They may look like ordinary bowls to you, but trust me when I say that these bowls are the bomb.

They’re meant for mise-en-place, which every baker worth their salt knows is of supreme importance: measuring out all necessary ingredients before starting can save you from many an “oops” moment. Now you could certainly use any old containers for your mise-en-place, but you’ll love these because:

• They also measure. The bowls range in size from 1/8 cup to 2 cups, and are marked with half-bowl measurements as well.
• They’re tough. You can’t tell from the photo how thick and heavy these bowls are.
• Their exteriors are non-slip. I have notoriously slippery hands, especially when I’m in the kitchen, and have been known to drop many many bowls in my time. These bowls are easy to hold on to.
• They’re non-breakable. If in case your fingers happen to be even slipperier than mine, the bowls won’t break when you drop them on your kitchen floor.

Please note that these bowls are not microwave-safe. They’re made of melamine- very strong melamine, but melamine nonetheless. Because they “nest”, they’re easy to store in your kitchen drawer, which is what I do.

The Mario Batali 5-Piece Measuring Prep Bowl Set is available at Amazon.

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.

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)!

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.

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