On The Hob

Kitchenaid is a USA brand which specialises in the manufacture of small kitchen electricals.  Their products are known for there quality workmanship and long life.  They won’t just work well in your kitchen.  They’ll also look good.  Each of their products is available in a range of stunning colours.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

The Kitchenaid Artisan Stand mixer is a solid metal mixer with a 300 watt direct drive motor.  A direct drive motor means that it is quieter than a standard mixer as their are less moving parts than a normal “belt / gearbox motor” .  It also means it is more reliable and longer lasting.  The 5 quart bowl has been ergonomically designed with a easy to hold handle.  The mixer itself has a tilt back head allowing full access to the bowl and easy changing of attachments.  Kitchenaid mixers are assembled by hand to give you a quality product and peace of mind.

The classic design is by Egmont Arens and dates back to 1937 and forms part of Kitchenaid’s Artisan collection.  The products in this collection have a stylish retro look with solid knobs and buttons, and smooth curves.

The mixer includes

and is available in the following colours – Click on the colour to find out more and purchase

• Red
• Cream
• Black
• Pearl Metallic
• Brushed Nickel
• White
• Blue
• Apple Green
• Yellow
• Boysenberry
• Pink

But that’s not all!  A Kitchenaid Artisan mixer isn’t just a mixer!  You can also purchase optional attachments to extend versatility of the machine into other areas.

KitchenAid Mixer Attachment Pack. Grinder/ Mincer, Slicer/ Shredder, Fruit & Vegetable Strainer

The Kitchenaid mixer pack aims to make your life easier by grinding, mincing, slicing, shredding and straining for you.  Click here for more information and to buy.

Here’s a short video showing the strainer in use.

Click here for more information and to buy.

KitchenAid KPRA pasta attachment

The Kitchenaid pasta attachment set contains three attachments so that you can roll and cut perfect pasta.  The roller attachment allows you to roll pasta up to 140mm wide.  This would be perfect for lasange, there are also two cutters which cut at different widths for either tagitelle or linguine.  Click here for more information and to buy the Pasta attachment set.

The following video from KitchenAid shows how to use your KitchenAid mixer and pasta attachments to make great pasta.

Click here for more information and to buy the Pasta attachment

A raviolli atttachment is also available here

KitchenAid JE citrus juicer

The KitchenAid Juicer attachment helps you get the most out of your citrus fruits.  Complete with strainer to catch the excess pulp and seeds.  Click here to find out more and buy the Juicer attachment

This video shows the KitchenAid juicer attachment in action.

Click here to find out more and buy the Juicer attachment

KitchenAid SSA sausage stuffer

Have you ever wanted to make your own sausages?  Perhaps create your own inventive flavours.  With the KitchenAid sausage stuffer it’s easy.  Click here to find out more and buy the Kitchenaid sausage stuffer.

If you’ve bought a Kitchenaid mixer the opportunities are endless leave a comment and let us know what you like best about your’s or any tips and tricks to share with our readers.

Not every one’s favourite coffee is from an espresso machine in Starbucks.  In the home Cafetieres and Stovetop coffee makers are increasingly popular.  But what are they and which should you choose?

Cafetieres

A Cafetiere is a glass or plastic pot with a plunger on top.  The brand La Cafetière  is most popular but they are also known as a French Press coffee maker or just a coffee maker.

Cafetieres

To use a Cafetiere you take the lid and plunger off, spoon in your freshly ground coffee and then hot water from a kettle.  Put the lid on with the plunger up.  Then once you have allowed sufficient time push the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds from the coffee.

Cafetieres are simple to use and great when you have guests, they come in all sizes from one cup to 12 cups, so much quicker than making an espresso for every guest!

Click here to buy a Cafetiere coffee maker

Stovetops

Stovetop coffee makers are becoming increasingly popular.  As the name suggests these are coffee makers for use on the stove / on the hob.

Stovetop Espresso Makers

A stovetop coffee maker has three components.  The water reservoir at the bottom.  A funnel shaped filter in the middle and the jug top ontop.  To use the coffee maker fill the bottom section with water, and the filter with your ground coffee.  Then place on the hob.

As the water heats it will produce steam.  But with nowhere for the steam to go the pressure forces the water up the funnel and through to the ground coffee.  As the water combines with the ground coffee it expands the coffee effectively “self tamping” and means more pressure is required for the water to pass through the coffee.  This pressure means that the coffee produced is espresso rather than a standard coffee you would get from a Cafetiere.  As the last of the water passes through the coffee it makes a characteristic gurgling sound telling you the coffee is brewed and ready to drink.

The most popular range of Stovetops is the Moka range by Bialetti.  You can buy the stovetops in “cup sizes” from just a one cup all the way to a 18 cup.

Click here to buy Bialetti Moka Stovetops from Amazon UK

Still not sure about stovetops?  Take a look at this great YouTube video showing how simple it is to make the perfect espresso.

Click here to buy Bialetti Moka Stovetops from Amazon UK

Fed up of dried pasta in the supermarkets and want to have a go at making your own.  The Italian Double Cutter Pasta Machine makes it easy.

Italian Double Cutter Pasta Machine

The machine consists of two rollers that can be gradually adjusted as you make the pasta, rolling the pasta into thinner sheets as the handle is turned. Once the correct thickness has been achieved, simply feed the pasta through the spaghetti or tagliatelle cutter to achieve the type of pasta you want!

Click to buy the Italian Double Cutter Pasta Machine

Below is a Video from Mike Iem showing a step by step guide to making home made pasta.

Click to buy the Italian Double Cutter Pasta Machine

NESCAFÉ and KRUPS have joined forces to bring café culture into your home with the launch of NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, a stylish, multi-coffee capsule system that will change the way you make, drink and think about coffee. With four delicious varieties, whether you prefer a frothy cappuccino, shot of espresso, a multilayered latte macchiato or a rich coffee lungo, NESCAFÉ Dolcé Gusto delivers a quality coffee for every mood and occasion.

Krups Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine

NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto combines the precision and technical perfection expected from KRUPS with the nation’s best loved coffee, to create a must-have kitchen accessory for the busy modern lifestyle. Sleek, funky and easy to use, this compact accessory comes in black, ivory, and red, guaranteed to bring a touch of flair into your home.

The NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto system from KRUPS uses the kind of high pressure normally found in professional machines. Simply lift the lever, pull out the pod-holder and pop in a specially designed capsule of 100% arabica, roast and ground coffee. Push the holder back, press down the lever and you’ll hear a pop. Move the knob to hot or cold and hey presto! Great tasting connoisseur coffees in a matter of seconds. You can even choose exactly how strong you want your cup – no hassle, no mess – which means you can relax and enjoy your favourite drink in style.

The new models boast improved features including:

• High 15 bar pressure, the ideal espresso pressure to extract all the flavour of the coffee
• Better, more sleek design for a qualitative look in the kitchen
• Improved ergonomics for ease of use
• A larger variety of drinks
• New water tank, with built-in transparent handle
• New safer and better quality brewing head
• Larger drip tray
• Magnetic pod holder provides a neat ‘stick-in’ feel

What’s more, every NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto system comes with a fantastic starter kit containing a chic and contemporary white cappuccino cup and saucer, latte macchiato glass, variety pack of capsules and a quick start guide containing recipe cards and instructions.
Product Features

Shop for the Krups Dolce Gusto Coffee Maker

Shop for the Krups Dolce Gusto Coffee Maker