Favorite Gift Roundup 5: iPod Speakers for the Kitchen

January 8, 2010 | Posted by Lorraine as Go Go Gadgets! at 2:35 pm | Comments »

This is my last post in my Favorite Christmas Gift Roundup, and in my usual way, I’ve saved the best for last.

If you spend anywhere near the amount of time I do in the kitchen, you know how important it is to have some music in there. I used to have a cheap set of no-brand speakers, which got pretty grimy pretty quick- and one of the things on my wishlist was some good waterproof ipod speakers. And I got it:

waterproof-speakers

These, dear reader, are the Weather-Resistant Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Speakers made by Brookstone. As you can see, they sure are pretty. But also:

They’re weather-resistant. So I don’t have to worry about splashing some stiff egg whites on them.

They’re wireless. Which basically means… no more wires. Yay!

And unlike other “wireless” devices I’ve owned, these really work. They transmit through the thick walls of our house, with 900MHz technology and something called “Phase Lock Loop circuitry”, which makes for a strong signal. And with wireless, signal is everything.

Favorite Gift Roundup 3: Mario Batali Prep Bowls

December 31, 2009 | Posted by Lorraine as Gift Ideas, Go Go Gadgets! at 11:02 am | Comments »

I received my first set of these on my birthday in October, and loved them so much that I put them on my Christmas wish list:

mariobatali-prepbowls

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.

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.

Buying a Wok

November 15, 2007 | Posted by Lorena as Go Go Gadgets!, Tid Bits & News, Uncategorized at 9:49 am | (1) Comment »

wok

To wok or not to wok? Well, you won’t starve without one — and can still make a decent chop suey or chow mein in a regular pan. But any self-respecting chef or “foodie” should have a good wok on hand.

What’s so great about a wok?
Wok’s are much better at distributing heat evenly. You can also toss food without making a mess. Those watching cholesterol (and who’s not?) can also use less oil.

Choosing a wok

Now for finding a good wok. Despite the wide variety of materials — aluminum, copper, stainless steel — most Asian cooks say that the carbon steel wok is still the best.

if you’ve got an electric stove, you need to get a wok with a collar (which keeps it evenl balanced on the heat source) or a flat-bottomed wok. Otherwise, the wok’s round bottom will reflect heat back on the stove, causing damage.

Salt & Pepper Orbs for Earth Day

April 23, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Go Go Gadgets! at 12:00 pm | Comments »

Earth Day was Sunday, so I hope you had the world on your mind, so to speak.

To kinda celebrate Earth Day, we’re highlighting these beautiful Salt & Pepper Orbs. Pretty, aren’t they?

Designed by Andi Kovel, these handmade salt & pepper shakers are made of recycled glass & processed in an electric furnace that just happens to be powered by wind, so you can feel good about your purchase!

Looking for some healthy recipes? Try cooking with whole foods that contain the best nutrients for your body. Find out more about nutrition and what vitamins like Omega 3 can do for your health!

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