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  • The latest news from Russell Hobbs

    For over 50 years Russell Hobbs has been providing the modern kitchen with the latest and best in kettles, irons, toasters and much more. We now have a place where we can all talk about our favourite products, the latest innovations and those all important hints and tips to make sure everything runs smoothly in the kitchen. Every month we will be reviewing products, giving you a few sneaky nudges towards our promotions and sales and making the kitchen the most talked about place at Russell Hobbs!

Feb72013

Share Your Food Love and Win with Russell Hobbs – Winners!

Lime Chilli PrawnsCompetition Update: The winners of this competition are Vicky Robinson from London and Alison Melrose from Fife! Thank you to everyone that entered. We all loved reading some of the delicious romantic meal ideas that you sent in and loved the Valentines theme throughout. We’ll be catching up with the winners and their new Desire range products in the next couple of months and see what they have been making with them!

Nothing says “I love you” like creating a perfect meal of fantastic food.

Whether you’re planning on putting together a lovingly-prepared dinner at home, or treating your partner to a romantic meal out on the town, food often plays a major part in any Valentine’s Day plans.

Here at Russell Hobbs we want to know what you think the ultimate cuisine for Cupid is.

Share your ultimate romantic dishes with us and you could win a brand new kitchen appliance from our exclusive Desire food preparation range, to help you create culinary treats in the kitchen.

Perhaps you’re a sucker for strawberries dipped in chocolate, or you think that a spicy stir fry will get things sizzling. The more imaginative and delicious your dish the better.

Enter to Win

Entering couldn’t be easier either – you can do it one of two ways:

• Tweet a picture and/or short description of your dish to @RussellHobbsUK with the hashtag #FoodLove
• Or drop us an email at
RussellHobbsFoodLove@yahoo.co.uk

The competition opens this Thursday (February 07th) and closes at midnight on Valentine’s Day, so if you have a magical meal planned share it with us and you could be a winner.

Terms and Conditions

1. To enter the competition you must be a UK resident. By entering the competition you confirm that you meet these entry criteria.
2. Competitions are not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of Russell Hobbs or any subsidiary of Russell Hobbs.
3. No purchase necessary.
4. There is no limit to the amount of entries an individual can make.
5. Sending an e-mail is not proof that we have received your entry. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason.
6. The judge’s decision in determining winning entries in all competitions shall be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
7. Entries close midnight on 14.02.13. Russell Hobbs reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time. Entries received after midnight on 14.02.13 will not be entered into the competition.
8. Winners will be notified by email after the closing date of the competition and will be informed of how and when to claim their prizes.
9. Two winners will be selected by a panel of judges on February 15th 2013 and announced the same day.
10. The prize will not be transferable to another person.
11. Winners may pick one item from the Russell Hobbs Desire range for their prize subject to availability.
12. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.
13. Russell Hobbs reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. If we do this we will publish the amended competition rules and/or specific competition rules on the relevant competition page.
14. Russell Hobbs will endeavour to send prizes within a month of the competition end date but cannot guarantee this delivery time.

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Food Preparation, Special Offers
February 7th, 2013 at 14:07Tagged with ,
Jan302013

Steam Cooking for 2013

TV and magazines are often accused of barraging us with a plethora of healthy eating mantras and resolutions. With so many different choices, it can be difficult to find meal advice and recipes which are healthy but also convenient and can easily be incorporated into everyday life.

Here at Russell Hobbs we’re no stranger to the benefits of steam cooking, which is a quick and easy way to prepare food healthily. Unlike frying and baking, using a food steamer locks in the nutrients of ingredients like vegetables, rice, fish or meat during the cooking process. Steamers with tiered baskets allow you to cook different ingredients in separate baskets, and as all the cooking is done using one appliance you save on washing up all those extra pans you might normally use!

As we head towards the end of January where many New Year’s resolutions may be floundering, we thought we’d inspire renewed healthy eating intentions by sharing our most recent favourite steam cooked recipe: Steamed Salmon with stir fried green beans and fragrant herb rice, for two.

The ingredients for this recipe are:

2 filets of Salmon

90g/3oz green beans,

200g/7oz basmati rice

Lemon juice

2 tbsp white wine

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large handful fresh coriander, chives, dill and watercress all chopped

Half an onion

Using the bottom level of the steamer place in the salmon fillets and add a squeeze of lemon juice, two tbsp of white wine and some black pepper, then move on to prepare the rice by rinsing and placing in the tray compartment. With the digital and stainless steel steamers the rice compartment can be placed in any level of the steamer and it ensures that you get perfect rice every time.

Then finally for the top level of the steamer add the green beans and onion, feel free to add any of your other favourite vegetables, for example broccoli would be another nice addition. Steam the rice and salmon for six minute before adding the vegetable section and steam for a further six minutes. Once the rice is cooked and tender, add the dill, watercress, fresh chives, and coriander so all of the amazing flavours combine together.

To serve, place a spoonful of the rice on the plate, the delicious salmon on top and the vegetables on the side, be sure to season and add an extra squeeze of lemon for even more flavour. Or why not try some yummy chilli sauce? Then sit down and enjoy the deliciously healthy meal.

For more recipe details, go to the Russell Hobbs Steamer user manual or the BBC Food website. Do let us know in the comments of any other tasty and healthy meals you have prepared with your steamer!

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Cooking & Baking, Food Preparation
January 30th, 2013 at 16:12Tagged with , , ,
Jan222013

Making Coffee Like A Barista

If you want to make delicious, quality tasting coffee like the experts do, here are some useful tips that will have you brewing like a barista in no time. Whether you have a simple, but effective cafetière or a luxury Russell Hobbs Espresso Machine, you can, with the right know-how, produce fantastic tasting coffee.

Know your beans

  • A very important factor when making coffee is the beans you use. Coffee begins to lose its flavour very quickly after it’s roasted, so it is best to use the freshest beans you can. Contrary to what seems the norm, do not store beans or grounds in the refrigerator, as this can dry up the essential oils that give coffee its rich flavour. Instead, keep whole beans in an airtight container at room temperature and grind them just before use, as coffee goes stale within about fifteen minutes of being ground.
  • The two main varieties of coffee plant are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is widely accepted as the better of the two, with a smooth delicate flavour. Robusta beans produce a stronger coffee, which can be quite harsh and bitter.
  • It is important to consider the roast level when choosing a coffee. Light roasts have the highest caffeine content, with a rich aroma and flavour. Dark roasts normally have a savoury smoky flavour. Be careful that the beans aren’t too dark, as if they are roasted too long they can end up tasting burnt and bitter. There is also a medium roast which is obviously in between the other two varieties.

Get grinding

There are two different types of grinder, blade or burr. Blade grinders use a metal blade to slice the beans. Unfortunately, this can leave the coffee grounds uneven in size, producing coffee that is both over and under extracted. A burr grinder pulverises beans between a moving grinding wheel and a non-moving surface. This gives an even ground size, which will produce a tastier coffee.

The right water can make all the difference

Water makes up a large part of the coffee, so make sure it’s up to scratch. Use a filter to avoid chlorine or chemicals ruining your coffee.

Not forgetting the milk

Use a milk frother to create a fine and creamy foam to your perfect cup. When adding this to your coffee, start pouring in the centre of the coffee, especially for small cups. This will add to a pleasing visual effect and will ensure the foamy head is even.

Practice and experiment

Practice makes perfect. And experimenting with different beans, grinders, water types, frothy milk or cream, can be a fun way to find your perfect cup.

Good luck making delicious coffee like a pro! And if you have any more tips or advice, please feel free to share them in the comments.

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Coffee Makers
January 22nd, 2013 at 10:33Tagged with , , , ,
Dec202012

The nation’s favourite Christmas breakfast

There’s no feeling that matches the excitement of Christmas morning, with the anticipation of present unwrapping, cracker pulling and all the day’s festivities ahead. But for such a special day we need an extra special breakfast. Here at Russell Hobbs we wanted to find out what was the nations all-time favourite Christmas breakfast. Our competition was designed to ask you, the nation, just that! And here’s what we found.

Something sweet

One our favourite breakfast suggestions was from Colette Mellor, whose perfect Christmas breakfast is festive pancakes. These look absolutely delicious and aren’t too tricky to make. Here’s how to make your own festive pancakes.

You will need:

-          4oz plain flour

-          One egg

-          Half pint of milk

-          Cranberries and raisins

Whisk together the flour, egg and milk, then add the dried fruit. Pour a cupful of the mixture into an oiled pan and toss and turn until golden. Serve with a dash of brandy cream for the perfect Christmas treat.

Collette said she’ll be sharing her Christmas breakfast with her family and maybe even Father Christmas, as he will be in need of some good food after a busy night’s work!

Something savoury

A popular choice of breakfast on this festive holiday is a Full English. A lot of you told us that you will be having the complete works, with a fry up of eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, hash browns etc. With a busy day of visiting family and Christmas activities you wouldn’t want your stomach rumbling.

Another breakfast favourite we found was smoked salmon. Whether it’s with scrambled egg or on a bagel with cream cheese, you guys can’t get enough of this delicious fish on a Christmas morning. Mervyn Drew told us “The best, as always, is scrambled egg with smoked salmon and lovely buttered toasted muffins, shared with my lovely wife of 38 years.”

Don’t forget the bubbles

A Christmas breakfast essential seems to be Bucks Fizz. This fizzy, fruity drink was the top choice for the perfect Christmas breakfast. Many of you also enjoy a champagne breakfast or simply a nice cup of tea. Lorraine Cooper even wrote us a poem to describe her ideal Christmas breakfast.

“A glass of juice for the kids

As certain as certain is

But to give a smile to the big kids

We add bubbles to make Bucks Fizz!”

Christmas memories

We also asked you who you like to spend this special meal with and what your fondest Christmas breakfast memories are, and we got some fantastic responses!  A popular choice is the luxury of breakfast in bed with your partner. Most of you enjoy spending the meal with your family and loved ones. However, Louise Wong reminded us that Christmas isn’t all about presents and Buck’s Fizz. She said that her best Christmas memory is when she helped out at Crisis the Homeless Charity and spent some time ‘giving’ instead of receiving.

We at Russell Hobbs hope you have a fantastic Christmas full of festive delights!

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Uncategorized
December 20th, 2012 at 14:38
Dec42012

Win by Sharing Your Christmas Breakfast!

Update: The winners of this competition are Lorraine from Merthyr Tydfil and Colette from Thurnscoe! Thank you to all who entered – the standard was very high! We thoroughly enjoyed reading all about your Christmas memories and there are many recipes to be inspired by. We’ll be sharing the results soon!

Here at Russell Hobbs, we’re beginning to feel rather Christmassy! And as we think about unwinding for the holidays, we are looking forward to spending time with friends and family over the festive season. As the kids tear into their stockings many mums, dads and grandparents across Britain will enjoy a glass of bubbly to begin their Christmas day and perhaps start on the chocolates for that once-a-year indulgence. Others may hold back with a simple slice of toast in anticipation of the feast ahead.

We British are sticklers for tradition, and every family has its own during the festive season. And here at Russell Hobbs we’re looking to be inspired by your ideas for the best British Christmas breakfast around!

Competition

For your chance to enter into our competition, we’d love for you to share the following with us:

• Your perfect Christmas breakfast menu

• Who do you share your Christmas breakfast with?

• What are your favourite Christmas breakfast memories?

Prize

Two specially selected entries will receive an early Christmas present of a Russell Hobbs 18116 Deluxe 2 Slice Toaster and Russell Hobbs 18278 Deluxe Kettle matching set. And the best British Christmas Breakfasts will feature on our blog, so we can share the inspired recipes for the holiday season!

How To Enter

  • Email your entry to RussellHobbsXmasCompetition@gmail.com by 9am GMT Monday 17th December 2012
  • Include your name and contact daytime telephone number
  • Entries should be no more than 500 words long
  • Winners will be selected for uniqueness and creativity – photos and recipes welcome
  • The winning recipe will be announced on 18th December 2012 on Russell Hobbs blog

Good luck!

Terms and Conditions

1. To enter the competition you must be a UK resident. By entering the competition you confirm that you meet these entry criteria.
2. Competitions are not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of Russell Hobbs or any subsidiary of Russell Hobbs.
3. No purchase necessary.
4. Sending an e-mail is not proof that we have received your entry. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason.
5. The judge’s decision in determining winning entries in all competitions shall be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
6. The closing date is Monday 17th December 2012 9am GMT and Russell Hobbs reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time. Entries received after 9am on Monday 17th December 2012 will not be entered into the competition.
7. Winners will be notified by email after the closing date of the competition and will be informed of how and when to claim their prizes.
8. The prize consists of 2 x matching sets consisting of a Russell Hobbs 18116 Deluxe 2 Slice Toaster and a Russell Hobbs 18278 Deluxe Kettle
9. The prize will not be transferable to another person.
10. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.
11. Russell Hobbs reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. If we do this we will publish the amended competition rules and/or specific competition rules on the relevant competition page.
12. Russell Hobbs will endeavour to send prizes within a month of the competition end date but cannot guarantee this delivery time.

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Kettles, Special Offers, Toasters
December 4th, 2012 at 15:00Tagged with , , , , , ,
Nov222012

Warming Winter Soups from Scratch

Nowadays, with handy kitchen gadgets such as the Russell Hobbs food processors making winter warming soups is even easier. The colder months provide plenty of motivation for learning how to create cosy, flavourful soups.  With only a small selection of food items in your cupboard, along with some basic herbs and spices, you can be ready to make soups on the fly whenever you have a craving.

When most people think of creating their own soup, they normally search for ingredient based recipes, for example “chicken soup” or “lentil soup”. However, the nature of soup lends itself to such a large variety of ingredients that you can usually use whatever you have left lying around, without the need to rely on a strict recipe.  Simply follow the rules below and you’ll be on your way to discovering your own delicious blend of soups.

What Ingredients Should I Use?

Fat
While probably not your first thought, most, if not all soups start off with some kind of healthy fat. This is used in the initial cooking process to help sauté the first ingredients that add to the soups flavours. You can use anything you normally cook with, though the normal recommended fats are butter if you’re making a creamy soup and olive oil if you were making something in the usual Italian style, such as tomato soup.

Base Ingredients
The base is the concentrated flavour that will be the “base” of your soup. You pretty much use whatever you have in the cupboards for this – meat stock, cream, milk or tomato purée, to name a few.

Meat
Don’t worry if you’re not making a meaty soup, simply ignore this ingredient and move onto the next one. If you want to add meat you can add whatever you want to use. It’s advised to match the meat to the base so that you’re guaranteed a good result – you probably wouldn’t use something like beef stock with fish in your soup.

Vegetables
The sky is the limit here, though onion is standard across most soups as it is so flavourful. Carrots, celery, potatoes, beans, spinach, kale, corn are just a few examples of what you could add in. This is the perfect place to use up left over vegetables.

Spices
The basic spices you should use at the very least are salt and pepper, any other spices are entirely optional and up to you.  Ensure you taste the soup regularly to keep an eye on the strength of the flavours. Examples include chili powder, cumin, thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage and parsley.

The Basic Soup Making Method

1.)    Heat a large pot over a medium heat and add in your fat of choice

2.)    Gently fry your aromatic vegetables fist

3.)    Cook any meat you intend to use in a separate pan

4.)    Add your chosen base at this point, unless you’re using milk or cream

5.)    Add in any other veggies, meat and seasoning. Remember to taste as you go!

6.)    Simmer for an hour or more and taste to see if it needs anymore seasoning.

7.)    Add in cream and milk if you used it as your base and allow it to heat through the soup.

8.)    Use your Russell Hobbs food processor to blend the soup into a smother consistency.

Now you know the simple techniques behind creating a soup, you’re free to experiment and create your own signature dish.

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Cooking & Baking
November 22nd, 2012 at 17:11Tagged with , , , ,
Mar52012

Win with Your Mother’s Day Recipe

Do you like to start Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed? Or perhaps you gather your family for a traditional Sunday roast dinner?

Whether you’re doing the pampering or being pampered, good food can make all the difference on this special day.

Russell Hobbs is calling you and your family to share your Mother’s Day recipes, and you could win a luxury Toaster and Kettle set to help you prepare the perfect meal.

Perhaps you like to show your mum you love her with a homemade cake? Or you make cookies with the kids?

Tell us what you think makes the ultimate Mother’s Day menu, how you make it, and how you present it, and we could be featuring your recipe right here on the official Russell Hobbs website.

The best suggestion will win a Kettle and Toaster set from the winner’s choice of our Heritage or Deluxe ranges and we’ll be featuring other top picks on the site here as the competition progresses.

Entering the competition couldn’t be easier – simply send us your ultimate Mother’s Day Recipe to russellhobbscompetition@gmail.com. Be as creative as you like, how would you prepare the food? Would you serve it on a tray with flowers and a card? Or get the family sat around the dining table with mum’s favourite music on the stereo? The only condition is that what you write must be original – but then your mum is a one-off original anyway, so why wouldn’t it be?

However you’re planning to celebrate this Mothering Sunday, let us know what’s on the menu and you could win some luxury goods to brighten up your kitchen.

How to enter

  • Email your recipe to russellhobbscompetition@gmail.com by 11th March 2012
  • Include your name and contact daytime telephone number
  • Entries should be no more than 500 words long
  • Winners will be selected for uniqueness and creativity
  • The winning recipe will be announced on 12th March 2012 on Russell Hobbs website
  • The overall winner receives on Toaster and Kettle set worth £100. They may choose either Heritage of Deluxe range
  • We reserve the right to publish a selection of submitted recipes on the official Russell Hobbs website
Written by Russell HobbsPosted in News
March 5th, 2012 at 14:50
May232011

The Cup Final Of Toasters

The football cup finals are coming thick and fast which gives us another opportunity to put two of our Russell Hobbs products against each other. This time it is the turn of the humble toasters.

Read More »

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Toasters
May 23rd, 2011 at 12:33Tagged with
May202011

Great Guaranteed Wedding Gift Ideas

As we are now enjoying longer days and a few glimpses of sunshine, wedding season is very much underway. No doubt many of us will have received an invitation or two to a friend’s or family member’s wedding and as the big day approaches, a gift is needed.

Read More »

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Kettles
May 20th, 2011 at 12:20Tagged with , , ,
May162011

How Do Tea and Coffee Compare?

Which is your favourite depends purely on taste but how do the big two of hot drinks compare on health issues? Is it factually correct to assume that tea is healthier than coffee or that coffee can help prevent more diseases? Let’s take a look.

Read More »

Written by Russell HobbsPosted in Coffee Makers
May 16th, 2011 at 16:19Tagged with ,
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