If
it's possible to have an ongoing relationship with
one's KitchenAid Artisan Mixer, then mine is very
close, and personal. I had first seen it while travelling
in the US on a free spirited gap year, and even then
was a domestic dreamer; seriously considering shipping
one home to the UK on a student budget! Irrational
I know, but 'kitchen love' is a strange and often
unwieldy thing. We eventually started our relationship
proper about 11 years ago and it has been an enduring
love ever since.
Mine is white, crisp, clean and suitable for any
environment, but I often hanker for a colour that's
a bit more, dare I say it, cutting edge. Maybe Apple
Green, Cobalt Blue, Candy Apple, Imperial Red or even
ultra cool Metallic Grey would add a bit of style
to my kitchen, but whatever the colour, it would still
be the same marvellous mixer underneath.
So apart from looking great, and being featured in
every TV chef's kitchen, what exactly is so fantastic
about a KitchenAid Artisan Mixer? The bowl for a start.
At 4.8 litres capacity the brushed Stainless Steel
bowl is large enough to make dough for two loaves
using 1.2kg of flour, but can also whisk one egg white
without a problem. Its high sides stop ingredients
splashing out, and the twisting mechanism that holds
it in place is firm and totally secure.
The
300W motor has 10 speeds and is very strong, heavy
and uses an original planetary action. It copes equally
well with large quantity mixtures that need slow mixing
for a prolonged time, as well as beating a cake mixture
quickly and lightly to produce the most wonderfully
risen Victoria Sponge. It has a really robust all
metal design, which although heavy to carry at 12.7kg,
means that it is reliably rooted to the spot when
you need it to be.
The Artisan Mixer comes with three mixing attachments
(flat beater, wire whisk and a dough hook). You also
get a clear plastic pouring shield that is really
helpful in keeping your worktop free from mess. With
KitchenAid's range of more than 12 optional attachments,
you can turn your mixer into all sorts of appliances,
from a pasta roller/cutter to a citrus juicer, slicer/shredder
and my neighbour even uses his to make homemade sausages
with a specifically designed gadget from the clever
American people at KitchenAid
If aesthetics are your thing, then you couldn't want
for more than this Henry Moore of the mixer world.
If functionality drives you, you can be certain that
cake, after wonderfully light cake, will never cease
to thrill you. You may decide not to have quite the
same relationship with your KitchenAid mixer as I
do, but I can assure you it will be long lasting,
fulfilled and very productive.
