Great kitchen gadgets

[Gail]

Anybody have some great gizmo, doohickey or whatchamacallit in your kitchen which you want to share with others who might not have tried it?

I love the Shrimp Peel for deveining and deshelling shrimp. (Williams Sonoma) What used to be a chore now takes only a few minutes. Anyone else got a favorite to make cooking easier?

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 06-19-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 06-19-2000).]

[BarbaraL]

I love my Zyliss cheese grater (got it through Pampered Chef, but Fortunoff has it too). I also have a fantastic garlic press that I also got from Pampered Chef -- can't remember the brand name.

[lorilei]

I cannot rave enough about anything made by Oxo GoodGrips -- I got a free lemon zester in the mail with a cookbook order sometime ago, and it's great. Easy to hold onto while you're zesting -- and it seems to guard against zesting too much "pith".

I liked it so much that I ran out and bought an Oxo Kitchen Sheers http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I also can't say enough good things about the Pampered Chef garlic press (which I believe is Zyliss as well) -- it's super easy to use and (even better) to clean!!

[Deanna]

I agree with lorilei, Oxo Good Grips are the BEST. I've got almost every gadget they ever made...especially love the potato peeler. Oh, and the apple corer/wedger thingie.

[tammy/MN]

ditto on the pampered chef garlic press, but i really use my salad spinner by oxo quite a bit--it has the gripper thingy on the bottom of the bowl so it doesn't move off the counter, & i actually store my clean lettuce leaves in it in the frig.

[Vanessa]

Great idea Gail! The tools I like most are
Henckels poultry scissors, Norpro garlic press, Edlund tongs (use them all the time got 1 long one shorter one) Lately I like using garlic tube for peeling garlic.
Kitchen scale, G Kerr mini juicer and last but not least my Henckel's Santuco Knife!

[Mamasue]

I love the lasted gadget that is a zester/grater. It is long and thin and looks like a carpenter's rasp. It works great with no pith and easy too. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I also love my battery operated frother for my chai tea. Oh, and also love grating my own nutmeg with nutmeg grater. I could go on and on....

Vanessa...I will have to check out the Henchels Santuco. Is it a small knife?

[Vanessa]

Hi Sue. The Santuko is I think a 7 inch knife. I belive my husband got it at Chef's catalog. It has a great grip/and I like how I can handle it.

[Carol]

Some of my favorite thing-a-ma-jigs: Pampered Chef vegetable peeler and 2c. shortening measure--the one that is tube-shaped and has an insert that pushes the shortening out after it is packed in; the Tupperware citrus peeler and 2 qt. mixing bowl with a handle and measurement markings on the side; and Cutco cutlery, particularly the "trimmer" knife and their "take-apart" kitchen shears--their products fit my small hand really good. Oh yeah, the salad spinner, not sure of the brand.

I don't get to Williams Sonoma very often, but I'll have to check out some of these items you guys have posted.

[This message has been edited by Carol (edited 06-19-2000).]

[KimKelly]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Vanessa:
Lately I like using garlic tube for peeling garlic.

I've just heard of this "garlic tube". What the heck is it? A girl at the park was talking about it and it sounds like a must have. Where did you find it and what does it do?

As for my two cents ... a cherry pitter (no idea of brand or even where I got it.). Saves gads of time when making a pie!

Kim

[Mamasue]

Thanks Vanessa....checked out the Chef's catalog for Santuko knife! Going to put this on my Christmas wish list....only 6 months away! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

KimKelly....the garlic tube is a rubber tube that looks something like a canolli (italian pastry). A garlic clove is put inside and you roll the tube on the counter back and forth. What it does is release the skin from the clove. I have one but don't use as much as I did in the beginning. Its quicker to just smash the clove (with the knife that I have in my hand) to release the skin. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[greta]

mamasue,
what is the brand name of your frother??

[tammy/MN]

mamasue, i got hooked on "oregon chai" lattes a couple of winters ago, & was excited to seem them in the organic section of my grocery store, though i haven't ventured out to try their different ones, just the original. would love a frother for the whole affect.

i love these questions, i learn so much, but i have never gotten the chef's catalog, maybe that is a good thing! though i love going to W-S when i get a chance to go the mega mall! too tempting for the pocket book.

[Beth]

Kim -- I think you can also use one of those rubber sheets used for gripping and opening jar lids like you would a garlic tube. The garlic tube is basically a tube of the same type of material, but you don't have to hold it, just roll it around. I got one as a freebie with something. Can't think of a can't live without gadget. Guess I'm feeling boring this morning.

Thought about it later and decided that our Vin-Vac or whatever is a great one. It uses rubber stoppers and a pump to get all the air out of a bottle of wine so that half a bottle doesn't go bad before you drink it. And I'll never buy a dough scraper/chopper with a wooden handle again; only buy the ones that are all metal and easily cleaned.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 06-21-2000).]

[Nanci]

I have a frother (no batteries) that is like a pitcher w/ a circular screen that you push up & down. I leave mine in the refrigerator at work to use with my individual coffee cup/press from Starbucks. I get the occassional strange stare in the kitchen but save $3/day in coffee purchases.

The frother is about $10 at Crate & Barrel. I have used in straight from the refrigerator w/cold milk, but have also microwaved it for warm milk (although froth isn't quite as good).

[Mamasue]

Greta,

The frother that I have is battery operated and made by Bonjour, called "Caffe Froth Turbo". I bought it at everyone's favorite store... Williams Sonoma...around Christmas time. I LOVE it! I also bought a stainless steel pitcher to keep in the freezer and froth 2% milk and it comes out nice and thick and foamy for my chai tea. I buy chai tea from Stash Tea web site because they have decaf and the stores do not carry decaf. Stash tea has a web site, www.stashtea.com (http://www.stashtea.com)

If you love froth in your tea or cappichino(sp) than this is the gadget for your kitchen. It also has a clear plastic cover to keep the frothing rod clean. Can also be mounted on your wall. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[tammy/MN]

mamasue, i buy "oregon chai" which is organic in my supermarket's (cub in minnesota) organic section, & they also carry a decaf kind as well as a "high-test" one. gotta get me a frother though. tammy

[BethH]

I love my little pampered chef chopper. You put whatever you are chopping underneath it-- bang away on the top and voila! Perfectly minced garlic or onion or whatever!

[This message has been edited by BethH (edited 06-21-2000).]

[Mary Ann]

I agree on the Pampered Chef chopper. I put off getting it at several parties because I wasn't sure if I'd use it, but I use it alot. Just used it to mince a jalapeno for dinner.

I also like the Tutten kitchen shears I got from PC. They're the kind with the spring. I don't know how I ever minced herbs without them!

[Mamasue]

Tammy/MN,

I can't find Oregon Chai tea here in my area. Trader Joe's has, I think but not positive, but it is already mixed and in a carton. Is the Oregon Chai tea you buy in a tea bag form or is premixed? I like the tea bag kind. The frother is a MUST! You don't have to use it just for tea or cappichino....

[alisome]

My favorite gadget is a wine opener called a corkpopper, it has a long needle that you insert into the cork, then press on the CO2 cartridge and Voila the cork is out. It works great and no yucky cork ruining a good bottle of wine.
I also am a huge PC fan, and love my stoneware, and couldn't live without my food chopper. In fact, I like the chopper so much I have 2 in case 1 is in the dishwasher.

[Shirley Panek]

I'd have to say the 2 things I use most are my kitchen scale and my hand held shredder. The scale is great for when I buy large quantities of meat/cheese/whatever, and want to portion it out into smaller helpings.

I also use my shredder all the time. (It's not a roto-shredder, it's got a flat surface that finely shreds.) I use it for cheese a lot, but also for "mincing" ginger, zesting citrus, etc. It's great!

[Nicole]

I saw it mentioned earlier, but I love mine so much I wanted to mention it again! The Pampered Chef vegetable peeler is fantastic! The blades stay sharp, you can use it both directions (back and forth, left or right handed). It is also stainless steel, so you can put it in the dishwasher and it won't rust! Worth every penny!!
I also have a small electric chopper that is great for chopping garlic and onion etc. Makes quick work of chopping and all the parts go right in the dishwasher. (As you can tell I hate washing things by hand...)

[Gail]

OK.
Once again I feel I've been living in a vacuum. (This is a suburb of LA, maybe I've been zapped by too many cell phones...) Now that I've been enlightened as to what a salsa maker is, since you're all raving about Pampered Chef this and Pampered Chef that, I'll have to confess I know absolutely nothing about Pampered Chef. Do they manufacture their own things? Help me out, please (wait... let me hang up the cell phone first.) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 06-23-2000).]

[Grace]

Gail,

Don't feel bad. It's probably a fairly regional thing. Pampered Chef is a home kitchen gadget party thing, like Tupperware or Longaberger baskets, etc. They do have very good quality stuff, but you can't buy them anywhere in a store, only through a Pampered Chef Consultant, or whatever they call themselves. I have quite a few of their things, having been strong armed into having a party myself, but I actually enjoyed it a lot, and would probably do it again. Pampered Chef is headquartered here in a suburb of Chicago, and I don't think they make their stuff themselves, they have companies make specific versions of gadgets especially for them, and they put the Pampered Chef name on it. I believe their cheese grater, for example, is indeed made for them by Zyliss, with a slight design difference from the one Zyliss brands for itself. But they have a high standard for quality, and again, I have been very pleased with everything I have bought from them!

Grace

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 06-23-2000).]

[Grace]

Oops...sorry for the double post...

Gail,

Don't feel bad. It's probably a fairly regional thing. Pampered Chef is a home kitchen gadget party thing, like Tupperware or Longaberger baskets, etc. They do have very good quality stuff, but you can't buy them anywhere in a store, only through a Pampered Chef Consultant, or whatever they call themselves. I have quite a few of their things, having been strong armed into having a party myself, but I actually enjoyed it a lot, and would probably do it again. Pampered Chef is headquartered here in a suburb of Chicago, and I don't think they make their stuff themselves, they have companies make specific versions of gadgets especially for them, and they put the Pampered Chef name on it. I believe their cheese grater, for example, is indeed made for them by Zyliss, with a slight design difference from the one Zyliss brands for itself. But they have a high standard for quality, and again, I have been very pleased with everything I have bought from them!

Grace

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 06-23-2000).]

[Deanna]

Grace! Did you know you can delete your post? Just click on the edit button, then look up at the left hand corner of the edit screen.

Delete this post. Check the box and voila, its gone!

[Gail]

Deanna,
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif
Did something change? I tried to delete one of my messages AGES ago (at the beginning of the new BB) and I couldn't. Then I noticed the note at the top that says only forum leaders may delete. Did you delete successfully?

I am SOOO rude. I'm sorry. Thank you, Grace, for the info.




[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 06-23-2000).]

[Deanna]

OOPS! You are so right! You can check the box that says "delete this post" but then if you read the white print up above it says "only administrators may delete posts." (or some such).

I wish they would change that so that each of us could delete our posts if we accidently double-post!

Thanks for pointing that out! =^..^=

[Dana]

Ok, this may be a small item, but it makes my measuring life simple. I use my sliding scale tablespooon/teaspoon measure all the time! It starts at one tablespoon and slides down in increments to an 1/8 of a teaspoon. No more fumbling around with all of those little spoons!

[Liz K]

My current favorite kitchen gadget is my mini-chopper. I think it's by Black & Decker. I used it tonight to mince a bunch of garlic and chop an onion.

Someone posted way up thread about their zester that is like a rasp. I have one of those, but haven't used it much.

Since we're talking about gadgets, can someone please tell me how I'm supposed to grate fresh ginger? Neither the zester or the hand grater did a very good job last time I tried them.

I have a number of a local Pampered Chef lady and have been meaning to call for months. Must do so soon! I want that vegetable peeler ya'll were talking about http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Mamasue]

Liz K,

I have a porcelain(sp) grater that I use for fresh ginger. You should be able to find it where they sell Asian products.

[Pat58]

My Zassenhaus pepper mill! I rate it number 3 after my knives and cutting boards for amount of use.

[Gail]

Originally posted by Mamasue:
Liz K,

I have a porcelain(sp) grater that I use for fresh ginger. You should be able to find it where they sell Asian products.

Sue,
I've seen those little graters and wondered how well they worked. I gather you like it. What about the cleaning aspect?

[tammy/MN]

Originally posted by Mamasue:
Tammy/MN,

I can't find Oregon Chai tea here in my area. Trader Joe's has, I think but not positive, but it is already mixed and in a carton. Is the Oregon Chai tea you buy in a tea bag form or is premixed? I like the tea bag kind. The frother is a MUST! You don't have to use it just for tea or cappichino....

the chai that i buy is premixed in carton, they have about 5 different kinds, ranging from decaf to one w/ extra caffeine. the original that i buy is great cold or hot, you just add milk to it. they have a website, if you want to chk it out it is....
www.oregonchai.com, (http://www.oregonchai.com,)
1-888-874-CHAI

tammy/MN

[Gail]

I really appreciate all these suggestions. Now I've got all sorts of ideas for future trips to Williams Sonoma!

Question though: http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif I'm thinking about investing in a mandoline. Anybody out there have one and if so, what do you think of it?

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 06-28-2000).]

[Mamasue]

Gail...the porcelain grater is real easy to clean. The fibers more or less rub on the porcleain nibs (not sharp) and then you just use your fingers to remove ginger. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Tammy---thanks for the site....going to check it out right now!

Have a great day! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Mamasue]

Gail....forgot to comment on the mandoline....I have wanted one but don't want to spend the money. Hehe http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I think I will ask for Christmas again this year. Hubby wanted to buy one but I talked him out of it for jewerly instead! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif If I do buy one I will make sure that it has a guard. WS had a nice one.

[Kelly]

What a great idea Gail!
I have to admit that I am somewhat of a kitchen gadget collector (trying to cut back though)

The one thing that I couldn't live without is my Oxo vegetable peeler - absolutely the best one that I've ever used - it can peel even butternut squash.

[Shelly]

I also have a Zyliss garlic press that I couldn't live without, and a Black and Decker mini-chopper that I use alot. It holds less than a big food processor, but it is much easier to wash. I bought a citrus zester, but then I overheard a chef friend say that he just uses a vegetable peeler to shave off pieces of rind and then minces it with a chef's knife. I do it both ways - they seem to be about equal work-wise. I finally bought a pepper ball and i LOVE it. Now i just have to figure out how to open it. I read the directions and threw away the box, and I've forgotten what it said!!! The one other thing I have that I absolutely love is my ultra-thin spatula. I found it at a gourmet spice/food market. It's some sort of heat resistant plastic, and it works wonderfully for loosening foods that are stuck to the pan without ruining them. I don't know how I ever lived without it! Also my metal dough scraper and my pastry blender ( I am not coordinated enough to use 2 knives!). Sorry so long and wordy - I kept thinking of more things as I typed!

[CATHIEA]

Wow! I love this topic. I get so confused a Williams Sonoma, there's so much stuff, that I never end up buying anything there for myself. How do you decide? As for my favs- I am also a big fan of oxo good grips. I especially love my Oxo vegetable peeler and I was glad Carol mentioned Cutco. I have a Cutco knife set that's over 20 years old. I take the 7" utility knive with me on vacation- I'm that addicted to it's good feel, weight and cut. My Zylss chopper is also an oldie but goodie-so much easier to clean than the food processor too! Finally, I use a wine opener that has 2 metal prongs on the sides, one long and one short, connected by a rounded, open "T" grip. You insert the longer prong along side of the cork, then rock the opener down until the second prong is no longer visable, pull up and Voila!, corks out. Much easier and faster than any other wine opener I've ever used.
CathieA

[JennyLiz]

Short of sounding like an ad for Pampered Chef, has anyone tried their rubber spatulas? I hesitated because of the price ($12 I think), but they're heat resistant and hold up really well. Great investment.

[MrsReber]

I, too, love my Black & Decker mini chopper. Since I usually only cook for me and my husband, I don't need a big food processor. I use it for everything- chopping veggies, nuts, grahm crackers for crusts, chopping tomatoes for canning. I bought my rubber scrapers at WS and I love them. A little cheaper than Pampered Chef, but excellent quality. I also have a zyliss cheese grater, but find it very hard to clean the grater barrels. Any suggestions?

[Michele]

I have two faves:

One is a cordless cuisinart rechargeable hand mixer. It's a long stick-like thing and I use it nearly every day to make smoothies. It's also awesome for whipping cream. I even take it with me when I go away to the country with friends (we usually stay places with kitchens, and it's always a treat to have freshly whipped cream with stuff)

Second are Microplane graters. They are shaped like paddles and do an excellent job grating cheese and zesting lemons and limes. Plus, totally easy cleanup. Microplane is actually a woodworking tool company, but along the way someone realized that you could grate and zest with the tools, and so they launched a product line for cooks. Great stuff!!

[Katrina]

Gail:

I purchased the mandoline-esque slicer/grater offered by Pampered Chef and have been very satisfied. I opted for PC's plastic and metal version ($45-$50, this may be what everyone else has been referring to as the PC vegetable slicer, I can't remember its official catalog name) as opposed to the original, all metal mandolines manufactured in France (I think)that cost approx $200-250. PC's version is great for home use. It has aided in getting my husband to help more with dinner preparations, as he is uncomfortable chopping and slicing with regular knives. No matter which mandoline you purchase, always put safety first because the blades are VERY SHARP!

Katrina

[emily]

i can't believe no one has mentioned a lemon reamer yet. i have a plastic one that i love. it's great for getting all of the juice out of any sort of citrus fruit. and i agree with the oxo peeler. and i love my 8" henckle chef's knife.

[Gail]

Katrina,

I appreciate your info on the mandoline. Most of the ones I've been looking at have been in about the $160 range. That darn word "sharp" keeps coming at me (see my commments on the "hard boiled egg" thread) and I think my desire for the thing is starting to fade proportionately. It's like I have a little set of scales in the back of my head-- the mandoline sits on one side, my fingers still attached to my hands on the other. Fingers? Mandoline? Fingers? Mandoline? Ah well... it was a nice dream. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 07-05-2000).]

[lorilei]

I just bought the coolest little gadget the other day -- an OXO herb mincer.

Now, YES, I realize that mincing herbs is not that hard (even with a regular knife), but this little mincer makes doing piles of them especially easy.

The best part? It comes apart COMPLETELY and is dishwasher safe http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif (GRIN!!)

--oh, and Gail, it's sharp! But there's a plastic guard so that you don't chop extremities off!

[Laura B]

Originally posted by Beth:
Thought about it later and decided that our Vin-Vac or whatever is a great one. It uses rubber stoppers and a pump to get all the air out of a bottle of wine so that half a bottle doesn't go bad before you drink it.


I have to agree. I got one from Williams-Sonoma called a Vacu-Vin, and I love it. My husband and I find it hard to fininsh a bottle of wine with dinner unless we want to get smashed, so I often save the bottle with the Vacu-Vin.

[Gail]

Originally posted by CATHIEA:
Finally, I use a wine opener that has 2 metal prongs on the sides, one long and one short, connected by a rounded, open "T" grip. ...CathieA

Gee, I'm glad my husband and I aren't the only ones. Every time I open a bottle of wine with one of those, people look at me skeptically, as if to say, "You can't actually use that thing..." I love that opener-- plus the fact that if you don't finish your wine (ha!) you can always stick the cork back in. Great invention. (Mamasue insert picture of Gail hiccoughing.)

Lori-- The Oxo herb mincer thingy sounds neat. I appreciate the information on protecting my poor, battle-scarred fingers. How does it work on stuff like cilantro (since you're over that aversion) and Italian parsley?


[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 07-08-2000).]

[laden]

I don't think anyone mentioned this one yet...I love my wok topper for the grill. In the summer months I do a lot ofgrilling and this is one thing I can't live without. It's about $10-$15 and available at Wal-Mart and many other places.

I cube fresh yellow squash, zuchinni, purple onion and red bell peppers and toss them with fat free Italian dressing and Dale's Seasoning (about 1/2 cup dressing to 2 T Dale's). Remove the vegetables from the marinade with a slotted spoon and grill them in the wok topper (spray with Pam). Cook for about 15-20 min.

[Annette]

I, too, was coerced into haveing a Pampered Chef party but was so glad that I did have it. A few friends showed but made incredible orders so I was able to get lots of treats, in addition to things that I actually purchased.
Heat Resistant spatulas: I love these SO MUCH that I bought a second set. They aren't cheap.. about $21 for all 3, but they are wonderful! I use them when I saute' in my non-stick cookware...they don't stain.. they are great!!
Adjustable measuring spoons: I use these everyday, just like the spatulas. I have both the tablespoon and the teaspoon. I have the MS style SS measuring spoons too, but what I love about the PS ones is that the teaspoon size fits into even the narrow spice jars for accurate measuring.
Wet/Dry Measuring cup: This is the 'tube thing' that someone mentioned earlier. It has a plastic pitcher for wet/liquid ingredients, and then an acrylic sleeve on the outside with both wet and dry measurements. For the sticky/dry ingredients, you just invert the pitcher and slide the base of it to the measurement of dry ingredients that you need, and measure it out, and then to empty, you just push the pitcher in a plunger action and it empties the ingredients, leaving the measuring unit ready for the next ingredient w/ no residue! It's TOTALLY AWESOME!
Peeler/Grater: I have this, but as mentioned in my previous post to gails kitchen gadgets, mine is up and away until I get a chainmail glove.. the handle/holder it gives you is unsafe in my opinion.
As for garlic, I love to just peel by pressing down w/ the side of my chefs knife. it's quick, painless, and you can leave the clove intact if desired. More pressure and it's half minced, just have to chop a little.
Regarding Ginger, I have found that peeling it first makes a HUGE difference in how well it grates. I have a small hand held grater for fine grated cheese... got it at the supermarket for about $2 and it works beautifully, piece of cake to clean too, just rinse!
On last thing that I love... two actually but I'll note them both together. Small little bowls for ingredient preparations. They serve double duty for desserts! And, the flexible plastic cutting boards. I love my wood board my dad made me as it reverses for cutting meats and has the gutter for the juice trapping, but the plastic mats work great to cut on, and they pop right into the dishwasher if I've used them for meats.
Sorry I went on for so long, but every one of these things I use each and every day, and I love them!! 'cept that peeler/grater thing...

Annette http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Katrina]

Gail:

Don't be afraid of the peeler/grater/mandoline thing. Like lorilei said in her post, it comes with a guard that helps you hold whatever you are slicing so you aren't holing it with your bare hands. If you treat it with the same respect you would give a sharp chef's knife, then you will find it a useful tool. My sweet husband doesn't know much about cooking, therefore he's uneasy using my professional cooking knives, but he understands and feels comfortable using the slicer/grater. I think extra caution is always issued with this thing because some consumers may assume, "Hey, it's just a plastic gadget. How dangerous can it be?," and then use the tool carelessly, not taking time to think that the blades attatched to the plastic gadget must be manufactured to be as sharp as professional kitchen knives to be of any use.

Katrina

[Annette]

The PC peeler/grater piece that you hold the food with... you can only do small amounts of food.. and even then, my experience is that the food comes out, or the handle does not stay on track... I can use my Henkles in my sleep... and they are very sharp... not as sharp as my peeler/grater.. but they are very close. If you go slow with the peeler grater it's probably fine.. but like I said.. I try to use it efficiently. That is the thing that I've noticed with alot of the really pricey mandolines...they actually have that piece permanently on a track.. and the part that holds the food, along w/ the food, fits into it. That way as you slice the food, it stays on track. I like that idea...

[HeatherBu]

Originally posted by Mamasue:
I love the lasted gadget that is a zester/grater. It is long and thin and looks like a carpenter's rasp. It works great with no pith and easy too. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I also love my battery operated frother for my chai tea. Oh, and also love grating my own nutmeg with nutmeg grater. I could go on and on....

Vanessa...I will have to check out the Henchels Santuco. Is it a small knife?

[HeatherBu]

[Hi--can you please tell me your recipe for the chai tea? I love the lattes from Starbucks and have tried them at home but they're not the same. Thanks! ]Originally posted by Mamasue:
I love the lasted gadget that is a zester/grater. It is long and thin and looks like a carpenter's rasp. It works great with no pith and easy too. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I also love my battery operated frother for my chai tea. Oh, and also love grating my own nutmeg with nutmeg grater. I could go on and on....

Vanessa...I will have to check out the Henchels Santuco. Is it a small knife?[/QUOTE]

[Mamasue]

HeatherBu,

I am sorry I don't have a recipe for Chai tea. At present I use Stash Tea bags (decaf). They have a great flavor. I want to try Oregon brand the next time that I go to Trader Joe's. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lorilei]

Originally posted by Gail:
Lori-- The Oxo herb mincer thingy sounds neat. I appreciate the information on protecting my poor, battle-scarred fingers. How does it work on stuff like cilantro (since you're over that aversion) and Italian parsley?
[/B]

I've used it mostly for basil -- and it works like a charm. I don't see why it wouldn't work wonders on cilantro & parsley as well http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I plan to use it on both! I'm also wondering if it would work well to mince garlic or lemon zest -- it seems sharp enough for either.

[PCChefDebbie]

I'm new to this bulletin board and as you can see by my address I am also a PC consultant (sorry to those that were strong armed into having demos, we are supposed to be non-pressure) Your insight into our product line has been great both the positive and negative comments.

My absolute favorite tools (used daily) are the Food Chopper, Garlic Press and Stoneware.

Anything that saves me time and makes cooking faster and easier.

If you are interested you can contact PC at www.pamperedchef.com (http://www.pamperedchef.com) and they will put you in contact with a local consultant.

[BeckyM]

I also have to put in a plug for Pampered Chef. I'm not a consultant, but I think I've bought enough of their stuff to be one. I absolutely LOVE their garlic press -- mostly because you don't have to peel the garlic before pressing it. You just put the clove in, peel and all, and the "meat" of the garlic squeezes out, while the peel is left behind. It's a great time-saver for me! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I also love their tube-style "measure-all" cup -- it's great for peanut butter and those types of gooey ingredients. I also have extras of their rubber scrapers because they're heat resistant and they don't have wooden handles that fall off. I also LOVE my Pampered Chef cooking stones -- I bake just about everything on them. My cookies turn out nicely browned, never black on the bottoms, and the stones clean up very nicely. My husband usually does the dishes, so he really appreciates how easy the stones are to clean.

[Annette]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PCChefDebbie:
[B]I'm new to this bulletin board and as you can see by my address I am also a PC consultant (sorry to those that were strong armed into having demos, we are supposed to be non-pressure) Your insight into our product line has been great both the positive and negative comments.

Welcome, Debbie! I'm so glad that I had my PC party, and say 'coerced' in an affectionate way. I have a very dear friend that is the 'party queen'!! She has now been a Tupperware™ Consultant for about a year and I always attend her parties and book one, no matter what she has, just because I want to be supportive of my friends. PC and Tupperware are my favs though, due to my love of cooking. I have a dream! To have my kitchen done 'in' Tupperware and PC!! *hanging my head* I know.. it's a sick thing perhaps, but I love the idea of the 'store n' save' containers! I hate to have things falling out of my cupboards and like to be able to use things that I have. There are many other things of the PC that I purchased at the same party that I love.. the 'turnaround' (storage for utensils), paring knife, etc....fun little stuff.. but I also was given the new Tupperware produce storage containers.. not sure of the exact name.. but they are blue and stackable w/ white translucent lids and a venting system. I love these! My produce keeps for so long, it's wonderful! They truely do slow the 'ageing process' on most produce items. Of course I would have to have W-S included in the kitchen makeover!*LOL* http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Gail]

Well, doggone it (gee, that phrase automatically adds like 25 years to one's age, doesn't it?) nobody has raved about can openers, so I'm going to do it. Being a staunch believer in the manual can opener (yes, we've already touched on that on the old board) I've nursed my little brown handled whatever-brand-it-is for years until I became fickle and fell for somebody new! You've no doubt seen those high-tech electric can openers than uncrimp the lid? Well, I liked the theory but not the cord, so I sniffed around the gadget department till I found something almost as good-- mine's an off brand I've never seen before, about $10-- but what's wonderful about it is that it cuts the lid off sideways, instead of the messy, dangerous old-fashioned way that cuts poor little delicate fingers (and mine have already been traumatized quite enough.) Yes, it's a trifle harder to crank for some reason, but I'm sure it's good for flabby underarms or something, so I don't mind. Having a kidlet, it's nice not to have to worry about jagged lids and being a klutz myself it's kind of a load off my mind...

[chefcheryl]

I love my Ultimate Slice and Grate(the slicer/grader thingee), from The Pampered Chef. I am a consultant and out of all the products it is by far my favorite. My mother-in-law is afraid of it because she didn't apply the safety guard at all and cut her thumb. I don't blame her, but if you use it correctly it is wonderful.
I start whatever I am slicing w/o the safety guard and then when it gets close to the end use the safety guard (it stays in place better this way) and have had no problems.
It washes up in the dishwasher so clean-up is a breeze.
Another one of my fav's is the PC "Crinkle Cutter". It is great for making wavy fries, or carrots, etc. But it works wonders for shredding lettuce. Simple product that works great.

[karen w]

Annette, the Tupperware containers you are talking about are called "Fridge Smarts." Yes, I sell Tupperware, but I seem to be my best customer. Also I'm new to PC. I'm having a PC party next month(first one). I've never even been to one before. Sound's like there are a lot of nice gadgets through PC. Which ones are must haves??? Anybody give me an opinion. I'd like to try to be selective(for a change!).