Eggsactly!

Some kitchen gadgets fall into the "that's exactly what I need" category,

and the Egg Cooker by Chef's Choice definitely fits nicely into that niche.

I love eggs in a multitude of ways and was dismayed when they went through that

"eggs are bad for your health" phase. 

When we're traveling, I seek out great breakfast places with names like 

Eggspectations, an out of the way diner that specializes in fluffy, packed with fresh veggies omelettes, or an elegant restaurant where I can spend an exorbitant amount of money on freshly squeezed orange juice and superb Eggs Benedict.

My old electric egg cooker is worn out, and it only had two functions:

soft boil or hard boil.  Even the American Egg Board would tire 

of eggs consistently prepared only two ways!

The sleek, easy to clean design 

(reminding me of the perfect egg or my husband, John's, bald head!)

makes for the perfect countertop addition. When I have a houseful of fussy eaters,

the egg cooker's precision electronic timer allows me to cook seven eggs to varying degrees of "doneness" in the same batch...soft, medium, hard.

There's always one overachieving hen in the crowd!

When I used my old cooker, I had to use an oven mitt to remove the hot eggs when done to prevent them from overcooking. This model has an egg tray with handles that enables me to remove and rinse under cold water to bring directly to the table.

When  I'm feeling ambitious, I can poach three eggs in this cooker's egg poaching tray and set an elegant table for home created Eggs Benedict. 

[Can an electric hollandaise sauce maker be far behind??]

Overall, it's the perfect addition to my kitchen and 

allows me to cook my eggs "just right".

How to Tangle with a Mango!

Yes, it is possible to love something that has a large, flat, hairy pit!

Such is our love affair with the mango,

an enticing fruit with a peach like flavor and flowery aroma.

Getting to the fruit, however, is nothing to love!

Each of these gadgets were designed to enable you to eat a mango 
"on the half shell" ~ 
cutting the fleshy "cheeks" completely off each side of the pit.

The Mango Splitter by OXO works on a similar note to an apple sectioner. You hope the fruit is perfectly shaped, place the mango splitter centered on top, add some serious heft and the mango splits in two with the pit remaining in the center (just waiting, I might add, for you to eat any 

remaining fruit clinging to it over the kitchen sink, wet washcloth in hand). 

It's a handy little thing to have around if mangoes make 

regular appearances in your kitchen.

The Mango Knife by Van Vacter could, quite honestly, be the perfect mango tool. 

It's a quick and easy way to split, dice and peel a mango. It features a curved blade that allows you to get more fruit from your mango (assuming it's ripe), following the contours of the fruit after cubing with the tip.

The long, nonslip handle makes it easy to maneuver 
even when the mango is so juicy you're

"lost in the tropics of Ohio."

Diced fresh mangoes, warmed in a skillet and tossed in plain Greek yogurt is one of my favorite treats...but I would be remiss if I didn't long for those great mango margaritas I make as well. 

These are two gadgets that will be used in my kitchen often.

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite shop carries any of these products.

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, www.bevshaffer.com or at bev.foodwithattitude@gmail.com.

Black Friday Redux, with Meaning!

After every "Black Friday" friends of mine tell the same story...frustrating experiences that ruined their weekend.  I say "it's time for some soft organic clothing that'll put the AHHH back in your holiday gift giving spirit!".

I've long been a fan of Maggie's Organics ~ I have their sheets (which, in the winter, are heavenly and soft), their scarves, their footies, their hikers, their tights, their crews in an assortment of colors ~ and I give them as gifts often.

It's easy to get so focused on inexpensive, volume shopping that we forget some of the basics [remember that saying, "It's the thought that counts"] ~ 100% certified organic fibers and fair labor practices ~ and a luxurious feel and quality product that is so superior to anything else, you'll wonder why your feet and the rest of your body haven't protested!! 

The perfect gift for that friend that's stuck in the 60's!

Maggie's Organics has been making high-quality durable and affordable socks and apparel out of organic fibers since 1992. They are the first apparel company to receive Fair Labor Practices and Community Benefits Certification...allowing you, with your purchases, a chance to feel good and do good at the same time!

The perfect accessory any time: an extra long scarf made from soft, lightweight 100% certified organic cotton.

 

Give the perfect gift that also tells a story. Here's a glimpse of some of my favorites, lots of which I'll be gifting this year as well (including a "gift" or two to myself ~ hey, you can't always rely on Santa to bring you what you want).

Even "Santa Baby" would love these !

Sipping in Style

"Tea to Go"

I am a huge tea fan...ginger peach to earl grey, I just about love it all ~ and since I seem to be in my car often, I enjoy the convenience of a travel mug. 
The feel of stainless on my lips or in my hand, however, is just plain, well, COLD, 
so when it comes to picking the perfect vessel for my hot tea -- porcelain is exactly what I enjoy. 
I can lose myself for just a few minutes while I'm sitting, bumper to bumper on the highway waiting for the traffic to clear...I can imagine myself sitting in a cafe sipping freshly brewed, 
hot tea in a porcelain cup. 

This eco-friendly Terra bird pattern Tea To Go cup by HUES & BREWS 
has some unique features I've enjoyed using.
The lid is silicone, helping to keep the beverage cold (or in the case of my tea) hot 
-- and it helps prevent spills on the go!

The double wall procelain cup traps in air for extra insulation. 
There's also a silicone stopper on the bottom that prevents water from entering the hollow cavity [that double walled insulation] when washing the cup. 

And the pattern? It reminds me of a trip to South East Asia...and the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden in Hong Kong, a place where men brought their caged birds and hung them outside to sing to each other while they socialized. 

Spirit 16oz. sip cup

So you won't be surprised to learn I also love iced tea...and love to travel with it. 

This green [BPA free] acrylic sip cup is sturdy and comes with its own straw.  

It's even designed to hold hot beverages 

[although I can't remember the last time I had the urge to sip something hot through a straw!].

Hues & Brews sells through retailers only...and their website will help in finding a retailer near you. They offer a wide variety of i-pots [Steve Jobs, eat your heart out] that make perfect gifts.

Wine Memories

Put away that 

Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminum and Plastic Wine Closures! 

It's just plain boring.

Memories are relived through wine bottle corks, and no screw top lid can replace that.

If you do keep those corks from those memorable moments ~ weddings, anniversaries, celebrations of any and every kind, a memorable bottle from recent travels ~ they're probably stored away in a jar or bag in the back corner of a kitchen counter.

Bring those memories alive as conversation starters and decoration with the new

WINE BOTTLE CORK CAGE. 

 

 

Available in an assortment of shapes and sizes, what a perfect gift with a very special bottle of wine, for yourself or friends.

A fun and innovative way to keep and cherish all of your wonderful wine memories. Just drop your treasured corks in the top.

 The "bottle" is an artfully sculpted metal work with colored glass spheres, and the reverse side depicts a grape image in metal. The bottom hinges open to release the stored corks.

How about a wedding gift with a bottle of something special with this tree ornament that will keep that special wine cork?  Perfect and unique.

 

Sifting through...

I've never been a big fan of sifters. Inevitably, someone at my home would rinse an old one and everything in it would become caked and the workings would rust, causing me to make that "ooh, yuk!" face when I would pull it from the cupboard [just before tossing it in the trash]. 

And my aching hand...after cups and cups of cake flour and cups and cups of organic powdered sugar, I felt like my hand was going to fall off...muscles I don't normally use were crying out for some ointment to be rubbed on them (or at least some cake crumbs).

Now a sifter that was easy to use, easy to clean and easy to store = that would make me happy in the kitchen.

I saw this Scoop & Sift by Cuisipro and thought I'd give it a shot. After all, it WAS billed as a "single-hand flour sifter" with a "handle angled for ergonomic comfort requiring minimal effort" and some days ~ well, let's just say I'm all about minimal effort.

Cake baking time. This sifter's front screen has a wide surface area, which I found ideal for getting the job of sifting done quickly, making my muscles very happy.

Because the single-hand trigger mechanism was easy to use, I was able to keep one hand free to measure and mix ingredients while I was sifting.

After my sifting chores were finished, I tapped the flour out completely and wiped it gently with a paper towel. The tag did say "dishwasher safe ~ top shelf" so as soon as I get a dishwasher (but that's another story).

Storage was a cinch. A twist tie and a large plastic bag and I stored the sifter near my cake flour for frequent use.  

And, just for the record, I still hate to sift ~ but it's a small price to pay for tender cakes and frostings, lovingly made.


Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author, and culinary instructor.
She can be reached through her website http://www.bevshaffer.com/about.

HOT and HIP!

hmmm.... you're thinking is that me?! Yes ~ and no. 

I've traded in some of my plain fabric aprons for latest hot and hip textile trend...aprons with delectable patterns and style...aprons by Art * Style * Design (ASD) Living,

They're fabulous coverage (and yes, I am a messy cook and baker)...but I love the colors and patterns. 

You know when you're cooking and guests arrive and you can't wait to throw off that apron so you look presentable? Well this collection might make you want to throw one on to impress your guests!

And yes, I adore this cupcake apron ~ the waist style keeps me from eating too many slices of CAKES to die for! ~ yet I can't resist the coloring and pattern because it's just plain delicious!

There's quite the range of coordinating kitchen textiles ~ potholders, reversible placemats, napkins and dish towels. Man who loves to grill? Hot daddy...get him skewered with this manly version...

Isn't it time you expressed your inner domestic goddess' unique personality, in style?

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author, and culinary instructor.
She can be reached through her website http://www.bevshaffer.com/about.