Archive for the 'Gadgets' Category

Seasoning the Turkey: Their Aim Is True

November 9th, 2006

Decisions, decisions. Do you brine your bird (as recommended in Take Control of Thanksgiving Dinner)? Do you rub the bird with butter or olive oil before popping it into the oven? Do you season your stuffing with traditional herbs, or simply put a sprig of fresh rosemary into an unstuffed turkey? The fellows over at […]

Mmmm…Waffles!

November 5th, 2006

I’ve always had a soft spot for waffles. You know the kind; thick but light as a feather, dripping with melted butter and fresh maple syrup. When I was a child growing up in the Sixties, my Mom would actually cook up a batch of waffles for dinner if she was pressed for time. This […]

Pizza Vending Machine

October 27th, 2006

One of the few things I’ve been craving regularly since being on the South Beach Diet is pizza. Not just any pizza, of course: genuine New York-style, foldable, greasy pepperoni pizza is my personal favorite. Still, in an emergency, something is better than nothing. If only a local business cared enough about my cravings to […]

Zarafina Tea Maker

October 10th, 2006

Given the choice, I’ll nearly always opt for coffee over tea, especially when I can get my coffee from a superautomatic coffee machine. However, as much as I rely on coffee’s high caffeine content and strong aroma for their stimulant properties, I do enjoy a nice cup of tea from time to time. Recently, I’ve […]

Ultraviolet Bread Box

October 5th, 2006

I’m trying to decide whether I like this idea. Following these instructions at InventGeek.com, you can outfit an ordinary bread box with a UV light that will prevent mold from forming on the surface of the bread, supposedly extending its shelf life to two weeks. I’ve certainly had to toss out bread that became moldy […]

Fountain Jet Home Soda Maker

October 3rd, 2006

We don’t consume very much carbonated liquid in this household, at least not compared to most Americans. The two of us might go through a 2-liter bottle in a week; more if we’re trying to meet deadlines (and looking for a nice cold source of caffeine), less if we’re being more relaxed, or paying more […]

Baker’s Edge Pan

September 28th, 2006

When we make brownies, casseroles, or lasagna, I always want the corner pieces—I love the crispy texture of the caramelized edges. Problem is, there are only four corners. That need never be a problem again, thanks to the Baker’s Edge pan. The unique shape gives your baked goods eight corners, but more to the point, […]

Food Loop

September 25th, 2006

I’m fond of silicone baking products, which are highly heat-resistant and yet have excellent flexibility. You can get everything from oven mitts to cookie sheet liners to baking molds made out of the stuff. But a relatively new product really intrigues me. The Food Loop looks something like a large plastic cable tie, but it’s […]

Superautomatic Coffee Machines

September 21st, 2006

I’d like to sing the praises of my coffee machine for a moment. I know: it’s just a machine. And yet, as gadgets go, I’ve become extraordinarily attached to it. I’d sooner go without a microwave oven, my Henckels knives, or my All-Clad pans than my coffee machine. I like it that much. The one […]

Review: Toast 'N Wave

September 14th, 2006

If you will indulge me for a moment, gentle reader, I’d like to spend a few paragraphs doing something relatively silly and perhaps even futile: reviewing a product that has already been redesigned and replaced. There’s a method to my madness, though, and I trust you will find some of my remarks about the Kenmore […]