Make light work of Christmas feasts with the help of these kitchen aids.
1. KENWOOD TRUE TRIBLADE HAND BLENDER WHITE
Hand-whisking sauces, soups and mash can be a vigorous activity, especially if you’re hosting a big crowd.
If your arms are aching and ready for a rest, make way for a hand blender. Kenwood’s True Triblade Hand Blender can be used in saucepans and bowls to cut down on washing up, and will soon turn leftover veggies into tasty Boxing Day soup.
All you need to do is plug it in, and blend. If you prefer your mash to have a smoother consistency, this stick blender will quickly put paid to lumps too. £32.99, Lakeland.
2. MORPHY RICHARDS 470001 3 TIER STEAMER
When cooking space is at a premium, simple gadgets like a steamer can really help free up precious hob rings.
Fill each of the three layers with your chosen veggies, set a timer and then leave the machine to do the hard graft for you.
And if turkey curry is a mainstay on Boxing Day, the rice tray on this Morphy Richards model will be put to good use. £24.99, Argos.
3. ELGENTO E010 POTATO PEELER AND SALAD SPINNER
If you’re cooking over the Christmas period, you’re guaranteed to be peeling a lot of potatoes.
If your sous chefs have conveniently gone missing whenever the scrubbing and peeling needs to be done, you might find this gadget useful.
Add similar-sized potatoes (small and medium work best) to the machine and it’ll take the skins off for you. The machine doubles as a salad spinner. £29.99, Amazon.
4. PHILIPS AVANCE COLLECTION MASTICATING JUICER
Make Bloody Marys and Bucks Fizzes extra special by loading them with freshly-squeezed juice.
This juicer by Philips will set you back more than £200, but, to its credit, it’s very slim (probably an inch or so longer than a two-slice toaster) and powerful enough to cut through harder fruits like apples, without leaving lumpy bits. £210.41, Amazon.
5. THERMO CHEF MEASURING FORK DIGITAL MEAT THERMOMETER
If you’re serving meat – and have a hundred other dishes on the go – it pays to invest in a decent meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked through.
This one from Lakeland comes stored with the cooking specifications of six different types of meat – including turkey – meaning you won’t have to faff around checking your turkey’s packaging for specific instructions.
By inserting it into your joint, it will tell you whether the meat is “well done”, “medium”, “medium rare” or “rare”, as well as displaying the temperature. Batteries are included. £9.99, Lakeland.