A few months ago, I decided that I really needed a stand mixer / food processor compo type gadget.
Watching all the amazing cooking videos on social media, it became obvious that I would never be able to cook some of the recipes, until, I too, had a fancy gadget to knead dough, chop, slice, blend and mince.
My Bosch Stick Blender has served me magnificently, but it was time to take things to the next level.
I checked all the usual suspects, Takealot, Loot, Makro, Game, etc and soon realised that I was going to need deep pockets if I was to buy anything even close to good quality – deeper pockets than I actually have.
And just like that, what pops up on my Facebook feed? An advert from The Culinarium, advertising a Kenwood Prospero Kitchen Machine, with all the attachments that I had been looking for, at a very good price.
First question, “just who or what is The Culinarium” and, “are they going to steal my money?”
I checked out their Facebook Page and Website and all looked above board, ran a quick Google search and found no bad reviews or complaints and even checked their address in Ladysmith on Google Maps and found that they have a massive store with thousands of items.
After a quick chat with one of the sales consultants on FB messenger, I felt confident to purchase.
With much excitement, I received my purchase four or five days later. It was a huge box containing what seemed like hundreds of parts & attachments and I initially thought, “what have I gotten myself into here?”
After unpacking, everything quickly made sense and I set out to make my first loaf of bread.
Whilst the Kenwood Prospero is very much an entry level kitchen machine when it comes to stand mixers and maybe mincers, the blender, juicer and food processor work as well as anybody could wish for.
It is a home machine, designed for small batches.
The stand mixer attachment, comes with a J-Hook, a K-Hook and a Wisk. When kneading dough the head of mixer moves up and down and it seems like the machine is throwing a tantrum, but after using it more than 30 times now, to knead dough for bread, pizza dough, roti’s & naan I have gotten used to the movement and just accept it as just how it works.
As this is a small machine, designed for basic home use, one should not try knead more than about 2kg’s of dough, and, to be honest, I will be buying a KitchenAid or similar dedicated Stand Mixer in the future that can knead larger quantities of dough – but what I can tell you is that this machine has opened up a whole new world of cooking that has brought me nothing but pleasure.
I am very happy with my purchasing experience from The Culinarium and with the machine itself.
When I have the funds to buy a dedicated stand mixer that can handle more than 2kg’s of dough, I will most certainly look first at the Culinarium Website.
To say that it has become and indispensable appliance is an understatement, I am now well on my journey of learning to bake great bread, I have found a new interest in mastering the perfect pizza base, I have made sauces, homemade butter and whipped just about everything that is possible to be whipped.
I even made lamb mince, when it was impossible to find any in the shops, I have ground the perfect ratio of chuck and brisket to make the most awesome burger patties ever – with my own homemade buns, nogal.
My wonderful wife makes us a healthy smoothie every morning. Even grating tomatoes for curry has become a thing of the past.
My advice to anybody who is considering buying a good quality Kitchen Machine / Stand Mixer / Food Processor type combo, to just make the plunge and just buy it – it will change the way that you cook.
I have even found a cunning new way to make cooking a great Durban Curry even easier, I simply chop the onion, garlic, ginger, curry leaves & some dhania in food processor and then add that to the oil. After that 4 tablespoons of Durban Curry Lovers, All-in-One Masala, tomato, potatoes a bit of water and voila.
See here for an example of using this method to cook the easiest chicken curry ever.
Any no, this is not a paid review or anything like that. Just me sharing my great experience in the hope that somebody benefits.
Some pics
