Colourful Topics, TNS Discounts and a Question of Time

I’ve an eclectic mix for you this week. Colourful mills that I realised I hadn’t talked about since they arrived, new product from my friends at Le Creuset, a discontinued colour from the same brand, and some overstocks at very tempting prices, also from our French friends.

C&M Kenton Salt and Pepper Mills

These mills with their 'rubber wood' bodies, sprayed a variety of trendy colours, could be said "to bring a cheerful splash of colour to your table without compromising on quality"…sounds a bit salesy for me, but there is, in this case, more than a grain of truth in that statement.

With their ceramic movements capable of grinding both salt or pepper these mills have a degree of adjustment* in the manner in which the salt or pepper is emitted. They may not be the last word in mill refinement that say Adhoc or Peugeot can provide, but they are, without doubt, a very good £15 worth.

Oh and I nearly forgot to say, every mill comes with a choice of knobs.

One with an ‘S’ etched into it, and one with a ‘P’…. a nice touch, and saves us 50% on stock holding, and means you can change your mind as well!**

* Tighten the knob for a fine result and loosen for coarse.

** Tip: Remember if used when cooking, grind into the palm of your hand so that the movement isn’t exposed to steam or grease. This applies to all mills, not just the Kentons.

Le Creuset Square Dish with Lid in Rose Quartz & Blue Riviera.

​These are not new dishes, but these two colours are, and actually, slightly to my surprise, I like both. The blue predictably, but yes, even the pink has its charms. So, a lovely splash of colour in your kitchen or on your dining table.

Very practical with a good fitting lid, very durable (highly chip resistant) as Le Creuset Stoneware is, unless you drop it of course.

​So, whether you're doing shepherd's pie, lasagna, or a crumble (that you’d normally do without a lid) or Coq-au-vin, Beef Bourguignon or a Ratatouille (that you'd normally do with a lid), either way you have the lid to keep it warm after serving and to cover the leftovers or when in the fridge.

Le Creuset Deep Teal (Discontinued)

​Deep Teal has been one of the more popular colours in recent years and its often puzzled me why Le Creuset insist on retiring colours that people actually like.

​When I ask, they’ll tell me it’s all about marketing and fashion

Since I fear that I don’t really understand either concept, personally I’m going to put it down to just one of life's frustrations.

However, for you, this may be quite important, if you've always imagined owning a Deep Teal casserole, teapot or utensil jar…

So, this email is to let you know of Deep Teal's imminent demise, although for a while at least you will still be able to buy it through Le Creuset’s own website.

Albeit at full price, I suspect. So, use the link below to see some excellent prices on our remaining stock.

Looking on the bright side, if we don’t have what you want in Deep Teal, very often you’ll be able to find a good contrasting colour that would not look out of place with it…

Volcanic for instance contrasts nicely.

Le Creuset TNS (Toughened Non-Stick) Woks, Shallow Casseroles & Frying Pans

There is a strong argument that TNS is one of Le Creuset's most practical ranges. It heats up quickly, especially on gas, is considerably lighter than cast iron, and makes cooking certain foods, (eggs, fish and other delicate items,) remarkably straightforward.

In reality, a good non-stick pan is wonderfully forgiving. You can get away with all sorts of things that would challenge the uninitiated in uncoated stainless steel.

Nothing sticks to it (at least not when it's new), it spreads heat evenly, and produces consistently reliable results. Treated with a little respect, don't overheat it, don't attack it with metal utensils, and don't leave it sitting empty on a blazing hob, it will reward you with many years of faithful service.

We were, however, perhaps a little over-enthusiastic when placing some orders earlier this year. As a result, we find ourselves with rather more stock than good sense might have suggested. The beneficiary of this lapse in judgement is, happily, you. I've therefore sharpened my pencil to the very limit of its lead and arrived at the following prices:

Le Creuset TNS Shallow Casserole with Lid - 30cm  £215.00  £125.00

Le Creuset TNS Wok 32cm £215.00  £125.00

Le Creuset TNS Sauté Pan with Glass Lid - 26cm  £209.00  £119.00

Le Creuset TNS Deep Frying Pan - 30cm  £189.00  £129.00

Le Creuset TNS Shallow Frying Pan - 28cm  £155.00  £125.00

Le Creuset TNS Stir Fry Pan - 30cm  £215.00  £135.00

Last Word

If there is a theme running through all these products, it is perhaps that good kitchen equipment tends to outlast fashion.

​Colours come and go, ranges are launched and discontinued, but a decent mill still needs to grind pepper properly long, long into the future, and a good pan still needs to cook supper without complaint, ditto.

Mind you, if somebody could invent a saucepan that emptied the dishwasher and put itself away afterwards, my family and I would be in its debt…. The way AI is going, it won’t be long though.

And I suppose in saying this, I’ve just opened a can of worms haven’t I?

We already have dishwashers, most of us. When our dishwasher broke down, 15 or 20 years ago, we didn’t repair it immediately, waiting several years to, ostensibly, save money. This resulted in us doing the washing up and drying up every evening, as a family.

I cannot tell you how many conversations emerged from those twenty minutes spent together. Some important, some utterly trivial, most now forgotten.

Yet they happened because we were standing together in the same room, doing something mildly tedious. Allowing our minds and conversations to wander to things more interesting.

Which leaves me wondering whether some of these devices that save us time, are also quietly taking something away.

Was this really time wasted?

And, do we end up substituting these activities with something that really adds genuine value to our lives?

I’m not necessarily saying I want to return to a dishwasher-less house, but it does make me wonder, are these devices enriching our lives, or, in ways we scarcely notice, leaving them a little poorer?

Food for thought perhaps?

I trust that you have a peaceful and pleasant weekend

​

Warm regards,  

Andrew​