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Win a BRITA filter kettle

By Tom Craik | 18/06/2013 | Posted in Kitchen


 

The Mad Hatters among us will know what a difference a Morphy Richards BRITA filter kettle makes to the quality of your cuppa. Taking out all impurities from hard water, you can always be assured of a top quality cup of tea every time you brew.

If you weren't selected to host a Mad Hatters Tea Party then don't worry - we are giving you the chance to win your very own BRITA filter kettle so you can see for yourself!

At the tea parties, Jane Pettigrew was on hand to teach you how to make the perfect cup of tea. For a chance to do this for yourself, all you have to do is:

  • Watch the video.
  • Comment on this blog post to tell us what the Mad Hatter said to Alice, explaining why tea was perfect!

The competition will close at midday on Wednesday 26th June, so don't delay!

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Food safety and barbecues

By Tom Craik | 15/06/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

Father's Day may be fast approaching, however this week also has an important significance as it is Food Safety Week. Many people will be determined to celebrate the occasion with a barbecue for their dad (depending on the weather forecasts, of course!) however it is important to be careful with your food. 

We have pulled together a few of our top tips on how to enjoy your barbecue whilst also preparing your food safely, to ensure that you have the perfect weekend.

 

1. Use separate tongs for cooked and frozen meat:

Make sure to either use two sets of tongs, or regularly clean them. Mixing uncooked and cooked meat is a big no-no, so take any steps possible to avoid. 

2. Make sure any frozen food is fully thawed:

If any of your food is still thawed, or partially thawed then this will take much longer to cook. It may not seem like too much of an issue, but this could cause the meat to cook on just the outside, leaving the inside full of harmful bacteria.

3. Ensure all coals are white hot before adding food:

You should always monitor the coals on the barbecue to make sure it is hot enough - the sign for this is whether they are white or not. If they are white, then that means the pit is hot enough to thoroughly cook all your meat all the way through. Anything less than that and you should remain patient and wait for the coals to turn white.

4. Always turn the meat regularly:

Sounds like an obvious one, but it's very easy to get distracted in the sunshine with your friends and family. Make sure to monitor the barbecue and turn all your sausages, burgers, kebabs and meats regularly. You can then be confident of a thorough cook.

5. Make sure there is no pink meat visible:

When it comes to meat on a barbecue, pink = a big no-no. Always check your meat to see if there's any pink bits, and continue to cook if there is. If necessary, cut into your meat to check the centre as this is where the pink parts are most likely to be.

6. Clean your hands regularly:

A simple food safety rule, but also a very important one. If you are handling meat, along with different kinds of food and utensils, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands every time you touch some. That way, any potential bacteria and germs will not be spread, and the barbecue will be an overall success.

If you would like to view any of our food preparation items which are a great accompaniment to any barbecue, make sure to check out our website. Also ensure you join the conversation on our Facebook page. 

Happy Father's Day!

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Great gifts for Father's Day

By Tom Craik | 14/06/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

Father's Day is upon us this weekend, and there are still people up and down the country who are scratching their heads to think of a gift for the man that has everything.  Luckily for you we have a series of smart appliances that any houseproud father would love, just in time for the big day.

Slow cooked meals:

 

 

Being a dad is busy work, so why not help to take the stress away in the kitchen with an innovative Slow Cooker? Coming in a range of different sizes and models, our slow cookers allow you to cook delicious meals while freeing up your own time to be productive elsewhere in the home.

Warm, tasty soup:

 

 

Soup is a real nation's favourite, but homemade soup always tastes best. Make that a reality this Father's Day with the Morphy Richards Soup Maker, which is designed to make soup exactly to his preferences. Whether your dad prefers chunky or smooth, his wish is its command.

One for the coffee lovers:

 

 

Whether dad is feeling a bit bleary-eyed on a Monday morning, or simply wants a treat after a delicious meal, a good cup of coffee is always a nice pick-me-up. Add this to his daily routine with one of our fantastic coffee makers; we have both filter and espresso machines available on our website

If you're still struggling for inspiration then make sure to stay on our website for a look at our full range of products. Check out our Facebook page for more information.

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Grill and steam for a healthier summer

By Tom Craik | 12/06/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

Now that the sun has finally started to shine, it’s time to start enjoying the summer! What better way to do that than with a summer full of delicious, healthy food to ensure that you feel in tip top condition.

 

What you may not have known is that one of the best ways to set yourself up for a healthy summer is with a combination of delicious grilled and steamed food. Luckily for you, we have kitchen appliances that can help make it a reality this summer.


Steaming

 

 

Steaming is an invaluable method to keep your food healthy without compromising on the taste. When steaming, the food never comes into contact with the water – this means that it keeps all the vital nutrients and moisture locked inside which would previously have been lost. There’s no need to use any kind of oil either, which makes it perfect for any summer health kick.

We have a range of great food steamers available on our website; however our Intellisteam Compact in particular would be a great addition to any food lover’s kitchen. It has a number of unique features that not only make cooking healthier, but also help to make it that bit easier. 

For instance, if you fancy steaming more than one ingredient at once then the Intellisteam Compact can help.  It comes complete with two separate compartments that can be controlled independently. This means that combined with its unique timer settings, you can steam your fish and your vegetables and have them both piping hot and ready to serve at the same time.

If you’re busy preparing other parts of the meal, then the Intellisteam Compact’s automatic ‘keep warm’ function will kick in, meaning your steamed food will stay at the correct temperature for up to twenty minutes after finishing.

Grilling

 

 

Although summer is upon us, British weather unfortunately means that barbecuing isn’t always an option. The good news is that the Morphy Richards Intelligrill brings the taste of grilled food straight into your kitchen all year round, rain or shine.

Grilling is the perfect way to inspire and drive any summer health drive; as the food cooks, the fat drips right off meaning that you are in more control of the level of fat you are taking in with every meal. The Morphy Richards Intelligrill has been designed to make this process as simple as possible, and focus any diet. 

For example, the grill has a temperature probe and digital display so that you can accurately monitor your food temperature and ensure your meal is cooked thoroughly. To watch a video of our design and innovation manager, Glynn Hauser, taking you through the appliance’s key features then make sure to visit our YouTube channel.

If you would like to buy any of the products featured in this post, then please don’t hesitate to visit our website. Have any questions? Leave a comment below or join our Facebook community.

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Pop Up Prize Shop winners announced

By Tom Craik | 07/06/2013 | Posted in About Us

 

Our Pop Up Prize Shop on Facebook is now closed, so a big thank you goes out to the 5,000 people that entered! If you claimed a seat, make sure to check your email inbox in the coming days for an exclusive discount code on your selected product.

It's now time for the big moment, where we announce all of the winners! There were several different prizes to be won, including the grand prize of £500 to spend in Sainsbury's, so we have detailed each of the winners below.

Good luck - and if you are a winner, congratulations! You'll receive an email from us next week explaining how to claim your prize.

£500 in Sainsbury's vouchers:

Paul Scotland

Elipta Brushed Stainless Steel Toaster:

Angie Swift
Sue Cole
Helen Naiem

Accents Black 2 Slice Toaster

Tracey Belcher
Paul Sharp
Chrissie Charnock

Comfigrip Steam Iron Diamond TriZone Soleplate

Bev Willis
Paula Dunn
Sarah Maclean

Round Slow Cooker 6.5L

Zoë N Alex
Gel Hardiman
Sinead Okane

Brita Accents White Plastic Filter Kettle

Beverley Matthews
Ray Lewis
Carole Taylor

Brita Accents Brushed Stainless Steel Filter Kettle

Sylvia Martin
Margaret Hamilton
Julie Hoggy

NLS Lift Away Complete Clean Vacuum Cleaner

Bronwen Evans
Janice Patterson
Olivia Kirby

NLS* Pets Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner

Paula Isaacs
Elizabeth Wilson
Michelle Brownlow

Power Steam Elite Steam Generator:

Ruth Norman
Katie Irving
Fiona Spratt

Make sure to check out our Facebook page for announcements of future competitions.

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Morphy Richards Pop Up Prize Shop

By Tom Craik | 31/05/2013 | Posted in About Us


 

You may have seen that this week we launched our ‘Pop Up Prize Shop’ on Facebook, which gives you the chance to win a Morphy Richards product of your choice AND £500 in Sainsbury’s vouchers. If you haven’t taken part, where have you been?  Luckily you still have THREE days to enter, but don’t delay as places are limited!

 

The unique thing about the Pop Up Prize Shop is that the more people you bring through the door, the more entries you get to win the grand prize of £500 Sainsbury’s vouchers. For example, if ten people accept your Facebook request, then you get 10 additional entries. Simple! Make sure to share it with as many of your friends to increase your chances of a big spending spree.

If you want to know how to enter, it’s as easy as 1,2,3:

Like Morphy Richards on Facebook.
Confirm the Morphy Richards product you would like to win.
Select the friends you would like to share with, and send!

Remember - more accepted shares = more likelihood of winning. We’ll see you at the Pop Up Prize Shop - good luck!

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Steam your way to a new you

By Tom Craik | 30/05/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

When wanting to eat healthier, people often neglect the benefits of steaming your ingredients to create a healthier dish, for a new you.

When steaming, the food never comes into contact with the water, cooking it more gently and allowing its natural vitamins to be retained which usually dissolve in water – for instance, steaming preserves 90% of antioxidants in fresh vegetables. Not only that, steaming also means that no fat or oil is required for cooking, which saves precious calories at meal times. Who wouldn’t want a meal that tickles all the right taste buds but without all the unnecessary fats?

Almost all foods are suitable for steaming, from vegetables to meat & fish, to seafood and pasta. If preparing tastier, healthier meals sounds like a good alternative to regular cooking then check out the Morphy Richards Intellisteam, which has numerous features to make your time in the kitchen as simple as possible.

Morphy Richards Intellisteam:

 

The Morphy Richards Intellisteam is a revolutionary steamer with three separate, versatile cooking compartments for rice, noodles or potatoes, meat or fish, vegetables and sauce. The Intellisteam’s intelligent timer also ensures that each part of the meal is ready together, making it one of the most convenient ways to cook food. Once the food is ready, the auto keep warm function kicks in, keeping the food in perfect condition for up to 40 minutes before serving.

The Intellisteam’s unique, horizontal layout means that no cross contamination between foods and flavours will take place as the steam rises, so cooking aromatic foods such as fish is a doddle. The steaming process is sure to result in food which is tasty, moist and healthy which the whole family can enjoy.

Morphy Richards Compact Intellisteam:

 

Morphy Richards also offer a smaller version of the Intellisteam, which is perfect for people with more compact kitchens. The six litre capacity means you can still get the same benefits of steaming when making meals for one or two people, and what’s more, all the accessories can be stored inside the product for easy and convenient storage.

If you want to purchase either of the Morphy Richards Intellisteam products, or simply want some more information, then please visit the Morphy Richards website.

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Why soup is perfect for you

By Tom Craik | 30/05/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

Let’s be honest, nothing quite compares to the comfort of hot, homemade soup on a cold day, taking away the bitter edge and letting you drift away to a warm wonderland.

Want to know why soup is perfect for you? We’ve listed all the reasons why we think your Morphy Richards Soup Maker should become your best kitchen friend, helping you to keep any cold snap at bay with quick and easy soup making.

 

 

Soup is easy

First of all, let’s lay to rest the idea that making homemade soup is daunting and time consuming; with a soup maker it’s quick and easy. Delicious, healthy soup recipes are simple to follow, quick to create as well as completely customisable. All you have to do is add your ingredients, select your preference from chunky or smooth and voilà!

Soup is versatile

Whether you like it chunky or smooth, spicy or mild, hearty or light, the Morphy Richards Soup Maker allows you to make homemade soup your way at the flick of a switch.

Soup is healthy

The Morphy Richards Soup Maker allows you to control exactly what goes in your pot, removing excessive salts and fats. Healthy doesn’t mean bland either; adding your favourite herbs and spices to the soup maker creates delicious flavours with low calories.

Soup is mobile

The spout on the Morphy Richards Soup Maker makes it easy to pour your beautiful homemade soup into a container and take it to the office for a comforting meal during a hard day’s work. Alternatively you can put it in the freezer and save it for another cold day.

Soup is medicine

It’s common knowledge that soup makes you feel better when you’re sick. Whether it’s scientifically proven or not, we don’t think anyone can deny that when you have a cold or the flu, nothing is quite like a hot bowl of homemade soup.

Soup is perfect

Soup is a meal that brings so much to the table, all made easier through the use of a soup maker. We hope you agree the evidence is conclusive and soup is a perfect January meal.

To watch a video of our design and innovation manager Glynn taking you through how the Morphy Richards Soup Maker works, please click here.

To buy the soup maker, please visit our website

Hard water and ironing

By Tom Craik | 29/05/2013 | Posted in Ironing


 

Hard water is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United Kingdom; BBC News in particular has recently picked up on the varying levels of water quality across the country, illustrating a real problem. We’ll talk later in the week about how this can affect making your perfect cup of tea, but did you ever think that it could affect your ironing? Being prepared and always staying one step ahead is the way to deal with this natural problem, and to avoid any unnecessary problems further down the live.


‘Hard’ water refers to water that is very high in mineral content; although it’s not dangerous to your health, it’s generally accepted that ‘hard’ water doesn’t taste as nice as ‘soft’ water. The worst affected regions in England tend to be areas around London and Kent, however this isn’t exclusive and ‘hard’ water areas can be found up and down the country.


It is, however, a pain for your appliances, as ‘hard’ water has been directly linked to outbreaks of limescale. A limescale build up within your steam generator iron can be detrimental not only to the quality of your product, but also the quality of your ironing – creases will creep back into your household after a much welcomed absence! This is a purely natural outcome; however there are stays that can be taken to avoid this issue.


Depending on the model of steam generator iron that you have in your household, you can purchase additional anti-scale accessories to control any potential build ups. It’s recommended that you should change your cartridge/bag every two to three months to ensure the crispest iron every time, especially if you live in a ‘hard’ water area.


For models such as the Jet Stream 2200W Steam Generator, we have a range of anti-scale bags that fit directly into the iron and help battle against limescale. For other steam generator irons, our anti-scale cartridges will do the same job. Always make sure to check your instruction manual to find information on which your steam generator iron takes.

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Hard water: a blogger's perspective

By Tom Craik | 29/05/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

This month has seen the launch of our brand new range of kettles, fitted with BRITA technology, so that you only ever have clear water in your cup of tea. Hard water has more of an effect on your trusty kettle than you'd expect, as blogger 'Fuss Free Helen' testifies to below.

 

As a child I found it great fun to be able to grab a lump of chalk from the garden and to be able to draw on the garden paving, impromptu hopscotch or pictures made for endless entertainment.  On holidays to the West Country I was fascinated that soap produced more bubbles – and noticeably vanished faster – and that water tasted different.  

As I grew older I started to drink tea and coffee and noticed a very thin layer of scum floating on my tea and coffee, which became even more obvious as I started drinking both black.  There is also the difference in taste, with tea and coffee at home lacking the full flavours we find when it's made using softer water.  

The reason – hard water. My parents live on the edge of the North Downs, which of course are solid chalk, and the calcium from the chalk dissolved in the water precipitates out when the water is boiled, leaving limescale in the kettle and the layer of scum on tea and coffee. Horrible!

If I run my finger around the inside of my parents' kettle, I easily scrape off a layer of fuzzy soft limescale; that on the element is harder, but can still be removed without difficulty.  It is something of a ritual that whenever I am at home I spend about 5 minutes rubbing, then rinsing the inside of the kettle to remove the scale, (then picking out the solid bits from the kitchen sink).

 

Now that I live in London it's not so much of a problem, but the inside of the kettle still gets a coating of scale; treated occasionally (as is the dishwasher and washing machine) by a proprietary de-scaler. We deal with the build up on taps and sinks by using white wine vinegar, sprayed on, left for a short while, and then wiped off. Cheap, chemical free and easy, but it does mean that you have to open the windows for a while otherwise there is the hint of chippy in the air.

Aware of the difficulties created by hard water, Morphy Richards have launched a new range of kettles incorporating a Brita filter; which filters the water as you fill the kettle, resulting in properly tasting tea and coffee. For those of us afflicted by hard water, and  don't want scummy tea or coffee, they're well worth a look.


Our new BRITA  filter kettles are available on our website, so please do check them out. Follow Fuss Free Flavours on Twitter, here.

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Mad Hatters Tea Party

By Tom Craik | 24/05/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

It’s nearly the Bank Holiday Weekend, and we hope that you all have plenty of great activities planned! For many of you though, it means that the waiting is over and you will be hosting a Mad Hatters Tea Party courtesy of Morphy Richards, Brita and Come Round!

 

By now, everyone all of the lucky 200 that will be hosting a party will have received their party pack, full to the brim with fun goodies. This includes a variety of masks, balloons and of course, the all-important components to your perfect cup of tea (and much, much more!) 

Leading tea expert Jane Pettigrew will also be on hand in an exclusive video, showing all the party goers exactly what goes into making the perfect cup of tea. Whether it’s the quality of the water, the amount of time the tea bag is allowed to brew in the pot or even the colour, Jane will be there every step of the way.

After the party is over and the confetti settles, we would absolutely love all party goers to share pictures and videos of their party, for the chance to win a range of stunning prizes. What better incentive is there than that!

If you didn’t manage to get an invite to a party this weekend then don’t worry; next week we will be sharing a gallery on our Facebook page, full to the brim with images from the gatherings. We will also share Jane Pettigew’s wisdom, and reveal to the community just how you make the perfect cup of tea – so, stay tuned!

We hope that everyone has a fantastic time this weekend, and enjoys all the festivities!


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Walker or Spreader. The perfect vacuuming technique

By Tom Craik | 21/05/2013 | Posted in Floor Care

Taking good care of your carpet not only significantly extends its life, but controls the build-up of dust which can lead to allergens. That does beg the question though, what is the best technique?  Walking behind? Spreading from one point? Backwards?  Forwards? Here are our top tips to getting the most out of your vacuum:

 

1) Quickly push and slowly pull:
Most vacuums clean better on the backstroke, around 4 times better. Therefore to maximise your cleaning go faster forwards and slower when pulling back.

2) Vary your angles:
Avoid vacuuming in straight lines, changing up the angles ensures the pile is opened removing as much dirt as possible.

3) High footfall areas:
Keep on top of high footfall areas by vacuuming daily to prevent dirt becoming deeply trodden.

4) Plan your route:
Avoid walking over areas you have just vacuumed, sounds obvious but isn’t always easy – plan your exit route.

5) Never Loses Suction:
Our Never Loses Suction vacuum doesn’t lose suction as the vacuum fills like normal vacuums.  It works at maximum efficiency from start to finish.

6) HEPA Filters:
HEPA filters, like the ones in our Never Loses Suction vacuum, ensure that dust and dirt stay in the canister and are not emitted back into the atmosphere, preventing dirt from resettling.  

As well as the Never Loses Suction Complete Clean Vacuum Cleaner, Morphy Richards have a range of vacuum cleaners to suit any household. For more information or even to buy, please visit our website.

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Smart cooking ideas

By Tom Craik | 14/05/2013

We know that the kitchen can often be the most stressful place in the house. Having to juggle all the preparation and the expectations of a hungry family can be tricky, which is why we pride ourselves in making smart products that help make your life easier.

If you think that you may need a helping hand, we have a range of products that will soon become your 'go-to' in the kitchen.

Slow cookers:

 

Slow cooking has increased in popularity and continues to do so, so why not treat her to the smartest ones available? Our range of slow cookers would be the perfect gifts for her.

Both of our slow cookers are innovative in their own right; the Sear & Stew allows searing and slow cooking in the same pot, ensuring all flavours and juices are retained with ease. Meanwhile, the Partition Pot has a unique divided pot which means you can cook two different dishes at the same time in the same cooking pot.

Soup maker:

 

 

Nothing quite compares to the satisfaction of hot, homemade soup. With the Morphy Richards Soup Maker, preparing your soup is easy - all you have to do is add your ingredients, select your preference from chunky or smooth and voilà!

Intelligrill:

 

 

Perfect for grilling meat healthily, the Intelligrill comes with an in-built drip tray to make washing up easier, giving her the gift of time. The grill also contains a temperature probe allowing food temperature to be monitored accurately throughout the cooking process, giving you peace of mind whilst you do other things.

Intellisteam:

 

 

The Intellisteam is ideal for steaming your vegetables. The unique intelligent timer ensures that all your steamed ingredients are perfectly cooked and that the whole meal is ready to serve at the same time. The steamer is fit for the dishwasher, making washing up the thing of the past.

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Bank Holiday DIWhy?

By Tom Craik | 08/05/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

It is often assumed that a Bank Holiday Weekend is the best time to dust off the paint brushes, climb the ladder and start with the dreaded DIY. Personally, we don’t feel that this is necessary, and a Bank Holiday is meant for the relaxation you deserve. 

What’s more, a simple colour change can make all the difference in your kitchen and save you valuable time, money and effort. We have a great range of coloured kettles and toasters that would help to complement any kitchen, and bring in a much needed splash of colour.


Colour Boutique:

Our Colour Boutique range is a perfect match to your kitchen, and comes in three different colour sets to suit any surface. Whether you think a vibrant flash of colour would work best or if you think some more subtle tones are for you, Morphy Richards have it covered.

 


The classic range consists of four timeless tones; black, polished, white and cream, to add a touch of sophistication to any kitchen. 

 

 


The vibrant range includes four eye-catching new colours, cyan, yellow, orange and oasis to add a brighter note to any kitchen, with lively, fun shades that symbolise vitality.

 


The sparkle set features four attention grabbing translucent colours; red, plum, blue and copper to enhance your kitchen with optical radiance.

Accents:

The Accents range from Morphy Richards injects style and new life into any kind of kitchen thanks to its beautifully designed kettles and toasters in a distinctive range of colours.

If you like the look of any of our coloured kettles and toasters, then they are all available to buy on our website. We are also on Facebook, so make sure to join the conversation and let us know which is your favourite!

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Mad Hatters Tea Party with Morphy

By Tom Craik | 03/05/2013 | Posted in About Us

 

 

Are you free on the weekend of the 25-26th May? If so, then Morphy Richards and Brita UK are offering you a great opportunity to host your very own tea party!

Alongside Come Round, we have opened the doors to Alice's Wonderland and we are providing a lucky group of people with all the goodies needed to host the best tea party around! All you have to do is free some time, invite your closest friends and have a great evening!

What's more, tea expert Jane Pettigrew will be giving a special demonstration to all party goers on how exactly to make the perfect cup of tea. If you can't attend then don't despair; all videos and a gallery of pictures will be available on our Facebook page the following week, so make sure to keep an eye out!

UPDATE: The sign up process is now closed, and we have received 800 applications to be a part of our tea parties! There are 200 places available, so the lucky shortlist will be contacted in the coming days and they can then start preparing for their special weekend!

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Slow cooked beef recipes

By Tom Craik | 29/04/2013 | Posted in Recipes

Beef is definitely one of our favourite meats. Not only is it delicious, but it can be enjoyed all year round - after all, when is a Sunday lunch not appropriate? With that in mind we've pulled together our favourite beef recipes, all of which can be cooked with the helping hand of the Morphy Richards Slow Cooker.

Beef Stroganoff

 

Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 4 hours on high/8 hours on low
  • 1kg stewing steak, diced
  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 200ml red wine
  • 100ml beef stock
  • 2 small onions, sliced
  • 2 red peppers, deseeded and sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 200g field mushrooms, wiped and quartered
  • 100ml creme fraiche
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 375g brown rice, to serve
  1. Season the steak. Heat half the oil over a high heat in a large frying pan and cook the beef for about 10 minutes, until browned all over.
  2. Add the red wine and stock and, once simmering, pour the beef and liquid into the slow cooker.
  3. Heat the remaining oil over a medium heat in the pan and cook the onions, red peppers and garlic for about 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the tomato puree, paprika and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Transfer to the slow cooker and stir in the mushrooms. Cook for 4 hours on the high setting or 8 hours on low.
  5. To serve, stir the creme fraiche through the stroganoff, and spoon over the hot brown rice.

Traditional pot-roasted beef with fresh herb dumplings

 
Serves 4-6
Prep time 15 mins
Cooking time: 4 hours on high/8 hours on low
  • 800g stewing steak, diced
  • 25g butter
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 500ml beef stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 large thyme sprig
  • 1 rosemary sprig
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 100g vegetable suet
  • 100g self-raising flour
  • 3 tbsp chopped mixed herbs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Green vegetables, to serve
  1. Season the beef. Heat half the butter over a high heat in a large frying pan and cook the beef for about 5 minutes, in batches if necessary, until browned all over. Stir in the plain flour, then spoon the mixture into the slow cooker.
  2. Pour a little of the stock into the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape off any residue. Transfer to the slow cooker together with the bay leaf, thyme and rosemary.
  3. Heat the remaining butter over a medium heat in the pan and cook the onions, carrots and celery for about 10 minutes, until softened. Transfer to the slow cooker and add the remaining stock. Cook for 4 hours on the high setting or 8 hours on low.
  4. Start making the dumplings about 45 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Combine the suet, self-raising flour and mixed herbs in a bowl and add seasoning. Stir in 200ml water until a dough forms, then drop teaspoons of the dough on top of the casserole. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until puffed up and cooked through.
  5. Serve hot with the green vegetables of your choice.

Beef and chorizo casserole with salsa

 

Serves: 6

Prep time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 4 hours on high/8 hours on low

  • 1kg stewing steak
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 1 mild onion, roughly chopped
  • 150g chorizo
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 200ml beef stock
  • 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 1 x 300g can pinto or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
  • Large pinch of chilli flakes
  • 1 tsp chopped thyme
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 2 ripe avocados, stoned and chopped
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 4 tbsp chopped coriander
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Tortilla wraps to serve
  1. Toss the steak in the flour to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over a high heat in a large frying pan and cook half the beef for about 5 minutes, until well browned all over. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the rest of the steak.
  2. Heat the remaining oil over a medium heat in the pan and cook the onions for a few minutes, until softened. Then add the chorizo and cook for a few more minutes.
  3. Add the stock, chopped tomatoes, pinto (or borlotti) beans, chili flakes, thyme, tomato puree and seasoning. Return the beef to the pan and bring to a simmer. Transfer to the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on the high setting or 8 hours on low.
  4. Start making the potato wedges about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
  5. For the salsa, stir together the avocados, lime juice and coriander and add the seasoning. Serve alongside the casserole and potato wedges.

We hope that these recipes inspire you to eat some delicious beef centered meals. For more information about any of our slow cookers then make sure to visit our website. 

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Win a Never Loses Suction Vacuum Cleaner!

By Tom Craik | 24/04/2013 | Posted in Floor Care

It's competition time again, and this month we are giving away one of our smartest ever products - the Never Loses Suction Lift Away Complete Clean Vacuum Cleaner.

 

 

Morphy Richards’ new improved Lift Away Bagless Upright boasts Never Loses Suction* Cyclone technology for constant pick up performance, making it perfect for the most house proud of people. 

The product is the first vacuum cleaner in the UK to boast a lift away detachable canister combined with Never Loses Suction* technology. The lift away canister detaches from the main body of the unit giving a cleaning radius of up to an impressive 12.5m, making it ideal for vacuuming those hard to reach places such as skirting boards, stairs and other nooks and crannies.

For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling us what you think is the hardest place to reach with a vacuum cleaner. Do this before 12pm on Wednesday 1st May, and we will announce the winner on the blog later that day.

The Future is Bright….The Future is Highlight Colours

By Tom Craik | 15/04/2013 | Posted in Kitchen

Now that the cold winter has passed (well, we hope) we can prepare for some spring sunshine and think about renovating our homes as we open our windows. Today, we will be focusing on the kitchen. A small change in colour can make a big difference, and will embrace the improved spring weather.

Redecorating your kitchen can be an expensive and timely affair but it needn’t be. Reviving your kitchen can be as simple as switching a few, key appliances for more colourful options - forget costly makeovers and think more about throwing out that old toaster! Enter the Morphy Richard Colour Boutique range, perfect for adding highlight colours to your kitchen without having to take it all apart! We’ve separated them into three colour ranges to help fit them best to your kitchen.

Classic:
 

The classic range consists of four timeless tones; black, polished, white and cream, to add a touch of sophistication to any kitchen. 

Vibrant:

 

The vibrant range includes four eye-catching new colours, cyan, yellow, orange and oasis to add a brighter note to any kitchen, with lively, fun shades that symbolise vitality.

Sparkle:

 

The sparkle set features four attention grabbing translucent colours; red, plum, blue and copper to enhance your kitchen with optical radiance. 

Have you found a colour that you like? If so, head to our website and view the full range.

We'd also love to see how Colour Boutique has brightened up your kitchen. Head to our Facebook page and show us how you've embraced the Spring weather!

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Morphy Richards on TV

By Tom Craik | 10/04/2013 | Posted in About Us

You may have noticed that over the past month or so that we have been on TV!  This has been because we have launched two of our smartest new products; the 9-in-1 Steam Cleaner and the Never Loses Suction Lift Away Complete Clean Vacuum Cleaner. 

These two floor care products both have unique specialisms that are designed to make your Spring cleaning a breeze this year.

9-in-1 Steam Cleaner:

 

The 9 in 1 Upright and Handheld Steam Cleaner from Morphy Richards is a truly versatile product with nine different cleaning uses for all areas of the home; including carpets, work surfaces, windows  and upholstery. 

Creating steam in just 30 seconds, it is the perfect appliance for this year’s spring cleaning. Able to tackle dirt in a whole manner of different situations, the 9-in-1 will leave your surfaces sparkling!

To see the product in action, make sure to check out our advert.

Never Loses Suction Lift Away Complete Clean Vacuum Cleaner:

 

Morphy Richards’ new improved Lift Away Bagless Upright boasts Never Loses Suction* Cyclone technology for constant pick up performance, making it perfect for the most house proud of people. 

The product is the first vacuum cleaner in the UK to boast a lift away detachable canister combined with Never Loses Suction* technology. The lift away canister detaches from the main body of the unit giving a cleaning radius of up to an impressive 12.5m, making it ideal for vacuuming those hard to reach places such as skirting boards, stairs and other nooks and crannies.

For a closer view on how efficient the product is, don't miss our advert.

Both the 9-in-1 steam cleaner and the Never Loses Suction vacuum cleaners are now available on our website.

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Win a 9-in-1 steam cleaner

By Tom Craik | 28/03/2013

The brand new Morphy Richards 9-in-1 Steam Cleaner launched this week, just in time to help you out with your Spring cleaning! If you like the look of it, then luckily for you we have one to give away to a lucky blog reader!

 

For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling us what the trickiest cleaning task is before 12pm on Friday 5th April. We will then announce the winner on the blog later that day.

If you haven't already, make sure to watch the new and exclusive advertisement to see the 9-in-1 steam cleaner in action.

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