I think I’m in love – it’s the first thing I think about when I wake and the last thing on my mind as I drift off to sleep. My new Kenwood Chef stand mixer.
Of course, to qualify for the ‘treasured posessions’ series, this is no off the shelf John Lewis job, but one very special hand-me-down.
Recently the OH’s Nonna (Italian grandmother) has downsized from her family home of 60 odd years in North London. Which has meant the grandchildren have inherited some AMAZING family heirlooms that they have grown up alongside – I’m going to cover those in a separate post – but this one is dedicated to my designated heirloom: the Kenwood Chef Stand Mixer.
It is with some weight of responsibility that this particular culinary baton has been passed on to me, from a woman whose lasagna can make the grown men in the Mansi family misty eyed at the mere mention of it. Gulp.
I haven’t tried out the dough hook yet, so lasagna isn’t on the cards, however yesterday morning I was simultaneously whizzing up Country Bebe’s morning smoothie in the liquidiser that fits neatly on top of the mixer, whilst beating some cream to fill the THREE Victoria Sponges I whipped up last night. *smug face*
It is no coincidence that my sponges have doubled in size and fluffiness, thanks to Kenwood’s patented K-beater. The ‘K’ isn’t just for branding purposes; the unique shape is designed to beat, lighten and even fold – ensuring the most cloud-like of batters.
The cherry on the proverbial cake is all the attachments that it came with (Nonna is a real one for kitchen gadgets – the Heston of her time) – namely a mincer (the OH is planning on making Nonna’s meatballs this weekend) and a bean slicer. Yep, the search is over, my life is complete. It clips onto the nose of the mixer and you post your runner beans through the inlet and out come perfect julienne slices. Is it just me that this excites WILDLY?! It also has an aperture that pods your peas for you *brain explodes*.
So, duly bitten by the Kenwood bug, I have been scouring Ebay for other attachments – so far I have found an electric drum potato peeler, speed shredder and slicer, a coffee grinder, juicer… the list goes on. When I think about it, when these were launched they must have been revolutionary; cutting down the workload and prep time for housewives across the UK. Because of course, Kenwood is a thoroughly British heritage company.
I had ample opportunity to test out my new recipes as it was my mum’s 75th birthday yesterday, her first in 35 years without Daddy, which called for LOTS of cake. Namely this triple decker beauty with home-made raspberry compote, fresh raspberries and LASHINGS of cream.
Yum.
CF x
