Cooking

Kitchens can produce an outstanding amount of variety; from the well-outfitted to the bare-boned, any kitchen is capable of a great amount of versatility (assuming there is food in the cupboard). The personal nature inherent in cooking food extends beyond preparation methods. Sometimes, it is even the appliances that are personalized.

Every cook prepares food in his or her own special way, but adding a personal twist to the ubiquitous slow cooker is what Crock-Pot has in mind here. Via a Web interface, the Create-A-Crock (model number: SCCPCM553-W) allows customers to select from one of nine templates and upload four … Read more

Backyard barbecues may be becoming more and more scare with the advancing cold weather, but when one grill shuts down, another one often fires up. And just as every cloud has a silver lining, opportunities often present themselves when least expected. Opportunities, that is, like finally being able to grill a burger with a side of fries.

With a centrally mounted 20-ounce deep-fryer, the Blacktop 360 features a circular design and multiple methods for cooking that lets users cook what--and how--they want to. Orbiting around the deep-fryer are a grill, a griddle, and a warming plate, so not only can … Read more

Well, that happened fast. One moment we were surrounded by backyard barbecues and pleasant meals by the pool. But then, seemingly overnight, it got cold; gone are the pool parties, absent are the invites to grill food on a fire, retired are the trips to the park with a picnic basket. But not to worry, the sun will rise again, the warm weather will return, and we will all find cause to revisit the great outdoors. But until that time, it's best to take it slow. Slow cooker, that is.

The Frigidaire Professional 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is an … Read more

We see QR codes everywhere these days, from advertisements to print cartridge packaging. However, you may soon find yourself biting into a QR-coded cookie.

Meet the Qkie.

The brainchild of a German food company, Juchem Gruppe, and DFKI, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, the Qkie's QR code can be scanned to open up a link to a Web site, a love note, or even a party invitation (as seen in the video below). … Read more

I know enough French to order two croissants and buy a bottle of wine. That successfully got me through a week in Paris, but I could improve my skills astronomically if I got a French Digital Kitchen.

Newcastle University in England has installed this kitchen, which is designed to helps students learn a language and gain some cooking skills at the same time. PBS should be all over this.

Everything from the mixing bowls to the peelers to the flour and sugar have embedded sensors that work under the same concept as a Nintendo Wii. The computer knows where the tools are and what motions are being made.

The computer gives you instructions in French and tracks your progress as you work your way through a recipe. It's like a GPS for making crepes and Croque Monsieur.… Read more

Versatile gadgetry is always welcome in the kitchen. Much like the act of cooking itself, the addition and subtraction of elements often creates a final product that is more than the sum of its parts.

Considering that we usually end up eating the creations that come out of the kitchen, it is probably best to pay attention to everything that goes in it--including the tools.

The DeLonghi DHB900 Triblade Professional Hand Blender is an all-in-one solution for many basic prepping needs. The versatility of the hand blender is expanded through the inclusion of attachments. In addition to a standard hand … Read more

Storage in the kitchen is no small matter. Kitchen appliances may come in all shapes and sizes, but most of them have odd angles and weird protuberances. Rarely does something come along that fits nicely in the cupboard, allowing for easy storage and quick accessibility. The option of leaving it out on the countertop may at first seem appealing, but after so many coffeemakers, food processors, and clamshell specialty appliances, the reality is sometimes storage considerations have to take front and center.

Nesting away while not in use, the Presto 06857 Electric Foldaway Skillet is a convenient space-saver that stores … Read more

The outdoor adventure that is grilling over an open flame is one that is welcome in any season. During the spring and summer months, time spent outside is time well-spent, as warm weather encourages gathering with family and friends. When fall and winter hit, there may be less to do outside, but that doesn't mean that quality time cannot be found in the back yard. Especially when grilled food is involved.

Even though summer grilling season is fading into the sunset, there are still plenty of reasons to fire up the grill. Set for release in February 2012, the … Read more

It doesn't take much to appease a sugar fix. Consider the amount of quick and portable options that exist: supermarket checkout aisles are stocked with candy bars, cupcake stores have sprung up seemingly everywhere, and packages of cookies come in all sizes from single-serve all the way up to industrial strength. But, sometimes the craving for sugar needs something more than just a simple prepackaged good that can be found anywhere; sometimes, that sugar needs to be served warm.

Freshly baked pies offer a comfort without compare. The process of making a whole pie to achieve that comfort can … Read more