Utensibility - Matfer Piano Whisk

4 July 2005

I might be too late for this meme, but after reading the sweet story written by this gorgeous British girl in CA, I just had to contribute too!

I never really thought about it before, but I didn’t realise that I was quite a gadget freak in the kitchen. Firstly, the KitchenAid – it’s relatively new in our kitchen, but already something I can’t live without. Gaggia ice-cream machine – another of my most frequently used gadgets, it was originally Matthew’s idea to get this enormous machine, but I’m so happy we got it. Magimix and Braun food processors – they do all kinds of stuff for me, the hand blender is especially useful. Magimix deep fryer – this is actually Matthew’s, he had it when I moved into his place a long time ago. It’s essential to cook perfect fish & chips at home (yes, he is indeed British)... And another ‘can’t live without’ gadget is my beautiful Isomac espresso machine that Matthew bought for my birthday almost two years ago (I think I’m going to post about it as I’m a coffee fanatic…)

Anyway, our kitchen isn’t huge and we’re running out of storage space. More importantly, though, this meme was about utensils so I should stick to it – but again, it’s difficult to choose just one thing. I think I have to include these three – the John Julian Design white porcelain pestle & mortar, Microplane graters and this Matfer whisk pictured above. I bought it here a while ago, I knew Matfer had a good reputation and I had always wanted to try their stuff. Mine is 25cm long and its thin, short handle fits my hand really nicely and it has excellent, er, whisking action (not too hard, not too soft)! You might say it’s just a whisk, but when you actually find one you really like, it soon finds its place in your heart (I guess that’s a similar feeling to when you find the perfect spatula or wooden spoon). I have some other Matfer stuff (mainly cake moulds) and am sure the collection will expand little by little. (BTW, I love the kitchen stuff at this shop, I’m a big fan of their beautiful English sycamore cutting boards).
 


 

Oh and one more thing – this is my recent favourite, Anolon Professional French Skillet. Because Matthew doesn’t like any stewy/soupy type dishes, there is lots of frying/grilling going on in our kitchen. Although my dream pans always have been Iittala Dahlstrom, I’m quite happy with this solid, easy to use, non-stick frying pan. It looks nice on top of our industrial-looking Smeg Opera cooker too…

I hope Sam will enjoy her shopping spree, I’m looking forward to seeing what she and Fred get for their lovely kitchen…
 

Misc        12 comments    Permalink

  • Hi Keiko, you have me green with envy at all the fantastic toys you possess - I didn’t even know I wanted half of them until I followed your links! Especially that ice cream maker... maybe you’ll let me borrow it for a weekend ;)

    Posted by melissa | 4 July 2005 #

  • I really enjoy visiting your site and it inspires me to start one of my own soem day. Lovely mouth-watering photography and personal inspiring food! Don’t ever stop posting please :)

    But one thing has puzzled me for quite some time. Why a swedish title? From what I’ve figured you are japanese and living in England? So why Nordljus? Is there a fascinating story behind the title or did you just like the sound of it?

    You might have heard this question before, then I’m sorry to repeat it. But I’m just a curious person and, of course, especially when it comes to connections to my home country.

    Posted by nina | 4 July 2005 #

  • hi keiko, only you could make a whisk look so beautiful ;) love dehillerin too - can spend hours trawling through their well-stocked (if chaotic) shop. now inspired to check out matfer whisk - i have their little tartlette tins, which are the perfect size for petit fours and mignardises. so far, they are the only non-stick tins i have found that are actually non-stick!

    Posted by Joycelyn | 4 July 2005 #

  • Keiko,
    Thanks a ZILLION for putting up those links. I am biting my nails because we are deciding to purchase a home, and I have no idea which appliances (especially the fridge and stove) to select. Reading this post atleast gives me a start. ;-)

    Posted by rowena | 6 July 2005 #

  • Keiko - thanks for such a great entry. So many suggestions - I am going to blame you for my slowness in finishing the round up. It should be posted by Tuesday. I am quite jealous of everything you have. I used to buy wedding presents from David Mellor, but never anything for myself.
    I used to dream of having a set of his cutlery.

    sam

    Posted by sam | 10 July 2005 #

  • nay maffer product wont fail you.. but gee am jealous of your toys!
    great photo as usual.... I didnt make it to Henley. we took all our things from UK back to Greece.

    Posted by sha | 11 July 2005 #

  • I just love all the photos you make. They’re so beautiful.
    Love
    Fanny

    Posted by Fanny | 12 July 2005 #

  • Just one more thing : how did you build this website, it looks so amazing.
    Id be very pleased if you answered me at fanny_the_fairy@yahoo.fr
    Fanny

    Posted by | 12 July 2005 #

  • Hi there,

    Melissa - the ice-cream machine is fab! You can borrow it anytime, but you have to come to get it - it’s way too heavy to send :)

    Nina - thank you for your kind note. Yes, I am Japanese and live in England and have a blog with Swedish title :) There isn’t a fascinating story I’m afraid - I just love Scandinavia and like the sound of it as you said... and I’d love to see the northern lights one day. I assume you are Swedish, I think it’s a beautiful country.

    Joycelyn - I’m glad you are a Matfer fan too. I understand that ’non-stick’ is a tricky issue sometimes, though :) Whatever you make with the tins will be wonderful, I’m looking forward to seeing them.

    Rowena - you must be dreaming of your dream kitchen! I’m looking forward to seeing it too. We’ve got a freestanding stainless steel fridge, I’m really happy with it.

    Sam - thanks so much for the great round-up. I’m sure I’ll keep going back to the post, it’s really useful. I’m glad you are a David Mellor fan too - I haven’t tried their knives yet, I’d like to visit their workshop in Sheffield one day.

    Sha - I didn’t know you lived in UK, I didn’t make it to Henley either - hopefully next time! Is there any chance you can join?

    Fanny - thank you for your kind words, I’ll email you regarding my site shortly!

    Posted by keiko | 15 July 2005 #

  • Hi Fanny - I tried emaling you but it came back - regarding the design of the site, I use pixelpost - you can find the link to it on the right hand side of this page.

    Posted by keiko | 15 July 2005 #

  • Yes, I’m swedish. I’m not living there right now, but when I move back I can show you around to some good places if you are there some time

    Posted by nina | 16 July 2005 #

  • Hi Nina - thank you for your kind note. I’ll definitely visit there again (and again), I hope we can meet up some time...

    Posted by keiko | 18 July 2005 #

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