We demand a lot of our most basic kitchen tools—wooden spoons, slotted spoons, spatulas and flippers are used for anything and everything when we cook. It's strange to think that they've rarely evolved to better suit the hundreds of functions we employ them with, but that's just what Epicurean's gourmet series of utensils sets out to do. More

This silicone lid promises to fulfill three functions rather than one: pot lid, splatter guard, and trivet. Unsure of the claim, we took it to the test kitchen and found a sizable checklist of pros and cons. More

Odd-sized measuring spoons are, well, an odd thing to find in most kitchen stores, and just as easy to overlook. More

[Images: Cooking.com] In honor of the Big Game, I thought it might be fitting to recognize some of the Most Valuable Tools (MVTs) in the kitchen. Can I get a wave going for the Drew Brees of all appliances, the %2Fshprodde%2Easp%3FSKU%3D314236">food processor? What did cooks do before the food processor? Spend endless hours chopping, whisking and kneading by hand, that's what. My poor personal Cuisinart is on its last legs, the base held together with duct tape—kinda like Vikings quarterback Brett Favre right before that interception. Still, my ancient food processor gets a daily workout, especially since I've mastered the art of making mayo; specifically, anchovy mayo that I transform into sublime Caesar dressing. Because January was all about eating... More

[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).... More

[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.... More

[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... More

[Photograph: Black Iron Dude] If you love cast iron cookware or want to start using it, check out Black Iron Dude for recipes that use cast iron cookware, tips on washing and seasoning your cookware (and how not to season), information on antique skillets, and just about anything else related to cast iron cookware. [via Metafilter]... More

[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... More

[Images: Alphabet Plates] Alphabet Plates, created by graphic designer (and mom) Laura Paresky Gould, allows you to personalize plates with your little one's name and favorite food from 14 popular choices. Although geared towards kids, there's no reason you can't get a plate plate as a fun gift for a burger or broccoli-loving, postadolescent friend. Besides food, other designs include sports, monograms, and customizable faces starting at $22 a plate. Personalized placemats in different colors and languages are also available for $18. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. [via swissmiss] Related Frame Plates Map Plates Colorful, Pattern-Stitched Servingware... More