kitchen crunch: November 2008

Thursday, 27 November 2008

Kitchen Robot

The kitchen robot, called B21, keeps track of the contents of your kitchen and can learn simple tasks, and could soon be making your dinner while you relax.

Developed at the Technical University of Munichcan the robot can operate in a real kitchen that has been set up with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. As a result, the robot knows where everything is, and it can learn simple tasks simply by observing the movements of the
objects.

The team is also working to integrate a number of open-source software packages to enable the robots to get instructions from the internet. Robots would search how-to websites like eHow, converting natural language into robot-friendly instructions.

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Kitchen radiator

Minimum depth, maximum heat. Hidden under the grille of the mini canal, by Jaga, is an ultra fast Low-H2O element. An ideal complement to floor heating systems, but powerful enough to serve as a primary heat source. It is a great alternative to radiators where wall space is at a premium and is acclaimed by treehugger.com for reducing energy consumption by up to 12% compared to traditional radiators.

The internal elements of the Mini Canal have been made "invisible", using lacquered dark grey components. The only eyecatching element left, is the grille-cover which can be perfectly tailored to match the floor.

Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Alessi Egg Selection

Buk buk buk, another egg related post.

"Mr.Chin" Timer (above) by Alessi

Cico Egg Cup also Alessi

Monday, 24 November 2008

Textured Surfaces

DecoMetal® by Formica combines the colour and character of real metal surfaces with the lightweight, flexible and practical nature of laminate. It makes a practical, low maintenance kitchen backsplash which also adds an interesting visual and tactile texture to your design.

The Sculpted range by Formica has micro and macro textures to add dimension to the bold, plain colours it is available in.

Friday, 21 November 2008

Henry Built LA

I really like the warm, modern look of Seattle based, Henry Built kitchens. They have showrooms in Seattle and New York and are soon to be opening a Los Angeles showroom too.

Take a look at their website for some great layout ideas for your kitchen, bathroom and even home office.

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Go to War on an Egg

What boy would not want to use this fantastic egg cup by Reiko Kaneko.

Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Winter Thyme

Thyme is one of the hardiest herbs and so can still thrive at this time of year. It can be grown in the garden or in pots on the kitchen window cill.

So why not try this dish which will make your home smell wonderful, and for dinner you not only get tender, flavourful chicken, you also have soft, nutty garlic cloves to enjoy spread on hot French bread with the meal. Serves 2 to 4.

Ingredients

6 chicken thighs
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
20 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 celery stalks and leaves chopped
1 handfull chopped fresh parsley
Small handfull of fresh thyme
250ml dry white wine
750ml water

Recipe

Preheat the oven to 375°F, 190°C, gas mark 5.
Season chicken with a little teaspoon salt and pepper.
Separate cloves of garlic and put them (unpeeled) into boiling water for 1 minute. Drain and rinse under cold water, then peel.
Coat the bottom of a shallow casserole dish with oil, and add garlic, celery, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the thyme.
Add wine and stir.
Add chicken, skin side down, and baste.
Cover tightly and bake for 35 minutes.
Turn the chicken, baste, and bake for a further 40 minutes.

Christmas Cookies

Christmas is very nearly upon us, and I love it. So be prepared for quite a few festive posts from me over the next few weeks.
To start things off I've got this Set of 3 Cookie Cutters available online from Muji.
Making treats like Christmas cookies and biscuits is a great way to get kids into baking. And you get to help eat them too. Yumo!

Cosy Kitchen

It's getting a bit chilly in the mornings now.

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Silestone worktops

I have been using engineered stone surfaces for a few years now and Silestone is probably my favorite. They have a great range of 50 colours as well as polished, honed and leather surface finishes, so there is something for everyone.

The material is highly resistant to scratches and has great shock resistance, in most cases considerably higher than that of granite. This resistance is achieved thanks to its quartz (which gives it its hardness ) and the poliéster resin (elasticity).

Silestone is great from a hygene perspective too as its surface is completely non-porous and the material itself is embeded with anti-bacterial Microban.

Monday, 17 November 2008

Garlic Crushed

I use alot of garlic in my cooking and this garlic crusher designed by Ineke Hans for Royal VKB is definitely my next kitchen purchase. Simple, functional design, and better still when you wash this garlic roller between you hands it removes the smell from you hands too.