Making vegetable soup with OXO Good Grips and Kallo

That was my quick and easy, yet tasty vegetarian vegetable soup.

To prepare the veggies I used the OXO Good Grips swivel peeler.

Just another peeler?

Not in my opinion. I like my peeler to be comfortable to handle, sharp sp it takes a thin layer of skin and easy to clean. This fits the bill. Just right.

The handle is wider than previous purchases, and it has a ribbed surface to help with holding. It’s comfortable, and I don’t get that nasty ache in the hand. The blade is sharp and swivels to go with the shape of the surface.

My Mum who is also rather particular, came to help when Jasper arrived. She was making meals for us and generally helping out. She had used the OXO peeler, and made a comment about how nice it was to use. She then asked where she can get one.

It must be good then.

I also used the OXO Good Grips Julienne peeler on the carrots. This is different, designed in a Y-shape it different to use. It has a safety cover on it that can be moved back and forth.

Use this to cut strips of fruit and vegetables, for salads, garnishes or whatever you like. I used it to make the carrots into strips for the soup.

I had a slight problem with this I’m afraid. I didn’t like the way you hold it. I’m not keen on Y-shaped peelers. The blades are really sharp, which is what you want, but it doesn’t feel very safe in my hands. And it wasn’t. While using it, I knocked the guard off and julienned my thumb! Yes it hurt!

Also from OXO Good Grips was the can opener .

Which as you already know, I like a lot.

There is another OXO Good Grip product I used too. The Pepper Mill.

I really love this. The mill has a modern look about it and is easy to fill, with a little pull down door that you can pour into. There is a clear window to see how full the mill is. The handle is really nice to hold. It’s easy to clean. There are two settings on it, coarse and fine. The milling part is ceramic, so no wearing out quickly like past mills I’ve had. There is also a cover on the bottom, so no patches of ground pepper in the cupboard now. All in all, it’s fab.

Just one thing, a piece of advice from The Husband. Always remember to take off the bottom cover while using, it helps! (as he found out for himself).

One of the ingredients for the soup was stock cubes, and as you would have seen, I used Kallo organic vegetable cubes.

I’ve been using Kallo stock cubes for quite a while now, ever since my Mum recommended them to me. They have a really good range and taste great.

Kallo have since improved their recipe and redesigned the packaging, as above.

I like them because they are organic, and gluten-free. They dissolve well and are easy to use. I really like that you can get a low salt version also.

No MSG, no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. The vegetable ones are suitable for vegans.

Fuss Free Living Ratings

OXO Good Grips swivel peeler

Appearance 10/10 Modern, neat and I like the black. Doesn’t get stained or discoloured.

Value 8/10 Priced at around £5.60, it’s perhaps a little expensive. But I often feel it’s worth paying a little more for good quality.

Convenience 10/10. Works well, does the job it’s supposed to do.

OXO Good Grips Julienne peeler

Appearance 10/10 Looks good, modern and black.

Value 8/10 Again, like the swivel peeler, perhaps a little expensive. But good quality.

Convenience 9/10 Useful and quirky. I could see this being quite fun to “play” with. I’m just a bit dubious about it since it hurt me.

OXO Good Grips pepper mill

Appearance 10/10 It’s modern and a little different. Clean looking. I like it a lot.

Value 8/10 Priced at £12.26, this could be enough to put you off. However, looking at comparisons I’d say it’s evening out rather average for a similar product. I’d say it’s also worth it because it’s made well. The grinder is ceramic, so it’s going to last.

Kallo Organic vegetable stock cubes

Taste 10/10 Natural ingredients means no bitter after taste from MSG, and no overpowering salty flavour.

Value 10/10 Priced at about 80p, they may be pennies more than the cheaper range, but they aren’t expensive and are worth it.

Convenience 10/10 They dissolve easily, and are really easy to use. No problems at all. Available in a variety of flavours, including a low salt version.

Nutritional information for Kallo Organic vegetable stock cubes

Per 100ml made up stock
Energy 7kcal
Sugars 0.3g
Fat 0.4g
Sodium 0.4g

Sending to Frgal Food Fridays, hosted this month by Tales of Pigling Bland.

Also sending to My Legume Love Affair – hosted this month by Girlichef. 

And Love Lock with Soups  at Sweet Karam Kapi.