Cooking Gadgets

Pretty 10-bottle wine rack

Cyndi Lavin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:00:30 +0000

The design of this pretty Oenophilia Bali Natural 10-Bottle Wine Rack was inspired by the Bali sea shore, where the waves come in gently and evenly. Made of wood and stainless steel, it can sit either as shown or on end…although then it might hold only 9 bottles. It’s only 10 inches high, so it will fit on most counters or buffets.

About $60.

Image: Bed Bath & Beyond

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Do you muddle?

Cyndi Lavin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:00:57 +0000

To muddle is to combine ingredients like fruit in the bottom of your glass, mushing them with a muddler (well, actually muddling them with a muddler) before you add the liquids. It could be considered an essential bar tool for those who like fruity drinks. It’s also a good tool to use with herbs like the mint in a mint julep.

This Muddler is about 9-1/2 inches long, and has a concave bottom with little burls on it to smash more effectively. Dishwasher safe, and about $21.

Image: Bed Bath & Beyond

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No more unitaskers in the kitchen!

Cyndi Lavin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:00:29 +0000

Kevin Purdy of Lifehacker has an incredibly clever list of repurposing tricks for your kitchen gadgets, or even your kitchen waste! Like an old ketchup bottle repurposed into a pancake batter dispenser…brilliant.

My seriously favorite tip in the list is how to use an espresso machine to steam your scrambled eggs. No kidding.

Image: Lifehacker

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Stoneware set by Paula Deen

Cyndi Lavin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:40 +0000

Paula says she can’t get along without her oven-to-table stoneware. That’s probably true. I don’t use stoneware that much myself, but I can appreciate a good-looking set. This 5 Piece Stoneware set comes with a 4 quart bean pot, a 9×9 square baking pan, and 3 prep bowls which are also oven safe.

Oven safe to 500 degrees, and also safe in the dishwasher, microwave, and freezer. The set is about $55.

Image: Cooking.com

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Valentine’s Day dinner for two

Cyndi Lavin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:00:34 +0000

Do you need some new ideas for a perfect Valentine’s Day dinner for you and your sweetie? Marie Guaragna-Beirne has created this video series to show you how to make it all, from appetizer to dessert. I think I’d probably skip the appetizer, since it’s escargot, but the culinarily more adventurous may want to give it a whirl!

I love the look of her filet mignon and her dessert! Marie teaches cooking in an adult education program in Virginia, and she has a fun on-screen personality.

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The Sous Vide Supreme

Cyndi Lavin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:00:06 +0000

We talked about sous vide cooking back in December, but pretty much all you’ve been able to get up till now are the immersion circulators or else a restaurant-quality machine that most of us could never afford. Until now, I said. Although I don’t personally consider a $450 machine something that is accessible for most home cooks, I’m sure that early adopters will be all over this Sous Vide Supreme, especially since it has gotten such rave reviews from Gizmodo and the New York Times. Take a look at the Gizmodo post for some pictures that will possibly have you shelling out the bucks even if it is a lot!

I have not tried this machine, or any sous vide machine for that matter, so I can’t give you any personal recommendations. You’ll need to decide whether you would use this machine enough to justify the cost. Also factor in that you’ll need a vacuum sealer to prepare your foods for the water oven, and that is not included in the $450 price tag.

Frequent participant Jon shared with me that he had found a less expensive alternative, so if you’re into DIY, you might be interested in his links:

Build your own sous vide machine

Sous vide machine parts

Image: Sur la Table

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Fat Friday: White chili

Cyndi Lavin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:36 +0000

We have a couple different versions of white chili that we love. This is our slightly-more-involved-but-much-tastier recipe! It takes awhile to make, but much of it can be done in a crock pot, which cuts down on the actually slaving away time. In the picture above, I used a dutch oven instead of a crock pot. It’s your choice!

White Chili

4 pre-cooked boneless chicken breast halves, chopped

Olive oil
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped

40 oz liquid – chicken stock and water
3 – 4oz cans of green chilis, chopped
2 t cumin
2 t oregano
1-1/2 t ground cayenne pepper

5 cans white beans (we like great northern and pinto)
2 c monterey jack cheese, shredded
Chopped scallions for garnish

Saute the onions and garlic in olive oil. Add the chopped chicken and stir together. Add the 40 oz of liquid through the spices and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, along with the beans. Serve topped with monterey jack cheese and chopped scallions.

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Preparing for Valentine’s Day!

Cyndi Lavin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:00:13 +0000

Valentine’s Day…love it or hate it, there are lots of cooking reasons to get excited! Besides the Edible Cupcake Decorations that I showed you yesterday, there are lots of fun gadgets and products to consider.

Heart icecube tray – to make your drinks a little sweeter

Baking with hearts – a classic share for baking treats

Measure your love cups – no, it’s not something nasty…shame on you!

Valentine’s cupcake stencils – spread the love

Valentine’s treats – more cookie cutters

Heart measuring spoons – spread the love

Top 10 chocolate gadgets – because who doesn’t love chocolate?

Heart-shaped waffle maker – why be ordinary?

Great food ideas for Valentine’s Day – cookies, dinners, drinks…

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Edible cupcake decorations

Cyndi Lavin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:00:50 +0000

While I was looking for fun Valentine’s Day stuff for you, I ran across these Edible Cupcake Decorations that would be fun for many different occasions. Made by Clineff’s Confections, you can actually custom order designs with only a three dozen minimum. That seems pretty reasonable for custom work.

So, if you’re not a fondant queen or king, check out this etsy shop. You’ll be able to choose from animals, bugs, baby themed, wedding appropriate, and much much more. They average about $7 or $8 for a dozen.

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A new paella pan

Cyndi Lavin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:28 +0000

My family loves paella, and it’s something that I make quite frequently, mostly in my dutch oven. I don’t usually get that interested in one-dish pans, but this new Paella Pan by T Fal caught my eye. It’s non-stick, 14 inches across, and has that nifty little “I’m hot!” spot in the center.

Still, it’s only oven safe to 350, which is a bit below my normal cooking temperature. I’m afraid I’d forget and put it in a 400 oven. I guess the main advantage to this pan is that it’s broader, so the paella might cook a bit faster at a slightly lower temp? About $25.

Image: Cooking.com

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