kitchen

It's not lame; it's lah-may

To continue our celebration of Bread Month at The Brooklyn Kitchen, a shop in my neighborhood that's the best go-to spot for appliances and kitchen gadgets, I'm introducing you to this odd-looking blade that breadmakers know as a lame (lah-may).

Maybe you've already been introduced to this curved-blade tool, also known as a grignette. But if you're like me and it's new to you, here's the deal: this little guy is responsible for the pretty patterns that show up in the crust of freshly baked breads like baguettes and round boules. Chefs use the … Read more

This mixer scrapes the bowl

I rely on my stand mixer for everything from bread dough to mashed potatoes. My only disappointment with the machine is the fact that it never seems to mix in any batter on the side of the bowl or any flour at the bottom. I know the mixer's designers didn't want to bump the various metal attachments up against the mixing bowl, but I need something that gets a little closer.

The BeaterBlade does just that, as well as handling more delicate tasks like folding whipped egg whites in a batter for a chiffon or souffle.

Rather than … Read more

Want some eggs with that VHS toast?

Every now and then we come across weird concoctions that tickle our funny bones. But this particular VHS toaster is a cut above the rest.

While we're impressed by the way a working toaster can be jam-packed into a vintage VHS machine chassis, it's the VHS toast marks that really make the connection for us. All you'll need to complete the delicious techie breakfast is a glass of milk, two fried eggs sunny side up, bacon, and a dollop of butter. Yummy!

(Source: Crave Asia via Ubergizmo)

Indoor luxury goes out

What would you say to a new kitchen that started at around $5,500? Pretty good deal, even if it is outdoors.

That's right, we've got another contender in the outdoor kitchen category--Atlantis Outdoor Kitchens. Weatherproof perma-panel engineering and custom wood designs in teak and cypress give these outdoor kitchens a unique look and full functionality.

The polymer construction of these cabinets can withstand well over 100-degree heat or temperatures below freezing without warping, cracking, or deteriorating over time. It's specifically designed for outdoor use.

The best part? Clean it with a garden hose and a … Read more

Kitchen scale takes the heat

It's always nice to find an appliance that merges one necessity with the other. It saves time, effort, and money when you can use one thing to do multiple tasks. Learning how to cook can be a daunting challenge, but with the proper tools and accessories, anyone can cook. Having the capability to properly weigh foods and monitor temperatures goes a long way in the kitchen. As cooks experiment with kitchen tools, eventually they find some items that are indispensable. Many would be lost without the aid of a kitchen scale and a thermometer.

The Breville ikon Kitchen Scale … Read more

Folding furniture: The kitchen island

There is one nook (cranny?) in my kitchen that I've always thought about putting a small kitchen island. The additional work space would surely be welcomed. Problem is, the other things that live there would have to be moved, and I'm not entirely sure if I would actually like a kitchen island in that spot. So, I hesitate and the spot stays as is. I don't want to make the commitment to a new piece of furniture that can only fit into one particular space; if it turns out I don't like it, then I'm … Read more

A more accurate way to serve up a spoonful of sugar

If you're a baker, you know that precise measurements mean everything. So much so, that expert bakers tell us ways to spoon flour into measuring cups in order to avoid compacting the flour and using too much. For smaller measurements, using methods like this are much more difficult, if not impossible.

Using standard measuring spoons can result in too much or too little ingredients (like too much yeast or too little baking soda), completely changing the consistency of the finished product. This precision spoon scale by Admetior alleviates this problem by having a digital weight measurement built right into … Read more

A gadget that makes shredding herbs a snap

Every good cook knows that cooking with fresh herbs beats using the dried stuff, but doing so can sometimes be a real pain. Thyme is fairly straightforward and can be stripped off easily, but some herbs, like chives, basil, sage, and rosemary, are tough to slice, especially for those with big fingers.

With these herb scissors from RSVP, cutting tricky fresh herbs is a snap. You can easily chiffonade basil, mince chives, and snip scallions into tasty miso-soup-size rings. Since the scissors have several blades, you can cut an entire stalk of herbs in only a few scissor strokes.

The … Read more

Get your kitchen tap into gear with the +Shifter

Design savvy is about clever little ideas like this. Designer Shen Di's +Shifter faucet taps on the idea of a gearbox from a premium sportscar, turning this into an instant conversation piece for the home.

The brushed black metal and copper faceplate's luxurious look ought to prepare you for future sticker shock should this make it into production. Still, it's an idea worth following up on since it marries clever design with water conservation, as each gear ratio equates to the amount of water flowing out.

Of course, that feeling that you're tied to the kitchen … Read more