The Best Jar Opener in the World

May 28, 2009 | Posted by Lorraine as Gift Ideas, Go Go Gadgets! at 4:48 am | Comments »

Lids Off Jar Opener

If you clicked through here expecting to see a photo of a big guy with uber muscles- well, that’ll work too. But if you’re looking for the best kitchen gadget that’ll open any and all jars in your life- look no further. The Lids Off Jar Opener from Black & Decker is small but powerful, and works with everything from your baby’s Gerber jars to your favorite flavor of Ragu.

It’s really simple to use: lift the handle and place your jar on the turntable. Lower the upper bit to rest on top of the jar, and press the on/off button. And that’s it! There aren’t many kitchen gadgets I swoon over- indeed, I think most kitchens have too many gadgets- but this one, I love.

Give The Gift Of Cooking

December 23, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as Cookbooks, Gift Ideas at 12:09 pm | Comments »

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Woman standing with a glas of red wine and a book in the kitchen

Tis the season for giving – are you still looking for the perfect gift for someone? Well here is a pretty delicious idea for you. Why not give a cookbook for the holidays? For recipients who love to spend time in the kitchen, a cookbook would be the best gift. But among the countless cookbooks available in the market, which one should you give? Here are some tips for you.

Restaurant cookbook
You know how sometimes, you just crave for food that only a certain restaurant serves? What better gift to have than a cookbook featuring the recipes of that restaurant? This should be easy enough with all the chefs making their own cookbooks these days.

Regional cuisine
From the US to France, there are certain dishes that are known to come from a certain region. If you know that your recipient likes a certain way of cooking, then a regional cookbook would be a great gift.

Novelty cookbooks
This might be the hardest choice. Novel and unique is always good but how to choose which is novel? You have to know your food well and the recipient’s preferences as well. If I were you, I’d go for remakes of old recipes – that always works.

Cooking style
Make sure that you know your recipient’s cooking style. If a person likes working with pork and not chicken, then don’t choose a cookbook that features chicken! On second thought, you might want to give a “chicken cookbook” just for the fun of it!

Fun – that’s the keyword here. Choose something that you think will be fun for your recipient and who knows, you just might get to enjoy the fruits of your labor (or gift, if you wish)!

Valentine’s School Party

February 6, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as Cookie Recipes, From the Heart, Gift Ideas at 12:41 am | (2) Comments »

Many schools throw Valentine’s parties — and who bakes the cookies? Mom, of course! Here is a simple recipe for iced cookies. Use your cookie cutter to make any shape you want… but include a few hearts to commemorate the day! Your child can also write his friends’ names in frosting for a personalized touch.

Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

What’s Next

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extracts, and egg yolk. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour until well blended. Chill the dough for 8 hours, or overnight. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/3 at a time to 1/8 inch thickness, refrigerating remaining dough until ready to use. Cut into desired shapes with lightly floured cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Leave cookies plain for frosting, or brush with slightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with candy sprinkles or colored sugar.

Bake for 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light and golden brown. Cool cookies completely before frosting.

Valentine’s Fondue Set

January 31, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as From the Heart, Gift Ideas at 12:53 pm | (1) Comment »

Planning a romantic dinner for two this Valentine’s? End the meal with a fondue — and this adorable Chantal heart-shaped set. Its non-porous glaze won’t react with flavors, and it’s dishwasher safe.

Included in Set:
2 cup ceramic pot
Stailess steel forks
Tealight candle
2 heart plates

Chips in a Jar

January 30, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as Cookie Recipes, From the Heart, Gift Ideas at 9:53 am | (2) Comments »

Here’s a nice Valentine’s Gift for a teacher, friend, or a neighbor: a Chocolate Chip Cookie Jar.
The mix makes four dozen cookies.

Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix the salt and baking soda in with the flour, then layer the ingredients into the jar. Secure lid and tie on a raffia or ribbon bow.Punch a hole in a card with the following mixing and baking directions and secure using raffia or ribbon:

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift dry ingredients through a colander to separate the chocolate chips from other ingredients. Beat 1 cup of unsalted butter or margarine in a medium bowl. Beat sifted ingredients into butter until blended. In a small bowl, beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix beaten egg mixture into butter mixture until blended. Stir in
chocolate chips. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter, spaced well apart, onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned.

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