Kitchen Essential

It was important though not to lose sight of the kitchen’s primary purpose. I have long disliked the placing of a hob or stove in a row of base units because it detracts from the symbolic significance and historical roots of the hearth. This partly explains the popularity of an Aga or giant solid- fuel stove comfortably placed inside a chimney breast. The stove is the focal point of any kitchen and wherever possible this should continue. Many families want to use a variety of built-in appliances, a composite stove was designed for the collection. This enabled the cooking appliances including an overhead canopy (containing an extractor) to be houses independently in one substantial piece of furniture, a little akin to the old ranges in Victorian kitchens. The stove could have its dignity back. Continue Reading »

Considering the sociability of the barbecues and the fact that you don’t have to clean the kitchen afterwards, it’s brilliant! It’s less fuss, more fun. We recently went for what we thought was a traditional (in the sense of a fire) barbecues at a friend’s house. When the fire was still not lit an hour after we got there and there was no sign of wood or charcoal we were getting a bit edgy, only for the hostess to nonchalantly stroll outside with the extension lead and her new electrical barbecues. Fair enough, it is easier, but lighting the fire and enjoying that delightful smell that stays in your clothes and hair for the remainder of the evening certainly adds a little je ne sais quoi to an evening under the stars. Continue Reading »

The term ‘china‘ is used to describe widely different materials ranging from the finest porcelain to heavy earthenware pottery. Fine china is usually kept for entertaining and a heavier duty pottery or earthenware is used every day.

Porcelain and bone china

This is the very best china and, treated carefully, will last well. Its extremely delicate appearance is deceptive, for it is remarkably robust and, unless knocked quite hard, is far more resistant to chipping than one might expect. It should not, however, be put into or on a very hot oven but should be warmed very gently. Overheating will cause tiny cracks to appear in the glaze and the lustre will disappear. Fine china should never come into contact with direct heat such as a low gas flame. Continue Reading »

Hamburgers

Equal quantities of good quality beef and pork should be minced and bound with egg yolk and basic seasoning to form cakes. These should be placed on a wire rack, with a dripping tin underneath, in a smoke oven pre-heated to 200 - 225^° F. There should be plenty of dense smoke as the hamburgers will only be in the oven for about 30 minutes. They can either be left in the same position for the whole process, or can be turned halfway through. Continue Reading »

All cutlery should be washed as soon as possible in warm soapy water. Salt, vinegar, lemon juice and egg can pit and blacken cutlery. Water will mark it too, although only temporarily. If you want it to look good, it should be dried and lightly buffed by hand — even if it is machine washed.

Stainless steel

Don’t use a silver dip on stainless steel, it will turn it dull grey. There are special stainless steel polishes.

Silver and silver plate

Sterling silver and plate should be kept in a baize-lined box or drawer so that the pieces do not get scratched or rubbed. Storage for silver not in use should be airtight. Remove egg tarnish from silver spoons with table salt. Continue Reading »

All cutlery should be washed as soon as possible in warm soapy water. Salt, vinegar, lemon juice and egg can pit and blacken cutlery. Water will mark it too, although only temporarily. If you want it to look good, it should be dried and lightly buffed by hand — even if it is machine washed.

Stainless steel

Don’t use a silver dip on stainless steel, it will turn it dull grey. There are special stainless steel polishes.

Silver and silver plate

Sterling silver and plate should be kept in a baize-lined box or drawer so that the pieces do not get scratched or rubbed. Storage for silver not in use should be airtight. Remove egg tarnish from silver spoons with table salt. Continue Reading »