July 25th, 2016
Baking is one of those cooking techniques that sounds deceptively simple on the surfaces. After all, when you get right down to it, it's mostly following some instructions and letting SCIENCE do the rest. A child could do it (and they do!). But even when you’re closely following a recipe, some steps in the baking process involve a fair bit of hard labour. Many a novice baker ... Read more
December 11th, 2015
Have you just been invited to a friend's housewarming party and would rather not be the typical party guest that shows up to the door with a $15 bottle of wine (that they may or may not even like) you just quickly picked up on the way? Now, I’m not dissing $15 wines because there is definitely some good-tasting wine for $20 and under, but perhaps you ... Read more
November 4th, 2015
It’s November, and you know what that means - the silly season has arrived. In the lead up to Christmas, we indulge ourselves in endless work parties, school functions, Secret Santas and a heap of scrumptious belly-filling food. In preparation for the mandatory ‘bring a plate of food to share’, impress your friends with home-made spaghetti from the Phillips Pasta and Noodle Maker. Just add flour, water, egg and ... Read more
October 26th, 2015
“Can I share with you my worldview? All of humankind has one thing in common: the sandwich. I believe that all anyone really wants in this life is to sit in peace and eat a sandwich.” - Elizabeth Miervaldis "Liz" Lemon The humble sandwich doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. It’s not often considered a “proper” meal, but rather the quick n’ dirty replacement for one, ... Read more
October 9th, 2015
Studio apartments, small one-bedroom homes and lofts... most of these places have one thing in common; they have little to no space! This is where 2-in-1 appliances work best, as they allow one appliance to work in versatile ways. So if you follow the list below, you should find your small apartment starting to feel bigger, without having to knock down any walls. Convection Microwave Ovens With convection microwaves, you ... Read more
September 22nd, 2015
All too many of us have a small collection of single-use small appliances cluttering up our kitchen cupboard - everything from ice cream makers to bread makers, rice cookers and juicers. These appliances tend to be very useful for just a few very specific household tasks, but unless they're being used every day, it's all too easy to let them slide into disuse. One new appliance that ... Read more
September 11th, 2015
Rice cookers are designed to cook yep you guessed it, rice! But that doesn’t mean you should limit your rice cooker. After a bit of research (and a few trial and errors) I came across some really cool recipes that can be cooked in most standard rice cookers, and guess what? Some of them don’t involve any rice at all! Steamed Tofu & Asparagus [caption id="attachment_33434" align="aligncenter" width="400"] ... Read more
August 10th, 2015
Going vegetarian is widely acknowledged to be a Good Thing, both in terms of ethics and health. But going vegetarian isn’t as simple as just giving up meat - it also means getting creative when you're cooking. For example, removing the steak from a meal of steak, chips and salad isn't going to leave you with a satisfying vegetarian meal. source: Siddhantsahni28 on Wikimedia Commons Making healthy and delicious vegetarian ... Read more
July 22nd, 2015
Washing up isn’t fun to do. This is a fact. Regardless of whether you find it easier to wash up by hand in the kitchen sink, or load up a dishwasher to do the work for you, it’s not the part of the day that many people look forward to. Here are a few ideas for recipes that let you get out of doing the washing up* ... Read more
July 16th, 2015
When we’re in our late teens or early twenties, the tough years of university are upon us, and it’s time to move out of the nest. The last thing on our mind is stocking up on the right kitchen appliances, because as we all know, these are normally the years of 2-minute noodles and loaves of bread. [caption id="attachment_32877" align="aligncenter" width="266"] Image courtesy of hyena reality at FreeDigitalPhotos.net[/caption] BUT ... Read more
July 13th, 2015
We Australians love to poke a bit of fun at our friends in the northern hemisphere for being unable to handle hot weather (“Temperatures may reach 30 degrees C in Britain? The poor dears…”*). That said, we ‘strayans can also be massive sooks when things get a bit chilly (“Snow? What is this I can’t even.”). source: Fir0002 on Wikimedia Commons While prevention is always the best cure (possibly ... Read more
June 21st, 2015
I was slow to come around to the idea of getting a slow cooker. But having recently purchased, and started using, the Sunbeam SecretChef HP8555, I have been quickly converted. My scepticism came from the fact I assumed this type of appliance simply carried out the functions of my oven - and even that it would do laboriously while sat obstructively in my kitchen on my already cluttered ... Read more
June 11th, 2015
Over the years we've learned of a staggering array of strange and unusual cooking techniques, ranging from sausages in the kettle to fish in the dishwasher. Some of these techniques are born out of necessity, while others are the result of experimentation worthy of a mad scientist. Today's we're looking at another unusual cooking method - can you use your cooktop for baking? Why not just use the oven? Many ... Read more
May 24th, 2015
The bugbear of even some of the best-minded home cooks is the monotony of using a knife and chopping board before the cooking can even begin. Those budding chefs who crave a healthy, but quick-fix home made meal, can be perturbed by the need for endless preparation of the veg, sauces and garnishes. Enter the multi-purpose food processor, and all the practical accessories that make it a hugely helpful ... Read more
May 12th, 2015
When the weather is cold and miserable, and you’ve just walked through the door from a long day at work, the last thing you want to eat is a cold meat salad or tuna on toast. At this time of year, we all tend to lean towards more filling, winter warmer dishes, such as stews, soups and curries. The PE6100 pressure cooker can help you create delicious meals that ... Read more