Kitchen – Marbie's Kitchen

Holiday Gift Guide 2018 for Kitchen Lovers, Cooks and Hosts!

Michelle Davies — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 19:17:58 +0000

Gift giving is one of my favourite things to do, and not just during the holidays but all year round!

I love thinking about the person in question, their hobbies, needs and possibly their wants. As much as gifts are an expression of your love and gratitude, I also believe they can or should fall into three categories.

Something useful.

This will be something that they actually need and will use as opposed to stashing it away somewhere and forgetting about it.

Something sentimental.

This can have practicality to it but it’s usually more reflective of the fact that you’ve thought of them. It can be an ornamental gift or something personalised. The great thing about this category is it doesn’t always have to cost an arm and a leg!

Something necessary.

This type of gift is usually based on you being observant and seeing what they need but possibly aren’t aware of so they haven’t gotten it yet. Sometimes the person in question may have already made mention of the fact that they need this particular item, so that could work in your favour.

Within my ultimate holiday gift guide, I’ve taken the work out of it for you and included a range of gifts that fall into each of the categories above! The gifts included are suitable for those who love cooking, kitchen gadgets, entertaining guests and even baking!

There are also some adorable pieces that can fit into Secret Santa activities which is fantastic!

Hopefully you find something you can purchase for a loved one or if you’re a foodie, then something you can gently hint that you want!

Happy Holidays!

Le Creuset Stoneware Roasting Dish (26cm) – £39

If you didn’t know already, I’m obsessed with all things Le Creuset and this stoneware roasting dish is no exception! It comes in a range of colours but most things in the Teal/Caribbean Blue are a hit for me! Find it here and try not to buy the whole range!

2. Ferm Living Brass Salad Servers – £39.50

Pretty, shiny and useful. What’s not to love? Check them out.

3. Sophie Conran Dining Set 12pcs – £108.80

An extremely useful gift to purchase for someone who loves entertaining or great presentation. This plate set is the perfect mix of stylish, modern and classic.

4. Harvest Home Pestle & Mortar – £20

Seen a prettier pestle and mortar? Thought not. This one from Sainsbury’s is adorable and stylish all at the same time!

5. Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor, Jug Blender and Nutri Ninja – £139.00

This is actually on my list of must-haves! It’s such a great deal on Amazon and saves on having three different appliances for all these functions. Must buy.

6. Le Creuset Stoneware Cafeteire (Coastal Blue) – £44

Pretty and functional? Yes please.

7. Anthropologie Alma Small Glass Cake Stand – £16

Lately, anything from Anthropologie has been a craving for me but at this price it’s a no-brainer. If you have any friends who bake, this would be a treat!

8. Nespresso Pixie Coffee Machine by Krups, Titanium – £129

Is this what dreams are made of? Thinking of swapping my current Nespresso out for this one! Generally these are a great gift to give, so if you see a colour you think would suit their taste better, then feel free to grab that instead!

9. Kuhn Rikon Metallic Swiss Peeler (Straight) – £8.95

Remember what I said about gifts suitable for Secret Santa? This is one of them! This peeler is a must-have for me in the kitchen and any budding chefs you know would be grateful for one of these.

10. Aris Espresso Cup, £29 and Aris Espresso Saucer, £17

Can you tell I’m a sucker for the pretty things? If you are too then you need these! The cup is here and you can find the saucer here.

11. Peel, Chop, Carve Chopping Board – £28

This board is perfect for the ‘something useful’ category. A wooden chopping board is never a bad idea, especially when it has a witty phrase on it!

12. Sainsbury’s Home 3L Cast Iron Shallow Casserole Dish – Orange, £45

If the budget can’t stretch for a Le Creuset Casserole dish, this version from Sainsbury’s will work a treat! The vibrant orange will brighten up any kitchen even in these brutally cold days!

13. Luxe Loop Marble Drinks Trolley, £375

Ready to splurge? Then this is your best bet, especially if the recipient loves to entertain! A drinks trolley is a great way to take the hassle out of sorting drinks for your guests. Place some ice, mint, berries or lemon slices and your chosen drinks for the night and let guests serve themselves. Check it out here from Oliver Bonas.

p.s. there are much more affordable versions if you look around, but this one was too pretty not to include! I mean look at it!

14. Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer in Pistachio, (inc free gifts) £494.10

Will you be my Valentine? Sorry, I forgot it can’t be items…ha! This is just perfect and to top it all off, it comes with a bunch of free gifts which you’ll love including the glass bowl!

15. Chef’s Notebook in Tan, £18

This is a great gift for someone who currently wants to develop a few recipes or has a thousand dish ideas running through their head. It has cool features like conversion charts and of course the gorgeous tan leather cover. Thank you Santa.

16, Marble & Copper Bar Tools Set, £60

On the last day of Christmas, Santa made drinks with this gorgeous utensil set. Once again this is a great gift for someone who loves entertaining or perhaps loves drinking or making cocktails.

Hopefully one of these gifts makes it under your tree.

Happy Holidays!

Welcome to Marbie’s Kitchen!

Michelle Davies — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 20:39:41 +0000

Welcome into my kitchen!

I’m so glad you could make it here – into my favourite space of all time!

Honestly, I’ve loved the kitchen for longer than I can remember. I’ve always known it as the focal point of the home. From the buzz going on in there where an amazing meal is being prepared, to the times when I’ve been in there alone with some of my favourite songs on blast.

Over the past few years, the kitchen has been the space where I think, listen, connect the dots and so much more. One of my favourite things is being able to whip something special up and invite people in to have a good time.

I remember growing up, on Sundays after church a different family would take it in turns each week to cook something special and everyone would come round and just eat and drink to their hearts content. Discussing everything and anything over a hot meal seemed to make everyone forget about their issues and differences.

My mother was my introduction to that. She exposed me to understanding that food can do so much more than fuel you. It can bring people together, it can provide comfort, it can kickstart conversations and leave you speechless at the same time!

So I’ve decided to bring you into the space that brings me so much joy, into the space that has been incredibly transformative for me. I look forward to sharing the lessons I’ve learnt whilst being in the kitchen and also some amazing recipes of course.

Hopefully one day we get to meet. But till then, enjoy the site!

Love,

Marbie

Elderflower & Apple Mocktail

Michelle Davies — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 12:30:08 +0000

Ever had a drink that reminds you of summer? Or had a craving for something that’s sweet but not too sweet? Well this is it…the one drink that’s fail-proof and when everyone tastes it, they seem to love it! It has provided relief on some incredibly hot days but guess what? It’s delicious all year round if I’m honest.

Before I share the recipe with you, can I let you in on a little secret? The magic is in the little details. Those little garnishes and ingredients that seem unnecessary will actually add a whole heap of flavour to the drink. Ok let’s get to it!

Elderflower & Apple Mocktail

Summery, Fruity and Fresh! The perfect mocktail!

1 Bottle Elderflower Cordial
1 Bottle Sparkling Water
1 Carton Apple Juice
1/2 Cup Blueberries
1 Cup Strawberries
1 Lemon
Mint leaves
Ice

Wash the lemon, strawberries, blueberries and mint.
Slice the lemon into rounds and cut the strawberries in half.
Combine all of these into a large jug.
Pour the elderflower cordial into the fruit mixture and stir. (try to squash some of the fruit to release its juices). Then pour half of the apple juice into the mix and then some sparkling water.
Add ice, stir and enjoy!

Thankfully this recipe can be easily adapted so feel free to add as much elderflower cordial as you’d like or to add more or less apple juice until it’s just right for you!

What’s your favourite mocktail recipe? Let me know below!

Must Haves for My Kitchen

Michelle Davies — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 22:33:49 +0000

The truth is, every kitchen is going to look and feel different for a number of reasons. What is crucial for the functionality of the kitchen depends on the owner, their needs, how frequently the kitchen is used and what resources are readily available.

For me, the kitchen has always been more than the space I cook in. It’s been like a safe space and a growth hub all in one. I think a whole lot in my kitchen, whilst cooking or washing up. I even learn life lessons whilst making the simplest of dishes. It’s like there’s room for the dots to connect in my mind whilst I’m putting a meal together.

There have been amazing soul-searching conversations, belly-aching laughter and some moments where I’ve simply had to be held whilst sobbing.

Aside from the life lessons there have also been many dance parties in my kitchen. I have held concerts in there with my trusted wooden spoon microphone as though I was Beyonce’s lost twin sister.

However there are some things that I need to have in my kitchen but without them it’s just not the same space.

MUSIC & GREAT SPEAKERS

Listen, if there isn’t good music in my kitchen then we’re basically not cooking. Usually my selection is dependent on my mood but for the most part I’m listening to something upbeat whilst I’m in there. If you’re up for a party then check out my playlist here. For speakers it has to be something with great sound quality and you can find my favourite so far here.

PODCASTS

If you can’t tell already, I’m stimulated by all things audio and this fuels my love for podcasts. I fell in love with them about two years ago after obsessively listening to episodes from Myleik Teele. They’re a great way to take in information on a wide range of topics (trust me there’s a podcast for everything) and it’s so easy to do whilst you’re cooking, meal prepping or cleaning up. I love them so much I created one of my own which you can listen to here.

THE CORRECT KNIVES

Originally I wanted to say ‘sharp knives’. But in hindsight I believe it’s more important to have the knives that are right for you. The grip, the weight, the style…these are all things that are important to me when selecting knives to work with. Also, understanding which knife works best for a particular ingredient is key, for example slicing your tomatoes with a serrated knife will leave you much less frustrated. I’d suggest going to a department store and seeing how a couple of knives feel to you and also checking out some reviews online.

FOOD PROCESSOR

For the yummiest (yes, it’s a word) marinades, a food processor comes in really handy. It makes things a whole lot easier and faster. I’ve had mine for quite a while actually and had no issues with it. Here’s a link to one that’s similar but also comes with a blender!

HONEY

Ok this sounds like a weird one, but I promise you it’s life changing. I don’t recall the first time I began experimenting with honey in the kitchen but it’s probably linked to my sweet tooth! I love mixing sweet and savoury, kind of like Thai food or BBQ sauces or maple syrup and bacon. Honey comes in really handy for a number of things and along the way you’ll see that from the recipes I share!

SPICES & HERBS

It’s the worst thing when you find that a recipe you’d love to make requires a spice or herb you don’t have. I like to stay stocked up and often look for deals on these to make it more affordable. Some of my favourite spices include smoked paprika, mixed spice and chinese five spice. As for herbs, my favourite dried herbs include Parsley and Thyme (probably as a result of being Nigerian) and generally I absolutely love fresh herbs. They can really elevate a dish! Favourites include Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro/Coriander and Mint.

ORGANISATION

Having an organised space makes a huge difference across many rooms in the home. However in the kitchen this is crucial for me. To help the flow when I’m cooking, I need to be able to access my tools and ingredients easily. The set up that will work best for you is based on your kitchen space and the way you prefer to cook. For example, I organise all my dry herbs together and my spices together. I also keep the spices & herbs I use most frequently closer to the front of the cupboard. But I’d recommend setting aside an hour to organizing your space and seeing what would work best for you.

MEASURING SPOONS AND CUPS

Did you know that when a recipe refers to ‘cups’ as a measurement, it doesn’t mean your favourite mug? Yes, shocker! To get the best results from recipes, it’s best to use proper measuring cups and spoons.These have changed the game for me when it comes to cooking and baking. They’re also super affordable from most local supermarkets.

GOOD BAKEWARE & COOKWARE

Stoneware baking dishes, cast iron pots, amazing woks and trusty sheet pans are among some of my favourite things to use when cooking. It’s best to aim for trustworthy brands like Le Creuset but if you don’t want to break the bank, you can always try TK Maxx and Sainsbury’s for some great options.

KUHN RIKON PEELER

I stumbled on this peeler whilst in Sur la Table in NJ and let me tell you it’s one of my best finds ever! This peeler is sturdy, sharp and will easily get through even the most stubborn butternut squash. Order it here and you won’t regret it.

There you have it! A list of the must haves for my kitchen. What are some of yours?

Let me know in the comments below!