2009-01-22

Sunbeam Cafe Machine



  • Intelligent programming monitors and controls water temperature
  • 15 BAR pump - Italian made
  • Semi-auto pump espresso machine
  • Crema system - Italian designed
  • Thermoblock heating system
  • Pre-infusion for greater body and sweetness from coffee
  • Full metal structure and components
  • Programmable control panel
  • Brass & phenolic filter handle
  • 2.1 litre removable water reservoir
  • Hot water function
  • Accessories: 2 stainless cappuccino cups & saucers, 500ml stainless milk jug and coffee spoon with tamper
Intelligent programming constantly monitors the water to achieve the temperature required as the stability of the water temperature has a direct effect on the flavour and body of the espresso.

2009-01-18

Gaggia Espresso

A choice that will be rewarded with high quality in the cup, and the advantage of also using coffee pods thanks to an additional filter. Chromatic finish that matches even the most modern furnishing style, bringing out the brilliance of the stainless steel details.








  • Intergrated water tank: 1.25L.
  • Heavy duty brass chrome plated filter holder.
  • Stainless steel boiler.
  • Panarello Cappuccino attachment.
  • 3 Filters: 1 cup, 1 pod, 2 cups.
  • Large cup warmer.
  • Can be used with pods or ground coffee.
  • ABS Bodywork.
  • Power: 230-240v, 50Hz, 1100w.
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar.
  • Dimensions: L:21.5 x H:35.5 x D:27.5cm.
  • Weight: 4.5kg.
  • 2 year warranty.

2009-01-13

John Wright Wok 74-000


Made from heavy cast iron, the John Wright Wok 74-000 is a versatile and efficient cooking vessel for preparing quick stir fry dishes and more.

This medium-sized wok weighs 8 pounds, 5 ounces and accommodates 8 cups of ingredients, while still allowing room for stirring. The wok has a long handle on one side and a short ring-style helper handle on the other. Both handles will heat up during normal use so oven mitts are needed to move the pan off the stove.

We found that the wok, with its flat bottom sits perfectly still on the stovetop so there's almost no reason to move it, except to take it off the stove. The cast iron works equally well with gas, electric, and even ceramic stovetops but you need to be careful not to move the pan once it's set on the stove or scratching may result.

We loved the sloped sides of the pan, which lent themselves well to the traditional stir frying technique of layering foods to be cooked from the bottom up along the sides. While the bottom of the pan was clearly hottest, the sides heated up nicely and provided an overall cooking surface for pan frying, braising and even stewing foods.

Like any uncoated cast-iron pan, the wok needs proper seasoning to achieve an optimum stick-free surface that will last a lifetime. A light coating of oil should be applied to the pan (inside and out) and the empty pan should be baked on a low heat setting to allow the oil to adhere to the surface of the pan.


Pros: Sturdy cast iron heats evenly
Cons: Needs proper seasoning

2009-01-12

KENWOOD SB520 DISNEY BLENDER

Kenwood SB520 Disney Blender Red/White. Great fun for the kids. The Kenwood SB150 is part of a set so you can also purchase the ice cream maker, toaster and popcorn maker if you fancy.

Features Include:

  • Prepares excellent smoothies in just minutes
  • 1.2Litre capacity
  • 350Watt
  • Simple level marks for liquid or frozen ingredients
  • Practical, no-soil tap
  • Stick for perfect mixing
  • The interlock button keeps the motor switched off until the lid is in place
  • Ready to use indicator

2009-01-11

How to Buy Food Processor

More expensive than most of my kitchen tools, but how could I live without a food processor.

There are all sorts of food processors on the market today to fit all sorts of budgets. While some are so inexpensive as to cause caution and others are so expensive as to cause laughter, there is still a broad pricing spectrum of food processors that are of excellent quality. Do your homework, find the food processor that meets your needs and your budget, and make an informed decision.

What Is a Food Processor?

A food processor is a tool designed to make repetitive kitchen activities go very quickly. Chopping, mincing, grinding, pureeing, slicing and shredding are all repetitive chores that are made much easier with a food processor, especially when done in quantity. While there are some non-electric food processors on the market (mandolines), most of us think of an electric appliance that has interchangeable blades housed in a work bowl generally made of clear plastic.

A Brief History of the Food Processor

In the history of kitchen equipment, food processors are relative new-comers to the scene. They made their appearance in commercial kitchens in 1960. These very reliable commercial workhorse machines were introduced by Robot Coupe (say Ro-Bo-Koo) and are still in production today. Home cooks in Great Britain could purchase a Magimix (produced by Robot Coupe) back in 1972, and North American home cooks were introduced to the Cuisinart food processor in 1973.

Do I Really Need a Food Processor?

Even less expensive food processors of good quality can set you back a bit, so before buying, ask yourself these questions.

Do you do a lot of chopping, mincing, slicing and/or shredding?

Do you make a lot of homemade dips and salsas?

Would you use a food processor at least once a month?

Do you have enough storage room in your kitchen/on your counter? (You’ll need 1 to 1 ½ cubic feet of space)

Do you have a dish washer? (Food processors have lots of pieces that need cleaning. All I’ve seen are dishwasher safe, and it’s safer to clean the sharp blade in a dishwasher than by hand).

If you answered “yes” to at least three of these five questions, you probably need (and probably more importantly, would use on a regular basis) a food processor.

Can’t I Just Use My Blender, Instead?

The short answer is “no.”

Blenders are designed with a conical bottom and require at least some liquid to keep food moving around through the blades. A food processor, with its broad, flat bottom and its wide sweeping blade does not require any added liquid. In fact, putting very “liquidy” ingredients in a food processor can result in a bit of a mess. If you already own a blender or an immersion blender and you answered “yes” to at least three of the above question, you probably could benefit from owning a food processor, too.

What Should I Look for in a Food Processor?


Since all food processors basically do the same tasks, you will want to find a powerful food processor that can process food quickly and consistently.

A heavy chassis will keep the food processor from “walking” during heavy-duty processing tasks.

A large capacity—at least 9 cups. Keep in mind, if you are processing liquid ingredients, the effective bowl capacity is just about cut in half.

A wide feed tube. A wider tube lets you push larger pieces of food through.

Safety features. You want to make sure that the bowl locks onto the base and that the top locks onto the bowl and that the processor will not start unless the unit is locked together securely.

Simple controls. Many models offer a wide array of speeds, but since processing takes place very quickly, you really only need On/Off/Pulse.

How to Buy Blender

Why it is important to have a decent blender in your kitchen?

This is one of those items that every kitchen should have but you don't need to spend a lot of money unless you want a high powered muscle machine with all the extra speeds. Some things you may want to look for in a new blender:

Power - the higher the wattage, the more powerful the blender. You will want a blender with at least 350 watts.

Capacity - most blenders range in size from 4 cups to 7 cups and I would suggest you buy toward the larger size so you don't have to worry about the blend overflowing the container. You'll find the large size especially helpful when you are pureeing large quantities of soups and or sauces.

Speeds - Do you really need 15 speeds to blend something? I don't think so. You really only need a fast, medium and slow speeds and the ability to pulse which is often required in some recipes.

Design - You will pay more for a sleek design and you may want that if you leave the blender on the counter, but if you store it in a cabinet and only pull it out on occasion, don't pay up just for a space age looking design. Pay more for better features like being able to remove the blades for cleaning, an extra wide motor base to provide stability and a opening for adding ingredients or letting steam out when blending hot soups. Really important is a tight fitting lid.

Materials - Glass and stainless steel are you two best choices when buying a blender. The advantage of glass is you can see what you are working with and with stainless you don't have to worry about breakage. I prefer glass so I can keep an eye on things. Plastic is ok and will be lighter than glass but after a while, the plastic scratches and can shatter.