NIGELLA'S KITCHENWARE

Nigella Lawson - a domestic goddess! I first came across her kitchenware while visiting family in London. At the end of one of the streets I walked each day was a kitchen store with Nigella's famous robin egg blue oval bowls in the window. That colour just drew me in and since then I have been a fan of her products. They are so elegant and the colours are so simple and fresh. The oval bowls are fabulous, as is her knife/chopper...the two handed one! Just lovely. Here are a few examples of what Nigella has to offer - and they are available just about everywhere across the globe now!

Vegetable and Salad Dishes

Mixing Dishes

Salt Pig

Salt and Pepper Piglets

Egg Cup and Saucer

Mezzaluna Herb Chopper

For information on where to purchase Nigella products online or at a store near you click HERE for her website's product guide and listings.



photo credit: nigella lawson.com & interior-tides.co.uk

STYLE IDEAS

Donna Hay is one of my favourite chefs but she is as equally at good at entertaining. A sort of Martha Stewart like Australian lady! Her style tips for the food and table jazz up any type of party! Her "do-it-yourself" type ideas make it easy for any entertainer to add a little pzazz to their normal ideas!

This is her version of a "care package.": Nurse winter colds with a comforting serve of soup delivered with love to a friends’ door. Once your home-cooked soup has cooled, pour into a leak-proof glass jar. Be sure to include a few herbs, crusty bread and a personal note in the package. (donnahay.com)

Hand drawn placemats: "Draw a plate, knife, fork and glass on paper and use them as disposable placemats to add a unique touch to your table. Use large sheets of paper in any colour you like and draw the shapes in charcoal or crayon to add colour. Go the extra step and write your guests’ name above or on the plate if you want everyone to sit in a certain place. This is a great project for kids." (donnahay.com)

Here is a great trick, especially for the warm months with the many outdoor parties!
"Weighed down.": Don’t let a breezy blow out ruin your well-set outdoor table – make your own table weights.1. You’ll need four potato-sized stones you’ve collected (sticks will do the job nicely, too), cotton cord and superglue. Cut out four 20cm lengths of cord. Pipe superglue around the diameter of a stone, place the stone in the middle of a cord and press to stick on. Hold in place until the glue sets, then tie the cord in a knot around the stone. Repeat with the other stones and cord.
2. Gather one corner of your tablecloth together and tie on the stone weight. Secure the remaining table corners with weights at varying heights. (donnahay.com)

Hopefully these fabulous tricks have inspired your for the next party you throw. Check out all the rest of these great ideas at www.donnahay.com under her "style ideas" section! ENJOY!


photo credit: donnahay.com

KITCHEN TIP - CUTTING BOARDS

Here is a tip for all you cookers out there. When it comes to preparing and then cooking with raw meats and vegetables there is something you should do: have two separate cutting boards. It is really not great to cut up any type of raw meet and then proceed to use the same cutting board for the rest of your preparing. I recommend getting a different colour cutting board for your meats and for your veggies. It makes it much easier to remember and super handy when you go to the drawer.

Another cutting board tip - don't cut garlic or vegetables that will stain on your wooden cutting boards. They will not only stain the wood, but things such as garlic will leave their smell. When washing a wooden cutting board make sure to only use water - no soap! (Same goes for wooden salad bowls!)