Serving

Bread board-igami

My greatest literary love has always been for books that teach me something I don't know. At this point, most books that fit this description are the types of nonfiction books on the Times best seller lists, but some of my favorite all-time books came from the Klutz series.

The Klutz series of books consisted of instruction manuals that were attached to the fun toys the manuals described how to use. A cat's cradle picture book came with a set of fancy strings, a how-to yo-yo set came with a brand new yo-yo, and one of my personal … Read more

Remote-controlled beverage cooler keeps the party rolling

I'm not sure exactly who this beverage cooler is designed for. I mean, there's lazy, and then there is lazy. I imagine resting in a lawn chair or hammock, enjoying a nice adult beverage, when suddenly the need for a refill becomes apparent. Luckily, right by my side, there would be a cooler filled with refreshments. Which is what is confusing me--if I'm planning on being super lazy, why would the cooler be anywhere but right beside me? I wouldn't even get a chance to use the remote.

Be that as it may, I suppose there … Read more

Where to cook: Al fresco or in casa?

Inside or out? That's the question millions of Americans will be asking themselves as they head to the voting booth next month. Not what candidate to vote for, but where they want to cook their dinner that night. For far too many Americans the choice does not exist. Families across this great nation are confined to cooking inside their own kitchens, whether they want to or not. Well, no longer! Cast your vote for this Nomad-Cook mobile-induction cooking unit and you'll be able to take your mealtime wherever you want.

Stylishly clad with glazed lava stone and available … Read more

Halloween gadgets to give you the culinary creeps

When I think of Halloween, I remember the candy-laden pillowcases that I used to bring home late at night. My sister and I used to run through our front door peeling off our face masks and plastic costumes, and we would spend the better part of an hour comparing our piles of loot. I had a monster sweet tooth when I was a kid, but I'd rarely eat all of my candy. As I got older, I almost stopped eating the candy entirely, and only continued celebrating Halloween for the sake of dressing in costume and spending time with … Read more

Keep food toasty warm, even when you're not

In my neck of the woods, this is the perfect time of year for hosting an outdoor dinner event. And while I recognize that much of the country is already zipping up the overcoats and digging out the mittens and scarves, you might also occasionally serve a meal outside the kitchen. And when you do, you might like to keep it warm.

If you're not into the whole teppanyaki thing, then go for a simpler solution. Hammacher Schlemmer gives this full-size cordless warming tray high marks--it's the last of the potential gift ideas we're looking at from … Read more

Kitchen table unites people, environment

For generations, the kitchen was the focal point of any domicile. Friends and family would gather 'round and relax, share tales, perhaps even help out with the cooking.

While the kitchen is certainly still a major destination in any home, it evolved away from social interaction as living room entertainment exploded. Understanding the trend, conceptual kitchens now integrate screens, monitors, and interactive features into their designs. The advancement of technology has certainly made for some interesting concepts, but there is at least one more thing besides community to consider about the kitchen of tomorrow: the environment.

The Green Cuisine kitchen … Read more

Squeeze your citrus in style

Cooking is as much about presentation as it is about taste, at least in my home. And presentation is absolutely affected by the quality of your kitchen tools.

For years, my husband and I kept this citrus juicer on the kitchen counter because it looked good. Unfortunately, it wasn't easy to use, requiring a lot of brute strength, and the juice tended to go all over the place because it was difficult to position a cup or bowl directly underneath.

The Rosendahl lemon juicer, created by Danish designers Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbaek seems to be a better solution. … Read more

The prettiest thing that's ever graced your stovetop

Several years ago, I decided to buy an espresso machine. Thus began a long series of trips to various discount stores, kitchen-specialty shops, and department stores, searching for the right coffee maker to fit my tastes and my budget.

It wasn't long before I found out that shopping for an espresso machine is about as overwhelming as looking for an apartment in New York City. I gave up when I couldn't push through the intimidatingly long list of potential candidates and the series of troubling reviews. As a result, I've continued to fork out the cash for … Read more

Cutting boards incorporate art with natural grain

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Well, these stunningly beautiful cutting boards are doing all the talking.

When I first stumbled upon that image, my first reaction was that it was an illustration of an astronaut walking on Jupiter. Too colorful to be the moon, not red enough to be Mars. It had to at least be an extra-terrestrial background. Even though Jupiter would be pretty hard to walk on, it looks like a tourist shot straight from the Great Red Spot. Of course, it turns out to be right from our own backyard.

Constructed of wood from … Read more