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Gadgets: 3-Tier Oven Companion by Nifty
[Photo: Chefscatalog.com] Considering that big families require big turkeys, and big turkeys require lots of oven time, baking space really comes at a premium at my house. Jewish as we are, Christmas day has become synonymous with Thanksgiving 2.0, and similarly, things get made days in advance so that the bird can roast on its own, unadulterated by the pies and potatoes that would otherwise try to nestle alongside it. Despite our planning, it's sometimes impossible to sidestep the inner-oven traffic jam, which is why I was excited to find this 3-Tier Oven Companion by Nifty ($19.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond)....Gadgets: Odor Absorbing Splatter Screen by Farberware
[Photograph: Nikki Goldstein] I love Hanukkah foods, but I'd much rather eat them at someone else's house than make them myself. Who likes having their home smell like fried food for days after the feast's ended? Show of hands? I thought not. This odor-absorbing splatter screen by Farberware ($12.99 at Platzgraff) caught my eye a few months ago, and with Hanukkah as an excuse, I decided to finally give it a whirl. With a carbon filter woven in between the mesh of the splatter screen, it's meant to neutralize odors as they emit from the pan. Straightforward chemistry at work....Gift Guide: For the Asian Food Lover
Our gift-guide marathon continues. Still looking for that special something? Try our full complement of lists. —Ed. Zojirushi 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker: Not only does this model have a larger 5-cup capacity, but it also comes with more features than the 3-cup model. White rice can be set to be "regular," "softer," or "harder." Sweet (glutinous) rice and semibrown rice are additional options. This model also happens to be the only Zojirushi rice cooker that's equipped with the "reheating cycle." Available online at cooking.com, $194.95 Bamboo Steamer: Those who have only steamed with stainless steel racks or inserts will appreciate the difference a bamboo steamer makes. Wicking off excess moisture, the wood naturally absorbs the droplets of water that...Gadgets: Wilton Brownie Bites Mold
[Photograph: Sur La Table] There's something really lovely about baked goods that are perfectly shaped, portioned, and decorated—if you ask me, they're the only kinds of treats worth gifting. That's where my silicone Wilton Brownie Bites Mold ($9.95 at Sur La Table)—which, ironically, has never been used to make brownies—comes into play, . Any serious baker can extol the virtues of silicone anything in the kitchen—it can do anything and go anywhere, and I'm a fan of putting that to good use. Want bite-size ice cream sandwiches to round out your holiday dinner? Pour the cookie dough into the mold, and while the outside layers are on cooling racks, press ice cream into the exact same shape. You'll end...Gadgets: Candy Thermometers, Digital and Not
[Photograph: Williams-Sonoma] Apparently I was late on the bandwagon by only recently finding out that there was such a thing as a digital candy thermometer. Frankly, it was a while before I realized there was need in my life for a candy thermometer at all. It all started with a recipe in the December 2007 issue of Gourmet for Toasted-Coconut Marshmallow Squares. One enormous batch of 100+ marshmallows later, I was hooked. As it turns out, though, candy thermometers come quite in handy—DIY candy-making is now my favorite gift-buying alternative, and frying gets a lot easier when you can figure out exactly how hot your oil is versus how hot it should be. Whether they need to be spiffy digital...Gadgets: 4-in-1 Flavor Injector by Progressive International
[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...Gadgets: Pump-Action Potato Smasher by Joseph Joseph
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.Gadgets: Kalorik 4-in-1 Combi Mixer
[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...Gadgets: Martha Stewart's Pumpkin Carving Kit
[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...Hot Topics: Technique of the Week | The Food Lab
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8 Delicious Chocolate Cakes and Pies for Valentine's Day
Some might say that chocolate on Valentine's Day is about as unoriginal as you can get. We all remember the first heart-shaped box of overly sweet chocolate bonbons from grade school Valentines. But chocolate gift-giving needn't be a cliché. This year, let's bake our sweethearts chocolate cakes and pies instead! Here are 8 delicious recipes perfect for celebrating your love (of chocolate.)
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BraveTart: Make Your Own Butterfingers »
Sandwiched: Crisp Grilled Cheese »
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