Steam cases made of silicone: the key for a healthy diet

http://www.lekue.es/productos/foto_270_400.jpg

I discovered the new designs by Lékué -a Spanish company based in the proximity of Barcelona- some time ago and I found them fun and practical. The steam cases are wonderful to cook healthy but tasteful dishes. It is the modern version of the "papillote" cooking technique which consisted of baking food wrapped in aluminium foil or special cooking paper. It is great for fish and vegetables but you can cook anything in small portions. I reproduce the product description of the mini steam case from their website because it is very accurate. The mini is great for singles, or single servings, but there is a larger size.  

"The mini steam case optimizes steam cooking while intensifying flavours and maintaining nutrients. Because the mini steam case is small, various individual dishes can be prepared at the same time for a complete and balanced meal. The lids include compartments so food can be easily seasoned at the table. Up to 2 steam cases fit in the microwave and up to 6 in the oven. Available in 4 colours. You can use each colour for a specific application: white = fish; red = meats; black = vegetables; pink = desserts".

See how it works at Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGQhMwusK34

More information about the whole range of products and recipes
http://www.lekue.es/index.php

Servicio Estación
C/Aragón 270 - by Passeig de Gràcia
Metro Passeig de Gràcia, Green Line
Find out other points of sale at the website.
VVRATW3T7793

The best cruet in the world: a good souvenir from Barcelona

Spain is one of the largest producers of olive oil in the world, and it could be considered the backbone of our healthy Mediterranean diet.  Hence it is not surprising that the best ever cruet design is by Rafael Marquina, a catalan architect and sculptor, and it is been in the market since the early 60s.

It combines two characteristics of good lasting designs: beauty and function. In this case no dripping and no mess guaranteed. Your hands, table and table clothes will stay clean, as well as the cruet. It is probably one of the most famous Spanish industrial designs and there are many imitations around.  

The original model is the most beautiful, as it has the best proportions, is made of blown glass and comes in different sizes, smaller ones for the table and larger ones to be used in the kitchen. Expect to pay over 20 € for the smaller sizes.

The cloudy oil in my cruets comes straight from a cooperative from a village in Tarragona, south of Barcelona, and it is pure extra virgin olive oil. A toast of good bread with some extra virgin olive oil is the most delicious snack anytime.  

Cruets are on sale in houseware shops and department stores.

Vinçon: a design icon in Barcelona

Vinçon sells contemporary design products for the home (furniture, lamps, kitchenware) as well as many other carefully selected objects and gadgets coming from all over the world. It also has an exhibition hall, La Sala Vinçon, dedicated to graphic and industrial design. A visit to Vinçon is a complete experience:

Window dressing is always surprising, for decades they have shown creativity and innovative ideas.

http://www.vincon.com/web/en/infogeneral/escaparates.htm

Architecture. Vinçon is located in a listed Modernist building with a beautiful façade. Visit the furniture section on the first floor and you will get to know what a PRINCIPAL (main) apartment was a century ago. At a time with no elevators, first floors were considered the best. Therefore, the rich industrials who promoted whole buildings in the Eixample reserved that floor for them thus becoming the Principal, because, in addition, it used to be the largest. Usually, there was a single apartmet at the principal, while there were two or more on the upper floors.

http://www.vincon.com/web/en/infogeneral/arquitectura.htm

Shopping bags. The paper bags from Vinçon could be a collector´s item, as they are designed by well known graphic artists

http://www.vincon.com/web/en/infogeneral/diseno_grafico.htm

Vinçon is located at Passeig de Gràcia, 96

Metro: Diagonal, Green Line

Zwilling Concept Shop: German inox

Zwilling is a German company, in business since 1731, producing top quality cutlery, kitchen gadgets, flatware, scissors and beauty tools. The Gemini star sign in the company logo is one of the oldest trademarks in the world.

Their products are sold worldwide but if you don´t have a distributor nearby at home, and you, your family or good friends like cooking, you can get some gadgets here. They also have a nice selection of manicure sets.

Zwilling is not cheap but they offer quality. A good idea for a cheap but original -and beautiful- present is the inox “soap” for the kitchen shown in the picture. It removes food smells from your hands without any chemicals. The Concept Shop is near the Cathedral and the Plaça del Pi, in the Gothic quarter.

Carrer del Pi, 16 (Metro: Liceu, Green Line)www.zwilling.es