At over £1,000, the Magimix Perfect Cook is a brilliant multi-cooking machine that will get daily use in your kitchen, but it comes at a high price. It comes with a food processor attachment and a cooker attachment, with a programmable base that can stir food as it cooks or even chop and blend fresh cooked soups, all in one pot.

I’ve been putting the Magimix Perfect Cook to the test for a few months ahead of writing this Magimix Perfect Cook review, and there’s not much this machine can’t do. As with many of the best blenders, the Perfect Cook lives on an endless loop of sitting on my kitchen counters and going straight back into the dishwasher. Because it can do everything from steaming to proving bread, you’ll never run out of new things to do with this multi-cooker, but it’s also a machine that takes some getting used to.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

Reasons to buy:

• Very powerful blending
• Dishwasher-safe parts
• Food processor and cooker attachments
• Handy cookbook to help you adjust
• Cooks and stirs at the same time
• Can steam, chop, and even mix

Reasons to avoid:

• The food processor attachment is not perfect
• It’s very expensive
• Scraping out ingredients is fiddly
• Bread will take adjusting to

Magimix Cook Expert

• Buy direct at Magimix, £1,195

Specs

•   Power: 1700W
•   Capacity: 3.5 L metal bowl, 3.6 L food processor bowl
•   Pre-sets: 13 automatic programmes + 1 expert manual programme
•   Weight: 11.14 kg
•   Size: 38 x 33.5 x 39 cm
•   Included: Universal blade, Steamer basket & tray, Whisk, Heat-resistant spatula, three-layer food processor, 2 slicing discs, 2 grading discs

Magimix Cook Expert: getting set up

The Magimix Cook Expert comes with a lot of kit included. The base is hefty and sturdy, and comes in three colours: black, red, and silver. You get a metal cooking bowl with blades at the base, a food processor attachment with three different sized food processor bowls, and a container with four discs for slicing and grating. The cooking bowl has a steaming insert too, which comes in very handy for steaming vegetables or even making buns. Other extras include some weighing scales, and a spatula that’s designed to help you scrape ingredients out from around the blades at the bottom of the cooking bowl.

Image credit: Magimix

With the Magimix Cook Expert you can scroll across different cooking modes, from heating modes to blending modes, as well as an option for bread and mixing, and a manual mode to adjust heat, blade speed, and timings. Undeniably, this is a multi-cooker that will take some seriously getting used to, and once it was on my kitchen counters I wasn’t sure how best to get started. There is a Magimix cook expert cookbook that helps with picking up new recipes and inspiration, and I also joined a Magimix Cook Expert Facebook group where people posted their recipes and the different dishes they cooked in their Cook Experts, which helped when I wanted more options and wasn’t sure where to begin.

Making soup

The first thing I tried in the Magimix Cook Expert was soup. I was in the process of reviewing the best soup makers at the time, so I was keen to see how well it would compare. I followed a recipe from the Magimix book for tomato soup, adding some whole tomatoes, peppers, some onion and garlic, as well as some stock. Food prep was minimal, and I just had to twist on the lid to get the cooking process started. The blades at the bottom of the bowl in the Magimix Cook Expert are sharp, but you need to amp up the blending mode to get a proper blitz going. If you wanted to do a chunkier soup, you could absolutely turn the cook expert down.

The soup mode was very easy to get going. I cooked my soup in just 30 minutes by bringing it to a simmering point and then blending continuously for a few minutes. One thing I like about the Magimix Cook Expert compared to a soup maker is that you can adjust your cooking modes far more. You can turn the blending speed down or the temperature up, or if you’re cooking ingredients like potato that need a longer time to cook before blending, you can easily extend the cooking time too.

The blending was quite noisy, but my finished soup was unbelievably smooth and took absolutely no maintenance or oversight. I stirred in a little cream and some black pepper when the soup was fully complete, and it was then just a case of unscrewing the cooking bowl and pouring out my soup. One issue I had was the lack of a pouring spout, which meant I found it easier to ladle the soup out than pour it into my bowl, but you can also set a keep-warm mode to keep your soup warm if you’re not ready to eat it quite yet.

Making porridge

I spotted someone’s Magimix Cook Expert porridge recipe on the Facebook group and it looked interesting, so I gave it a go. I just added half a cup of oats, half a cup of water, and a generous splash of milk to my cook expert before setting the cooking on the manual mode.

I put the heat up to 90 degrees and turned the stirring speed to 2A, which is intermittent low-pace stirring, before setting the timer at 10 minutes and pressing ‘Auto’ (which is the start button).

Porridge is a great way to start the day, but it’s the kind of breakfast that needs constant supervision if you want to get it just right. I don’t like it too gloopy or thick, and I find that if you go straight in with warm or hot water when cooking your oats it can lead to a gritty texture. I was worried that the Magimix Cook Expert would blend the oats and lead to more of a paste than porridge consistency, but clearly it was very good at stirring without chopping the oats, because I was left with whole oats and a creamy consistency after the 10 minutes.

The finished consistency was perfect for me, but I was concerned about pouring my oats out into a bowl because there is no spout. Because there wasn’t much porridge I was able to pout the majority of it out into my bowl, and then I had to go in with the spatula to remove the remnants from underneath the blades. It’s great that the Magimix Cook Expert comes with a specialist spatula that’s shaped perfectly to reach into the grooves at the bottom of the cooking pot, but this is still quite fiddly.

I topped my porridge with some cinnamon apple which I’d cooked earlier and was left with a perfect winter breakfast with next-to-no supervision. I then switched the Magimix Cook Expert onto clean mode to prevent the remaining oats from sticking.

Making bread

I followed a recipe from the Magimix cookbook to make sundried tomato and olive bread rolls in the Cook Expert. Of all the things I tried in it, I was particularly skeptical of this, because I usually use one of the best stand mixers to knead my bread and develop gluten which will help the bread to rise and have a soft consistency.

The Magimix Cook Expert can combine your dough ingredients, but it won’t knead them. Instead it will use the blades to slice through the bread, which won’t help in developing gluten fibres. Still, I was keen to see how it did, so I followed the recipe instructions and let my dough combine before leaving it to prove.

Many people use their Cook Experts to heat their bread dough as it proves, but because of the blades at the bottom it will mean that your bread won’t prove in a classic bowl and may be tricky to remove from the blades.

After a minute of mixing, I was left with a stretchy dough. I felt like it needed a lot more kneading, which warms the yeast and encourages it to develop. I left the bread to prove before adding my olives and sundried tomatoes for a second prove, and then broke up my dough into bread rolls. The Perfect Cook won’t replace my bread maker any time soon, but it’s useful for combining baking ingredients.

Because it was a seasonal bake I took some thread and tied it around my rolls to make pumpkin shapes, and left it to prove for a third time before baking. The bake was delicious, but I did find the consistency quite close when compared to bread I’ve made in the past with a stand mixer. In future, I think I’d knead my bread outside of the machine and then turn the cook expert into a medium heat for an hour to prove it inside the cooking pot.

Cooking mash in the Magimix Cook Expert

I’m a lover of mashed potato, but when you review the best air fryers and are constantly making homemade potato wedges, sometimes it’s nice to switch out ingredients. Instead of a mashed potato I used the Magimix Cook Expert to make a mashed cauliflower, which has very similar cooking instructions to potato mash. I first steamed my cauliflower florets by adding some water to the base of the cook expert and inserting the steaming basket and screwing the lid on. After half an hour my cauliflower was very soft and perfect for mashing.

After adding it to the cooking bowl (after draining it) I used the manual setting to heat my mash while blending it on mode 12. I did this for 3 minutes, adding some butter, parmesan, and seasoning to my cauliflower.

The result was very creamy and smoothly blended, and I had no concerns about ingredients going un-blended. The shape of the pot is excellent at directing ingredients down to the blades to integrate all of the ingredients. Mashed cauliflower: who knew?

Using the food processor

Steamed cabbage is one of my favourite sides when making a Sunday roast, so I added the finest shredding disc to the top of the medium food processing bowl and finely sliced my cabbage using the Magimix Cook Expert food processor.

The Magimix Cook Expert food processor has three bowls: large, medium, and small. The disc slots on top of the large bowls, and there is a blade that also slots into this larger bowl as well as an attachment for whipping cream or egg whites. The smaller bowl has blades too, but you’ll find that you need different attachments to use each of the bowls, so it’s not necessarily the case that you can use any size bowl for any task.

I was very happy with the fine consistency of my cabbage after I’d shredded it, and the result was mostly even. I added it to the steaming basket on my cook expert to go straight from the food processor to the cooking bowl. After steaming for 20 minutes, I was left with delicious cabbage all made in one smart machine.

Cleaning the Magimix Cook Expert

The Magimix Cook Expert is very easy to clean in the dishwasher. The food processor and cooking bowl attachments can all go in the dishwasher, which is such as relief when you’re cooking constantly in the same machine.

Cleaning by hand is a little more fiddly because you need to use a scrubbing brush to reach under the blades. Thankfully, there is also a self-clean mode that can shift ingredients before they have the chance to stick to your cooking bowl. Just add some washing up liquid and warm water and start the mode to clean it. Then, pour out the water when it’s done.

Should you buy the Magimix Cook Expert?

The Magimix Cook Expert is very expensive, so it’s certainly an investment. It also takes a lot of adjusting to, but once you’ve picked up the key modes and the meaning of the different settings, there’s not much you can’t make in it. Aside from the recipes I showed in this review, I also used the Cook Expert to make cake, pasta sauce, and chop the ingredients for a stuffing. I used it almost every day, and it’s evident that this is a machine that’s built to last a lifetime. Cleaning is easy too, which is a big concern when you’re using an appliance regularly.

As part of a new scheme from Magimix, you can get a £300 discount on the Cook Expert: ‘The Magimix trade-in will help those very attached to their current processor (old or new) to spread the love and pay it forward to those they feel will be worthy of their machine. In return, Magimix will give £300 off the ultimate cooking food processor – the Cook Expert.’ So, if you’re a Magimix lover who is considering upgrading, I would definitely recommend taking advantage of the scheme.

About this review, and our reviewer

Millie Fender is small appliances editor at Ideal Home. She reviews everything from coffee machines to air fryers from her own kitchen, meaning these tests have been carried out in the same conditions that you’ll be using the machine.

The Magimix Cook Expert was loaned to Millie by Magimix, and Millie tested for months month before writing this review. This gave her the chance to test all of its functions as well as cleaning and check for any troubleshooting.

The post Magimix Perfect Cook review: a multi-cooker like no other appeared first on Ideal Home.

With the dining room at the centre of the action over the festive season, all eyes will be on the table. Wow friends and family with Christmas place settings that look beautifully professional. Just get ready to see your table all over Instagram when people start posting about the day.

Christmas table decoration ideas are having a serious moment this year, and place settings are the easiest way to pull together a stylish look for every guest to enjoy.

Christmas place setting ideas

From elegant, grown-up arrangements, to designs the whole family will love, read on to discover your new favourite ways to lay your table this December.

1. Provide a plant

Image credit: Future PLC

It’s fair to say that succulents are the plant of the moment. They’re just about unkillable, meaning that even if you’re completely lacking in green thumbs, you can probably keep one alive.

Mini succulents on each place setting not only provide a contemporary take on festive foliage, but act as a thoughtful takeaway gift for your guests. Amp up the seasonal aspect by adding on some plant-safe glitter spray paint to match your Christmas dining room decor.

2. Add a retro touch

Image credit: Future PLC

Christmas is a time when we often look back to the past, and when doing this, we sometimes get a little drawn in. Retro-style Christmas decorations are having a definite moment and we’re all for it. A cute, quirky tree dec makes the perfect addition to your place settings. Either gift to your guests, or ask them to add to your tree after the meal so everyone feels included.

When thinking out Christmas table centrepiece ideas, go equally as retro, with a classic white-iced Christmas cake and a classic Christmas garland.

3. Consider your materials

Image credit: Lights4Fun

Sometimes choosing a simple place setting can be just as effective as a more overtly decorative approach – particularly when you’re focusing on a material or texture.

Look to nature for a relaxed and earthy inspiration. A thin round of wood becomes a perfect place mat, which is elevated with wonki ware and natural linen napkins. Wooden place holders complete the look.

4. Opt for elegance

Image credit: Future PLC

If you’re hosting purely for adults, or you just have an especially elegant theme running through your home, then add a sophisticated touch to your Christmas place settings.

Learn how to fold napkins for Christmas to achieve a professional look, then drape on a slender sprig of eucalyptus or fir and top with a flower. For the floral element, ideally choose whatever you’re using in either your centrepiece or from your Christmas flower arrangement ideas – both for ease and to create a finished look.

A simple silver bell becomes an ideal place holder – stamp with a pretty festive icon or just handwrite names in your neatest calligraphy.

5. Create cohesion

Image credit: Marks & Spencer

Place settings really don’t need to be complicated beasts. Once you have your centrepiece in mind, take out a few distinct elements to act as part of your place setting.

Wire brush trees are a great example, and when guests take their seat, the trees can be moved back into the centre to become part of the dining table forest. Alternatively, baubles could be placed into an already filled centre bowl for a party effect.

6. Mix and match

Image credit: Craft Editions

More can most definitely be more at Christmas. If you can’t decide between adding a decoration or some nature to your place settings, then simply add both!

Plain white crockery and tablecloths provide an ideal backdrop for going a little extra up on top. Remember to keep a thread of cohesion with your colourways – fruits or flowers matching embroidery or the decorations, for example.

7. Choose a rustic scheme

Image credit: Dunelm

Rustic Christmas decorating ideas all instantly conjure up a warm and welcoming feel, so bring this approach onto your dining table.

Novelty crockery in woodland scenes are a great starting point for these place settings and this also means that they don’t need too many extras. A simple, wooden decoration adds that Scandi-style vibe.

Make sure you stick to a warm palette of russets, golds and browns for a truly rustic theme.

8. Include personal Christmas trees

Image credit: Future PLC

We all love a miniature Christmas tree, but why not go even smaller with the tiniest sprig of fir wrapped in burlap? These sweet ‘trees’ make each place setting, and can either be given as a gift, or included into an arrangement elsewhere in the home once the meal is complete.

9. Add a pop of colour

Image credit: Future PLC

If your Christmas place setting is perfectly lovely but just feels as though it’s missing something, add a pop of festive red.

Lay a sprig of real berries on each plate, ensuring none fall off in case they’re toxic. Alternatively, faux berries on a wire can be easily shaped into a pretty napkin holder or decoration.

10. Layer your crockery

Image credit: Matalan

Add a sense of occasion to your table by catering for every need. Instead of a single dinner plate, work your way right up from the table. Start with a large charger – always a place to add some fun, so choose a metallic or brightly coloured option. Next, add on your place mats (yes, we’re doing both – it’s Christmas, after all!).

Pop on a dinner plate, side plate and top with a bowl which, since it’s unlikely to be used during the meal, can be filled with foliage or baubles for decoration, then taken away when it’s time to eat. After a quick rinse, the same bowls can be brought out again for dessert.

11. Be inspired by nature

Image credit: Future PLC

Bring the outdoors in with a whimsical setting inspired by winter walks. Seasonal foliage from the garden or florist, strewn along the centre of the table, makes a lovely alternative to a fabric table runner, while a ring of greenery around each plate creates the illusion of a lush, mossy place mat.

Continue the theme with nature-motif place cards and gifts in little boxes, wrapped in beautiful marbled paper.

12. Take a simple approach

Image credit: House of Fraser

Leaving a wood table uncovered, exposing the grainy surface, conjures up a relaxed feel. Dress with a garland of fir with seasonal berries and add pared-back place settings to balance the look.

‘Capture simple Scandi style with textured crockery and linen napkins,’ says Lois Vincent, home design manager at House of Fraser. ‘Name tags tied to pretty silver decorations can double up as party favours.’

13. Go for gold

Image credit: Dobbies

This lavish look evokes the grandeur of country houses, with its luxe linens, elegant glassware and touches of antique gold. ‘Introduce elements from the British countryside, such as foliage reminiscent of hedgerows,’ says Craig Roman, head of visual merchandising at Dobbies.

‘Wildlife and garden-themed accessories complete the scheme, including partridge feathers, bird decorations and fruit.’

14. Have some fun

Image credit: Future PLC

Little ones will love this playful place setting, complete with house-shaped gift boxes – perfect for hiding sweets and mini baubles. With excitement at an all-time high at this time of the year, we advise keeping your finest crockery for adult-only occasions.

Instead, layer festive paper plates on top of everyday white china to achieve a seasonal feel, while minimising the risk of breakages!

15. Choose a relaxed approach

Image credit: Future PLC

An informal place setting can look just as chic as a more elaborate look. Mixing styles is key: here, patterns and plains in an array of textures are linked by a co-ordinating colour palette.

Stick to traditional Christmas table decor ideas, at least in terms of the colourways. Classic red, green and white scheme is complemented by a miniature evergreen centrepiece in a felt pot holder – there’s nothing like the smell of fresh spruce to get your guests into the Christmas spirit.

16. Scent with fruit

Image credit: Notonthehighstreet.com

This sophisticated setting appeals to the senses as it smells as Christmassy as it looks. The scent of a clove-studded satsuma, teamed with twinkling tealights, creates an intimate mood.

The fruit also makes a colourful statement amid a crisp all-white scheme. Silver cutlery adds simple elegance and a sprig of faux snowberries a decorative flourish, while an initialised bauble is a thoughtful favour.

17. Add a touch of nostalgia

Image credit: Future PLC

Glass cloches are everywhere at the moment and we love their nostalgic feel. If you fancy a change from traditional festive colours, you can’t beat rich jewel shades for an opulent look.

Practise your calligraphy and tie handwritten names to the top with luxurious silk ribbon, and place a stylishly wrapped gift underneath as a personalised alternative to traditional crackers.

18. Take a twist on tradition

Image credit: Marks & Spencer

Red and green hues never go out of style at Christmas, but for a contemporary twist on tradition, opt for frosted berry decorations and accessories in rustic wood or with metallic finishes.

Recreate the look by embellishing the table with bowls of baubles, mini pine cones, elegant menus and fairy lights – those on invisible wires are our top tip for a sparkling table without clutter.

How do you set up a nice Christmas table?

A lovely Christmas table include enough place settings for all your guests, each with a personalised place holder, cutlery, glassware and crockery. A Christmas centrepiece is a must – either bang in the centre of the table, bud vases scattered along, or a draping fir garland running down the length. Ensure you leave room for candles, serving plates, platters, wine bottles and water jugs. Finally, remember not to overcrowd – guests still need enough space around their place setting to not feel overwhelmed.

Where do Christmas crackers go on the table?

Christmas crackers are a fun addition to any festive table. You can set one in the middle of each place setting or on a side plate, if you’re using one of the above ideas and don’t want to disrupt the effective. Another idea is to pile crackers into a large bowl or platter and allow guests to dig in whenever they want. If you have a large table, make sure there’s a bowl towards each end, so everyone feels included.

How do you decorate a Christmas table on a budget?

It’s so easy to decorate a Christmas table on a budget. You can use leftover decorations from your tree, or re-use displays from elsewhere in the home. Alternatively, you can forage for seasonal foliage for a striking – and budget! – approach that can last for much longer than the one meal. ‘Garland foliage such as fir can be stored in a zip lock bag with a drop of moisture and left somewhere cool to extend its shelf life,’ notes Ming Veevers Carter, Founder, Veevers Carter. ‘A garden shed would be ideal and will ensure your greenery keeps for roughly one month – you can reuse each piece when New Year’s Eve rolls around.’

The post Christmas place settings to take your festive table to the next level appeared first on Ideal Home.