The Elusive Coffee Bar

My quest for a Ninja Coffee Bar is failing. I emailed SharkNinja about it and they told me that they have no plans to release another coffee machine in the UK and that the models CF065 & CF091 are no longer available and that they do not know of any suppliers in the UK that have them in stock still. I have looked and looked, but no one has one. I did find one on eBay, was the winning bid for 2 days, then was outbid with seconds to go. There are others on eBay for sale but they have all used/second hand, which I certainly do not want.

• 

• 

I found a European one on Amazon, but it is a different plug. I know I can get an adapter, but that is not the point, I would rather have a UK version. Also If I order today, I will receive it in June which puts me off too, and add to that I would be listed as the importer by Amazon, which begs the question of import tax, will I be charged for that too by HMRC? or because it is under a certain amount will there be no tax? Part of me wants to get it, but the above has stopped me in my tracks.

Now, I do have a coffee machine, no, let’s get that right, I have many coffee machines. I have a Nespresso machine, a filter machine, an Aeropress, a French Press, a Bialetti stovetop espresso pot, a Dolce Gusto machine, and of course I have a hot water dispenser and a kettle so I can make instant. Yes, I have lots of coffee making possibilities, but I still want the Ninja machine, they look good and have so many functions, unlike a coffee pot that has one job to do.

The search will continue unless I break, then I will have to get the European one from Amazon. If I do, I may have to see if I can remove the EU plug and fit a British one, although that will invalidate the guarantee. I really am running the complete gamut of decisions.

Till next time…

Kitchen Gadgets – More

I couldn’t help it, the devil made me do it, honest!

There I was browsing Amazon and what popped up? A Ninja 3 in 1 Food Processor with Auto iQ. It was on offer with £50 off the price, but it was not in stock until late June. I clicked buy now and the deed was done, I just had to wait for 6 weeks. Then to my surprise, I received an email telling me that it was back in stock earlier than stated and today it arrived. It is a bit of a beast, as are all their products, but I love it. It has three containers; a 2.1-litre jug, a 1.8-litre food processing bowl and a 700ml cup with a lid. Although I have not used it yet, I will be over the weekend starting with making hummus as M loves it. I intend to make a smoothie in the morning for my breakfast on the way to work.

To have it on display in the kitchen, I have had to move all my appliances around, but it was worth it. I emailed Ninja yesterday as they have a coffee bar which I would love, but, it seems to be discontinued in the UK, hopefully, they will either tell me they have one I can buy, or they are releasing a new one, which I will obviously want, so watch this space.

Ninja Style Soups

Those that are regular visitors know I have a slight, if not disturbing infatuation with Ninja range of machines, and obviously use them all the time. The one machine I thought I would not use too much was the blender/soup maker. However, I was wrong and love making soups.

I have made so far;

• Tomato & Basil
• Curry Cauliflower
• Butternut Squash
• Chicken Noodle
• Leak & Potato

Today I decided to make root vegetable with chicken and barley, and yes, it was delicious, so much so I have just made a second batch so I can take some to work tomorrow for lunch. The photos are of the last two soups I made. On the left is chicken noodle, and on the right is today’s soup Root Veg with Chicken & Barley, and I have included the recipe too.

• 

• 

Ingredients

• 750ml chicken stock
• 50g pearl barley
• 2 sticks of celery
• 1 onion – chopped
• 1 large parsnip
• 2 carrots
• 3 chicken thighs – boned and cut into chunks
• 1/4 swede or 1 whole turnip
• bay leaf
• salt & pepper
• Thyme or rosemary – your choice
• Chopped parsley (keep till the end)

Chop all the vegetable into bit size chunks.

Ninja users – Put all ingredients into the pot and press chunky soup

Pot user – simmer the stock with the barley for 20 minutes, then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.

Everyone – when cooked remove the bay leaf, serve in bowls with chopped parsley on the top.

Enjoy!

Ninja Madness?

Okay, I may have lost my mind or possessed by the devil, not sure which, but it is a close call. “Why Mr K?” I hear you say, “why?” I felt the need/urge to buy another Ninja product, not because I need it, as I have a machine that pressure cooks, I have a machine that will dehydrate, I also have a Crockpot, I have a grill, three ovens, a rotary fryer, a….. you get the picture, I have it all, in separate machines, and I love the all, not like my dogs of my knitting supplies, but I love them. However, I am in love with the look and verticality of the Ninja products (no I am not getting paid by them, or have any freebees from them, but I would not say no). They look sexy and now that I am renovating the kitchen they look super cool and in turn make the kitchen (still not finished) look very good.

So, I guess I better tell what the latest toy I have bought. Drum roll! It is a Ninja 9-in-1 6 litre multi-cooker. I was toying with getting the 7.5 litre one and thought to myself, I don’t need one that big, and now I have the 6 litre, I could have gone for the 7.5 after all. But hey, we will make it work.

As I got home later than normal due to going to the DIY store on the way home, then the supermarket I decided just to make burgers and beer battered chunky chips for dinner (fries to the USA). In the new 9-in-1 I did the chips which came out fabulous and the air grill I did the burgers. Everything was fabulous and perfectly cooked and in half the time it would have taken in the oven and grill.

Above my collection on the newly done kitchen cabinets, more about the refurbishment at a later date when I have finished it all.

Kitchen Toys

I have gone a little mad the last week with new kitchen toys. On Saturday I bought a Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill and then on Sunday bought a Ninja Foodi Hot & Cold Blender & Soup Maker.

I know! Do I need these things in my life? Probably not, but at the same time, yes I do, and now I have played with them, yes I do need them and so does everyone else. These machines are amazing, and it is very seldom I would describe a machine as amazing, but I have to say it again, they are amazing.

I am now considering replacing my Pressure King Pro with a Ninja Foodi Max 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker. I know, do I need to do this? Probably not! Will I? Probably will!

Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer

Ninja Foodi Blender & Soup Maker

So far I have cooked burgers, sausages and fries in the Health grill, as I had them in the fridge, but WOW, they were cooked in about 5 minutes, which was quite amazing and nice and brown too. With the blender I have made raspberry and coconut smoothie, curried cauliflower soup and peanut butter hot chocolate. Not a great deal of things, but I have only had them a couple of days.

If anyone was considering buying these things, then I say go for it. Kitchen toys are great fun, and these are worth every penny.