There are not many items that I would say are an essential to have in a kitchen. I like to have beautiful items around me, who doesn’t, in fact I do have a cupboard filled with regretted purchases. I do just love beautiful decorated bowls, crockery, cookery books and electrical gadgets. However for me I have now found ‘Kenwood Kmix’ my new mixer and I absolutely love it.

Not only for the simplicity of sleek British design and beauty, but also the fact that it is absolutely solid. Solid for the fact that there is no movement in the arm at all. No jogging, wobbling or jilting. The attachment just does the work and the Kenwood sits there looking a little sexy to be honest. Very excited to have one. This is the first of many blogs that I will be writing about the Kenwood kMix. I will be testing every aspect of the Kenwood from each attachment and also addition front arm attachments. For eg: is it really any good at rolling pasta and making spaghetti? I have always used a pasta machine by hand so this will be interesting and I will tell you the truth and be honest with my findings.

The Kenwood comes with three standard attachments, a dough hook, mixer paddle and whisk. Today I have tested the mixer paddle.
I will then be testing the dough hook to make pizza dough, bread and pasta dough, will the Kenwood be solid against its rivals or will it rock? The whisk will be tested to make beautiful silky meringues and thicken cream.

Kenwood kMix

Whisk is able to mix right to the bottom of the bowl.
Strong arm
Coconut sandwich.

I find that my current mixer, which is 7 years old, rocks like it is at a 80’s disco when I use the dough hook. I have to apply pressure to the top of my mixer, to ensure that it does its job!! Not ideal. It is a KitchenAid and I adore it for its sleek kind of 50’s American style. Its glamour in the kitchen and looks pretty on my unit but saying that is does let me down, and tends to be only good for simple cake making. However the KitchenAid in my opinion when using the paddle and making a cake does not scrape the bottom of the bowl as it should, I have to finish off with my trusty spatula. Now the KitchenAid has come up with a mixer paddle with an addition or a spatula side on the end. This attachment is at an additional cost of £34.99.

I have made the most delicious coconut sponge cake today and have used my Kenwood with the mixer paddle, and I am smiling like a Cheshire cat. I cant quite believe it really. The mixer paddle wipes the bowl and mixes the batter to perfection. I did not need to interfere at all. The mixer paddle is able to mix all ingredients perfectly. Ingredients in, mix, done, simple, yes! The machine is quiet and makes, making a cake seem effortless. Here is one piece of equipment that I would say is an absolute must to any kitchen.

I am very impressed and the Kenwood works incredibly well with the mixer paddle. Here is my delicious recipe.

Coconut sandwich

175g butter
175g caster sugar
150g self raising flour
50g desiccated coconut
4 medium eggs free range or 3 large
1 tsp nadali vanilla
Jam,  your choice.

1. Cream the sugar and butter in the mixer bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Add in the eggs one at a time with a table spoon of flour. The add in the remaining flour and mix.
3. Now add the desiccated coconut and vanilla, one final stir.
4. Split the mixture between two 8 inch cake tins. Cook for 20 minutes on 180C.

Once cooled I spread lashings of my fig, raspberry and vanilla jam in between the layers, sprinkle with icing sugar, and enjoy.

Carmela x