One would think I've spent my time looking for kitchen stocking stuffer ideas to top last year's Banana Carrier (last year's post). I really haven't, but with my addiction of going into any kitchen oriented store should it cross my path, I just can't help myself. I'm also a sucker for clever design.
This year's oddity was found over Labor Day weekend at a quaint kitchen store in Port Townsend, WA. I had to do a double take on this one. This rubbery, flexible jelly fish-like gadget is a Foodpod. It will surely deliver a giggle on Christmas morning. What? You didn't know you needed a Foodpod? If one boils/blanches/steams or drains, then this is the gadget Fushionbrands has created for the hipster on your list.
No hipsters on your list? Then you may want to go for the more practical kitchen spider to handle the same task. I had one of these floating around my kitchen for years; I believe it came with a wok we bought. Silly me, I hadn't considered using it to remove veggies and the like from a pot of boiling water until a year ago. No more removing a pot of piping hot liquid from the stove, over the floor, over the cat, over the dog to the sink to drain. I loved it so much I went out and bought a more durable one that is dishwasher safe.
For the practical, "don't want to scrub pans, baking with less fat" kind of cook on your list, I highly recommend picking up a Silpat. Should you be a fan of the Food Network's "Iron Chef," you may have seen these in action. A Silpat is a non-stick mat made of Silicon designed by M. Guy Demarle. Many a professional french pastry chefs have relied on these over the years. Not only can it take the heat (up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit), it makes a wonderful pastry roll out mat. The Silpat also is incredibly easy to clean by merely using a little soap, water and a sponge to wipe down. And unlike parchment paper, there's one less thing to throw away. One caveat, I'm suggesting to Santa he stick with the original Silpat. Over Thanksgiving weekend, my mom and I had sticking issues by using a knock off version of the mat from Bed, Bath & Beyond when it came to rolling out pastry.
My latest little treasures are iSi's Flexit Silicon Bowls. Light and easy maneuverability, I can't imagine making anything in my stand mixer without the help of these pinch-able prep bowls. A nice feature is they come with lids; a brilliant design for prepping and storing your mis en place.
Dear Santa, everything mentioned above can be had for just under $25.
Do you have any other stocking stuffer ideas (kitchen or ??) for Santa? If so, feel free to share!
This year's oddity was found over Labor Day weekend at a quaint kitchen store in Port Townsend, WA. I had to do a double take on this one. This rubbery, flexible jelly fish-like gadget is a Foodpod. It will surely deliver a giggle on Christmas morning. What? You didn't know you needed a Foodpod? If one boils/blanches/steams or drains, then this is the gadget Fushionbrands has created for the hipster on your list.
No hipsters on your list? Then you may want to go for the more practical kitchen spider to handle the same task. I had one of these floating around my kitchen for years; I believe it came with a wok we bought. Silly me, I hadn't considered using it to remove veggies and the like from a pot of boiling water until a year ago. No more removing a pot of piping hot liquid from the stove, over the floor, over the cat, over the dog to the sink to drain. I loved it so much I went out and bought a more durable one that is dishwasher safe.
For the practical, "don't want to scrub pans, baking with less fat" kind of cook on your list, I highly recommend picking up a Silpat. Should you be a fan of the Food Network's "Iron Chef," you may have seen these in action. A Silpat is a non-stick mat made of Silicon designed by M. Guy Demarle. Many a professional french pastry chefs have relied on these over the years. Not only can it take the heat (up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit), it makes a wonderful pastry roll out mat. The Silpat also is incredibly easy to clean by merely using a little soap, water and a sponge to wipe down. And unlike parchment paper, there's one less thing to throw away. One caveat, I'm suggesting to Santa he stick with the original Silpat. Over Thanksgiving weekend, my mom and I had sticking issues by using a knock off version of the mat from Bed, Bath & Beyond when it came to rolling out pastry.
My latest little treasures are iSi's Flexit Silicon Bowls. Light and easy maneuverability, I can't imagine making anything in my stand mixer without the help of these pinch-able prep bowls. A nice feature is they come with lids; a brilliant design for prepping and storing your mis en place.
Dear Santa, everything mentioned above can be had for just under $25.
Do you have any other stocking stuffer ideas (kitchen or ??) for Santa? If so, feel free to share!
Can you make doughnuts in a foodpod? Bring on the doughnut cake!
ReplyDeleteLove this ideas, and LOVE the new blog design!!!
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ReplyDeleteYou always discover the coolest stuff, Sylvia! I think I'm going to have to go for the Silpat--since I am addicted to parchment paper! Also, John loves to cook and wanted a holder for his fancy new knife--have you seen these? http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Universal-Knife-Block/dp/B003NGEMIO/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1322674930&sr=1-1 Kind of expensive, but cool! Thanks for the post--Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm officially a gadget geek. Have everything but the Foodpod and will ask for that from Santa. LOVE LOVE the silpats and have been using for years. Best snickerdoodles ever when using them. PERFECTION. Glad someone else loves this stuff.
ReplyDelete@ Joy...Oh and I do love this stuff. If only there were enough meals to use them more often. @Dee, cool lead for the knife block. I've never seen one of those before!
ReplyDeleteAnd @Lizbeth, I'm sure you could make a doughnut cake with the foodpod. ;-) Just think the story you could write for this blog!
So cool! I had a good belly laugh about carrying the boiling water over the cat, over the dog....Still wanting the banana holder. MUST have a silpat. Would be perfect for making pasta, as well. Thanks for the great ideas! Love that first weird thing, too.
ReplyDelete- Barbara