Our Top Appliances For A Healthier, Festive Summer

When it's a lovely summers day outside, no one wants to spend too much time slaving over a hot stove to create healthy meals for their family or guests. Here's our top pick of nifty gadgets that will help you whip up wholesome snacks, meals and more – stress-free and in a jiffy!

Blenders & Stick Blenders
A quick and efficient blender is a great addition to your summer kitchen. Make beautiful energy-boosting smoothies for breakfast or as a snack, quickly whip together delicious chilled soups and sauces or make mock sorbets, cocktails and ice creams out of frozen fruit like bananas, mangoes or berries – especially easy with a high-powered blender. Try these Pink Lemonade Slushies – an icy cold treat that's perfect on a hot summers day.

Pink Lemonade Slushies
Pink Lemonade slushies are super refreshing and easy to whip up with your high-speed blender and fresh fruit and berry juice.

TIME: 10 Minutes
SERVINGS: 4

Ingredients

• ½ cup (125 ml) Berry Juice
• 2 cups (500 ml) chopped watermelon
• 125 g raspberries; rinsed
• 1 tub (80 g) pomegranate seeds
• 1 – 2 tsp. (5 – 10ml) Honey
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• Juice of 3 lemons
• 2 sprigs of mint
• Handful of Ice

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until it’s an icy slush.
2. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

MULTICOOKERS, SLOW COOKERS & PRESSURE COOKERS
The first things that come to mind when thinking of summer food prep are probably not these comfort cooking favourites, but if you want to cut down your time in the kitchen. and enjoy the outdoors, they will fast become a summer staple. Pressure cookers cut down your cooking time, slow cookers makes for fuss-free, all-in-one cooking and multi-cookers can do both, plus they feature additional functions like steaming, sauteing and rice and yoghurt makers. Use them to prepare big batches of basics like beans, rice, and whole grains to use as a basis for grain bowls, fresh salads and side dishes. Or make an entire healthy meal in one go – including meat, veggies and grains – without wasting any time over a hot stove. To see what the multicooker offers click here, or choose from our range of pressure or slow cookers.

STEAMERS
For quick, easy and healthy meals, an electric steamer is your kitchen superhero! Meat stays tender and juicy and veggies retain more of their nutritional value, thanks to the gentle cooking process. Some steamers, like our Russel Hobbs Satin Quartz Steamer are large enough to cook entire fresh and healthy meals, so there's no need to turn the oven on and turn the heat up in the kitchen!

AIR FRYER
Your air fryer will be your best friend this summer if you plan on taking it very easy when entertaining. An air fryer gives you quick results without the mess and too much prep – and air frying is healthier too. Serve your guests delicious appetisers like crispy calamari, shrimp or mac and cheese balls, whip up healthy sides like sweet potato fries, whole cauliflower or zucchini chips or make your mains like ribs, chicken schnitzels and burgers in the air fryer. It's great for snacks and mouthwatering desserts too.

HEALTH GRILLERS
While now is definitely the time to braai outside, an electric health griller gives you that same great smoky flavour and healthy meal alternatives when you're a little short on time or don't have the option to braai outside. Modern health grillers are sleek and compact and will fit easily in your kitchen.

Festive entertaining tip: place the griller on the table and let guests grill their own meat, fish or veggies – a healthier, summer twist on a fondue!