Entries tagged with 'gadgets'
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[Photo: Amazon.com] Marinade injectors always perplexed me a little bit: Marinades are made to be absorbed into meat without fancy tools, and that's much of their appeal. But Progressive International's 4-in-1 Flavor Injector($12.59 at Amazon.com) features multiple tips that fulfill different purposes, and we've learned by now that I can't say no to multi-tasking kitchen tools. Though I'm still unsure about the fourth function, I know I have three of them down pat: without a special tip, you can inject herbs or small solids, while two tips are included for liquids and chunks. Between the packaging and extensive research, it would seem that the fourth function is purely a storage system that lets you stick each tip into the...
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Sure, you can mash your Thanksgiving potatoes with a fork
or you can use this fancy gadget. The innovative design uses a spring and trap technique to effectively smash the spuds into smooth oblivion.
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[Photograph: Amazon.com] Gadgets that perform multiple functions can be really hit or miss: Either they do a great job of saving space and consolidating expenses, or they under-perform and disappoint. Oddly enough, the Kalorik 4-in-1 Combi Mixer falls somewhere in between. Its four functions—electric whisk, frother, chopper, and immersion blender—all work well enough, but having independent appliances would probably be a better bet for most cooks. The Kalorik Combi Mixer's spine, so to speak, is the stick that plugs into the wall and connects to the various tools. Though all the attachments have a clear spot on the nicely designed carry-all tray, the stick itself doesn't, which seems like a strange oversight. It takes away from the sleek look...
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[Photograph: Macys.com] I've always felt limited in my ability to carve jack-o'-lanterns due to a narrow range of tools. Let's face it—a thumbtack and steak knife can only yield so much detail, and cheap plastic tools always seem to break with the first incision. Though I questioned whether it would be worth it to invest in a more serious set, I put my money on a kit from Martha Stewart ($34.99 at Macy's in-store; unavailable online), who, unsurprisingly, is able to create beauties like these lace-patterned gourds featured on her site last year. Smitten by these non-traditional, ultra-delicate styles, my intrepid carving companion and I set out to accomplish some super-technical pumpkins with the aid of Martha's kit. We...
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[Photo: Williams Sonoma] Until I joined the ranks of the working world, I really believed that a good cup of coffee isn't something that you have on the go. Instead, it should be a relaxing part of the day and ideally be kept as something special to be savored as a treat. It's not always that easy though, and in those moments, coffee should be an effortless (and still wholly delicious) pick-me-up. Unexpectedly, I found that the new Nespresso CitiZ was just what I needed to live out my modern-day coffee philosophy. Yes, there are certain drawbacks to Nespresso's newest machine, though they generally extend to capsule coffee in general. Arguably, the individual packaging makes it a bit more...
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The Rival Crock Pot claims to be the "original" crock pot. It's one of the most commonly carried brands and it's pretty affordable, usually costing just $35. But does it pass our test?
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[Photograph: Cooking.com] I've watched The Biggest Loser enough times to understand the value of steaming. Yes, it's good for you, and it preserves the flavor and nutritional value of your vegetables. I know. But for far too long I've resisted steaming my veggies because there's simply no space in my kitchen for those clunky dual-level steaming contraptions (which I'd never be able to fill up when cooking for one, anyway). All that changed when I found this cute-looking silicone steamer by Trudeau, which does away with pretty much all my steaming woes. The size and material make it an easy option whether you're cooking for one or four, since it can fold up and fit into smaller or larger...
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[Flickr: FoodMayhem] Typical of most wands, the milk-steaming one attached to an espresso machine can be magical. Jessica of Food Mayhem discovered this was the trick behind Gottino's delicious steam scrambled eggs. According to chef Jody Williams: Hold the jar underneath the steamer wand (milk steamer on an espresso machine) and let the wand dip into the egg mixture. Turn on the steamer and swirl about until the eggs are scrambled but soft and runny. The eggs turn out creamy, tasty, and melt-on-your-tonguey. Calling all baristas: when nobody's watching, go grab an egg, crack it into one of those mini milk-steaming pitchers, and report back. Just beware of the floating egg bits in the next latte order. Related What...
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[Photo: Cooking.com] I'll admit that I'm in complete denial that the seasons are changing. Summer gives us far too many pleasures, and I'm just not ready to give them up. But for those of you who are on the same page, I've found a little bit of solace. With Sanyo's Smokeless Electric Indoor Grill ($39.95), I've kept summer's most prized culinary offering close throughout the rest of the year, and I've just broken it out for another season of heavy use. Aside from its economical price point, I was drawn to Sanyo's grill because it's theoretically supposed to be smokeless. When I purchased it, I lived in a college dorm equipped with the most sensitive of fire alarms, but...
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[Photo: amazon.com] Even though it's not the most commonly used gadget, I've always thought that there was a fairly essential place for a mandoline in every kitchen. The question is, when you're shopping for a gadget that you're not going to use often, how worthwhile is it to invest in a quality product versus a budget buy? There seemed to be one particularly obvious way to find out, so I followed my intuition and brought home a gently priced, user-friendly version of the ever-dangerous tool: the Progressive International Folding Mandoline Slicer. One of the reasons that this particular mandoline comes in at such a reasonable cost (under $20 at amazon.com) is that its body is made of plastic rather...
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