Clean your grill with half a cut onion. The acidity of the onion will clean the grease and grime from the grill bars. It is best to do this when the grill is still hot.
Throw herbs such as rosemary or basil over the coal - This will create a aromatic smoke whilst cooking and enhance the flavour of your food.
Place an ice cube in the middle of your raw burger before cooking - This will melt as its cooking, keeping the burger moist!
If you are making your own burgers for the BBQ, mix the mince meat with mayonnaise. This will add moisture to the mix and ensure juicy yummy burgers every time.
Cook fish over lemons or limes for added flavour - Place slices of citrus fruits around 2cm thick on the grill and lay the fish on top, this will keep the fish juicy and add extra flavour.
We all know someone who burns the sausages or chicken on a BBQ! This hack to figure out the hot spots of a grill should help.. - Turn the heat on high for 90 seconds and place slices of bread on the grill and then turn the heat off. The bread will show you what parts of the BBQ get the hottest and this will allow you to ensure nothing is burnt again!
Oil the grill - Either with a basting brush or oiled cloth, wipe down the grill to ensure that the food does not stick - Maybe even make an oil mix with either chilli or garlic for added flavour.
Fill a spray bottle with apple juice or a liquid seasoning of your choice - For this we would suggest mixing oil, apple juice, and maybe chilli, garlic and herbs into a spray bottle and this can be used whilst the food is slowly cooking to keep moist and flavoursome.
Enjoy 50% off KitchenAid stand mixer attachments and accessories! This offer is available for a limited time only!
The fight to minimize landfill and ocean waste is a huge one, to reduce the devastating impact caused by single-use and poor quality products on our environment. With this in mind, we have embraced the term 'Buy Once, Buy Well' and brought to you just a handful of products in this blog that fit this bill, or help the fight in other ways. With their outstanding features and exceptional qualities, it makes sense to 'Buy Once, Buy Well', as opposed to the false economy of buying poor quality products and having to replace them regularly.
Here we showcase some of our favourites...
Inspired by a love of the sea and the need to help reduce ocean pollution, T&G have created the beautiful Ocean Collection. Each item has been created with sustainability in mind and with each item sold in the collection T&G will make a donation to Plastic Oceans UK, who aim to stop plastic reaching the oceans within a generation. To view this beautiful collection consisting of ceramic kitchen accessories, cork boards, stands, wireware, sustainable woodware and much more, click here.
Black+Blum are passionate about the ability to reuse products and sustainability when it comes to designing and producing their products, using long-life and eco-friendly materials such as sustainable antibacterial natural bamboo, and binchotan active charcoal.
Built to last and discouraging single use plastics, we love their style too; a stylish, retro and on-trend utilitarian feel. Find these fabulous products by clicking here.
The family-run company Huski Home creates eco-friendly, sustainable and reusable homewares from natural waste. The travel cups and lunch boxes are made from rice husks which would usually be discarded. Melamine, BPA and Silicone free, each product is non-toxic and extremely durable, and able to last a lifetime. The colour range is beautiful. Find them here.
Every piece within this innovative Eco cookware range (including its packaging!) is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable - how amazing is that?! With 5 layers of extra durable non-stick which is reinforced with minerals, you can be sure of excellent performance and longevity. With each sale, Tree Aid will plant a tree in their Great Green Wall Project, helping people grow their way out of poverty and protect the environment. Click here to buy.
We have a huge selection of stainless steel bottles in store and online. They are fantastic for the environment due to their reusability and longevity. With double wall vacuum technology, you can be sure that drinks and food will be kept hot and cold for a considerable amount of time; some offering upto 24 hours! Leak proof, condensation free and a massive choice of incredible designs - find them here!
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All the flavours of autumn, these baked apples are stuffed with plump sultanas, mixed spices and brown sugar. Topped with a hazelnut crumb for a little crunch, these apples are finished with a decadent cider caramel sauce for a hint of sweetness. With only 5 minutes preparation time, and 25 minutes cooking time, these divine desserts are perfect to impress your diners when you are short on time.
Due to the high levels of sugar in this dessert, choose an apple that is a little tart to offset the caramel sauce. You could swap the hazelnuts for walnuts if you prefer, and sultanas for raisins - this recipe is very versatile depending on what is in the kitchen cupboard.
We are sure that these desserts will go down a treat, especially served in the stunning Le Creuset Stoneware Petite Casseroles in Deep Teal - find them here alongside other beautiful items in the Deep Teal Collection; combining the calming properties of blue with the renewal qualities of green, Deep Teal is a revitalising and rejuvenating shade. As shades of blue continue to lead interior trends, this darker, rich hue embodies an inviting atmosphere in the home encouraging relaxation. Enjoy.
To view the Le Creuset Range in a variety of beautiful colours click here.
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]]>Le Creuset Toughened Non Stick Cookware ( TNS ) is by far one of our favourite cookware series in terms of attention to aesthetic and overall performance. This comprehensive collection of frying pans, casseroles, saucepans and bakeware all include a 4* stronger, independently verified non-stick coating with induction ready bases that deliver excellent heating characteristics.
What's better yet each item is covered by a 90 day money back guarantee plus a lifetime guarantee!
Each TNS item in the series has a multi-layer construction comprising of 6 layers created using hard anodised forged aluminium. This unique combination provides excellent strength and heat efficiency whilst being light enough for everyday use.
Independently verified to be 4* longer lasting the Toughened Non Stick coating protects against abrasion from metal utensils whilst also being easy to clean and a healthier alternative due to the need for little to no oil. Both BPA-free and PFOA free, this unique formula does not peel or flake providing unrivalled quality.
These exclusive handles are secured by solid, stainless steel rivets that provide excellent strength, also the large pans in the cookware collection feature a helper handle for easy carrying from oven, grill or hob to the table.
Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick cookware is suitable for all hob types including induction thanks to the integrated magnetic stainless steel base disc that enables fast and efficient heat transfer and absorption. Each piece in the range is oven safe up to 260° C (or up to 220°C if used in the oven with a heat-resistant glass lid).
With an uncompromising Le Creuset Lifetime Guarantee and a 90 Day Money Back Promise you can be assured total confidence in this best selling Le Creuset Cookware collection.
The best way to protect your pots and pans is to use silicone headed tools and utensils. Fortunately Le Creuset have their own collection of kitchen utensils in their Craft collection.
If you are looking to use metal kitchen tools such as cooking spoons, wire whisks, or other utensils, these should be using with caution. However, kitchen knives, sharp edged utensils, hand mixers or blenders should not be used on the non-stick surface.
For the best results, wait for the pan to cool down entirely. Using a soft cloth or sponge gently wash with hot soapy water then rinse thoroughly before drying . Despite being fully dishwasher safe, we recommend hand washing since this can help enhance the life of the cookware whilst optimising performance over time.
We hope you’ve been enjoying our easy and cheap recipes on the blog, perfect for lockdown to keep busy, keep the children entertained, or simply to make some tasty treats.
Our next recipe can be used for starters, appetisers or a lovely snack, and they are ultra easy to make and so incredibly yummy: Brie, Cranberry and Pecan Bites. Here we go!
Serve freshly hot or at room temperature. They look great on a platter with grapes, apple slices, nuts, chutneys, cold meats and crackers. They are soooooo good!
If you’re not keen on cranberry you could try different preserves such as marmalade, fig, raspberry, apricot or strawberry instead.
You can make these upto 3 days before you need them. Simply cover/seal and refrigerate.
This is a tasty, quick and easy appetiser/starter/snack to make - we hope you enjoy them - we certainly do!
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If you’re not keen on peaches you could try pineapple or sliced tinned pears. Or even a mix!
This is a yummy, quick and easy teatime treat or dessert to make - we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
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]]>Our next recipe is a handy one to pull out of the bag to use with lots of desserts (see suggestions at the end of this blog): Versatile Strawberry Sauce
(Makes a deep cereal bowl full)
Our next recipe is a savoury accompaniment, perfect to serve as a snack, with lunch or with hummus, dips or soup: Pesto & Cheese Straws
(Makes 10 straws - double the ingredients up if more are required)
You could try using red pesto as an alternative to green if you prefer.
You could also try twisting the pastry to create twists rather than straws (we twisted some - see the pictures).
Another yummy, quick and easy lunch accompaniment or snack to make - we hope you enjoy it!
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]]>So here we go with this super divine Easy Apple & Marzipan Tart...
7. Whilst the tart is baking, make the sauce by melting the cream, caster sugar and butter together in a pan and simmer for 2-3 minutes or so until golden.
8. Serve the tart with some of the sauce and vanilla ice-cream - very naughty but VERY nice!
How easy was that for something so divine?!
So I mentioned the Stellar James Martin baking tins earlier… wow, they’re good! I absolutely love the double layer non-stick surfaces; makes cleaning super easy (they’re even dishwasher safe although I prefer to wash by hand)! They’re made from heavy grade carbon steel for even heat distribution, and are suitable for the oven upto 210°C. I absolutely love these - check them out by clicking here.
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]]>Our next recipe is a favourite sweet treat that is just the best - either have a slice cold with a cuppa, or serve warm with ice-cream or cream… oh my, you will love this one: Banana, Honey and Sultana Loaf Cake.
7. Spoon into the lined tin and bake for 1 - 1 ¼ hours until risen, golden brown and firm to the touch. From about 40 minutes into baking, check that the top isn’t burning. Cover lightly with foil to prevent this.
8. Cool for 5 minutes or so in the tin, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Serve warm or cold in slices: it’s lovely warm with cream or ice-cream. Enjoy!
If you’re not keen on sultanas you could leave them out, or replace with an alternative dried fruit or something like glazed cherries.
You could also replace the honey for golden syrup if you’re not a honey fan.
This is a yummy, quick and easy teatime treat or dessert to make - we hope you enjoy it!
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Whether it be to combat the boredom, entertain the kids, or provide you and your family with something yummy to eat that’s easy and cheap to make, we are sure you will enjoy what we have in store.
Our second recipe is savoury and super easy - a great one for the kids to help with (and love to eat!): Open Top Pizza Pastry
Why not try pesto instead of tomato puree?
You can also use whichever toppings you prefer, but make sure that they are not ingredients that are too ‘wet’, as these can make the pastry soggy.
Other toppings that we love here are sliced olives, ham, pepperoni, tomato, pineapple, mushrooms - the list could go on! As mentioned, be careful with ‘wet’ toppings such as pineapple, as if too much is used and/or it is very wet when it goes on, it can make the pastry soggy.
This is a great, quick and easy savoury treat to make - we hope you enjoy it!
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We are kicking off with a sweet treat that is simply divine and super easy to make using minimal ingredients: No-bake Vanilla & Chocolate Cheesecake.
]]>Whether it be to combat the boredom, entertain the kids, or provide you and your family with something yummy to eat that’s easy and cheap to make, we are sure you will enjoy what we have in store.
We are kicking off with a sweet treat that is simply divine and super easy to make using minimal ingredients: No-bake Vanilla & Chocolate Cheesecake. Here we go!
(Serves 2-4 depending how big you like your portions! Double the ingredients up to serve 6-8 but remember you'll need a larger container)
You could change the flavouring and add a corresponding chocolate on top. For example mint or orange.
This is a great, quick and easy dessert to make - we hope you enjoy it!
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Well, there’s good news - you can! Meet Blueair - the amazing range of air purifiers that keep air clean and help prevent germs, Flu, allergies, mold, microplastics, pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, smoke, odours and more. No other air purifiers deliver such high performance - read on to find out more.
An air purifier quite simply ‘purifies air’.
Who doesn’t like the thought of clean, fresh, and healthy air? Breathing clean, fresh air is good for a healthy mind and body afterall. It’s staggering to learn that the average person breathes 13,000 litres of air each day; imagine the difference if it was clean, fresh and healthy. Clean air improves sleep, energizes body and mind, improves focus and health in general.
Air purifiers are great for good health, with no health risks or harmful effects. They are great for the home, office/workplace, hotel, gym, salon - the list goes on. One of the most beneficial places for an air purifier is the bedroom. Bedrooms can be a huge source of allergens. Mold and mildew can grow in pillows from sweat and moisture that accumulates over time. Bedding is also a source of dust mite allergens and VOCs (as new mattresses give off gases). All of these things can irritate lungs and nasal passages and lead to poor sleep, making bedroom air purifiers very popular. And we all know how important a good night’s sleep is!
Blueair’s mission is ‘to help protect our children, society and planet from the effects of poor indoor air’. With a combination of talented designers and filtration experts, the Blueair air purifier range was born.
Blueair produce award-winning air purifiers with superior performance, low noise and Scandinavian design.
Their HEPASilent™ technology captures at least 99.97% of airborne particles (down to 0.1 microns in size), and kills germs by using clever and innovative technologies. In a nutshell, it super quietly delivers a high ‘Clean Air Delivery Rate’ and is highly energy efficient. It’s so quiet that you often don’t realise it’s on, and on its lowest setting it uses less electricity than a lightbulb!
No other air purifiers deliver such high performance of the above at the same time.
As mentioned, a Blueair air purifier keeps air clean and helps prevent allergies, mold, microplastics, Flu, pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, odours, smoke, germs and more. Here’s a rundown on just a few of these:
Mold:
It exists everywhere believe it or not! If you are allergic to mold, it can trigger allergic reactions and asthma symptoms. But even if you’re not, airborne mold particles can cause irritation in your eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. Mold is linked to asthma, coughing, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, rhinitis and more. The damp conditions that mold loves also promotes the growth of other indoor pollutants such as dust mites, bacteria and viruses. The first thing to do is try to stop the issue that is creating the mold. Mold prevention means limiting moisture and keeping indoor humidity levels below 50 percent. When you clean away mold though, the spores become airborne. This is where Blueair comes in, whisking these spores out of the air.
Microplastics:
Microplastics are tiny particles that come off objects found in our homes, such as toys, furniture, plastic bags, cosmetics and synthetic fabrics to name a few. The microplastic fibres from synthetic fabrics tend to be longer and therefore more harmful when inhaled. Blueair can help in taking these out of the air.
Flu:
Sneezing releases the flu virus into the air. Most people spend 90% of their time indoors; 65% of that time in their home: indoor air pollution can be 100 times worse than outside air, so purifying your indoor air can really reap the health benefits - imagine how many viruses could be eliminated from spreading using Blueair! (Please note: Blueair air purifiers have not been tested for the removal of the new Coronavirus yet, as it is a new strain that was only discovered in 2019. For further information click here).
Germs:
As well as capturing harmful airborne viruses and bacteria, these amazing machines kill germs too. Tests carried out by Blueair showed that 99% of germs were killed by their Blueair Classic Family machine, leaving the bacteria and viruses unviable and unable to reproduce.
A note about children:
Another point to note is the effect of air quality on children. Children's lungs are more sensitive than adults as they breathe more air in proportion to their size. Even babies in the womb are affected by air quality! Some evidence even points to bad air harming brain development and causing behavioural and cognitive problems. This can be more so in places where air pollution is high.
Here’s where it gets a bit scientific… when the machine draws air in via its fan, airborne particles are charged before they reach the filter. This makes them stick to the polypropylene fibres in the machine’s filter thanks to electrostatic forces. This also means that a less dense filter is needed, so more air can be pushed through with less noise, less energy and less ‘clogging’. All of this ensures lasting performance. How fabulous is that?
The polypropylene fibres in the filter are all different sizes and layered; they are interwoven to lock in particles. Polypropylene prevents bacterial growth so this and the growth of mold is prevented inside the machine.
Once captured, particles cannot get out, even when the filter is almost full. Particles like pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, microplastics, smoke and more are captured. The filter needs changing around every six months; just open the lid, take it out and put the new one in. It really is THAT simple! The filters don’t need washing or any additives - an additional bonus!
If you're worried about environmental implications, Polypropylene is an environmentally responsible synthetic, which breaks down into carbon dioxide and water when properly disposed of.
If you’re tempted, we currently have a few models available - here’s a little overview of each:
The BlueAir Classic 405 is suitable for any room upto 40m², with wifi compatibility to provide real-time air quality alerts to your smartphone. It has a built-in filter indicator to alert when the filter needs changing. The easy-to-read LED icons let you see the status of your air purifier’s Wi-Fi connection, speed and filter, while modern touch controls make operating different settings effortless.
The Blueair Blue Pure 411 and 221 models provide a compact design suitable for apartments and rooms up to 15m² (161 ft²) and 50m² (540 ft²), and have a 360 degree base for optimum filtration.
They have an easy to use one button speed control (3 speeds), keeping things super simple. They also feature a variety of different fabric pre-filters that can be selected separately to match the decor of your room. The pre-filter fabric can be cleaned by using a household vacuum. So clever!
So there you have it. If you’re longing for fresh, clean air then we can’t recommend Blueair highly enough. Top marks for amazing products to make you and your home feel good!
For more information on these wonderful air purifiers click here, and join us on social media to share! Why not check out our other blogs - click here to browse our blogs.
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]]>Learn how to make a delicious white bread loaf in several easy steps without the need for a bread maker or loaf tin. Quick and simple with minimal ingredients.
I love having a go at new recipes, and churning out my regular favourites. Lots of these recipes use fresh herbs that don’t come cheap in the supermarket, and are often not great quality (how many times have you come across limp coriander?!). I’m rubbish at growing plants of any kind so have (or so I thought) no option but to make the best of shop bought ‘fresh’ herbs. Well not anymore! Let me introduce you to the amazing Veritable Garden…
The Veritable Garden is a genius, innovative, stylish and super energy efficient indoor planting system which lets you grow plants used for cooking with minimal effort. Yes - MINIMAL EFFORT - true story. And it doesn’t matter what season it is - you can harvest and enjoy all year round as it doesn’t even need natural light! And here’s why…
The garden automatically adjusts its LED light’s intensity depending on the ambient light, to give the perfect amount of light to your plants. It employs a colour spectrum adapted specifically for edible plants which promotes quick growth and lots of fresh and tasty flavour. As the light is automatically controlled, it’s on for 16 hours a day and off for the remaining 8 hours, imitating a natural daylight cycle. You can adjust the height of the two lighting poles independently of one another to accommodate different plant sizes and speed of growth.
Ok, so the light part is nailed which is super clever don’t you think? But what about watering? Well - wait for this… you simply fill the water tank. The water tank holds THREE WEEKS worth of water! You could even go on holiday in that time without a worry! And brilliantly, the garden indicates when water is low and it needs watering; how handy is that?
There’s a wide selection of edible plants that you can grow… rosemary, dill, coriander, basil, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, parsley, chives and thyme are amongst our favourites. Each comes as a ‘Lingot’ containing organic seeds, organic soil and nutrients essential to each plant. They are 100% natural, compostable and biodegradable, and ready to use; and you don’t need to worry about PH, humidity, nutrients concentration, roots aeration, spacing between seeds, depth, etc - it’s all taken care of for you; all of which ensure regular harvests. They also don’t contain any pesticides or GMOs which is a relief, and can be stored for upto a year in a cool dry place if you wanted to stock up.
This all sounds great but I’m guessing you want to know how soon you can harvest your lovely fresh herbs and plants? Well pretty quickly! Plants are ready to be eaten in just 4 weeks and each Lingot guarantees a regular harvest for 4 to 6 months. The garden comes with 4 Lingots included which are parsley, chives, thyme and sweet basil, with more available to buy separately.
With a 2 year guarantee and fab eco-design (from energy efficient LED technology to recyclable packaging and refills), you can grow your own aromatic herbs, edible flowers and baby vegetables all year round without any effort, 2-3 times faster than in the garden and with one bouquet cycle per week for 4-6 months! Seeing really is believing - we have ours on display in store so do feel free to pop by to take a look - it’s amazing - hopefully see you soon!
Take a look at our very own Veritable journey pictures below...
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]]>The collection is inspired by popular and iconic Star Wars characters and is simply amazing! The fun, yet thoughtfully crafted, series lets the force be with you in the kitchen, wows your guests at the dinner table, and provides the renowned quality and durability from Le Creuset.
You may have seen our social media posts about this Collection, or visited the website for a browse, but we thought we would keep things simple and put all of these fabulous products in one place. Here we have a short blog doing just that.
So here’s a quick rundown on the collection…
The Limited Edition Darth Vader casserole dish from Le Creuset features a finished gloss onyx black exterior, with the lid’s interior capturing the galactic collaboration with “France” cast into the enamelled iron and translated into Aurebesh; the most recognizable written language in the Star Wars galaxy. How cool is that? Rest assured that Darth will protect your culinary creations whilst they are cooking away. Features include:
For more information click here.
The Limited Edition Han Solo roaster features a matte black exterior with an amazing and chilling embossed Han Solo figure protruding from the lid, making it an unusual and unique collectable for any true Star Wars fan. We love it! Features include:
These super cute and fun 3 Limited Edition mini cocottes are created from durable stoneware and glazed to prevent scratches. They are a unique and perfect choice for serving appetisers, portioned desserts or storing spices and condiments. They are 10cm in diameter and just fabulous! Features include:
For more information click here.
For more information on these amazing Limited Edition products click here. Buy online or head in store, and join us on social media to share! Why not check out our other blogs - click here to browse our blogs.
Above all: May The Force Be With You!
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There’s a little twist to making this cake… you add the eggs last and mix all the other ingredients with your hands beforehand. Yep, you heard right! And it’ll only take you about 10 minutes to prepare and about 50 minutes to bake, serving 8-10! You can leave out the sultanas if you prefer. Read on to find out more.
Eat cool or warm.
If storing, let cool and store in an airtight container for up to five days.
If you make this sauce again and need to store it, store in a clean Kilner Jar. These airtight jars will keep the caramel for upto 4 weeks in the fridge. When set, if you want it to become runny again, simply place the jar in a few inches of hot water to make it pourable again. This means that you could make the sauce in advance of the cake.
So! How was it for you?! We hope it went well and you will enjoy this recipe over and over again. We love this cake on its own, or with cream or ice-cream - absolutely divine!
We mentioned that these jars are perfect for storing the Salted Caramel Sauce.
Made from clear glass and featuring the iconic Kilner logo, the airtight lid makes these jars perfect for storing food for longer periods of time, whether you choose clip-top or metal screw top lid with a replaceable vacuum seal. View the Kilner range here.
This tin is made from quality carbon steel with a non-stick coating for excellent heat distribution and features a handy spring-form release so you can carefully release the sides of the tin away from the cake. Conveniently, the tin is dishwasher, fridge and freezer safe and comes with a 20-year guarantee (5-year non-stick guarantee). A brilliant choice for this cake and similar. View Masterclass Spring Form Cake Tins here.
We would love to see your Autumn Apple & Sultana Caramel Cake - do join us on social media to share! Why not browse our blogs for other ideas and recipes - click here to browse our blogs.
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]]>Before we start, if you’re new to KitchenAid, check out a bit of background information about this iconic brand…
Featuring a passion-inspired trimband with hundreds of miniature red hearts, and chrome accents (including a custom Power Hub cover on the stand mixer, marking 100 years of KitchenAid), the Centenary Queen of Hearts Collection is a modern contemporary twist on past KitchenAid products. So where did it all begin?
The KitchenAid stand mixer was ‘born’ in 1919 and named KitchenAid when the wife of an executive who was trialling it exclaimed that it was ‘the best kitchen aid’ that she had ever used. It offered attachments that did everything from slicing to straining, an amazing new concept to products made for the kitchen. With the addition of a bowl that secured to the base with an interlocking motion in 1937, this was the first appearance of the now iconic shape that we all know and love. The KitchenAid Stand Mixers became even more beautiful in 1955 when different colours of mixers were introduced; a choice of colours to adorn the kitchen was very well received by consumers to say the least.
KitchenAid didn’t just stop at small kitchen appliances: did you know that they launched their first dishwasher in 1949 (it was pink and white!) and their first refrigerator in 1986, leading to the brand’s first full line of major home appliances including blenders, hand mixers and food processors. Click here to browse KitchenAid at Potters Cookshop.
So what’s included in this celebration collection? Here’s a rundown...
Combining style with performance, and with a sturdy full metal construction, this stand mixer has a versatile range of accessories which you can attach through the single attachment hub to be able to grind meat, roll and cut pasta, stuff sausages, slice and spiralize vegetables, squeeze juice, make ice cream and so much more. Accessories include a 4.8L stainless steel bowl, a 3L stainless steel bowl, pouring shield, 6-wire whisk, flat beater, flex edge beater & dough hook.
It has a special stamped power hub cover and a stylish gloss finish designed to be functional, durable and easy to clean. The direct drive motor ensures that there is no power loss between the motor and attachments and helps to quickly prepare small and large batches. Along with several pre-set functions (which include mix, beat, whisk & knead) there are also 10 variable speed functions to increase control. A stunning piece of equipment that performs amazingly, whilst looking stunning on your kitchen counter.
This blender is the easy way to make smoothies, soups, shakes, pureed foods, spreads and sauces; it can even combine soft and harder ingredients like frozen foods, ice and superfoods like chia seeds. Its powerful motor and asymmetric stainless steel blades tackle tough ingredients like these with ease. It has 9 variable speeds (including pulse) to achieve different textures and a simple control panel that ensures ease of use.
This handy mini food processor is so simple to use, clean and tidy away. It has a stainless steel multipurpose blade, 2 speeds and a pulse option allowing you to chop, mix and purée from coarse to fine in minutes. It has a nifty drizzle basin which is ideal for creating unique sauces and dressings that can be served directly from the BPA-free work bowl which has a handy pouring spout and handle. It’s compact, lightweight design makes this food processor ideal for small kitchens and worktops, and it also features an in-bowl storage and cord wrap.
This clever toaster has extra wide and long independent slots for artisan and homemade breads, and a special bagel function to avoid burning one side (which is so annoying - perfect bagels every time now!); this is achieved by reducing the heat emitted on one side. You can even defrost and reheat! The high lift option allows you to easily reach smaller pieces of bread, whilst the ‘A little longer’ button lets you determine how toasted you want your goodies.
This gorgeous kettle has a timeless design and dual-wall insulation to keep water hot for longer whilst being cool to touch on the outside. The 1.5 litre interior is made from 100% stainless steel which helps to preserve water quality, whilst the 3kW heating element ensures rapid boiling.
This hand blender has a strong metal body, 5 speeds and a soft-grip handle. In conjunction with its stainless steel blending arm, which is detachable in order to attach different attachments like the 710ml BPA-free pitcher (with lid for storage) and wire whisk which it comes with, it makes hand blending a dream. The pitcher can be prepped and stored in the fridge, ready for blending purée, crushing, frothing, whipping and chopping. The powerful 180-watt motor ensures consistent performance whilst the S blade ensures easy preparation and serving.
This handy hand mixer has an efficient DC motor and 7 variable speeds with soft-start for precise control. The soft grip handle ensures comfort whilst the Turbo Beaters make even heavy batches easy. This mixer is a versatile, lightweight alternative to conventional stand mixers. The LED speed indicator is a handy feature, so you know exactly which speed you are using.
We thought we would treat you to a true ‘Queen of Hearts’ recipe; fitting for the occasion! This biscuit recipe takes around 30 minutes preparation time and 15 minutes cooking time, plus cooling and decoration time. Serves 12, tastes delicious and they look fab! Enjoy...
Ingredients
Method
So the question is: do you go for a couple of your favourite products in this collection, or go the full shebang? It's such a beautiful collection, with the addition of each product having so many clever features, high performance and brilliant quality. To buy yours click here, or browse the whole KitchenAid range here.
We would love to see your Queen of Hearts products at home (and your cookies!) - do join us on social media to share! Why not browse our blogs for ideas and recipes to use with this range - click here to browse our blogs.
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This luxurious collection features a variety of exclusive items created using premium stoneware in stunning pearlised pastel colours including Pearlised Chiffon Pink, Elysees Yellow, Pale Cool Mint and Pale Coastal Blue.
Included in the collection are mugs, espresso mugs, a cafetiere, teapot, ramekins and dip bowls. All items (apart from the cafetiere and teapot) come in sets of four. Fresh and pretty, they come gift boxed making them perfect to give as a gift whether it be for a birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas and the like; or whether you want to woo guests at an Easter gathering, baby shower, afternoon tea or any special get together. These beautiful table top accessories are a work of art – a dream to look at. Not only that, but add being fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, oven and grill safe and you really can’t ask for more!
Each item is made from specialist clays that are fired at super high temperatures, to ensure the highest quality end products. Le Creuset is so confident with this quality, that they offer a 10 year guarantee on all of their stoneware and dinnerware products. Needless to say, your Le Creuset collection is a real investment and definitely not a false economy. Prices start at £29 – you really won’t be disappointed. Words can’t express the beauty and quality of the Stoneware Glacé Collection. For more specific information on each product click here.
Fancy a recipe to show off in those gorgeous ramekins? Read on…
Admittedly this is a recipe devised by Le Creuset, but it’s so good we just had to share it with you. We made ours in the ramekins and boy did they look and taste good! It’s a no-bake recipe too which is brilliant for an easy dessert that only takes about half an hour plus an hours chilling time! Serves 4.
Ingredients
Method
And it’s as simple as that! An easy dessert recipe that tastes divine and looks amazing in the Stoneware Glacé Ramekins.
We just love this collection. We would love to see your photos of your Le Creuset Glacé items in action – please do share with us. Feel free to share your cheesecake too - enjoy!
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]]>We love them all, but we especially love the Stand Mixers. No doubt you will have spotted them on The Great British Bake Off, and The Great Celebrity Bake Off for ‘Stand Up To Cancer’; if Mary Berry approves then you know that they must be pretty fantastic!
So in light of KitchenAid’s 100th Birthday this year, we bring you our KitchenAid Stand Mixer blog – enjoy!
100 years ago, in Ohio, Herbert Johnson invented the 'H5'; the first household eggbeater. During testing, the wife of one of the company directors exclaimed “It’s the best kitchen aid I’ve ever had!”; and so the brand name ‘KitchenAid’ was born. KitchenAid has since never stopped inventing and improving innovative solutions for gourmets and cooks. All KitchenAid appliances sport fine craftsmanship, durability, sophisticated materials, sturdiness and meticulous attention to detail. True quality!
KitchenAid products not only look and perform amazingly, but their pink products contribute to charity too. In 2003, KitchenAid’s partnership with ‘Cook for the Cure’ began in the USA and later expanded to Europe, supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. A special edition pink collection was designed, and for each pink product sold in the UK a portion of its proceeds is donated to the UK’s Breast Cancer Haven.
All KitchenAid Stand Mixers have the following fabulous features:
Iconic, Timeless Design
Featuring a robust all-metal exterior, curved edges and a stylish smooth finish designed to be functional, durable and easy to clean.
Multipurpose Attachment Hub
The single attachment hub caters for a variety of accessories to maximize versatility. Perfect for creating pasta, sausages, ice cream and much more.
Direct Drive Motor
The direct drive motor ensures there is no power loss between the motor and attachments and helps to prepare small and large batches quickly.
Versatile Functionality
There are several pre-set functions which include mix, beat, whisk & knead, plus 10 variable speed functions to increase control.
The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM185 tilt-head Stand Mixer is perfect for creating a variety of recipes and comes in a range of colours: Brushed Nickel, Candy Apple, Cast Iron Black, Copper, Chrome and Medallion Silver.
Included are a range of stainless steel accessories including; 4.8L two-tone stainless steel bowl, 3L stainless steel bowl, pouring shield, 6-wire whisk, flat beater, flex edge beater & dough hook.
• Power: 300W
• Weight: 11kg
• Capacity: 4.8 litres, 2.7 kg cake, 1.8 kg dough, 12 eggs
• Size: H 36cm x W 24cm x D 37cm
• Guarantee: 5-year
The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175 tilt-head Stand Mixer is perfect for creating a variety of recipes and comes in a range of stylish colours: Almond Cream, Boysenberry, Contour Silver, Empire Red, Green Apple, Ice Blue, Majestic Yellow, Onyx Black, Pistachio, Apple Cider, Pink Silk, Tangerine and Raspberry Ice.
Included are a range of accessories such as; 4.8L stainless steel bowl, 3L stainless steel bowl, pouring shield, 6-wire whisk, flat beater, flex edge beater & dough hook.
• Power: 300W
• Weight: 11kg
• Capacity: 4.8 litres, 2.7 kg cake, 1.8 kg dough, 12 eggs
• Size: H 36cm x W 24cm x D 37cm
• Guarantee: 5-year
The KitchenAid Artisan KSM156BCA Stand Mixer is perfect for creating a variety of recipes and comes in Candy Apple Red.
Included are a range of accessories such as; 4.8L glass mixing bowl, wire whisk, flat beater & dough hook.
• Power: 300W
• Weight: 10.4kg
• Capacity: 4.8 litres, 2.7 kg cake, 1.8 kg dough, 12 eggs
• Size: H 36cm x W 24cm x D 37cm
• Guarantee: 5-year
The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer125 Fresh Prep Bundle comes in a range of colours: Almond Cream, Empire Red, Contour Silver and Onyx Black.
It comes complete with a Fresh Prep food prep slicer attachment as well as a flex edge beater, standard whisk, dough hook, standard beater and a 4.8L stainless steel bowl. Click here to buy.
The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer 125 Ice Cream Bundle comes in a range of colours: Almond Cream, Empire Red, Contour Silver and Onyx Black.
It comes complete with an ice cream maker attachment as well as a flex edge beater, standard whisk, dough hook, standard beater and a 4.8L stainless steel bowl.
The KitchenAid Heritage Anniversary Edition Stand Mixer features a useful tilt-head design, planetary motion and an attachment hub cover with a custom logo celebrating over 100 years. This stand mixer comes complete with a stunning 4.8L textured ceramic mixing bowl as well as a wire whisk, flat beater, dough hook and flex edge beater.
Textured Ceramic Bowl
The titanium reinforced ceramic mixing bowl is hard wearing and stain resistant. The bowl is microwave safe, oven safe (up to 250°C) and freezer safe. And beautiful too!
Planetary Action
By moving the head clockwise and the shaft counter-clockwise, it enables the beater to reach the edge of the bowl at 59 different points for fast and thorough mixing.
Durable and Reliable Design
Created from die-cast zinc construction and featuring a powerful (0.19 HP) direct drive motor to ensure optimum performance when carrying out a variety of preparation tasks.
Heritage Inspired
This mixer incorporates subtle references to KitchenAid's long heritage. These include a classic KitchenAid logo, custom power hub cover and a gorgeous soft misty blue finish much like one of the first colours used.
• Capacity: 4.8 litres, 2.7 kg cake, 1.8 kg dough, 12 eggs
• Care instructions: Wipe with a damp cloth (exterior)
• Size: H 36cm x W 24cm x D 37cm
• Guarantee: 5 years
There are various attachments that you can buy for your KitchenAid Stand Mixer if the model you have bought doesn’t already come with what you are after. They fit all models so you don’t need to worry about what will fit which model. Here’s a rundown on some of the great additions that are available:
The KitchenAid 3 Piece Mixer Attachment Pack includes a food grinder, a fruit and vegetable strainer, and a rotor vegetable slicer and grater. The Food Grinder grinds and minces meat, fish, vegetables, nuts, firm fruits and cheese. The Fruit and Vegetable Strainer is used in conjunction with the Food Grinder for processing and pureeing soft fruits and cooked vegetables, and removing pips and stones to make jams, sauces and purees. The Rotor Vegetable Slicer and Shredder slices and shreds root and raw vegetables, fruit, cheese, nuts and other foods, and comes complete with three different shredding/slicing drums.
Make your own delicious pasta at home with the KitchenAid Pasta Maker Attachment. The 3 piece, all metal set includes a pasta roller, fettuccine cutter and spaghetti cutter; allowing you to make all sorts of sheet pasta dishes including lasagne and cannelloni, as well as fettuccine, spaghetti and other ribbon pasta. The roller has 8 adjustable thickness settings so that you can choose your favourite pasta thickness.
The clever 4.8 Litre Glass Mixing Bowl features an integrated handle and pouring lip, meaning it can be used as a large standalone glass jug for pouring ingredients as well as for mixing. The durable glass bowl features graduated measurements to 2.5 litres on the outside and a handy silicone lid for use when proofing dough. It is also microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe.
The Flex Edge Beater, made from coated metal with a silicone side, is ideal for more thorough, faster and consistent ingredient mixing and is suitable for the dishwasher.
The Mincer Attachment makes light work of mincing meat, fish, nuts and grains. With its fine and coarse stainless steel grinding plates, the mincer attachment can be used to process foods to varying textures; perfect for use in all sorts of recipes. It is also supplied with a food pusher and 4-blade self-sharpening knife.
Create healthy ribbons of vegetables for use as an alternative to pasta, rice and noodles with the Spiralizer Attachment. It effortlessly peels, cores and spiralizes fresh produce for use in all sorts of sweet and savoury meals thanks to the versatile 4 blade system. The blades are dishwasher safe and are supplied in a compact storage box.
The KitchenAid Food Processor Attachment effortlessly slices, shreds and juliennes a variety of food items such as vegetables, fruits and hard cheeses. It features KitchenAid's revolutionary ExactSlice slicing disc with external lever, allowing you precision control over how finely you wish to process your ingredients. With 6 settings and a 2-in-1 wide mouth feed tube, this attachment is so versatile.
Click here to buy KitchenAid Stand Mixer attachments.
So there you have it! We hope that you’ve found this blog useful in finding out more about these amazing machines, and that it’s helped you choose if you’re buying – whether that be a stand mixer or any of the fabulous attachments that can be bought separately.
If you need any more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch or click here to view everything KitchenAid at Potters Cookshop. We have some fantastic offers and prices.
Our KitchenAid 100 Year Celebration VIP Event
Or why not come along to our KitchenAid 100 Year Celebration VIP Event? This event will take place on Tuesday 25th June 7-9pm, and will feature exclusive demonstrations, incredible special offers and more. Tickets are £5 and on sale in store only. There’s limited availability so book quickly to avoid disappointment. We hope to see you there! And keep a lookout for our KitchenAid window display – we have a brilliant surprise lined up! If you're not local follow us on social media.
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]]>Perfect for any celebration, or simply as a treat, are the truly stunning Olivia & Oliver flute glasses in gold and silver. There are two designs in silver, and two in gold to choose from. The designs are classy, simple and stylish, combining modern and contemporary styles to create a unique piece of glassware. We love their weightiness for extra stability, achieved by their glass and metal design.
They’re available in store and online; £15 per set of two flutes. But why not take advantage of our offer and buy two sets for just £20… now that is cause for a celebration, surely?!
So would you like an easy and stylish (and yummy!) recipe? Read on…
Do let us know how yours turned out – a great simple and easy, yet stylish, drink in beautiful glasses to wow your guests! To buy your Olivia & Oliver glasses, click here or call in store.
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]]>The Stasher Bag is a reusable silicone storage food bag that you can cook with. Yup, cook with! The patented, award-winning reusable food bag is eco-friendly, environmentally safe, and long-lasting; Stasher takes pride in boasting (and rightly so!) that their bags are ‘endlessly reusable’.
The bags are made from non-toxic 100% pure platinum silicone (a standard even higher than food grade silicone) which is hypoallergenic and free from nasties such as BPA, BPS, PVC, lead, latex and phthalates: a safer, more flexible, and more sustainable material. In addition to these benefits, the non-porous nature of silicone helps stop bacterial growth, mould and germs, making it perfect to use in the kitchen.
Plastic, for the record, is a petroleum-based product that introduces toxic chemicals to our food and environmental concerns to our planet; Stasher is all about changing this.
Well firstly, the bags have an innovative air-tight Pinch-loc™ seal which allows you to keep food fresh to either store, marinade, sous vide (a little more on this cooking method later), cook, freeze and more; simply remove air from the bag and pinch close to create a vacuum seal to lock in nutrients, flavours and juices. You can then store on the kitchen counter, or in the fridge or freezer (the bags are completely suitable for freezing).
When you’re ready to use your food, you can reheat or cook it in the bag (yes, IN the bag!) in the microwave, oven or in boiling water. The bags can withstand temperatures up to 400°F / 200 °C / Gas Mark 6 and you can even clean them in the dishwasher afterwards – how handy is that?!
The Stasher Bag can also store other items such as mobile phones, baby items, make-up and so much more. They are the endlessly reusable alternative to plastic storage, preventing millions of single use plastics entering landfill and oceans, with a multitude of uses.
Although they are ‘endlessly reusable’, should the need arise to dispose of your Stasher bag(s) they can be recycled because they are made from silicone (note that there are specific recycling locations for silicone recycling). We can’t imagine why you would ever need to dispose of your Stasher bag, but we thought we would mention disposal anyway.
We mentioned Sous Vide cooking earlier. If you’re not familiar with this method of cooking, in a nutshell food is firstly vacuum-sealed in a bag, then cooked to a precise temperature in a water bath for a set amount of time depending on what you are cooking, producing results that are impossible to achieve through any other cooking method.
The Stasher bags are perfect for Sous Vide: simply place your ingredients in the bag then seal, leaving a 2-inch opening anywhere on the seal. Slowly submerge your bag in water; the pressure of the water on the outside of the bag will push out any excess air and create a vacuum tight seal around the food. Once you have the bag almost fully submerged, pinch the seal completely closed to avoid any air entering.
This is a really quick and easy recipe, provided by the fabulous Stasher. We have recipe cards in store if you’d like to pick one up with your Stasher purchase. Enjoy!
Baking salmon in a Stasher bag keeps it perfectly moist whilst hanging on to all those lovely nutrients and flavours – try it and see…
Hey presto: succulent and flavoursome salmon!
We love Stasher here at Potters Cookshop. We love that it’s so versatile in its uses, but most importantly that it’s helping to reduce throw away plastic and the like, reducing plastic pollution. With the recent declaration of an environment and climate emergency, it’s more important than ever to help change the future of our planet. Using Stasher is a step in the right direction.
To buy yours pop in store or click here: more being added soon!
Our Sustainability Window Display at Potters Cookshop
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SUSTAINABILITY - How We Can Help Our Planet
Bee's Wrap Food Wraps: reusable and eco-friendly. Wave farewell to plastic wrap!
Scrub Daddy. Scrub Mommy. Scrub-tastic! Cleaning made easy!
Replace The Waste - The Rise of the Reusables and the Ecoffee Cup
Traditional Bread and Butter Pudding (made by layering slices of buttered bread with raisins, over which an egg custard mixture seasoned with nutmeg, vanilla or other spices is poured then baked) is a true British favourite. This recipe is a luxurious twist on this which is so simple to make. So let’s not hang about - here we go!
So how did yours turn out? We hope you’ll agree that this take on Bread and Butter Pudding is simply divine.
We recommended the Le Creuset Stoneware 23cm Square Dish for this recipe. There’s good reason for this and it’s simple: quality. Le Creuset has been making world-class cookware for almost 100 years, offering outstanding performance again and again. Leading chefs around the world swear by Le Creuset cookware; it really is superb.
We love these stoneware dishes as they’re suited to both sweet and savoury creations whether you’re roasting or baking; their durable scratch resistant enamelled coating comes in a variety of stunning colours to choose from. At 23cm squared, the dishes capacity is 1.6 litres, giving ample room to create enough yumminess for the family. You can use these dishes in the microwave, freezer and dishwasher, and they’re oven and grill safe up to 260°C / 500°F. To top off their brilliance, they come with a 5 year guarantee, and they’re currently (at the time of this blog’s publish date) only £27 each! To buy yours and check out the whole collection click here or call in store.
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Our Eco Sustainability window display at Potters Cookshop:
So you’re not sure of how ‘bad’ things are? Well here are some facts to give you food for thought:
And that’s just a few facts – I could go on all day! Literally! So cutting to the chase; what can we do to help ‘sustain’ our planet? Well there’s the obvious of recycling. But we could also be reusing a lot, lot more, and/or buying our wares from companies who do their bit for the environment.
You’ll be happy to hear that there are products out there that fit this bill brilliantly. We would like to introduce you to some of our favourites that we stock here at Potters Cookshop…
The Lock & Lock Eco range has been created using 100% food grade waste plastic gathered during the manufacturing process of other Lock & Lock products to eliminate waste. It is even packaged using 100% recycled paper.
Each container is food safe, BPA free, dishwasher safe and freezer safe – they have the ability to withstand rapid temperature change. If that’s not enough to tempt you, they’re airtight and have leak free lids, and come in beautiful transparent shades of purple, red, green and blue. There may be slight variations in colour, due to the nature of the manufacturing process mentioned earlier.
Because they’re designed to stack upwards and to the side, you can enjoy 40% more space than if you used other containers. Each container is super durable, guaranteeing more than 3 million (yes! 3 MILLION!) times of opening/closing! The cherry on the cake is that they also have a lifetime guarantee. We love these containers – they’re as kind as can be!
The BambooCup Travel Mugs are just fabulous. Reusable, they have a patented, lockable and taste free bamboo lid, whilst also being odourless to ensure the perfect taste of your chosen drink time after time – no coffee taste from last time if you’ve opted for tea this time and so on!
The cups are made mainly from sustainable and fast growing bamboo fibre which helps reduce the 2.5 billion plastic lined single use cups which go to landfill each year. Although not suitable for microwaves, they are dishwasher safe and come in so many contemporary designs to choose from.
The BambooCup feels lovely to the touch and has a thermal sleeve for comfort – so no burnt fingers! Here are a few of our favourite designs.
Such an innovative product up next - the Bee’s Wrap: the versatile and durable solution for sustainable food storage. Designed to store food such as fresh bread, cheese, fruit, vegetables, or cover a bowl, the Bee’s Wrap is made with organic cotton, sustainably harvested beeswax, organic jojoba oil and tree resin. They are fully biodegradable and compostable when they reach the end of their life, lasting about a year with proper and regular use.
The natural antibacterial properties of beeswax and jojoba oil help keep food fresh, allowing Bee’s Wrap wraps to be used time and again. They can even be used in the freezer, keeping food fresh for up to 3 weeks.
To use, use the warmth of your hands to soften the wrap and create a seal. When cool the wrap holds its shape. After use simply wash with cool water and soap and hang to dry.
We love these wraps – a great alternative to cling film and foil for storing food. They’re quite addictive once you’ve tried them – they feel so good whilst bending them into shape!
T&G have created a stunning Ocean range inspired by a love for the sea. The products in the range have been created with sustainability in mind. With each item sold in the collection, T&G will make a donation to Plastic Oceans UK. Plastic Oceans UK have been experts on plastic pollution for nearly a decade, and produced award-winning documentary A Plastic Ocean. They are now helping to solve the plastic crisis through their science, sustainability and education programmes. A great cause, with beautiful products to boot!
Shop T&G here.
The Huskup Travel Mugs are fab reusable eco coffee cups made from rice husk, which is the all natural by-product of rice milling, reducing eco impact whilst drinking favourite drinks on the go. All of these cups are biodegradable, BPA free, toxin free, melamine free and plastic free, and have a recyclable food safe silicone lid and heat sleeve. They can withstand temperatures of -30°C to 120°C and are even top rack dishwasher safe & microwave reheat safe – what’s not to love?! A brilliant travel mug with all the features, plus the reassurance that you’re helping our environment at the same time.
Huski Home is a family-run company that creates biodegradable coffee cups. Rice husks are used to make these gorgeous cups, which are a by-product of mass production that would otherwise be discarded and cause pollution when burned. Recycling and reducing waste-related pollution at the same time – amazing!
All Huski Home cups are recyclable and sustainable and are available in three beautiful pastel colours: pistachio, rose and duck egg – they really are gorgeous. Their leak-proof flip lid means that you can enjoy drinks on the go whether they be hot or cold; the twin wall ensures that drinks stay cool or warm (up to 90 minutes) for longer without burning or freezing your hands. They also have a handy non-slip base, are non-toxic, and are BPA and silicone free. Stylish, beautiful and eco friendly!
Corkcicle combines style with the reduction of personal impact on the planet with their stylish and reusable Canteens and Tumblers. Perfect for drinks on the go, they keep drinks hot and cold for prolonged periods due to their stainless steel construction and triple layer insulation. They are also created from BPA & Lead-free materials and feature easy grip sides and a super handy non-slip base. To add to their brilliance, the colour range is just amazing!
The Built range of reusable tumblers and bottles incorporate various features which enable you to keep drinks hot or cold whilst on the go and eliminating the need for environmentally damaging disposable cups. Whether it’s fresh smoothies, juices or hot drinks, the Built range offers a wide variety of bold and enticing colours in their unusual shaped drinking vessels – so stylish and practical!
Brabantia create a huge range of wonderful homeware products that you’ll love. But it doesn’t stop there; Brabantia truly care about the impact that their products have on people and the planet. Brabantia products have a timeless design, meaning that they won’t need replacing due to their design becoming ‘unfashionable’. Most products are made predominately from steel (80% of their weight), which makes them sustainable and recyclable. Other materials used by Brabantia are sustainable wood or ‘rubber wood’. Even their waste bin liners are biodegradable. Use of chemicals and solvents are kept to the bare minimum and nearly all production waste is recycled. Even the use of energy and water in production are closely monitored and integrated solar energy is used. I could go on but I’m sure you get the picture – official partners of ‘WeForest’, ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ and ‘Plastic Whale’, Brabantia take caring for the environment very seriously!
The Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag is a patented, award-winning reusable food bag that is eco-friendly, environmentally safe, and long-lasting. The smart alternative to plastic, the bag is made from non-toxic 100% pure platinum hypoallergenic silicone and is BPA, BPS, PVC, lead, latex and phthalates free. The innovative air-tight Pinch-loc™ seal allows you to keep food fresh to store, marinade and sous vide; remove air from the bag and pinch close to create a vacuum seal to lock in nutrients, flavours and juices. Suitable for use in the dishwasher, microwave and freezer, it can also be used in boiling water and in the oven up to 400°F / 200 °C / Gas Mark 6; great for quick reheating – simply grab from the fridge and reheat or cook in the bag. The Stasher Bag can also store other items such as mobile phones, baby items, make-up and so much more. The endlessly reusable alternative to plastic storage.
Another fabulous reusable travel cup… this time the Natural Elements travel mug, created entirely from sustainable bamboo fibre which is durable and doesn't affect the taste of the contents inside. Plain but stylish in colour, each mug has a lid and a protective silicone band to protect hands against from the heat. They have a 1 year guarantee and are even dishwasher safe. Another great alternative to throw away coffee cups.
And finally: the Stojo travel cup is an innovative leak-proof, collapsible, and reusable travel cup designed by coffee lovers. Ultra-portable, it's an environmentally friendly and convenient alternative to bulky travel mugs. Made from safe, recyclable materials and free from BPAs, phthalates, leads and glues, the Stojo is both dishwasher and microwave safe. It cleverly breaks down for easy cleaning, and even has a heat sleeve that folds up into the cup when collapsed, providing extra stability. Perfect for drinks on the go… once you’ve finished your drink, just collapse, seal, stow and go!
Shop Stojo here.
We are always on the lookout for innovative and eco-friendly products to stock, and make a difference to our precious planet. Watch this space for more to come! Click here to view our ‘Sustainability’ range online or pop in store – more being added soon. Be kind to our planet.
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Bee's Wrap Food Wraps: reusable and eco-friendly. Wave farewell to plastic wrap!
Scrub Daddy. Scrub Mommy. Scrub-tastic! Cleaning made easy!
Replace The Waste - The Rise of the Reusables and the Ecoffee Cup
Stasher: The Eco-friendly Stash, Store & Cook Reusable Storage Bag
]]>
Every little helps when reducing waste in today’s climate… so what if there was a reusable and eco-friendly way to replace the likes of cling film and foil? Well there is! A new way forward in storing food, whether at home or on the go. Read on to find out more about the amazing Bee’s Wrap wraps.
Let’s talk about the ocean. The ocean plays an essential role for life on earth. 70% of the oxygen we breathe and over 97% of the world’s water supply comes from the sea. Every day, the ocean is under attack from manmade pollution. An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastics enter the ocean each year — on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons already in there. This means that plastic could outweigh fish in the ocean in 30 years time. Gobsmacking info.
Worldwide, scientists estimate that half of all sea turtles have ingested plastic. This is only sea turtles. Imagine all of the other sea life affected, which in no doubt will impact on the food chain in the ocean and on land too; pollution doesn’t only affect marine life and their environment, it also affects mankind. If sea life is ingesting plastics and other pollutions, what are we ingesting on our dinner plates with our Friday night fish and chip suppers? The implications of this on our health are alarming. I’d never thought of it like this but wow, so very shocking in so many ways.
And that’s just the ocean, without going into landfill issues – I could write a huge blog on this topic! But let’s get onto the Bee’s Wrap wraps…
You will LOVE these. You really will! Bee’s Wrap have created a reusable and eco-friendly way to wrap and store food, eliminating the need for throw away materials such as cling film and foil.
Each wrap is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, impregnated with sustainably sourced beeswax, organic jojoba oil and tree resin, creating a malleable food wrap. Use to wrap a sandwich, vegetables, bread, fruit, cheese and so much more (note: not recommended for raw meat), or cover a bowl/container by using the warmth of your hands to form the wrap over your item. The wrap will hold its shape when it cools (within seconds!), creating a seal. It’s like magic! After use simply wash with cool water and gentle soap, hang to air dry and reuse. AMAZING!
Not only that but the beeswax and jojoba oil have antibacterial qualities that help to keep your food fresh and allow the Bee's Wrap to be used again and again. You can even use the Bee’s Wrap in the freezer, keeping food fresh for 2-3 weeks.
With proper and regular use, about a year. Great value for money, whilst doing your bit for the environment. The Bee’s Wrap is so eco-friendly that, at the end of its working life, you can cut it up and add to your compost bin; or use as a natural and effective fire starter. Even the Bee’s Wrap packaging is recyclable and plastic-free - just brilliant!
Bee’s Wrap is so versatile; whether you’re covering a bowl, wrapping up leftover ingredients, or packing snacks for on the go. You can even make handy envelope pouches – here’s how:
Why not give the Bee’s Wrap a try? A unique way to store food whilst helping the environment. Buy yours in store or click here. Enjoy!
Our Eco Sustainability window display at Potters Cookshop
Be sure to care and share our blogs. We would love to see you over on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Twitter.
SUSTAINABILITY - How We Can Help Our Planet
Scrub Daddy. Scrub Mommy. Scrub-tastic! Cleaning made easy!
Replace The Waste - The Rise of the Reusables and the Ecoffee Cup
Stasher: The Eco-friendly Stash, Store & Cook Reusable Storage Bag
]]>Read on to find out more and get some inspiration!
Wrendale Designs feature original artwork by brilliant Award Winning Artist Hannah Dale, who is inspired by the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside and outdoor life. Hannah started by painting hares with their expressive faces and unique personalities which were an immediate success. From this she went on to expand her repertoire and began painting other wild animals. These works of art developed into greeting cards and went on to be printed onto other products such as tinware, stationary, ceramics, melamine and textiles. The business now supplies products nationwide, as well as exporting all over the world.
Here at Potters we stock lots of Wrendale Design products including aprons, cushions, umbrellas, coasters, mugs, teapots, clocks, bookmarks, scarves, keyrings, kitchenware – the list goes on! Fantastic gifts for nature lovers, with a budget for everyone, starting at just £1.99. Wrendale Design products are both pretty and classy – a great Mother’s Day gift. Even our very own Greg loves the scarves – see if you can spot him looking ever so chic!
Visit our website here, or pop in store to view the whole collection, some of which are not listed on the website at present – coming soon!
Our quirky and cute Alex Clark collection of products are all thanks to North-Easterner Alex Clark. Her quirky depiction of dogs, cats, birds and farm animals are her trademark, inspired by the beautiful Derwent countryside and wildlife. Her extraordinary talent as an artist and designer has brought her to national and international prominence over the years, having been what she calls a ‘serious artist’ at first, before she bought an old stable building and decided to consider running off limited edition prints and greeting cards of her work. As if by magic, Alex stumbled across her signature painting style by accident… making a sheep that she had painted into a smiley sheep with rosy cheeks – her first fun and quirky ‘character’. The rest, they say, is history! Alex Clark designs are now found on greeting cards, art prints, gift wrap, gift bags, textiles, cushions, coasters, placemats, fridge magnets, bookmarks and a large variety of stationary items as well as a ceramic collection. Her products are sold worldwide! We love these products here at Potters… a budget for everyone for animal lovers with a quirky twist – so cute; perfect for Mother’s Day! Pop in store to view the whole collection – you will just love it!
Where to start?! We have some absolutely brilliant glassware and barware products that would make amazing Mother’s Day gifts for the ladies who love their vino, gin, cocktails et al. Stylish or kitsch, you’ll find something you’ll love here. Check out our stunning glassware collections for beautiful flutes, cocktail glasses, gin balloons, wine glasses and more. And browse our barware collections for cocktail equipment, ice buckets, corkscrews, stirrers, and bottle stoppers… the list goes on! Pop to the supermarket to grab her favourite tipple to add to your gift and hey presto… toast your Mum in style this Mother’s Day. Visit our website for glassware here, and barware here, or pop in store to view the whole collections, some of which are not listed on the website at present.
Not all Mum’s like a tipple but we are guessing that a lot love a cuppa, whether it be tea, coffee or the like. Our drinkware collections cover teapots, cups, mugs, travel mugs, cake stands and so much more… couple any of these with a nice shop bought or homemade cake and some teabags or coffee, and you have a gorgeous gift to give this Mother’s Day. Visit our website here, or pop in store to view the whole collections, some of which are not listed on the website at present.
I think it goes without saying that we have an extensive range of fantastic cooking and baking products! So much on the website, but even more amazing products in store! Quality brands of kitchen tools, gadgets, bakeware, pots & pans, kitchen storage, kitchen accessories, cake decorating equipment, textiles… wow, just so much choice for the Mum who loves her kitchen! Make sure you visit the website here, or call in store – we are certain you’ll find the perfect gift for that perfect Mummy-cook! There’s something for every budget whether you’re after a stylish, classy, fun or quirky gift.
So there you have it, some great gift ideas for Mother’s Day. We hope the special ladies in your life have a wonderful day!
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The KiddiKutter is a safe knife that children can use without the fear of accidents. Each knife has rounded serrations so they are able to cut food, not fingers. Cutting food is achieved by a sawing action; so whether it’s a tomato or a steak, the KiddiKutter can cut it! They can even be used at the dinner table as cutlery to encourage self confidence and independent eating habits.
The KiddiKutter has other benefits too; by involving children in the preparing of meals, they can be taught about food and nutrition which, in turn, may encourage them to try new foods whilst developing their fine motor skills. The easy-grip handle makes it comfortable to use and the coated stainless steel blade means that you can pop it into the dishwasher after use. Not only is it completely food safe and hygienic, its BPA-free too!
There are currently 6 fabulous bright colours to choose from: blue, pink, green, purple, red and orange. And of course, the KiddiKutter has undergone extensive testing to ensure ultimate safety.
So now you can let children as young as three help in the kitchen and develop a passion for cooking without worrying about accidents. The KiddiKutter is also ideal for older children and people with disabilities.
Don’t just take it from me; we have had three little Potters Cookshop fans give their seal of approval to the KiddiKutter recently… here’s what their grown-ups had to say:
Grace's Grown-Up Says:
‘Well, we’ve had a trip to Potters Cookshop to get our KiddiKutter… we got a red one. Grace cannot wait to use it tomorrow when we’ll be making Shepherd’s Pie; she is in charge of slicing some carrots. We’ve also had a conversation regarding knife danger, but how this knife is safe for Grace to use. A good opportunity to educate little ones regarding safety and making healthy food. Thank you Potters!’
UPDATE: ‘She’s one very happy Grace! The bunnies were happy with their carrot tops too! Looking forward to taste testing it all later!’
Alice's Grown-Up Says:
‘Alice has had a very busy weekend with her new KiddiKutter knife… so far she has cut her own sandwich, cut cheeses into chunks for a cheese sauce, and made a fruit salad!’
Penny's Grown-Up Says:
‘Penny absolutely loves her KiddiKutter. She couldn’t believe that she could cut through hard vegetables such as carrots and potatoes with relative ease. Penny isn’t keen on potatoes but all of a sudden she needed to try the ones that she had cut up for dinner once they were cooked. She is now asking regularly if any cutting is required when I’m preparing food – and of course I hand over the KiddiKutter and away we go! Just brilliant – I love her enthusiasm for cooking and we get to chat about food whilst we prepare our meals and snacks!’
What more can we say. An absolutely brilliant product in more ways than one. The KiddiKutter range is available both in store and online. Do pop in to see us, or click here to buy. Happy cooking – enjoy!
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]]>We used three fabulous KitchenCraft products to help us ‘cheat’. Here’s the run down on them:
KitchenCraft Sweetly Does It 3D Christmas Tree Cookie Cutter Set
The KitchenCraft Sweetly Does It 3D Christmas Tree Cookie Cutter Set comes with everything you need to build your very own cookie Christmas tree whether it be a stand alone or for a cake topper; you just need to make the dough! Use the 5 differently sized cutters and hole cutter to shape dough in to individual, tree-like layers, then bake before assembling them in to a Christmas tree shape using the included base and rods. Decorate with icing then hey presto, you’ll have your very own edible miniature Christmas tree! A unique feature for any festive gathering. Available in store £8.99.
KitchenCraft Sweetly Does It 3 Piece Snowflake Fondant Plunger Cake Cutters
The KitchenCraft Sweetly Does It 3 Piece Snowflake Fondant Plunger Cake Cutters are the perfect tools for creating beautiful sugarpaste, gumpaste and marzipan snowflakes. The 3 different sized cutters mean that there is one to suit virtually every need, from cupcake decorations to wired toppers to stunning Christmas and birthday cakes. The 3 cutters measure 55mm, 40mm and 25mm and come with a 12 month guarantee. Cut and plunge for perfect snowflakes every time!
KitchenCraft Sweetly Does It 15cm White Plastic Icing Smoother
The KitchenCraft Sweetly Does It 15cm White Plastic Icing Smoother is a must-have for the professional, amateur and aspiring cake decorator alike. With its super-smooth plastic face and integral handle, it will help you to achieve an immaculate finish to your marzipan and sugarpaste coated cakes.
You will also need:
If you fancy treating yourself to a mixer, view our range here.
Another Christmas make made easy!
Why not tell us how yours turned out in the comments below? We are loving our series of ‘homemade’ blogs leading up to Christmas – lots of treats to serve up to friends and family, or give as a gift; they’re all geared towards gift giving and sharing for the festive season. Merry Christmas!