Several years ago, I thought I lost my garlic press. Always looking for a reason to buy more kitchen stuff, I jumped at the opportunity to purchase a new garlic-smashing implement. The kitchen store I went to did not disappoint…they had numerous models to choose from. The one that caught my eye was a shiny stainless steel Rosle Garlic Press. I picked it up, and opened it/closed it numerous times to simulate the actual garlic-pressing process. I turned it over and over, admiring it’s sleek handles and how comfortable it felt in my smallish hands. I was hooked. The only bummer was it’s price. At a little less than $40, this beauty was the most expensive of the bunch. But what the heck, I reasoned. I cook A LOT and am always using a garlic press…I bought it.

Shortly after buying the Rosle Garlic Press (not having used it yet), I found my old press…a clunkier, not-as-pretty model from a different company. I decided it was time to have a garlic press-off and pit the two models against each other: the stainless steel beauty (Rosle) vs. my older garlic press. I started with my old press, which does a pretty good job of squishing the garlic through the little holes but is always a chore to clean. Next up, the Rosle. Because of it’s design, smashing garlic is easier than any garlic press I’ve ever used! And cleaning…well, it’s a breeze. The press unhinges so removal of the squished clove is a cinch. The Rosle Garlic Press was the winner!!! Both garlic presses reside in the same gadget drawer, but the Rosle is the one I always grab.

Yes, the Rosle Garlic Press is a bit of a splurge but you’ll love it if you cook a lot. It’s definitely worth the price!!! Plus, it’s sturdy and dishwasher safe so you should get many good years of garlic pressing out it (it has a lifetime warranty against defects).

Tags: garlic press, Rosle, stainless steel

The Progressive Nut Chopperis one of the handiest tools in my kitchen. If you’ve ever tried chopping a cutting board full of pecans or almonds (or any nut for that matter), you already know that it’s no easy task. This is where the Nut Chopper comes to the rescue. I just did a little experiment to prove my point. I measured out one cup of whole pecans (shelled, of course), filled the nut hopper of the Nut Chopper with them, set the timer then started turning the crank handle. I had the whole cup of nuts chopped in less than 30 seconds.

The Nut Chopper is made of plastic, has a non-skid base and is dishwasher safe. It also has measurement lines so you can easily measure the chopped nuts. For less than $15,a Nut Chopper is one of those indispensable kitchen tools that has made my life easier. And it makes a great gift for a baker!

Tags: Cooking Gadgets, nut chopper, nut grinder, nuts

I’ve tried different methods of making mashed potatoes: squashing with a masher, whipping using a hand mixer or my Kitchenaid mixer, and using a potato ricer. Each method gives potatoes a different texture.

I reach for a masher when I don’t mind if the potatoes are a bit lumpy (I like to call it more of a rustic mash). When I’ve experimented with the hand mixer and Kitchenaid mixer, I’m always left with gluey potatoes (not exactly the texture I’m after). My best mashed potatoes (the ones that were perfectly smooth, light and fluffy) were the result of using a potato ricer, a kitchen tool that forces the cooked potatoes through little holes. You can spend upwards of $50 on a fancier model but I went with a basic yet sturdy Norpro Potato Ricer, which sells for under $15.  Below is an article I found on the pros and cons of potato ricers and mashers. Hopefully this will help you as you prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

Potato Ricer vs. Masher
-from Fine Cooking Magazine (by Lisa Waddle)
  
Ricer: This extrusion tool forces cooked potato through small holes, resulting in rice-like pieces of potato (hence the name). It’s constructed of a hopper into which you put a cooked potato (peeled or not) and a plunger that forces the potato through the holes. Because air is incorporated into the potato as it’s pressed, this tool gives you the lightest mashed potatoes possible. A ricer guarantees no lumps, and your potatoes will be very smooth. The only downside is that it can be a bit time-consuming, especially if you’re using unpeeled potatoes, as the skins must be removed from the hopper after each pressing; otherwise, they clog the holes.

Masher: Hand mashers get a bad rap for leaving lumps, but I found that they can, in fact, deliver smooth, creamy potatoes. You just have to be methodical with your mashing method, getting into every corner of the pot and using a press and twist motion with the masher, adding a little liquid at a time if you must. (Be sure your potatoes are thoroughly cooked, too.) If you like the skins in your finished dish (for nutrition and texture), a masher or metal spoon is the only way to go. Don’t expect mashers to deliver light or fluffy potatoes, though.

The bottom line: Which tool you use depends on your definition of ideal mashed potatoes. If you’re after a bowl of textured spuds, especially good when adding extras like herbs or cheese, a masher should be your choice. If fluffy and smooth is your idea of potato nirvana, go with a ricer. Either way, be sure to buy a durable model that feels good in your hand. When you have a pile of potatoes to work through, you don’t want a flimsy tool that’s going to cause a hand cramp.

Tags: chrome finish, fluffy mashed potatoes, Norpro Potato Ricer

In my kitchen, a good dutch oven is a kitchen necessity, especially now that we’re in comfort food weather. Not only is it great for making soups and stews, but it can be used to roast a small chicken or bake a casserole. In the summer, the dutch oven can be refrigerated and used to keep cold salads (like potato or pasta salads) cold.

I did a lot of research before buying my Mario Batali 6-Quart Italian Essentials Pot,a heavy-duty cast-iron dutch oven with a porcelain-enamel coating. When I say heavy duty, I mean heavy duty. This dutch oven weighs about 15 lbs., which is one of the reasons I keep it on the stove (it’s just easier to get to that way). Plus, it’s pretty and adds a lot of color to my kitchen so the stove is where it’s staying.

I used to have a Lodge cast iron dutch oven but I hated the process of having to season it after each use, which is why I wanted to upgrade to a type with the porcelain-enamel coating. I originally had my eye on a more expensive brand but it cost over $300 (ouch!). Once the Mario Batali dutch oven line came out at one of my favorite stores, I decided to give it a try. I’m happy to say that I’ve had it for a little over a year now and am very pleased with my purchase. Mario’s line even comes in several stylish colors. For a little over $100, it’s been a great kitchen investment!

Tags: 6-quart, cast iron, dutch oven, Mario Batali Essentials Pot, porcelain-enamel cast-iron pot

If you’ve ever had a panini than you know how good they are. Warm, crunchy, often gooey (depending on the ingredients) and delicious. With all the ingredient possibilities, you could enjoy a different panini everyday. Oh, what a beautiful world it would be! I recently received a Villaware UNO ProPress Panini Grill from some girlfriends as group birthday gift. Not only was I surprised but I was also elated with my new cooking tool. I love cooking gadgetry! Anyway, my new panini grill is a beautiful little appliance. I feel like I’m working in a bistro when I’ve got it on the counter. Not only is it good-looking, but it’s functional, too. It’s got a good-sized non-stick cooking surface (11″x9″), adjustable temperature control and a commercial-style handle. You can even grill meat on it, although I haven’t tried that yet. Unfortunately, the cooking plates aren’t removable (which would aid in clean up) but that’s a small sacrifice for a delicious grilled sandwich.

The first sandwich I made on the panini grill was a simple ham & cheddar on wheat bread for my kids. They each devoured their share then asked for more, which of course left me beaming. When I told my 6-year-old that I was glad he liked the sandwich, he replied, “I don’t like it. I LOVE it.” Well there you have it…you better believe I’ll be using my panini grill on a regular basis if it continues to get that kind of a response out of a simple ham & cheese sandwich. Thank you, girlfriends (you know who you are).

You can buy the Villaware UNO ProPress Panini Grill at amazon.com or crateandbarrel.com.

Tags: Cookware, grill, panini

One of my recent kitchen purchases was a new tea kettle. I loved my old kettle, a stainless steel model made by Kitchenaid that I received as a wedding present ten years ago. Husband & I used it daily and I frequently thought about what a good and functional gift it was. Then one day not too long ago, Husband decided to try his hand at multi-tasking (I shudder at the thought). Apparently he put water on to boil then got busy doing something in the garage. Unfortunately, he didn’t hear the annoying whistle of the kettle since he wasn’t in the house. At some point Husband came back into the house to find the kettle dry. I was out at the time but came home to find my nice stainless steel kettle looking blackish and not so attractive anymore. Well, accidents happen so I didn’t dwell on it.

I did, however, jump into action and start my research on a new tea kettle since the old kettle was beyond restoration. Husband put in his two cents about his wish for a kettle that had a nice “train whistle” sound instead of the high-pitched break-your-eardrums screech of most kettles (he had seen the “train whistle” kind before and liked it). I did a quick search for “train whistle” tea kettles online and found that Chantal makes a line of kettles with a two-tone Hohner® harmonica whistle. Before long I had my very own Chantal kettle sitting on my stove.  I couldn’t wait to try it out to see what this “train whistle” business was all about. Basically, when the water gets hot enough in the kettle, the whistle does its thing and it actually sounds like someone playing the harmonica. Now I’m not talking about a rockin’ blues harmonica solo. It’s simply one pleasant note, then a few moments later the second note chimes in. I quite like my spanky new kettle and how it melodically calls to me to fetch it from the stove. Good call, Husband, on the “train whistle”.

Tags: Cookware, tea kettle