The Laughing Stock

I know I've written a lot about all of the random gadgets out there. But the more time I spend in a restaurant kitchen, the more I have to laugh at these different gadgets. They're knock-offs of the real deal. They're made to work the same way the restaurant equipment and tools are made to work--but more user friendly. And in pretty colors. Or they're tools you don't even need!

Not that there's anything wrong with that. And heck, I still consider myself a home cook--by no means a pro. But I find myself thinking more and more that these types of tools aren't necessary. I guess these were all the brainchild of some smart marketing person out there. In any case, they are pretty to look at:


These are all from Sur la Table's most recent email blast. Can you imagine if as part of the tools I took into the restaurant kitchen, I whipped out a rainbow whisk?? Or a pink spoon holder that hooked onto the pot? I can hear the laughter now. And salad tossers? Ummm, in the restaurant we call that 'our hands'.

If it were me? I'd much prefer access to a restaurant supply store!

Gadget Invasion and the Staples

So as I continue to wonder about all those kitchen gadgets out there, two things happened today. The first was that I received an email advertising a sale on ‘colorful gadgets’. Hmmm, really? Not just gadgets now. COLORFUL gadgets. Really people? Here are two of the samples:

"The easy way to poach eggs—cute cups stand upright for serving and won't retain odors, stains or flavors. Food-grade silicone."

Really? You need a special bowl to poach eggs? OH PLEASE!

"Easily transfer chopped ingredients into a pan or prep bowl. Polystyrene cutting surface and easy-grip handle."

Really? A 'chop and serve' board? I don't know about that. My plain old cutting board seems to work just fine.

Then I came across this article in the San Francisco Chronicle “Kitchen Essentials: Our 10 Favorite Tools”. How interesting that someone else is thinking about kitchen gadgets. But this time, important ones. Do you agree with the list? Disagree? Items on this list I don’t have?

- A chinois (I’ve got a sifter, good enough for me)
- Digital scale
- Silpat (although I’ve been wanting one!)
- Mandoline (yea, sadly, this home chef simply cuts it all with her chef’s knife!)
- Instant read thermometer

What’s missing on this list for you? When are the gadgets necessary and when do they begin to get ridiculous?

More Gadgets!

I go back and forth. Are there too many fancy gadgets out there? I mean, do real chefs laugh at some of the products out on the market these days? Who needs a stainless steel finger guard? Or a round tea bag squeezer? I mean, come on! Isn't a really good chef's knife really all you need?

Well, as posted in the New York Times earlier today, Design Within Reach is opening a houseware store--DWR: Tools for Living. Hmmm. How do you think it's going to do? Do we really need more clutter and stuff in our kitchens?

Just as I was doubting the success of this venture, I skimmed the list of gadgets they'd have. Pretty cute stuff. A few caught my eye...and then one made me really excited. A stoneware herb pot.

Isn't it great? I mean, if I could have fresh herbs growing right in my kitchen, that would be awesome!

Then it hit me. I have that. No, it's not that fancy. And it's not in a pretty stone pot. And it doesn't look quite as green and healthy (but that's my own lack of a green thumb!) What happened to just the good old fashioned herb plant? Oh yea. I guess it's kind of the same huh?

My basil plant from my dad

Not as healthy as when I first got it...but considering it's been a few months and it's still alive, I think I'm making progress. Mint's next on the docket!

To Fuel My Ice Cream Passion

Isn't this great?? Yes, it's another one of those gadgets that are real cool...but who really needs it? Ummm...ME! You know my obsession with ice cream (please don't let the fact that I haven't made any recently make you think I'm any less obsessed.)

But basically, these are little scoopers, that you put ice cream into (home made in my case!), and then you can just push it up and eat it! Without spoon...without mess. As you can see, there's also a little cap. So you can save it if you don't finish (like you're ever not going to finish?)

Hmmm, my half birthday is in October. Do you get birthday presents for that? I'm adding this to my wish list!


Thanks Christy for thinking of me and for sending this my way!