Electric wok and other gadgets!

[veggiechicken]

I've just acquired an electric stirfry/wok pan amongst a load of jumble sale leftovers
Does anyone have one and if so, is it worth the cupboard space?

And while you're thinking about that, should I get rid of the unused 3 tier steamer that's lurking there

[Nicos]

I have to say that the 3 tier steamer is the one bit of kitchen equipment which gets the most use in our house- and the gites!!!

I try to cook more than I need then freeze the rest in one form or another ...usually slightly undercooked

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Nicos! I open the cupboard, look at the steamer, and it looks such a faff to set up, that I bung a saucepan on the stove instead!

[Nicos]

...pressure cooking and steaming... then frying ( sorry - sautéing) are the most favourite methods of cooking over here.

Most peeps in the gite seem to want to pressure cook casseroles ( for speed on hols) or steam veg ( less washing up- and frankly more flavour!)

I'd never steamed spuds before we came here. If they need mashing I'll boil- but all other spuds chez nous are now steamed.
.... MUCH more flavour! ( although you do need to add a sprinkle of salt- or salted butter afterwards

WOK and steam- two totally different styles of cooking.
I'd be using both!

[veggiechicken]

Looks like this week's challenge is presenting itself

[Bren In Pots]

I always steam veg like Nicos says it seems to keep the flavour in, then the pressure cooker gets used for soups especially my fave pea an' ham.

[Florence Fennel]

I gave my electric steamer away - no room to leave it out and a faff to clean and put away, but I use my three tiered steamer on the hob every time I do veg. Much tastier and is washed up quickly and stored with the saucepans.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks All I used to use a pressure cooker every time I did veg, but its not so easy to use on the Aga I have now - you need too much control over the heat.
The Aga is off at the moment 'cos it was just toooooooo hot in the kitchen!
Anyway, I've just used the Wok thingy to stirfry (saute) sliced cold potatoes, beans and mangetout, kale and cabbage leaves, then chucked in a couple of dabs
It was good, very good in fact However, its going to be a big beast to wash up and, at 14" diameter, will need a lot of cupboard space.
The Jury is still out on this one

[rustylady]

I was going to ask what is your usual method of cooking - e.g. gas cooker, electric cooker.

I think it depends on that whether these "gadgets" are worth keeping. I live in rented property and have a decrepit electric cooker (courtesy of the landlord). The oven is fine but the rings are really hard to control temperaturewise. I also have a very small kitchen with not much in the way of cupboard space.

I am also a gadget freak and over the years have bought and used (or not used) lots of different kitchen machines. The only two I use regularly are the "George Forman" grilling thing and my food processor.

[Patchninja]

In your steamer try cooking some of those lovely chinese dumplings that you can fill with fish, meat or veggies. Little bread puffs (chinese) are lovely too.
chinese steamed veg buns.
Makes 10.
7g frresh yeast or easy blend.
halt tsp sugar
80ml waarm water
175g plain flour
3 tsp oil
Filling :
200g chinese cabbage finely chopped
half tsp salt
2 tsp oil
3 spring onions finely chopped
1 garlic clove crushed
2cm ginger finely chopped
half tsp sesame seeds
1tbls chinese cooking wine.
Make the bread dough and leave to rise until doubled in size.
Cut up 10 6cm squares baking parchment.
Make the ; heat the oil in a wok and stir fry the lot. LEt cool.
Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface. knead for a minute. divide it into 10 blobs, knead each one into a ball, flatten the shape and put 1 tbls of the filling onto it. Make a small pleat by bringing 2 edges of the circle together, continue like this until you have worked your way round the bun. Cover and leave to rise 15 mins.
Place on paper in steamer and cook for 13-15 mins.if the dough bounces back when you press it, it's cooked. Make sure to leave plenty of space round each bun as they expand.

Now you can cook using both your gadgets at the same time!!!

[Seahorse]

If you're looking for an Aga alternative for hot days, you could do a lot worse than a Remoska:

Welcome to Remoska | The Original and best cooker from the Czech Republic

I have a big kitchen and have filled it with more gadgets than you could shake a wooden spoon at but if I'm honest, the only ones that get regular use are my two Kenwood Chefs and the coffee maker!

[veggiechicken]

Dare I say it............I have a Remoska Bought it for £10 in a jumble sale, brought it home and it fused all the lights A bit of Goggling and it seemed that was a common fault, so I took it into Lakeland and they gave me a brand new one Best £10 I've spent.
It is excellent, and lives in my little cottage with the slowcooker (used twice), Food processor (hardly used), breadmaker (often used), Induction hob (used twice) ....and a toaster that doesn't work

[RedThorn]

We've an electric pressure cooker/ slow cooker combo love it as it plugs in wall no need for aga

[veggiechicken]

No,No, Nooooooooooo I don't want anymore gadgets RT
Just to know whether there's any point in keeping the ones I have.
NB - the wok and the steamer were given to me - cost me nowt

[Mikey]

I use the steamer for all veg, the spuds go in the water to boil at the bottom, then all other veggies steam on top. One pot cooking, then chuck it all in the dishwasher.

Not the veg mind, I eat that.