  Having recently gone along to 'Spring Fair' at the NEC in Birmingham, of course there were more kitchen gadgets than you can shake a stick at!

 Yoko Design are a French company that are keen to become just as well known here in the UK.  I must admit I hadn't heard heard them before but I loved their stand with it's bright colours, totally different and exciting range of products to most in the way of kitchenware. 
 All three products I am about to show you are 100% Silicone, free of toxins, dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe.

First up to test - The Cooking Bag: 

 The Cooking Bag cooks rice, pasta and vegetables in this cooking bag - great for cooking several things at once and no need to buy a colander!

Just pop into a saucepan and add water to cover the level of the top of the rice, peas or whatever.  Once cooked, simply remove the bag and drain through with the holes - tip the food onto your plate and that's it!

 

Second up for review was the Pop Corn Maker:

We love this! Just add popping corn (75g) or, to make life easier it works out at a scant 1cm of corn.  Okay this looks like nothing but trust me it's enough!

  Pop the lid on and into the microwave without the use of oils, chemicals or additives and without the mess and fuss of having wash up a saucepan and lid. I found it needed 3 minutes (based on a 1000w microwave) making sure you give it a good shake half way through so the corn 'pops' evenly.

And that's it - pop corn ready to serve straight from the Yoko Design pop corn maker!

And now for the Omelette Cooker: 

This is fantastic for anyone (like my husband) that can not cook an omelette without it looking like a disaster!
  Simply whisk your eggs, add some of your favourite toppings (cheese, onions, etc..) and ready your omelette is ready in between 1.5minutes to 3 minutes (time will vary depending in microwave’s power)

Watch my video of it in action:

 

About Yoko Design:
 YOKO Design was born in 2008, when two passionate chefs – who happen to be husband and wife – decided to combine their love of food with their eye for colour. Yoav and Sarah Achour saw no reason why the best kitchenware products should be reserved for professional chefs, and made it their mission to bring restaurant-quality products into the food lover’s home.  They quickly decided that their range of kitchenware would combine practicality with innovation, to bring about a fresh range of products that would be both high quality and affordable.  This creative vision soon attracted the interest of respected designer Isis, who has brought her great sense of style and aestheticism to all of their ideas.
Distinctive colours and styles have come to epitomise the YOKO brand. 

You can see a product and know straight away that it’s by YOKO Design. Among their innovative creations, look out for the Isotherm Box which keeps food piping hot for up to four hours, the Cooking Bag which takes all the fuss out of preparing rice and pasta, and their latest addition: the Microwave Popcorn Maker.

 YOKO Design’s products have brought a breath of fresh air to the kitchenware market, with styles and colours never seen before in the home. At the heart of the brand is the promise never to compromise quality with price: the products are, and always will be, premium, affordable, and very, very stylish.

Thank you to Sergio for sending me these great products to try and all the very best to Yoko Design in the UK!  

Mezzaluna from Vacu Vin - Review

This Mezzaluna from Vacu Vin really is a great kitchen mutli-tasker. 

  'The double-sided handle means both hands are off the chopping surface, making it virtually impossible for even the most clumsy to cut themselves'.......this is a good thing with me in charge of one!

Yorkshire Pudding Day and The Perfect Pan for the Job

 Celebrate Yorkshire Pudding day!  Each February, the 1st Sunday of the month is designated British Yorkshire Pudding Day.

First of all you need the proper pan for the job and this Yorkshire Pudding Pan from Mermaid Cookware is just the very thing. 

 Of course you also need a good recipe too - I use this one by Delia Smith.

Cheesy Leek and Bacon Muffins - Easy Recipe

Having been sent a Great British Bakeware Muffin tray to review, I thought I'd see if it lived up to it's non-stick claim of there being any need for paper cases.

   Verdict:

Well it has to be said, it was brilliant.  Just lightly oil and pop your mixture in.  Straight into the oven to cook and when your muffins are done they slide out really easily.

The tray was really easy to wash up after the baking was done.  It can go in the dishwasher but there really isn't any need, just hot soapy water and your all done.  

PO - Egg Cups Poachers and Cosies

These egg cups will put a smile on your face, or maybe not, depending on which one you choose in the morning!  

Will you choose the cute smiley chef egg holder, or the one enjoying his food?

 Made from white porcelain with natty black silicone hats, these are a fun and distinctive addition to your breakfast table.

Vacu Vin Bamboo Cutting Board and Tray - Review

This Bamboo Cutting Board from Vacu Vin is practical and looks good too.  Bamboo is a renewable source, inherent antibacterial properties, moisture resistant and more durable than conventional wood.
There's an integrated tray underneath the chopping board which simply slides out and allows the separation of prepared food from waste.

   You can of course use this space for knife storage, so that knives are always available - it's up to you.

Thermal Gravy Pot by Judge - Review

There's nothing worse than cold gravy and with Christmas just around the corner this thermal gravy pot from Judge Cookware is a must have for the kitchen.  Having tested it, I know it really does work! 

The extra gravy kept hot well after the dinner was eaten.

 The double wall insulated serving jug keeps liquids hot as it works just like a thermal flask.  

Time for a New Washing Machine!

If you've ever had your washing machine break down on you, it makes you realise just how much you use it and rely on it.  Of course you can have it repaired but if your machine is quite old, the cost of a repair outweighs the price of buying a brand new one.

Having a washing machine break down on me has happened far too many times now, and so it was decided, it’s time to buy a new one!
 After much searching the net for the right one for me, and with so many different makes and models to choose from, I decided to get a washing machine from Argos.

Argos offers an Express Delivery option on quite a few models which means you get your new machine delivered in just 2 days - marvelous!  I wanted a brand that was considered reliable, so after much research I went for a Bosch machine – click here for Bosch washing machines.
Over at the Argos website you can select a few washing machines to compare against each other.  Of course other sites have this feature too, but I found some didn’t actually work, which was very frustrating and wasn’t much use to me in the slightest.

Anyway, my new machine has an energy efficiently rating of A++ and a quick wash option to wash in just 15 minutes.  The delayed start button means I can set it to start when I fancy (up to 24 hours) and with a 7kg capacity drum it’s big enough to cope with my never ending piles of washing.  All in all I’m really pleased with the whole Argos experience.

Olive Oil Dipping Dish from The Handpicked Collection

 This dipping dish is so cute, I love it.  The ridges not only add to it's already good looks, but they are there for a purpose.  You can use them to wipe away excess oil off of your bread, making it both practical and stylish.  

I was instantly drawn to this product as any foodie person would be and I want 3 more for Christmas!

Slow Cooker - Spicy Chicken Stew with Sweet Peppers and Cannellini Beans

It has to be said, this slow cooker by Judge Cookware is excellent value for money.  If you want to cook for one or two people then the 1.5 litre is the way to go.  This model is also available in larger sizes 3.5L and 5L capacity.

Recommended by Delia too!
Being a bit of a fan of slow cookers in general (and you could say I have an obsession with them) I now have four.  My largest is 6.5L but I seldom use it.  There are only two of us and I've found this size 1.5L to be perfect.

Roast Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie with a Suet Crust

Having been kindly sent one of the new OvenLove casserole dishes from Premier Housewares which are coated with Teflon (a fantastic idea) I wanted to make something different to your ordinary casserole. 

 With that in mind I came up with a Roast Chicken and Vegetable Pie with a Suet Crust.

Dual Grind Salt and Pepper Mill by Judge - Review

Stylish, practical and every table should have one!  Dual Grind Salt and Pepper Mill from Judge does the job of grinding perfectly.

 Just hold the right way up for whichever you want to use (salt or pepper) then twist and the ceramic grinder does the rest. 

Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Onions - Made Easy with CoreStuff

Stuffed onions made so easy with this marvelous invention - CoreStuff from Judge. 

 Using this nifty gizmo means you can stuff almost anything you want to and the unique depth gauge means you don't have to go all the way!

Sabichi Brasserie Range Casserole Dish - Review

Sabichi have just introduced their fantastic 'Brasserie Range' and it's coordinating items.  Everything looks so impressive that you can take the cookware straight from the oven to the table, making it great for dinner parties.

   Having been sent the 25cm ceramic casserole dish to review I have to say I'm not only impressed with its looks but the quality of the product too.