Cooking

Prep work won't disappear, but clutter and mess will.

The power of the kitchen lies in its ability to transform a heap of raw ingredients into a cohesive meal. As we chop, slice, and dice our way through the prep work, it is almost like magic how proteins, veggies, and starches turn into recognizable meals thanks to a little knife work. But there is more than just cutlery involved.

Being able to produce a kitchen gadget or utensil out of thin air (or from with a kitchen cabinet or drawer as the case may be) is one thing, but … Read more

Grilling requires not only fire and ingredients, but also space.

Patios and decks are little islands that offer a bit of respite from everyday hectic life. When a grill is added, that little island can become a paradise. One major drawback, however--like many vacation spots--is that they can quickly become overcrowded. Adding a grill only complicates matters; patio furniture in all its forms is sure to follow. And that doesn't even get to the decorative items. But for some, that's a start.

Combining a decorative planter with a charcoal grill, the Hot Pot BBQ offers a readily available … Read more

Portability is always a big concern and grilling is no exception.

The Cuisinart CGG-240 All Foods Roll-Away Gas Grill adds wheels to make grilling-on-the-go good to go wherever that happens to be. Featuring a framework that acts as a stand while in use and as a rolling cart when it is time to go, the gas grill unfolds to create good times from the backyard to the beach and beyond.

With 240-square-inches of grilling area, its porcelain enamel-coated grilling surface entices grillers without the need to jostle for space. An electric ignition system makes it easy to get the party … Read more

Kitchens are full of precise measurements--and quite a few that are not.

Cooking has evolved to the point where the creation of delicate dishes has become commonplace. Knowledge is freely available, and all that is required is a little time, patience, and the correct equipment. Yet still, cooking ultimately comes down to the simple equation of food plus fire equals good. And contrary to popular belief, we have still not yet tamed fire.

The inaccuracy that is intrinsic to everyday cooking is no cause for alarm. At least when it comes to toast. The Breville Premium Plastic Toaster combines old-school … Read more

Standing over a hot grill isn't a bad place to be, especially when faced with your own personal fans.

The powerful scent of barbecue wafting through the air is a surefire way to attract the attention of anybody and everybody within a reasonable distance. Adding a little breeze to a cookout has an additional effect aside from being able to easily meet the neighbors.

Directing smoke toward where it's desired, the Sharper Image BBQ Grill Light & Fan attaches to the grill, making life easier for the grill-master. Designed to not only cool down the cook but also … Read more

Most people tend to take notice when a campfire is being built. It is probably some deep evolutionary trait that our attention becomes focused in the vicinity of flames. It certainly pays off to take notice. Especially when there is food on the fire.

The scent of cooking food wafting through the air is hard to ignore, especially when it catches on the wind. Add a slight breeze to a cookout, and soon enough a crowd will start to gather. However, adding a breeze does more than just bring people out of the woodwork; the increase of oxygen can give … Read more

Despite the availability of a plethora of recipes online, many good old-fashioned cookbooks still quite often do the trick; they are easy to thumb through, they are usually well-organized into themes, and they don't stop working when they get wet.

Because of this timeless usefulness, it is not uncommon to find a few cookbooks hanging about on a shelf in practically any kitchen. They make for a good resource when one is not sure what to cook. All one has to do is peruse the spines, pulling one down when they find one of interest. And the scale while … Read more

Preparing food creates a lot of waste. It's an unavoidable necessity; meats, fruits and vegetables all have parts that are inedible or undesirable. And that doesn't even bring into consideration the packaging that is necessary to get it all into our kitchens. It's what we do with that waste that we can control. Like make it grow into something beautiful (and delicious).

While it would be nice if all unwanted kitchen items (and cooking experiments) could be planted into the ground, hidden from view until they turned into something useful, sadly, that is not usually the case. … Read more

Evernote Food lets iDevice users take photos and notes of meals not to be forgotten.

My wife and I entertain a lot. We have two young kids, and having friends to our place for dinner is less expensive than paying a babysitter and dining out. Plus, we like to cook. We typically have the same cast of characters over for dinner, and my wife recently expressed a desire to start a food journal, so we could remember what dishes we cooked for whom, in an effort to avoid duplication.

You should also know that our household is somewhat unorganized. Or … Read more