:: Easy Kitchen - KitchenAid Artisan Mixer ::

Hopelessly Devoted to KitchenAid

:: Megann’s  Kitchen ::

:: making cakes with my KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer ::

It is no secret that in my kitchen I love, love, love my KitchenAid products. Why, you ask? They are just simply stunning pieces to own in your kitchen, dressing the bench top with style & class. They work fabulously with force & gusto. Their engines are built for a great deal of home cooking/small time industrial use, so using them every day is their forte. They make cooking, for me, so easy & an absolute joy.

:: making fruit ice-cream with my KitchenAid Artisan Food Processor ::

I have both a KitchenAid Artisan Food Processor & a KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer that sit proudly in my kitchen & use them both up to 4 times a week. The KitchenAid brand is top of the domestic line & worth every cent. When I sold my car, I decided to swap one engine for another & bought my gorgeous Food Processor. After burning out 3 “cheaper” hand held mixers in one year, the Artisan Stand Mixer was a complete surprise from my husband for my 30^th birthday. My beloved family & friends pitched in a few dollars to make a long-time kitchen dream a reality. Thanks guys!

I can only feature one Easy Kitchen product at a time, so I thought that I would highlight the ever so desirable KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer which I now consider part of the MK family. I just don’t know how I survived without if for all those years!

:: the basic start of pink macarons in the KitchenAid ::

The low down

Pros

:: Easy to use – my son & I do baking together using the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer all the time. He loves making the machine go faster/slower to easily mix in the ingredients.

:: Easy to clean – I can pop the metal bowl in the dishwasher as well as the mixer (not the whisk) attachment for an easy clean.

:: The die cast metal mixer looks fabulous on the bench top coming in many highly desirable colours.

:: It comes with a whisk for whipping, a dough hook for kneading & a beater for batter.

:: The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer also comes with many additional kitchen accessories & attachments for purchase, such as a food grinder/mincer & ice-cream bowl.

:: One of the best qualities for me is that the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is great for anyone with upper limb or back pain, as it reduces the amount of strain on the muscles & bones.

Cons

:: Creating so many tasty home made treats might also require some washing up!

:: It is heavy – but the sleek & gorgeous design allows you to keep it as a kitchen feature on the bench top.

How to use

:: Attach your mixing bowl & desired mixing piece to the stand, place ingredients into the bowl & turn to a designated speed.

:: Hand wash in warm, soapy water or add into your next dishwasher load.

Notes

:: I’ve got to say that the follow up customer service that I have personally received from Peter McInnes, Australia, has been outstanding. Every time I have called this company, they have found a simple solution for me. If anything goes wrong – let’s face it, that’s life – have comfort that KitchenAid & Peter McInnes are on your side, working with you in the kitchen.

:: my favourite chocolate Chip Cookies in the KitchenAid ::

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer Details

Construction: Die cast metal


Controls: 10 speed solid state


Capacity: 4.8 litres


Dimensions: 36.5 x 36 x 25 (cm)


Weight: 11 kg
 Motor power: 300 watts
Voltage: 220-240 V
Hertz: 50-60 Hz


RPM: 58-220 (speed 1-10)


Warranty: 3 month replacement, 5 year parts and labour for defects

Purchase: Through your local Kitchen Store or KitchenWare Direct

I have to say, both my KitchenAid products were purchased through KitchenWare Direct Australia, delivered for FREE straight to my door. Fantastic!

Please Note: this is not a paid endorsement – Megann’s Kitchen personally sources & only “promotes” products that are dearly loved, tried & tested over many uses in the kitchen. It’s all about pure joy & sharing my kitchen with you.

:: whipping egg whites with ease is now a dream come true::

Extract from Easy Kitchen

“I have to say there are some items & products in my kitchen I simply couldn’t live without. I have recently suffered terribly from radial nerve palsy where I temporarily lost full movement & use of my left hand, tendonitis in both arms & hands plus also acquired calcium deposits in both shoulders. Yes, it has made my love of cooking & life a challenge at times but I now understand the importance of good tools in the kitchen. Items that are not only fast for someone that is time poor, but are easy to use for someone in pain & having limited function. There are some that I rate highly in efficiency & quality and believe that they could give every kitchen a helping hand. I am going to bring a few essential items to you under a title Easy Kitchen. It is aimed at products in the kitchen that make my life just that little bit easier, & hopefully yours too. They are a few items that I believe help a kitchen to work like a dream, so please enjoy my Easy Kitchen”.

Megann

:: Easy Kitchen - Turbo Chef ::

Turbo Charged
:: Megann’s Kitchen ::

:: tupperware's turbo chef - an easy way to prepare ingredients ::

Soon after I had my son, Will, I decided to host a Tupperware Party in order to add to my ever-growing storage collection, but this time having baby & toddler meals in mind. I have bought much of the Tupperware Collection, but as a hostess gift, I received a Turbo Chef. Now, I have to admit that it wasn’t on my list of collectables & I am not sure if I would have bought it at the time, but I am ever so glad that fortune saw it land in my lap.

As you may know, I developed Easy Kitchen to inform my readers of tools in the kitchen that make my life that little bit easier. Whether it is saving time or energy, Easy Kitchen features equipment I just couldn’t live without. I had recently had some shoulder & tendonitis issues, which made even the easiest of tasks in the kitchen into a challenge. When I first used the Turbo Chef for finely mincing onions for a risotto, I couldn’t believe how easy it was for me to use. To think I had been chopping my onions with a knife all these years!

:: finely dicing onions with the turbo chef ::

The Turbo Chef allows you to chop an onion into simple 8ths (half, half then half again), place the equivalent to half of the onion into the container & with a few swift pulls of the cord chopping onions for your desired dish becomes a breeze. Oh, did I mention no more onion tears? If the recipe calls for it, I sometimes add my garlic in with the onion as well. Simple!

:: make sure to constantly stir your onions to prevent burning ::

If you have any leftover ingredients or need to keep the contents for later, Tupperware provides a handy lid for excess quantities that fits on top of the clear container! It is great for sauces. I pre-make my tartar sauce, pop the lid on & have it at the ready for dinner.

:: turbo chef is an easy way to prepare ingredients for satay sauce ::

The low down

Pros: The Turbo Chef finely chops or minces onions & vegetables like a pro!

:: Easy to use for both right and left handed people.

:: It is easy to pull apart & assemble again for cleaning & the base is dishwasher safe. When disassembled, keep out the top section as the pull cord should not get wet.

:: The Turbo Chef would be great for anyone with upper limb pain, such as tendonitis, arthritis, carpel tunnel, shoulder pain, etc, as it reduces the amount of strain on the muscles & bones.

:: I can imagine the Turbo Chef would be fabulous for pureeing small amounts of food for babies/toddlers as well.

Cons: Ummm, it has to be washed occasionally.

How to use: Simply place small amounts into an assembled Turbo Chef container, pull 4-6 times or until you reach a desired consistency, place contents into recipe!

:: Wash in warm, soapy water or add into your next dishwasher load.

Notes: If overloaded, like any food processor, it will produce some inconsistent results. Simply add small amounts at a time for a more dependable outcome.

:: The blades are extremely sharp in order for a effortless cut, so please be careful when cleaning.

Turbo Chef Details

Price: Turbo Chef: AU $57.20 or Chop’n’Prep Chef: US $45.00

Capacity: Base allows for 300ml worth of product

Dimensions: 10.8cm (d) x 9.2cm (h)

Rotations: Allows for 288 knife cuts in less than 15 seconds

Warranty: All Tupperware plastic products, if used correctly, have a lifetime warranty. Fantastic!

Purchase: Through your local Tupperware Dealer - see website for details.

:: the newly released smooth chopper ::

Tupperware has released a few sister products with additional functions, such as a beater, & with different capacities. It depends how often you will use it & what functions you desire if you want to invest the extra cash, but very much worth your while investigating these as well.

Sister Products: Smooth Chopper 730ml base: AU $76.45 or US $59.00

:: Quick Chef 1.3L base: AU $82.90 or US $69.00

prices are subject to change at the discretion of Tupperware

:: making tatar sauce is easy with the turbo chef ::

Sources

Visit Tupperware Australia for the Turbo Chef or for info on your local Tupperware representative

Visit Tupperware US for the Chop’n’Prep Chef to purchase online

Easy Kitchen Competition

Tupperware Australia has generously combined forces with Megann’s Kitchen to provide you with a chance to win one of these amazing red Turbo Chef’s & help make your kitchen as easy as mine! Thanks Tupperware! Follow the link for your chance to win.

:: Easy Kitchen: Zyliss Grater ::

Zyliss Cheese Grater

:: Megann’s  Kitchen ::

:: zyliss classic cheese grater- beautiful angel hair grated cheese ::

I have to say there are some items & products in my kitchen I simply couldn’t live without. Since having my son I have suffered terribly from radial nerve palsy in my left hand (somehow during childbirth!), tendonitis in both arms/hands & have also had calcium deposits in both shoulders. Phew! Is that all??? Yes, it has made my love of cooking & life a challenge at times but I now understand the importance of good tools in the kitchen. Items that are not only fast for someone that is time poor, but are easy to use for someone in pain & limited function. There are some that I rate highly in efficiency & quality and believe that they could give every kitchen a helping hand. I am going to bring a few essential items to you under a title Easy Kitchen. It is aimed at products in the kitchen that make my life just that little bit easier, & hopefully yours too. They are a few items that I believe help a kitchen to work like a dream, so please enjoy my new Easy Kitchen in the new year!

:: zyliss classic cheese grater ::

Freshly grated parmesan on hot pasta or stirred through a creamy risotto. Mmmmmmm.... delightful. I can taste it now! There is something about this incredible flavour that gets lost in the packet & only fresh will do. I know, I know, “I have no time for that guff” you are saying, but this Zyliss grater is so quick & easy for fresh cheese that you will use it on a day to day basis!

About 8 years ago I purchased this fabulous cheese grater from Zyliss after another less expensive brand melted away in the dishwasher. As you can see this one has stood the test of time & is just as effective now as the day I bought it. I use it numerous times a week for freshly grated parmesan or grana padana cheese, as they are a key ingredient in much of my weekly cooking. 

:: perfect for all hard cheeses ::

Pros: This gives a fine, angel hair consistency to your cheese. It’s perfect for on top of risottos or pastas, or to simply mix through recipes.

:: Also perfect for uniformly grating nuts & chocolate.

:: You can assemble the handle for right or left handed people.

:: It is easy to pull apart & assemble again for easy cleaning & it is dishwasher safe.

Cons: Hmmm, let me think.... nope, nothing.

How to use: Cut off a small wedge/block of hard cheese (or desired product) & insert it in the hole in the top, apply pressure to the handle as you wind & lovely cheese comes out the side. Too easy! Pull apart to rinse/wash.

Plus: All Zyliss products are Swiss made & have a 5 year warranty :)

:: zyliss classic cheese grater ::

Honestly, do yourself a favour & place this wonderful peice of equipment on your Christmas list for a stocking filler, or at the very least, buy yourself a little bit of happiness because I know you deserve it. I hope you love yours as much as I love mine!

Purchase: My Zyliss is an earlier model, but I have included a picture of the current classic model for you to set your sights on.

Amazon: Always a great price... now for that postage to your destination! Just follow this link.

David Jones Store: Often stock Zyliss products.

Specialty Kitchen Stores: Often stock Zyliss products.

I would also love to see your Megann's Kitchen Creations/photos of recipes that you have made on Megann’s Kitchen Facebook!