Go go gadget

Let’s be honest — when it comes to home cooking we’re often dealing with fussy palates, impatient patrons (aka the kids) and inexplicably, a nearly always half-empty fridge — so whatever we can find to help us make a mealtime miracle is always welcomed with open arms! No wonder then that every new innovation in the appliance department is swiftly added to the top of our to-try list. From gamechanging temperature takers, to the inimitable Thermomix and everything in between — we’ve tested it all — and we’re here to tell you what’s worth it, what’ll save you time and what’ll save your bacon with just the click of a button.

AIR FRYER

If you ask us, the top spot on any culinary wish list has to be taken out by the time and waistline saving air fryer. These home-chef-helpers make cooking meats, vegetables, and even desserts an easy task, with less oil, less time, and less fuss. Simply pop something in, select the right setting, and close the drawer until cooking is complete. The best part? They come in a range of colours, shapes, and prices so you can pick the one that works best for your diet, décor, and debit card.

MILK FROTHER

Now bear with us here — a milk frother may seem frivolous — but as you can pick one up for next to nothing, it’s definitely worth giving these handy gadgets a go. Whether you’re making a coffee or matcha at home, warming some milk for the kids or making an after-dinner hot chocolate, a milk frother elevates even the simplest of recipes with ease.

VACUUM SEALER

Trying to minimise household waste? A vacuum sealer can help with that. Designed to help preserve food for longer periods of time in airtight sleeves, vacuum sealers will help to save you time at the shops, save you dollars on rebuying what would have become spoiled food, and will help minimise your family’s environmental footprint. So it’s a win for you, the environment, and your wallet.

WATER CARBONATOR

While not new, water carbonators are a still a firm kitchen favourite when it comes to ease, cost cutting, and sustainability. Forget buying bottle after bottle of sparkling water for guests, elevate your everyday hydration options and cut back on your plastic consumption with these simple water sparklers.

MEAT THERMOMETER

Who knew that cooking the perfect steak could be as simple as checking the temperature? The simple meat thermometer is yet another kitchen appliance we thought we didn’t need and now can’t live without. Whether you’re cooking on the barbecue, on the stove or in the oven, these easy to find and use gadgets will be on high rotation in your tea-time toolkit before you know it.

THERMOMIX

Perhaps the most considered (and expensive) of all kitchen appliances — the thermomix is touted as a 20-in-one device, able to measure, weigh, heat, blend, whip, ferment, slow cook and create a meal from start to finish. With over 80,000 accessible recipes available through the integrated thermomix library — it’s easy to find a recipe for whatever you have leftover in the pantry with just a quick search.

Puff pastry buns

MADE IN AN AIR FRYER

Serves 8 people Prep time 30 mins Cook time 30 mins

Ingredients

For more air fryer recipes head to the Stockland website

1/2 cup caster sugar 1 cup ground almonds 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 small eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 pinch of salt 1/2 cup plain flour, plus extra for dusting 1 sheet readymade puff pastry, thawed if frozen 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup flaked almonds

Method

Combine the sugar, ground almonds, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt in a food processor. Blend on high until smooth, scraping down the sides with a spatula as needed. Add the flour and pulse until the mixture comes together like a very soft dough. Lay out the pastry on a surface dusted with flour and evenly spread the almond mixture on top, stopping just short of the edges all the way around. Roll up the pastry into a cylinder and cut into eight even slices. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C. Arrange four of the slices on their sides in the air fryer basket and reserve the remaining four pastries in the fridge. When ready, bake the first batch of buns until puffed and golden, turning once halfway, about 20 minutes. Remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool, repeat for the remaining buns. Once all the buns are baked, place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Melt over a half-filled saucepan of simmering water or in the microwave, cooking on high in 10-second bursts (stirring in between). Dip one side of the buns into the melted chocolate to coat. Lay onto a sheet or platter lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with flaked almonds before serving.