What items did you splurge on during Covid?

smallblueplanet

Thinking about ‘gadgets’ and money spent, and needing a new espresso machine, and also wondering where it would fit in the kitchen/dining area, I looked at the ice-cream maker taking up counter space.

We splashed out on a proper electric ice-cream maker right at the beginning of lockdown. It’s one of our ‘kitchenalia’ ‘best buys’ and seemed extravagant then. It wasn’t, it’s great fun to make lots of flavours and types of icy things. Love it.

What gadget things did you splurge on then that you don’t regret the expensive of now?

dfk41

smallblueplanet Tell more about your ice cream maker. You are going to think I am a knob, but I went through an ice cream stage 15 years ago. This was when I found that there were basically two main ways of prep. making a custard or the American way that I have forgotten now! I had a Gaggia machine where you made the mix, put it into the machine to churn and freeze at the same time via its own compressor. I do not know if they still make them but it seemed far easier than putting a tub into the freezer and taking out every hour to stir!

Gadget wise, I buy many things that seem a good idea at the time but the one I use the most is the air fryer

Pompeyexile

dfk41

Funnily enough I have the Cuisinart ice cream maker coming this week.

After watching a brilliant ice cream making chap called Nick on his YouTube channel Polar Ice Creamery who knows so much about it and has loads of recipes and advice. I have already ordered some ingredients too.

But we are off to the Cotswolds for 4 days (having lunch at Clarkson’s pub) but when I get back I will be making some ice cream… Belgian chocolate and Butter Pecan for a starters😋

smallblueplanet

It’s a brand of machine in the style of the Gaggia but a Chinese made version.

If you like making bread - we eat sourdough style mostly, because it tastes better and is better for digestive needs.

I recommend one of these (you might have one), we have the cream coloured one, there’s lots more colours now.

https://www.bakerybits.co.uk/baking-equipment/mixers/ankarsrum-assistent-mixers

Just love kitchenalia. That Bakery Bits site is full of things you just have to have, no really, you do! :D

dfk41

smallblueplanet I have been through the read (and sourdough) fad but my Mrs is not a big read eater and moans when I tuck in, so bread making is consigned to the married cupboard containing those ‘things’!

I also went through a food mixer stage. Martin Nicholson, the owner of Niche used to work for Kenwood (but I had not met him in those days). These are two of the ones I owned. The red one was beautiful, the blue one had a larger bowl and was sort of semi commercial. The sad truth was the modern ones work far better!

Amberale

smallblueplanet

I am seriously tempted by the Ankarsrum.
They seem very expensive compared to a generic bread maker but a lovely piece of kit.

smallblueplanet

Ah yes love the old Kenwoods. We’ve one too but yeah of the modern version and it lives in the cupboards. We’ve also a bloody big Magimix 5200 too. So that’s part of what set me off thinking of gadgets, wondering where to put the new espresso machine when we get one. It probably won’t fit where the Classic was (part under cupboards) and there’s nowhere to stash other bits in the cupboards - need a bigger kitchen! :)

smallblueplanet

This will be then next ‘gadget’ after the coffee machine.

Pompeyexile

Amberale

I have had an Ankarsrum for over 5 years and wouldn’t go back to a ‘normal’ stand mixer. In fact , only last week I bought the stainless steel beater bowl for it so I can make cakes and such things that require hot liquids like Italian meringue that need hot melted sugar.

smallblueplanet

Amberale

They come with a edit: 7 year warranty. But the main difference is kneading more than one loaf will kill most ‘mixers’. We make nearly all our own bread and I guess unless you eat sliced white pap (which has it’s own place toasted!) then a bit like a coffee machine it soon pays for itself. :) Also if you can’t manually knead or don’t want to a mixer is easy, can’t think why chefs often poo-poo them. We make a double batch and freeze half.

HarveyMushman

Pompeyexile But we are off to the Cotswolds for 4 days

That’s my manor! Worth a stop at Daylesford if it’s not already on your list. Plenty of foodie treats to pick up!

dfk41

Pompeyexile I always preferred the custard style prep as I think the American method uses raw eggs. I probably made both but have happy memories of stitting stirring the mix for ages at a very low temp!

Pompeyexile

HarveyMushman

Day 1 just got back from Dunkertons Cider place. Loads of good ciders (we bought 9 different bottles) to choose from and food (great sourdough and massive sausage rolls bagged too). Their in door seating area with about 9 different food sellers was good and I ended up with a blue cheese smashed burger that was lush!

HarveyMushman

Pompeyexile

Very nice! Enjoy the rest of your time here.

Near Dunkertons you’ve got DEYA brewery about 10 mins away, they don’t always have food trucks there but a very very good selection of top notch beers to take away and a brilliant taproom.