If you find that your humble abode is always getting nominated as the venue for friendly get-togethers, or you just love hosting fun evenings for friends and family – there are a few barware items that your home bar (or kitchen – for those you aren’t as lucky) should not be without. In light of the recent launch of our beautiful barware range, we have put together a guide of the must have items and a few tips and tricks for the ultimate party host!
Fresh strawberries, melon and apple make great palate cleansers in between tasters. Serve them in bowls in between your cheese selection. It’s always a good idea to have variety when it comes to the strength of your cheese, anything from a mild gouda to a strong gorgonzola. Have water readily available
Cocktail evening Must have barware items:
8 piece cocktail set Manual ice crusher
A few tips:
Stick to one or two signature cocktails and theme your party around it Have ready made cocktails available for guests and also leave some ingredients aside so that guests can make there own and have a ‘cocktail-off’ Finger foods are best for a cocktail evening – provide a range of simple snacks that friends can munch on while they socialize
Have water and ice readily available Have each friend bring a bottle of their choice and decant each one into tasting glasses. Number each glass and have guests choose their favourite without knowing the brand. Serve whiskey inspired food – bourbon glazed ribs, or snack sized steak rolls with whiskey sautéed mushrooms
Hosting a fun evening doesn’t start and stop at the drinks. Going the extra mile, and having the right tools, accessories and tasters will have your guests talking about your parties for months to come!
He is the man you look up to no matter how tall you grow. From encouraging you at sports days as a toddler, to glowing with pride as you reach new milestones in your life. Dad’s deserve a whole lot of love all year round, but Fathers day is the perfect time to show him just how important, appreciated and special he is with a meaningful father’s day gift. If you are battling with gift ideas for the most important man in your life, we have put together a father’s day gift guide for the Dad who loves to cook, loves to braai and for those who enjoy a tasty beverage every now and then! Dad’s who love to braai: Non-stick braai grill pan & basting set
The perfect braai combo and father’s day gift! Dad can baste and marinade meat before grilling on this snazzy non-stick grill pan. The grill pan can be used on a gas or a traditional coal braai and gives meat and veggies an awesome smoky flavour. The stylish stainless steel basting set comes with an easy grip handle and two pouring spouts. Available at Boardmans: Grill pan: http://www.boardmans.co.za/er-37cm-ns-grill-61367923.html Basting set: http://www.boardmans.co.za/er-2pc-ss-basting-set-61367257.html 2 Section burger press
Everybody loves home-made burgers! Encourage Dad to get his hands dirty in the kitchen and make delicious home-made burger patties with this easy to use gadget. The ribbed surface of the burger press makes those characteristic lines on the burger just like your favourite burger place. Available at Boardmans: http://www.boardmans.co.za/2-section-aluminium-burger-52525104.html Dad’s who love to cook: Lotus Rock wok
Lotus Rock™ is an innovative non-stick coated product range that is easy to clean, energy efficient and long-lasting. The perfect father’s day gift for a dad who loves to cook! Available at Boardmans: http://www.boardmans.co.za/er-36cm-lrg-wok-pan-61364673.html Dad’s who love beer, wine or whiskey: Wine pourer with chill rod
This is an ideal gift for Dad’s who prefer wine over beer. The pourer ensures no spilling and includes a chilling rod that keeps the wine at a perfect drinking temperature. Available at the Fancy store: https://www.fancystore.co.za/eetrite-wine-pourer-with-chill-rod Chilling Stones
These reusable stones keep drinks cold without diluting the flavour. Ideal for spirits, wine and beer. Available here: http://www.bankskitchenboutique.co.za/eetrite-chilling-stone-set-9-piece.html Beer tote
The Eetrite Bar neoprene beer tote bag can carry up to 6 cans of Dad’s favourite cold beverage for a ‘bring-your-own’ function. Perfect for taking beer or cooldrink to a party, picnic, braai or weekend getaway! https://www.yuppiechef.com/eetrite.htm?id=20997&name=Eetrite-Neoprene-Beer-or-Soft-Drink-Can-Tote&ref=search To view our complete bar range visit our site here and for Dads who are budding braai chefs, browse all our braai cookware, tools and gadgets here.
Sometimes space comes at a premium and items on top of a counter can give a feeling of clutter. Clever organising ideas can go a long way to make you more time efficient as well as result in a kitchen that always look neat and tidy. Consider these 10 clever ideas below next time you run out of space or you need to organise your kitchen. Re-purpose a pretty tissue box. Use it to store all your used plastic bags. For older kitchens where “toe kicks” exist, convert those dead spaces into slide out drawers. Very handy to keep small food storage containers, napkins and baking trays. A corner cupboard always has awkward and unused spaces. Use a Lazy Susan in the corner. That way your item is a mere spin away. Magnets offer numerous options. Tape a few magnets into your tinfoil and cling wrap per box. Stick them to the side of your fridge within easy reach. A magnetic knife rack can be used for more than just knives. Install another one side by side or next to the stove and stick all other frequently used serving spoons and utensils to it. An old fashioned pocketed shoe holder can be hung on the inside of a broom closet to store all of your cleaning products. Glue a magazine rack to the back of a cabinet door and store all cutting boards hygienically out of the way. An old fashion drying rack can be used to neatly store all those odd recipe books side by side. Place an attractive cake stand on your counter and store all your often used oils and sauces on top for easy reach. A painted pegboard installed on a wall or on a door, combined with S-hooks, can hang almost anything. From wire baskets for spices, to kitchen gloves and oven mitts. Happy Organising!
Although non-stick coatings were designed to provide you with a cooking surface that prevents food from sticking, occasionally they need a little rejuvenating to perform at their absolute best! Seasoning your cookware is a bit like caring for your skin. It’s your lifelong partner, but gets a bit worn out over time, and every now and then deserves a bit of pampering at the spa! Luckily, seasoning your cookware doesn’t require an entire day out of your busy schedule; in fact it’s really quick and simple. Seasoning is simply the process of treating the surface of your cookware with an oil/fat based coating to prevent food from sticking to the surface. Some non-stick pans require seasoning over time to preserve the non-stick coating, while others, like cast iron, can be seasoned to create a non-stick-like surface. Seasoning a cast iron pan, which doesn’t come with a non-stick coating is therefore different to seasoning a product that already has a non-stick coating, like our Marcomb cookware. * To maintain your non-stock coating, it is best to cook at low to medium temperatures. What you will need
Vegetable oil or lard Paper towel
Seasoning your Marcomb cookware
Heat your pan/wok on the stovetop until it is just warm. Evenly coat the pan with oil/lard. Heat the oil until ripples begin to appear on the oil’s surface. Remove from the heat and pour out the oil. Wipe the inside of the pan with paper towels to remove the excess oil. Let the pan cool to room temperature.
Seasoning your cast iron pans
Preheat your oven to 180°C Using a scrubbing brush and a bit of dishwashing liquid, scrub off any residue on the pan. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Using paper towel, wipe a thin layer of oil/lard over the inside of your pan. Place in the pre-heated oven for one hour. Turn off the heat and allow the pan and oven to cool to room temperature.
Caring for your cast iron pans You will not need to and should not use soap or detergent to clean it your cast iron pan once seasoned. We recommend simply wiping your pan after each use or using boiling water or coarse salt to remove food residue. Harsh detergents and dishwashers can remove the seasoning on cast iron. If you would like to become a stockist of the Eetrite range, visit www.wechsler.co.za
Ok – so we know it’s ‘just cutlery’, but you use these little tools 365 days a year, so there is no reason every dining experience shouldn’t be an impressive experience! In fact, we have made it our business to bring you timeless flatware since 1955 – and as self-professed experts in the field, we know just what you need to do to keep your cutlery looking good for years to come. The classic Disney movie Beauty and the Beast sums it up perfectly with its enchanted dinnerware and cutlery, inviting Belle to ‘be our guest’. After all, there really is something magical about beautiful cutlery, and the ease in which it can elevate a meal from mundane to splendid, whilst transforming a table setting into a Culinary Cabaret! Just as Mrs Potts (a delightful teapot) instructs Belle on how to clean and store the cutlery after her dinners with the Beast, we would like to offer a few tips of our own, with our Cutlery Care Guide. Even though Eetrite’s range of Cutlery can’t sing and dance,with the right care, each piece of flatware will be treasured by generations to come. Cutlery Care Guide: Taking care of your Stainless Steel Eetrite cutlery Stainless steel is a great option for a cutlery set when it comes to affordability and ease of care. We can’t all live in a castle! • Rinse your stainless steel cutlery right after use. This will prevent acidic foods training the tines or blades. • Dishwashers can be used, but make sure you use a liquid detergent instead of a powder. • Avoid spotting of detergent residue or water on your cutlery by drying it as soon as it is washed and before storage. Hand-drying with a tea towel is your best option. • Never wash cutlery with hard detergents like bleach or soap. • Avoid rubbing your cutlery with abrasive cloths. • Give the final finishing touch with a polishing. Cutlery Care Guide: Taking care of your Silver Plated Cutlery • Dishwashers can leave marks, scratches, and the silver will rapidly lose its shine and eventually wear off. They are not recommended for silver plated utensils. Instead hand-wash your silver-plated cutlery in warm soapy water right after use, and avoid hard detergents or soap. • Always apply the cleaner with a soft cloth or sponge – either of which should be thoroughly and freshly washed to eliminate any abrasive dust particles which could cause scratching. • Silver garners a lovely patina as it ages and is remarkably robust. The more you use it the less care it requires- just give it a good polish every three months. Caring for your Cutlery is a Tale as Old as Time and we leave you with the magical words of Lumiére , the Casanova of all candelabras, as he seats Belle at the Dining Room Table with beautifully preserved cutlery: “Ma cherie Mademoiselle, It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight! And now, we invite you to relax- let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents your dinner!” Browse our ranges of beautiful cutlery and dining utensils Whether you are looking for treasured silverware for special occasions or a good cutlery set to use day after day, Eetrite has a set for every dining occasion, and our cutlery care guide will ensure your utensils have a happily ever after.
Coffee is more than a drink – it’s a lifestyle choice and also a great facilitator for conversation and community. The culture of drinking coffee is a global phenomenon and although countries like Italy, Turkey and France have the most refined coffee cultures in the world, South Africa is not far behind.
If you are one of those passionate caffeine lovers who knows your barista by name, you may have noticed how South Africa’s coffee craze has risen to new heights in the past year. Not only have artisan coffee shops opened on every corner, but SA’s top roasteries and cafés are now competing on international levels- and making a name in the World Barista Championships and also the AFCA African Championships. The quest for that perfect blend or roast is a process, from growing and roasting, to grinding and brewing; and this takes time and effort. It’s also a fairly costly exercise, which is why many a coffee connoisseur has opted to produce coffee-shop quality products in their own homes. No matter your lifestyle, there is a coffee brewer for you- Kettles vs Coffee Plungers vs coffee makers. The perfect cuppa – home brewed style!
You don’t have to be a coffee snob to enjoy a great cup of coffee, as there really is a brewing method for each lifestyle! If you are one of those people who is always on the go then a whistling kettle is the best option for your lifestyle. If you are looking for something more sophisticated, with a far more complex and deep taste, then a stovetop espresso maker is every coffee-lovers essential! Not only will it fill your home with the aroma of delicious fresh coffee, but it’s also a great choice if you are hosting friends and family at your home. Whilst a bit more maintenance, the Eetrite Stovetop espresso maker simply needs ground coffee, some water, and a place on the stovetop. If you are coffee purist, who is always scouting for that coveted variety of coffee, then a coffee plunger made from heat resistant borosilicate glass is the way to go. It’s perfect for intimate gatherings with friends at your home. The 1 litre coffee plunger will make your guests feel right at home. Another great idea is giving each guests their own colourful coffee plunger and to serve a couple of different flavoured ground coffees. This allows guests to make their own coffee and help themselves to more! Bad Coffee shouldn’t happen to good people… how are you brewing yours? Explore more Kettles vs Coffee Plungers vs coffee makers
New beginnings are always exciting, and daunting, especially if you are not sure what you need. It is a rite of passage for every kitchen newbie to drink wine out of a coffee mug, or butter bread with a steak knife. For the super organised, invest in good quality items as per our list of must have’s. Chopping Board – A good quality chopping board is an essential kitchen prep item. We would opt for plastic as it can be easily cleaned and, if made of a high quality plastic should not scratch. Wooden cutting boards, unless cleaned extremely well, often harbour bacteria especially if dealing with chicken. Glass is also a good option – just be careful not to break it
Egg timer – A cell phone on a timer may also do the trick. Kitchen scissors – This little gem opens packets, can be used to cut meat, and if they are labeled ‘multipurpose’, could even assist with getting those sweat inducing tight jar lids and difficult bottle caps open. Chef’s knife – If you are new to chopping and slicing, we suggest some plasters in a cupboard above your prep area. Just in case. Can opener – Unfortunately, kitchen scissors do not yet offer this functionality. Frying pan or cast iron skillet – This is an essential item if fried eggs and steaks are your favourite foods. Considering the long term benefits of cast iron, it is a wise investment to buy a cast iron skillet. Casserole dish – This versatile pot will be your saviour in the kitchen when it comes to anything from stews, to soups, roasts, pasta dishes and even sauces. Kettle – Not to be forgotten. Cold winter mornings will not be the same if you cannot wrap your hands around a coffee mug. Mugs and drinking glasses – If you have a limited budget and are in a pinch, mugs can double as drinking glasses. Rubbish Bin – Not all kitchens are created equal and if your kitchen is not designed to contain a hidden one in a cupboard somewhere, this is a necessity! Cutlery and crockery – Unless you are planning on doing a lot of entertaining, buying individual items, enough for three or four people will suffice. Dishtowels – Last but not least, there will always be a counter to wipe clean and a mug to rinse, just in case you have impromptu visitors. The list is very basic and, depending on skill level, you may need to shop for additional items as you need them. Happy shopping!
Aromatic lamb stews, bacon on a hot skillet, onions sautéing in butter, delicious winter soups and yummy hot puddings. For a lot of us, just these words transport us back to Sundays at grandma’s when the whole family would get together for a delicious feast of traditional cooking. Over the years, cooking has evolved into “quick and easy meals”, throwing something together before the guests arrive, or even warming up ready-made meals…eek! Traditional heavy cookware has been replaced with light, innovative products that get the job done. But there is a move – a food revolution – and we are excited about it! Foodies, home-style restaurants, food markets and artisanal cafés are popping up all over South Africa, celebrating the thing that brings us all together – good food. Now that the appreciation is back – so is the cookware that brought us the wholesome, home-cooked goodness at grandma’s; and we’ve got it – a range of cast iron casseroles, grills, and pans that will last you a lifetime. No more ready-made meals! Cast iron casseroles are often passed down from generation to generation, only to become dust-collectors. Don’t be fooled – cast iron can be your biggest ally in the kitchen! Sear a mouth-watering steak straight on the grill outside, slow cook a delicious roast or even bake a cake. The adventurous can even attempt frittata’s and flat bread. The options are endless. Why buy Eetrite cast iron Just as the cooking options are endless, so are the benefits of cooking with cast iron. Here are a few of our favourite things about our range: • The interior of Eetrite cast iron casseroles are non-stick • The colourful exterior makes dishes look great from stove to oven, from oven to table, and from table to dishwasher • The weight of our cast iron provides both heat retention and even heat distribution, for better energy consumption • The ridges in our grill pans allow fats and oils to be separated from food when cooking The cast iron trend has made a big-come back, with Sunday roasts filling homes of South Africans across the country, bringing the meals of yesteryear into the present. If you are not lucky enough to have inherited one of these beauties, have a look at the Eetrite range, and feel free to share you’re favourite cast iron recipes with us!
Without fail, Pandas’ invoke the “aww cute” factor. Anybody remember the viral video of the Sneezing Baby Panda? However, none of us can actually own one. The closest we will ever get would be a set of kitchen utensils made from bamboo and of course viral videos! If you are a Panda fan and ever thought that they were in danger due to the increased use of their staple diet in more and more products, rest assured, bamboo grows on every continent except Antarctica and certain species can grow up to 90cm in just one day. In fact, most continents have their own variant of this fast growing plant except for Europe and America. We have more than enough renewable products in bamboo to stock future kitchens whether it be floors, furniture or cooking utensils. This perennial evergreen grass with its tall wood-like stems have increased in their everyday popularity. Apart from building applications, bamboo with its 28,000 PSI tensile strength, compared to that of steel with a tensile strength of 24,000 PSI – modern day uses include bike frames and phone cases. Some of the more unusual uses include the first lightbulb filament by Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell’s use of bamboo as the first phonograph needle. There are a number of concerns with regards to wooden utensils in the modern day kitchen. From cross contamination to retaining flavours. However, with our combination of Bamboo with Silicone and stainless steel products, all concerns can be laid to rest. In Asian culture, this popular plant is a symbol of good fortune. Make your own good fortune by investing in a set of eco-friendly, anti-bacterial bamboo utensils for your kitchen. Not only are they heat resistant and low maintenance, they make for a colour neutral product which will complement every kitchen colour combination your heart desires. ** No Panda’s were hurt during the writing of this article.
A mouth-watering steak is an essential in any balanced diet. This simple pepper crusted steak recipe goes a long way towards cooking perfection. Ingredients: 500g matured rump steak coarse black pepper course salt 1 packet couscous salt & pepper (season to taste) 1 red pepper – fine brunoise (diced) 2 red chilli pepper – finely chopped 1 large red or white onion – diced coriander leaves 1 yellow pepper – fine brunoise (diced) butter Method: Coat the rump with coarse black pepper and season with some coarse salt. Sear the matured rump steak in golden brown butter until medium to rare. Pour couscous into a container, season with salt and pepper. Cover with boiling water – about 2cm above. Allow to absorb water for 10 minutes. Gently stir couscous with a large for or a two pronged chef fork. Do not use a spoon, this will press the couscous together and make a paste. Saute the onions in butter. When the onions have a translucent colour, add the peppers and chilli. Do not keep on heat for too long, the crunch of the peppers still needs to come through. Mix the peppers and the couscous together and mix with some freshly chopped coriander leaved. You pepper crusted steak is ready to serve!
