Serving

Age-old cookware for the modern cook

I am a huge fan of saving time and energy in the kitchen. Why wash a pot and a serving dish if I don't have to? But serving directly from pots and pans doesn't always have that look of understated elegance I'm striving for.

Clearly, this is an age-old dilemma. Back in the Stone Age, apparently soapstone was the go-to material for cookware. No, really. The Internet said so, so it must be true. Anyway, soapstone is a prime cookware choice because it heats evenly, doesn't alter flavor or react to acids, keeps food warm, and … Read more

Keep rice at the ready

You've got to love rice cookers. While it is not so difficult to prepare a pot of rice using conventional methods, keeping that rice warm and at serving temperature can prove to be difficult. Sometimes it is necessary to keep a supply of cooked rice at the ready. When I quit smoking (well, one of the times...), I dove for a fresh cup of rice every time I had a nicotine craving. I don't know of any rice cooker manufacturers that place that feature in their literature, but it (eventually) worked for me. Since then, I have always … Read more

A four-legged gadget with a very special purpose

In my line of work, I run across a ton of gadgets that are the appliance equivalents of one-hit wonders. Some serve unique purposes that are necessary for accomplishing very specific tasks, and some are just plain ridiculous. A few, although not necessary, are pretty enough to warrant owning, even if you can only use them on rare occasions.

A perfect example of the latter is this Brütül Lagerhead Black & Tan Turtle, featured in Popular Mechanic's "Top 10 Wild Kitchen Gadgets You'll Use Only Once." The sentiment written at the top … Read more

Electrolux anti-odor system brings the kitchen anywhere

The Libero line of appliances from Electrolux is a modular system designed to bring mobile cooking anywhere there is a wall socket. While most people consider the scent of cooking food to be an appetizing feature they want, sometimes it is an unwelcome guest. The Libero appliances fit within one central unit that has an antiodor system incorporated in it. No matter what you need to cook, no matter where, the Electrolux Libero Point caters not only to location, but also to taste.

Using a variety of means, the do-it-all appliance system is capable of producing everything from stir-fry to … Read more

Please don't throw away the basket

Short of visiting every drive-in and independent fast-food joint within a 50-mile radius of your house, I am not quite sure how you could amass a collection of those iconic food-serving baskets. Sure you could order from a restaurant supply store, but do you really need a case of baskets? Probably not. It might be in your best interest to forgo the swiping of restaurant-related accessories, and just pick up your own small batch of Burger Baskets & Liners via Sur La Table.

Now that we are officially in the grilling season, we are all going to spend more time … Read more

The mouse gets the cheese

In general, I'm against keeping mice in my kitchen, but I'm happy to make an exception for the Animal House Mouse Cheese Grater. This grater uses the shape of the mouse to provide an ergonomic grip on the grater that will protect your fingers, and it doubles as a bowl where all the cheese you grate collects. The grater is removable so that you can access the cheese and even use the mouse as a serving bowl. The Mouse Cheese Grater comes with a plastic lid, so that you can use the mouse to store your extra grated … Read more

Elegant ecocountertops

If you're going green in your kitchen, it's hard to find countertops that don't cause concern but still look good. Teragren has combined style and sustainability in its Bamboo Countertops. They're available as an alternative to hardwoods for counters, kitchen islands and even tabletops--and bamboo offers the same durability as traditional hardwood counters. Each countertop is finished with food-safe mineral oil and beeswax, for a surface that can be used for food preparation and even cutting. It has a caramelized face because of the stain used.

The Bamboo Countertops are available in panels of 30 inches … Read more

Escape the grill with a remote thermometer

Grilling outdoors is great fun, and that fun is usually best shared with friends and family. I don't just mean hanging out with them and enjoying their company; I mean putting them to work. I have previously noted that engaging your guests is a good way to ensure a good time for all, but sometimes you just want to rule the grill.

Guarding the grill may give you the added benefit of constant meat moderation, but then you miss out on sharing time with your guests. The simple solution is to trust your guests and just monitor while you … Read more

Tired of charcoal? Try teppanyaki

Entertaining outdoors is always a lot of fun. Heck, you don't even need to entertain to have a good time. Set me up with a grill and something to put on it and I'll be happy. But for those times when a little more social interaction is wanted, I like to get my guests involved. I believe this to be true not only in the kitchen, but also in the back yard. If you involve the guests, they will have a better time. Besides, then you get to hang out with your family and friends.

The Indoor/Outdoor Teppanyaki Grill from Hammacher Schlemmer … Read more