This week Homespares have challenged our family to the SEVERIN Great Big Oven Ban Challenge by sending me six products from their kitchen range to review. They have asked attempt an oven ban in our house for one week in a bid to encourage people to think outside of the box when it comes to cooking methods, and to dig out those appliances they may have used once and the shoved to the back if the cupboard and actually get their use out of them (of which I am most definitely guilty!).

The first product in the range that I would like to share with you is a Sous Vide. When this was on the list that I was initially sent, I had no clue. I had to Google it. But, whilst I didn’t know the name of it, as soon as I saw what it was, it was instantly recognisable to those of us who watch MasterChef. It is a waterbath method of cooking.

Despite the fact that there were originally confined to professional kitchens, the sous vide is quickly becoming a more popular kitchen appliance. It encourages fat-free cooking which cooks meat to perfection, whilst preserving all the flavour as well as essential nutrients plus it means less mess! Perfect for our healthier eating plan.

I originally did a trial run of the Sous Vide over the weekend (I wanted to get it right!) and it reminded me of my slow cooker but, because the food is vacuum packed and then placed in water, there is far less mess than you would normally get if you did use a slow cooker. This is definitely my kind of cooking! 

Initially, on Saturday night, I cooked myself a steak. Then on Sunday, I pushed the boat out a bit more and used it for our roast. It wasn’t the best cut of meat but, because of the way in which it had been cooked, the beef was really tender. Then, as you will see in the video below, I cooked more steak and this time also tried some asparagus in pesto sauce. I placed this into the Sous Vide half an hour before the end of the cooking time.

Our Verdict

The whole family were very impressed with the quality and taste of the meat which was tender and well cooked. What I love about it is that not only does it cook the food and preserve the nutrients but there is absolutely no messy cooking pots to clean or wash up. Just some water to pour away and a unit to wipe round. I can safely say that I totally recommend this way of cooking.

The SEVERIN Sous-Vide cooker costs £129.99 and is available from www.HomeSpares.co.uk

Disclosure: Thank you to Homespares.co.uk who sent me this Severin product in order to take part in the Great Big Oven Ban and provide a review. Please note that all words, images and opinions have been formed by the owner of this blog and have not been influenced in any way. Please do not reproduce any of the content or images on this post without prior agreement from Verily Victoria Vocalises.