Kitchen Gadgets: My #1 Garlic Press & More!

[lisab]

There are some kitchen gadgets I love :!)!

My #1: garlic press. Can't live without it, I use it so much it's hardly ever in the drawer where it lives.

http://www.momsgadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/garlic_pics.thumbnail.jpg

But some are *useless*. Who needs a kiwi scoop?

[URL]http://chewonthatblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/kiwiscoop3.jpg[/URL]

Or pizza scissors/spatula?

What kitchen gadgets do you love?

 

[cronxeh]

What kitchen gadgets do you love?

Quite obviously, my blender. I makes me smoothies, both Irish smoothies like Margaritas and nonethanol ones.

Then steamer! Healthiest way to cook food for me. You can make just about anything in it

http://www.quickspice.com/scstore/images/steamer-metal_lg.jpg

 

[brewnog]

[URL]http://images.surlatable.com/surlatable/images/en_US//local/products/detail/PC330927.jpg[/URL]

[PLAIN][URL]http://www.the-gift-of-wine.com/Images/lever_corkscrew.jpg[/URL]

[URL]http://www.townandcountryhardware.co.uk/uploads/images_products_large/791.jpg[/URL]

[PLAIN][URL]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-CeseZn4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg[/URL]

[URL]http://cdn5.mydeco.com/product_images/full/9fede894cf15148eb1a5ef13e9ff95cee0e84b6c.jpg[/URL]

 

[Math Is Hard]

I have a rice spoon that I really like.

It's useful for scooping frozen yogurt, soups, all kinds of things.

 

[lisab]

Ah, I forgot about the mortar and pestle, I use mine frequently.

Oh and my mandolin. No not the musical instrument - more like a horizontal guillotine for veggies:

It's soooo scary, though...watch your fingers!

 

[Astronuc]

But some are *useless*. Who needs a kiwi scoop?

That might double as an avocado scoop.

Fresh guacamole is great!

 

[brewnog]

I've got a really nice, thick, heavy blockboard chopping board too, would recommend one of those! Also the little hand whizzer, packed in today though.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I would love a Kiwi scoop, they are a pain the rear!

 

[Proton Soup]

Ulu. best souvenir type gift i ever received. great for chopping up rosemary and basil.

 

[Astronuc]

I would love a Kiwi scoop, they are a pain the rear!

Oh - they're just mooshy.

 

[lisab]

I would love a Kiwi scoop, they are a pain the rear!

The first time I ate a kiwi, I didn't know you aren't supposed to eat the skin. I figured well, you eat peach skin, it must be similar.

Kiwi skin is tough and sort of bitter, but apparently it's not very poisonous .

 

[lisab]

This thing...

[PLAIN]http://www.emerilstore.com/images/41EW113_th.jpg

Is it a spoon? A fork? A toothed spoon ? Whatever, it's perfect for cooking pasta.

 

[Astronuc]

This thing...

[PLAIN]http://www.emerilstore.com/images/41EW113_th.jpg

Is it a spoon? A fork? A toothed spoon ? Whatever, it's perfect for cooking pasta.

And boiled egg retriever and back scratcher.

 

[FrancisZ]

That pizza-scissor is pretty awesome. But I really like my hand blender...

...which doesn't really sound like such a good idea (if you think about it); but it is still really cool when you need to mix batter.

 

[Andre]

The egg slicer in my kitchen is actually a mushroom slicer

excellent tool for pizza cutting

 

[Andre]

This thing...

[PLAIN]http://www.emerilstore.com/images/41EW113_th.jpg

Is it a spoon? A fork? A toothed spoon ? Whatever, it's perfect for cooking pasta.

Up until now my experience is that it is the best tool to tame spaghetti

The Y-peeler is used almost on a daily basis for apples and potatoes.

[PLAIN]http://enabledbydesign.org/reviews/assets_c/2009/03/Y-PEELER1-thumb-autox198-196.jpg

 

[Andre]

But the apple corer requires quite some skill aiming.

 

[hypatia]

I like my pitter good for cherries and olives.

 

[GeorginaS]

Acquiring one of these has sent me on a year-long pureed-soup-making binge that has yet to cease. I invent flavour combinations and puree them into soup and now I absolutely cannot return to boxed or canned soups. I don't think I've ever used anyone gadget as much as that one.

Oh and this thing that I inherited from my grandmother.

I've never been able to see the logic in such single-function-specific do dads, but this cheese slicer gets used all the time. It's handy and works perfectly. I adore the thing.

 

[FrancisZ]

But the apple corer requires quite some skill aiming.

This so reminds of "Chef of the Future"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB5a6y3okeo

"Can it core a apple?"

"Ohhhhh, it can core a apple!"

I like my pitter good for cherries and olives.

I've never seen anything quite like that--but that is definitely a practical device.

Acquiring one of these has sent me on a year-long pureed-soup-making binge that has yet to cease. I invent flavour combinations and puree them into soup and now I absolutely cannot return to boxed or canned soups. I don't think I've ever used anyone gadget as much as that one.

Oh and this thing that I inherited from my grandmother.I've never been able to see the logic in such single-function-specific do dads, but this cheese slicer gets used all the time. It's handy and works perfectly. I adore the thing.

Can you slice bread with that also?

 

[Astronuc]

So I wonder what devices, er, um gadgets, Evo has in her kitchen.

 

[brewnog]

The Y-peeler is used almost on a daily basis for apples and potatoes.

[PLAIN]http://enabledbydesign.org/reviews/assets_c/2009/03/Y-PEELER1-thumb-autox198-196.jpg[/QUOTE]

I've been trying to find a left handed one of those, anyone seen one?

 

[GeorginaS]

Can you slice bread with that also?

Not that I'm aware of. The wire that's attached to board and handle isn't serrated, so I doubt it. The board isn't that large, either, so I don't know how well any bread larger than than baguette would fit under the slicer.

For slicing cheese, though? Incredibly quick and smooth action. Precision slicing so you get nice uniform pieces, easily. Super easy to clean. Just lovely.

 

[Evo]

I've been meaning to post here for awhile. My hand blender has got to be my favorite gadget of all time. My beloved ancient Salton hand blender got lost in the move 3 years ago, so based on Alton Brown's hand blender episode, I bought a Cuisinart multi function blender that also converts into a mini food processor and whisk. I can't imagine pouring hot food into a countertop blender or food processor to blend and then pouring it all back into the pan.

[PLAIN]http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/3616/handblender.jpg

Evo Child had this food scale. I love it! The single flat surface allows any odd shape to easily be weighed and it goes up to 11 pounds so is great for weighing the large roasts that I cut up. It's so thin it doesn't get into the way and can stay on the counter all of the time.

[PLAIN]http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/7261/scales.jpg

 

[mugaliens]

Ulu. best souvenir type gift i ever received. great for chopping up rosemary and basil.

So that's what it does! I have a similar one, but mine's about 170 years old. I bought it along with an antique set of German cooking utensils.

 

[airborne18]

I am a julia child fan, so I started with the omlettes and now I am a crepe making machine too.

My favorite gadget is the crepe pan. Designed perfectly to heat evenly and keep the heat.

 

[leroyjenkens]

I like the garlic press, but it's hard to clean.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

They're expensive, they don't do anything, and they're always in the way, but they're kind of cool to have around in the kitchen.

[PLAIN]http://www.internetvideomag.com/images/movies-2005/cat.jpg

 

[Math Is Hard]

They sometimes are good for cleaning up spilled things, like eggs and tuna fish.

 

[Evo]

They're expensive, they don't do anything, and they're always in the way, but they're kind of cool to have around in the kitchen.

[PLAIN]http://www.internetvideomag.com/images/movies-2005/cat.jpg[/QUOTE]Aww, that looks my my cat (RIP) Cha. His favorite things were warm lemon cake (cooling on the kitchen counter) and corn on the cob. He would turn the cobs with his paws to eat them all the way around.

 

[Astronuc]

Aww, that looks my my cat (RIP) Cha. His favorite things were warm lemon cake (cooling on the kitchen counter) and corn on the cob. He would turn the cobs with his paws to eat them all the way around.

I love lemon cake (with lemon icing?) and corn on the cob. And I can eat with my paws.

 

[dlgoff]

I couldn't live without this thing.

[PLAIN]http://www.outblush.com/women/images/2006/05/gizmo-can-opener.jpg

All the other cheap electric can openers I've had failed in a year or so.

 

[lisab]

They sometimes are good for cleaning up spilled things, like eggs and tuna fish.

Actually this model is much better for clean-up.

I had my chocolate labrador trained to come running when I'd yell, "Clean up, aisle 5!"

 

[Math Is Hard]

That's so cute. It's the dishwasher that works even when the power goes out!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I had to enter that one in the caption competition
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=2888616#post2888616

 

[Evo]

MIH mentioned she bought a tiny one egg frying pan, I thought she might like a one egg poacher. I need this.

[PLAIN]http://iweb.foodnetworkstore.com/images/products/Enlarge/435455e.jpg

 

[texasblitzem]

And boiled egg retriever and back scratcher.

Definitely the best back-scratcher made!

 

[Ms Music]

I have that exact same Ulu, and marble cheese cutting board. The cheese cutter I have had for 15 to 20 years, and have only broken the wire once. I LOVE it! But no, it will not slice bread. I guess I should start using my Ulu, it is a cool souvenir, but would be even "cooler" if it were used...

My favorite kitchen utensils? My salad spinner, crock pot (for those hectic days on the run), and cream whipper.

Cream whipper doesn't really get used THAT much, but it is so fun and easy to use when we DO need it.

BTW, both the crock pot, and cream whipper (and my blender) are blood red. That color makes my heart melt!

 

[nismaratwork]

I have that exact same Ulu, and marble cheese cutting board. The cheese cutter I have had for 15 to 20 years, and have only broken the wire once. I LOVE it! But no, it will not slice bread. I guess I should start using my Ulu, it is a cool souvenir, but would be even "cooler" if it were used...

My favorite kitchen utensils? My salad spinner, crock pot (for those hectic days on the run), and cream whipper.

Cream whipper doesn't really get used THAT much, but it is so fun and easy to use when we DO need it.

BTW, both the crock pot, and cream whipper (and my blender) are blood red. That color makes my heart melt!

I think the whipper is good investment... you can do some really crazy and fun things with them and "molecular gastronomy" (a name I HATE).

The crock-pot... I don't know how life goes on without one. What kind of Crock do you have that it's crimson!? I've got a stainless stell shelled (Cuisinart brand perhaps?) big sucker, but its looks are NOT the strong point. My personal favorite...

Steel cut oats (the real deal or don't bother)
dried cranberries (NOT sugared junk, buy cheap and bulk... they're bush-berries lol)
Snag some Medjool dates (sweet and plump) and finely chop... go EASY on this one.
Indian Sugar (Maple sugar)
a dash of Brown Sugar (easy on both sugars during the cooking phase
Milk
a bit of heavy cream.

I do the Alton Brown and put it un lowest overnight. I wake up to oatmeal I only ever get when its homemade, or in Ireland... and homemade.

 

[nismaratwork]

MIH mentioned she bought a tiny one egg frying pan, I thought she might like a one egg poacher. I need this.

[PLAIN]http://iweb.foodnetworkstore.com/images/products/Enlarge/435455e.jpg[/QUOTE]



You need that like you need trepanation... not at all! Come on, we've seen your cooking, and I'm pretty sure that you can poach eggs. Besides... there is an easier gadget... and cheaper...

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/index.cfm/S/143/N/127584/Egg-Molds.htm

...which also let's you make egg-muffins and bagels that taste great, but have that "McDonalds" look. A tiny dash of vinegar in the water will make it work perfectly.

OR... You can pay 8 times that much for something that is practical for egg-poaching.

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/index.cfm/S/143/N/123931/Triple-Egg-Poachers.htm

OR... you could go BERSERK and spend ungodly amounts for this beauty: http://www.foodservicedirect.com/in.../Vollrath-Egg-Poacher-Juice-Glass-Holders.htm

Eggs benedict unto death... where is a drooling emoticon?! DA!

 

[Ms Music]

What kind of Crock do you have that it's crimson!?

This one.

I actually JUST bought it, it is a 6 quart. I have a 3 quart that I have had for ever (perfect size for my tiny family), but we were heading out to an all day competition, and I realized at the last minute that all the food I had packed for my chicken curry would NOT fit in my 3 quart. I had seen the red crock on sale 2 days earlier, and finally found the excuse to run back and buy it. (OH DARN! An excuse for something ELSE red? ) And since I have been told that I MUST now bring curry to ALL competitions, it will be well used. The locking lid is nice to have while driving.

I have heard that oatmeal recipe is the best in the world, but have not tried it yet. I prefer protein for breakfast... But I may still have to try it some day.

 

[Evo]

This one.

Oh my, that's a beauty! :!)

 

[nismaratwork]

This one.

I actually JUST bought it, it is a 6 quart. I have a 3 quart that I have had for ever (perfect size for my tiny family), but we were heading out to an all day competition, and I realized at the last minute that all the food I had packed for my chicken curry would NOT fit in my 3 quart. I had seen the red crock on sale 2 days earlier, and finally found the excuse to run back and buy it. (OH DARN! An excuse for something ELSE red? ) And since I have been told that I MUST now bring curry to ALL competitions, it will be well used. The locking lid is nice to have while driving.

I have heard that oatmeal recipe is the best in the world, but have not tried it yet. I prefer protein for breakfast... But I may still have to try it some day.

:loves: So... gadgety... awesome... must get new crockpot! I really love those handles and the lid-latches!

edit: Steel-cut has 4 grams of protein per serving... good stuff too. Besides, nobody said you couldn't have oatmeal and steak... in fact you can make a very rich and excellent savory oatmeal.

 

[lisab]

MIH mentioned she bought a tiny one egg frying pan, I thought she might like a one egg poacher. I need this.

[PLAIN]http://iweb.foodnetworkstore.com/images/products/Enlarge/435455e.jpg[/QUOTE]

At first glance, I thought that was an ash tray!

 

[Evo]

At first glance, I thought that was an ash tray!

 

[Ms Music]

Nismaratwork and Evo - if you like red, you have to see it in person. The picture doesn't even come CLOSE to doing it justice. The picture looks like just plain old flat red paint. In real life, it looks like the cream whipper. Deep blood red enamel over brushed steel. And in my house? It is called the CRACK pot. Everything that comes out is as addicting as crack.

Off to the grocery store to find a hunk of meat for TOMORROW'S crack pot meal. :!)

 

[nismaratwork]

Nismaratwork and Evo - if you like red, you have to see it in person. The picture doesn't even come CLOSE to doing it justice. The picture looks like just plain old flat red paint. In real life, it looks like the cream whipper. Deep blood red enamel over brushed steel. And in my house? It is called the CRACK pot. Everything that comes out is as addicting as crack.

Off to the grocery store to find a hunk of meat for TOMORROW'S crack pot meal. :!)

The crack pot... Try brisket... never fails in the crockpot. I like it with a bottle of stout in the mix, lots of chopped onions and carrots... season to taste. *drool*

 

[Evo]

The crack pot... Try brisket... never fails in the crockpot. I like it with a bottle of stout in the mix, lots of chopped onions and carrots... season to taste. *drool*

Oh, that sounds good!

 

[nismaratwork]

Oh, that sounds good!

Oh it is... it IS. I often like to add some extra baby carrots, then sperate them out and hit a few with a stick blender to add to the sauce. That's just me though, not standard.