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The really useful thing
about having a reputation as a media gadget guru is that when it
comes to Christmas I have no trouble in finding a few special somethings
to help out in the kitchen at this busy time of year.
Many of the high street department stores you can
think of will stock an excellent range of kitchenware, but if I'm
at home in Norfolk, it's the family business of Andree and Gary
Lloyd in North Walsham where I go to look for inspiration and advice.
The following selection features some of the latest
gadgets on the market, plus a couple of tried and tested items which
I always keep in the kitchen.
Cafe Solo
Cafe Solo - £45 |
This coffee maker is a brilliant idea which makes
up to a litre of coffee in just four minutes and with its trendy
figure hugging jacket zipped up, it will keep hot for at least half
an hour.
Making the coffee couldn't be simpler, there's
no awkward plunger and the integral fine metal mesh strainer means
there's no grit as well. All you have to do is pour and the clever
lid stays in place as you do so.
Microplane Slider
Microplane slider - £5.95 |
I was the first person to demonstrate the Microplane
Glider on national TV and hopefully you'll already have one as nothing
compares to it for grating efficiency.
The latest addition to the range is a clever 'slider'
for holding grateable items and added security especially with the
extra coarse model pictured here. It delivers in an instant the
most perfect flakes of parmesan cheese - a delight for pasta lovers.
The Alligator
The Alligator - £19.95 |
Now here's something new which I'm really excited
about. It gives you in one easy movement the most perfectly diced
onion you've ever seen!
All you have to do after peeling your onion is
halve it and place on the grid through which you then push the stainless
steel blades, closing the Alligator's jaw.
Patrick's kitchen favourite
I'm often asked which is my favourite kitchen gadget
- the answer is always the same. A good cooks knife is always the
most essential item.
Never buy a knife before holding it first, it has
to feel right and comfortable in your hand to enable you to use
it properly. Always remember to try before you buy.
I'm also often asked about knife sharpening. There
are a number of possibilities on the market but the device I always
recommend, especially for home use, is the Chantry which features
two spring mounted crossed steels. They revolve as you draw the
blade through to equally sharpen both sides of the blade without
wearing it away. You can also use it on serrated edges.
Champagne cork remover
Champagne cork remover - £19.99 |
There's nothing better to sums up a celebration
than the sound of a popping champagne cork - but not everybody likes
the idea of flying corks and spraying bubbly.
This is another new gadget and it makes the removal
of a champagne and sparkling wine corks both safe and a doddle.
The arms of this gadget tuck under the bulbous
cork head and the lever handle eases out the cork with the gentlest
sigh. This is sure to be an international design award winner and
deservedly so in my personal opinion.
Items featured from Head Cook and
Bottlewasher
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