If you're still running to and fro in a blind panic, searching for the ultimate kitchen gadgetry for the chef in your life then look no further. Here's my round up of the ultimate cool cooking tools that are definitely not just for Christmas.
The Smoking Gun
www.cookingconcepts.co.uk are the UK suppliers of this clever piece of equipment. Invented by Polyscience, it uniquely offers you the chance to have almost instant smoky food without waiting days or having to purchase it already smoked. I tested it out with a student of mine, after he saw Steve Groves, winner of this year's Masterchef, use it at the BBC Good Food show. Apparently, popular with many restaurant chefs, it is available to the general public with full instructions and 2 little starter pots of wood chips. The Smoking Gun works via a hose that literally injects smoke on your chosen food (that you have pre-cooked) but the food must be covered so the smoke can stay in one location. We tried it using simple cling film over a dish and this seems to work quite well as once you inject the smoke on the food you then leave it completely covered to fully embrace the flavours from the smoke. Of course, it's not just any old smoke. The main body of the 'gun' has a small recess on top where you can use wood chips, dried herbs and crushed spices, which are burned with a match within the recess. As the herbs/spices/chips burn, smoke is released out of the rubber hose. We tried it with Cardamom on poached pears and it did give a gentle hint on the pears. I would say, it needs some practice but once you've got the hang of it, you can even use it to impress your friends at the dinner table! Retail at £75 plus VAT and Delivery via www.cookingconcepts.co.uk or contact Tel: 01543 375311
My Cook
Mycook is a new product on the market so if you really want to show off then this is the one for you! It is actually made with the professional chef in mind but if you fancy yourself as a bit of a Gordon or James then go for it. It cooks by induction which basically means that electro-magnetic currents pass through a coil on the material to be heated (the pot) and creates even cooking in a very short time. Traditionally, induction hobs heat almost instantly and if touched, do not burn you. As the website, www.cookingconcepts.co.uk states, "It allows the chef to create surprising and
elaborate dishes using much less cooking time therefore giving consistent results every time."
Mycook has so many functions, it Blends, Grinds, Beats, Pulverises, Makes Soups, Whips, Grates
Chops / Mashes / Minces, Braises, Boils Pasta, Steams
Its very easy to use, just select the time, temperature and speed and set it to work! It comes complete with one 2 litre jug. Contact www.cookingconcepts.co.uk for further details and prices.
Something Quirky
If you're looking for something a little more lighthearted and quirky to give your loved one then check out www.iwantoneofthose.com where you'll find some really funny and cool kitchen gadgets.
I love the Knife Block – Designed by the Italian design guru Raffaele Iannello, the 'Voodoo' – or as known on the website, 'All Men Are Bastards' knife block, is destined to find its place among the greats in the top design museums of the world. It comes complete with a set of 5 stainless steel knives: a paring knife; bread knife; carving knife and a large and small chopping knife. Each of the five knives is held in place by a small magnet in the body, and the blades are protected at the rear by a frosted plastic sleeve. I thought it was very funny and quite fancy one myself. It retails at £59.99 and is still in stock now. Go to www.iwantoneofthose.com/knife-block
