Think you can't cook an egg - try this (Micromark Omelette Express)

Member Name: sandra101

Product:	Micromark Omelette Express
Date:	24/10/08 (420 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good non-stick, quick, easy to use, easy on energy

Disadvantages: Omelettes deflate quickly, not much else in the way of recipes

Yes its another gadget but in fairness its not a new gadget simply a replacement for my beloved xpress 101. After a few months without said beloved machine I decided the period of mourning was sufficient to invest in a replacement and scoured the internet and shopping TV.

The closest I could get was the Omelette xpress which is available in either silver or white. It seemed reasonable for £20.00 as I bought it on free post and package day from Ideal World.

- - How does it look - -

This is a sandwich toaster sized machine with two non-stick oval wells into which you can place wet or dry foods which are then cooked from both the top and the bottom. There is a little ridge running around the inside of each bottom plate that is the 'fill line'. Anything above that and your eggs will probably overflow as they expand.

- - How does it work - -

Although you do not need to grease the wells everytime you use it I would recommend applying a little oil around the wells every couple of times you use it. I simply pour a very small amount onto a piece of kitchen roll and wipe it around.

To use simply switch it on and a little light shows to let you know that all is well and once this light goes out you can add your eggs etc. For fried eggs I crack the egg onto a saucer and tip it in from this as its less likely to break, for poached eggs add a little water allow to heat through and then add the egg. For omelettes mix up your eggs before hand (each well has enough space for two eggs) and pour into the well.

As with the xpress 101 you can put bits of bacon, mushrooms, chicken etc. into the wells before the eggs and cook them for a few minutes before adding the eggs. Be careful not to add a ridiculous amount of filling or if that is your preferred recipe cut down on the number of eggs added or the eggs will rise before the inside is cooked and you will end up with an eggy mess around the sides.

Once the food is in the machine you can walk away safe in the knowledge that the food will cook evenly and without mess (providing you didn't put too much in). When you are cooking an omelette it rises to about two inches high and lifts the lid up of the machine. The floating hinge means that this is expected and doesn't interfere in the cooking process at all. By this time the smell coming from the machine is very appetizing and the two inch high fluffy omelette is looking extremely appealing.

- - How easy is it to get the cooked items out - -

Getting the finished item out is really easy there is a non stick spatula supplied which is very flexible and over the past six months or so I haven't had anything stick. Simply put the spatula underneath the omelette, fried egg etc. and lift onto a plate.

- - How does the food look - -

My main use is for fried eggs which look perfectly cooked after about 3 to 4 minutes and they are cooked in a healthier manner than frying, as mentioned in my 101 review I can't actually make a fried egg in a frying pan anyway.

Omelettes take about 7 minutes to cook and as mentioned above puff up to about 2 inches high. Once on the plate the fried egg still looks very appetizing but the omelette deflates into a wrinkled ½ " high yellow blob. Still very tasty but doesn't have the look that we were used to.

- - Clean Up - -

So far cleaning has been a quick wipe out with a damp cloth, no food has stuck and the non-stick doesn't have a single mark or hole in it.

- - Other uses - -

My son finds this equally as good as the 101 for putting part baked rolls with ham and cheese etc. in to cook through to make mini panini melts, as well as filled pitta pockets and croissants. Unlike the 101 the instructions do not recommend recipes such as stuffed steak and chicken cordon bleu so we haven't attempted any meat dishes just in case.

Although not used constantly I do love this machine for fried eggs on the weekend as you can simply put an egg in each well and they are cooked in the time you've made and buttered the toast and made a cup of tea.

Would I buy it again???? Although I wouldn't rush out and purchase a new one I would miss it for a quick brekkie or omelette if I'm late home from work and need something quick, hot and tasty but £20.00 would be as much as I would be willing to pay.

Summary: If you love your eggs you'll love this.