Patented in 1950, immersion blenders (or stick blender) offer a new level of convenience over stationary blenders. The big difference here is that this appliance, which is basically a wand with rotating blades at its base, can be used in the container in which foods are being prepared in, so there is less clean-up involved with stick blenders. Bamix and Cuisinart make some very fine stick blenders. Swiss-made Bamix is a higher-end product; the company has been focusing on stick blenders exclusively since 1955.
The essential functions of today’s domestic food processor include chopping fruit and vegetables, grinding nuts and seeds, kneading tortilla and bread dough, shredding salad, mixing soup and grating cheese. Without a doubt, those who are doing lots of cooking that is heavy on the fruit and veg and who are not too enthused about the chopping duties associated will really benefit from a food processor.
One of the best features of the latest Magimix, Morphy Richards, KitchenAid and Cuisinart food processors are the clear work bowls. This allows the cook to tell exactly how long they need to leave the ingredients in the bowl to achieve the perfect consistency. Food processors really do make it easy for anyone to produce outstanding results in the kitchen, time and time again. Magimix, Cuisinart and KitchenAid are the biggies in food processors.
Mixers date back over a century. From their humble beginnings, in which they were operated manually, they have greatly improved over the years to become a must-have for any serious professional or home chef. Stand mixers can be used for a plethora of functions; including kneading doughs, making pasta and even to make delicious ice-cream. Their strong motors – the KitchenAid KSM150 model, for example, features a 300 watt motor – ensure that tough ingredients are mixed with ease. Hand mixers, on the other hand, are ideal for mixing icing, batters and soups.
Mixers, be it a stand mixer or hand mixer, are ideal for those who Love to bake at home. KitchenAid stand mixers are especially revered, as their uncompromising quality ensures the mixers will last for years to come.
