Thursday 10 May 2012

No more tears with Tefal Fresh Express

Imagine if you could simplify your kitchen cupboards with the easy alternative to grating, chopping and slicing . The answer is yes and new from ...

Tefal fresh express, it's French (so it's got to be good) and a mini food processor.


When I told my Toolman (who owns every tool you can imagine) I was reviewing a time saving 'gadget ' there may have been eye rolling and laughter.

'Another thing with pieces to lose and more clutter.' ...Not this time.



We've been putting the Fresh Express through the paces over the last few days and we timed a few things to see the difference.

Not my kitchen !


No more tears slicing onions ...peel , top and tail. Sliced onions in 7 seconds each or less - slicing normally takes me longer and with more tears.

Grating was super quick and no fingertips were harmed during the filming. Skin and nail tips remained intact - 3 zucchini and one carrot grated well under 40 secs. One zucchini takes me a minute and you always have a chunk leftover. No cramped hands from grating either.

Some of the zucchini skin did wedge between the cone but it came out easily.

Cheese , again so quick and nothing left over -12 secs for over a cup of cheese.

Coarse and Medium Cheese grater !

The tool man was 'kind of' impressed. The Drummer boys wanted in on the action too. I don't advise letting them handle the grating or slicing cones but they loved helping to press the button. It is simple enough for kids to use with supervision appropriate for their age.With kids becoming increasingly interested in cooking, this  helps foster a collaborative approach to cooking the family meal.

They like to help grate but normally it takes them 10 min or more to grate a small amount of cheese and I am left with a huge hunk to finish up. My only concern was stopping them eating the cheese and carrot as fast as it was grated .
We also tested celery - it sliced well but left behind a strand of 'stringy coarse skin' not grated which was fine as I didn't want this bit anyway.

We grated and sliced apple and potato. The coarse grater was better for both. The large slicer better as well for potato ....the boys made mini gratin stacks.

 

We tried skin on and off with no problems.

I added this to a pizza but we were hungry so I have no cooked pizza photos.
The boy made grated apple puffs , just apple and a tiny amount of brown sugar with apple.

I never professed to be a Food Blogger :)



We didn't try the fine grater which is apparently good for ground almond or Parmesan cheese.

I liked that you have to hold down the button or the fresh express doesn't operate. The food flows freely and there is no bowl to stop and empty half way through.

Small amounts of food can wedge between the cones and main attachment but are easily removed. This happens with my food processor too.

The different cones change in secs. You can keep using the same cone without washing in between if you don't mind them mixed ...(the carrot has a little bit of cheese in it)

The cleaning up was simple , I don't currently have our dishwasher connected but it is completely dishwasher safe. Obviously not the motor unit. The parts washed up within a minute.

When dry the 5 slicing and grating cones nest together and clip onto the motor unit. Nothing to lose ever. It only takes up a small amount of bench space or would store easily in cupboard. It looks very slick.

Honesty I would probably use this every time as opposed to getting out the food processor and finding the attachment blades.

It will inspire me (and the boys) to make more fresh salads or meals used grated /sliced vegies because it is really so easy to use and clean.

I briefly considered making a video about using the Fresh Express- the one below saved me the time and her kitchen is much tidier and nicer than mine. I only found it after I'd decided on making Zucchini slice and after my photos.

This is my rough estimation but the Fresh Express saved us a good 10-15 mins or more .

I did stop to time and photograph ingredients.




 Ingredients (serves 6)

1 medium carrot , peeled, grated
3 medium zucchini, grated
1 medium brown onion, finely sliced ( I chopped it too)
100g bacon, finely chopped
1 cup grated cheese
1 cup self-raising flour

5 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup Canola oil

Mixed salad, to serve


Method

Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease or line a 18cm x 28cm (base) slice pan. Combine carrot, zucchini, onion, bacon , cheese, flour in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in egg, milk and oil. (officially- I told hubby to toss it all in )

 

 


 




Spread mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until firm to touch. Set aside to cool. Cut into squares. Serve warm or cold with mixed salad or even crusty bread. We actually froze this one for later.




This is not a sponsored post no financial payment was received - I did receive the Tefal Fresh Express to review and keep. All opinions are my own.

What are your favorite meals or recipes using grated vegies and cheese ?