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Le Creuset Heart Casserole
by spiritwood
I know, I know - ANOTHER Le Creuset review but I love the damn things and have gathered a small collection over the years. This one was a valentines gift given to me by last year. Even better it was filled with all sorts of other stuff too but that is another story....
This is a heart shaped oven dish from Le Creuset. I have ... the 26cm one but they are available in other sizes and like all Le Creuset products they come in a variety of fantastic colours and a 5 year guarantee.
This quirky heart shaped delight is made from stoneware which means like the mini casserole range and bean pots, they must not be used on a hob or they will crack. However they are microwave/oven/aga/grill safe and cope well in the fridge or the freezer.
I have several Le Creuset pieces in the "cassis" colour because I love purple but this one that was gifted to me is in "cerise" which is a deep and glossy blood red colour. There are several colours in this range including pink, all featuring the lovely graduated "dip dye" style glazing that the company are known for. The glaze is very shiny and evenly fired on this and over a year of use it has shown no signs of crazing or cracking.
QUALITY:
As with all Le Creuset products, these are very well made and beautiful to look at. Both the lid and base are each made from one whole piece of clay meaning there is added stability around parts likely to sustain heavy use (the handles and knob on the lid). As with all Le Creuset products, their name is embossed around the lid area but this is unobtrusive.
The surface of this pot is enamel which is a very chip resistant substance that does not hold odours or stain easily. I have found these easy to clean even though I do not use a scourer on them, a good soak in hot soapy water is enough to get cooked on gunk off with minimal elbow grease.
USE:
This is an oven dish so primarily this would be used in the stove or microwave. Being ceramic, it is not safe for use on any kind of hob. The dish is a decent size for a small family and I mainly use mine for veggie lasagnes and pasta dishes. They are strong enough to cope under a hot grill so browning food off is no problem. The lid and thickness of the ceramic and enamel keeps food warm for a good amount of time, and of course this can be taken from the oven straight to the table. This is eye-catching, functional and fun.
I have also used mine to serve soup from (for a small group) and like with the little pair of bean pots, I use home-made fat croutons and grated cheese on top of the soup and melt it all under the grill. Also as with the dinky bean pots, I place this on an oven tray as the handles can be a bit fiddly when hot.
PRODUCT FEATURES:
This shiny heart shaped oven dish holds 2.4 litres so it is not quite as impractical as the smaller and equally cute oven range that Le Creuset offer. This pot measures 8.6cm in depth and 30 cm at the widest point. The pot is chunky, sturdy and heavy and will come to you in a well packed box with care instructions.
I particularly like the unglazed base (same as the other ovenware range) which helps avoid slippage on a shiny surface and gives the product a slightly more rustic feel. Although heavy (and even more so when full of food) the pot is not too much for me to handle or carry about the kitchen. I love the styling, looks and performance of this and everyone who has seen it in use has smiled....got to be a good thing.
* Available in a range of bright and unusual colours
* Care and use booklet included
* 5 Year guarantee
* Fridge and freezer safe
* Non scratch enamel glaze
* Do not absorb odours/ stain
* Oven/ aga/ microwave use NOT a hob
* Easy to clean
* Strong and durable
PRICE:
Amazon currently have this at £35 including free postage for the 26cm sized dish. These are also available in classical cast iron which mean that they are slightly more versatile (can be used on a hob etc), but expect to pay through the nose for this.
SUMMARY:
This is a beautiful and well crafted oven dish in a great fun shape. It is slightly frivolous as there are much cheaper dishes out there but I am a bit besotted by the Le Creuset range and would love to get more. So 5 stars from me despite the somewhat frivolous nature of the product.
Summary: A quirky oven dish.
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Ikea Kalas Bowls
by womble1985
I bought these bowls on a trip to Ikea a month or so before my son was born, I knew he wouldn't be using them for a while but I loved the bright colours and I don't live close to an Ikea so I wasn't likely to be there again soon.
I started using these for him as soon as I started weaning as they are a good size to put a small ... amount of food it. They come in a pack 5 bright colours and I think they only cost 99p. At the time of purchase I had no idea how much I would use them!
My son is now two and he still uses one every morning for his porridge at breakfast time! Although they are now too small to fit a main meal in for him I still use them for putting snacks in for him. I have now started re-using them for my daughter now we have started weaning.
It is only now after 2 years that the insides have started to show signs of wear, but they are still perfectly usable. I have now bought another pack so I always have plenty to hand. Ikea now seem to have updated this set now though as new ones of these are wider, rounder bowls. I like them but still prefer the originals as the size and shape fills a gap in the market. I did also buy some of the new style ones, they come in the same funky colours and are more suited to bigger portions.
For the price, I have been astounded by the quality. They get used everyday and after each use they go in the dishwasher, and more often than not they go in the microwave. They have been fantastic value for money, they look great, they have a long lifespan and I would recommend these over and over again.
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Ikea Kalas Mug
by shopping_jem
I have tons of these kalas cups, and I honestly don't know what I would do without them. They are the perfect size for children's drinks, and are easily dishwashable and microwavable. We tend to leave a few in the car for emergencies, and they are also very useful for picnics, garden meals etc. The plastic is very sturdy - I have had ... several other brands of plastic cups that bend with constant dishwashing, or get a whitening / deterioration to the plastic, but this has not happened with any of these. at under £1 for a 6-pack they are fantastic value, and come in a variety pack of cheery colours.
The fact that these cups are microwavable is a great bonus too - I microwave in them daily, as I find them useful to warm milk in adding to coffee (random, I know!), and they have coped with this very well with no damage so far. I also use them to put breadsticks out when we have kiddie visitors, and I am sure many other uses will present themselves too... Highly recommended!
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