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AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN / 193Power Processing
Innovative chef Heston
Blumenthal, a Breville
ambassador, pushes his food
processor beyond slicing and
dicing. His top tips include:
✚ Creating emulsified sauces
such as mayonnaise, beurre
blanc and hollandaise.
✚ Whisking cream and eggs.
✚ Making French meringue.
✚ Kneading specialty doughs
such as soda bread.
✚ Prepping entire dishes such
as cottage pie or meatballs
in one bowl. You can mince
your own meat, chop and
slice vegetables and herbs,
then mix everything
together in the processor.Smart styling in the kitchen
Gillianne Griffiths, interior designer and creative director of Melbourne firm Griffiths Design
Studio, reveals her top tips for storing and displaying kitchen appliances:
✚ If you intend to have your appliances on show, seek out a brand that offers a broad range
so that you can achieve a unified look. Compact models are preferable as they won’t clutter
up your benchtops.
✚ If you prefer a clean, streamlined look in your kitchen, it’s crucial to incorporate smart
storage where you can hide appliances. Think deep drawers, cabinets and pull-out shelves.
✚ A hidden storage area with a pull-down rolling door is perfect for storing smaller
appliances. Positioned from most- to least-used, they’re kept out of the way until needed,
all housed in one convenient location.
✚ Don’t forget the power outlets. A good arrangement includes double power outlets on
either side of the cooktop, on one or two sides of an island bench, and any other spots
you may be using appliances regularly.< individuality, and they love curves,
character and colour,” says Jim Kalotheos,
Smeg Australia’s national marketing
manager. “They’re also looking at the
kitchen as a whole. They want a continuous
story, where there is a connection between
large and small appliances.”
Sunbeam’s head of product marketing,
Tim Anderson, concurs. “The popularity
of open-plan living means appliances are
on show more than ever before, so for
consumers, aesthetics are the most
important aspect of any appliance,” he
says. “In modern kitchens, appliances need
to earn their place on the benchtop.”
To this end, the iconic Aussie brand has
recently collaborated with revered designer
Marc Newson to create a futuristic
collection of Sunbeam toasters and kettles.
The results turn domestic appliances into
functional works of art.
When it comes to functionality, the
latest models are all about saving you time
and hassle. “Multi-cooking devices are
ideal for the time-poor cook and among
our most exciting new releases,” says Gary
Brown, senior brand manager for home
appliances at Harvey Norman. As an
example, he cites the Tefal Cuisine
Companion, which offers 11 functions
including Prep, Mix, Whip and Cook.
They’re also a great way to free up bench
or cupboard space. You can now replace
multiple appliances – such as your rice
cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker and
steamer – with a single device.
Wi-fi capability further adds to their
appeal, says Appliances Online CEO James
Fleet. “You can choose smart appliances
with apps, such as the Philips Viva All-
In-One multi-cooker or KitchenAid Cook
Processor, which allow you to download
recipes and shopping lists.”
With food intolerances more prevalent
and many of us looking to make healthy
dishes from scratch, personalisation is
key. Cutting-edge stand mixers are equally
capable of kneading dough, spiralising
vegetables and whipping up your favourite
ice cream. Personal juicers give you
drinks to grab and go by day and switch
smoothly to cocktail-making in the
evening. Food processors allow you to
pulverise foods into the finest powder or
select the thickness of individual vegetable
slices. Air fryers don’t just make chips but
cook entire family meals with little or no
oil, and digital kettles let you set the perfect
temperature for a cup of tea.
In short, today’s benchtop appliances
are designed to make workf low in the
kitchen faster and simpler. “They are
also designed to make life easier for the
cook – including when it comes to cleaning
up,” says Kalotheos. And that’s always a
good thing. #