Equipment Corner: Reviews, Recommendations, & Suggestions
Reviews and recommendations covers cookbooks, tools, and utensils, suggesting things that will make cooking for two easier, more efficient, and more fun.
Review: The Pleasures of Cooking for One
Earlier this fall, Knopf published The Pleasures of Eating Alone by Judith Jones. A marvelous little cookbook for one (or two) people.
Earlier this fall, Knopf published The Pleasures of Eating Alone by Judith Jones. A marvelous little cookbook for one (or two) people.
Tip: Your First Kitchen
I probably don’t devote enough attention to novice cooks because it's been so long since I've been there. But I have enough young people in my classes to understand what you folks face and thought it was time to specifically help you out.
I probably don’t devote enough attention to novice cooks because it's been so long since I've been there. But I have enough young people in my classes to understand what you folks face and thought it was time to specifically help you out.
Review: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart Ice Cream maker makes just enough ice cream for to last two people for about three days. And given my previous experience with Cuisinart, I expect this ice cream maker to last a long time. Recommended.
The Cuisinart Ice Cream maker makes just enough ice cream for to last two people for about three days. And given my previous experience with Cuisinart, I expect this ice cream maker to last a long time. Recommended.
Review: Reynold's Handi-Vac
At $10 the Reynold's Handi-Vac does a decent job, extending the life of frozen by at least a couple of months. It's well-worth trying if you have budget constraints.
At $10 the Reynold's Handi-Vac does a decent job, extending the life of frozen by at least a couple of months. It's well-worth trying if you have budget constraints.
Book Review: Cooking for Two
Cook's Illustrated has been my favorite cooking magazine since issue 1 way back in 1993. So when I was sent a free review copy of the recently published Cooking for Two 2009: This Year's Best Recipes Cut Down to Size by the editors of Cook's Illustrated's America's Test Kitchen I jumped on it.
Cook's Illustrated has been my favorite cooking magazine since issue 1 way back in 1993. So when I was sent a free review copy of the recently published Cooking for Two 2009: This Year's Best Recipes Cut Down to Size by the editors of Cook's Illustrated's America's Test Kitchen I jumped on it.
Bread
I baked my first loaf of bread when I was about 14. It was a brick. Not too unusual, beginning bakers often produce bricks and I went on to produce some mighty fine bread bricks after that first one. Eventually I got better at making bread, but it wasn't until I spent 6 months baking croissants by hand, day in ad day out, that I finally mastered the craft - and over the years I've gotten far bett…
I baked my first loaf of bread when I was about 14. It was a brick. Not too unusual, beginning bakers often produce bricks and I went on to produce some mighty fine bread bricks after that first one. Eventually I got better at making bread, but it wasn't until I spent 6 months baking croissants by hand, day in ad day out, that I finally mastered the craft - and over the years I've gotten far bett…
Review: Le Creuset Dutch Oven
I consider a Dutch oven an essential piece of cooking equipment. There is no pot better suited to making stews and braises - from pot roast to chicken curry - and it's also useful for making stocks, soups and even bread.
I consider a Dutch oven an essential piece of cooking equipment. There is no pot better suited to making stews and braises - from pot roast to chicken curry - and it's also useful for making stocks, soups and even bread.
Tip: Try a Santoku Knife Blade
A santoku knife is perfect for dicing carrots, onions, and celery for mirepoix or simply cutting vegetables and meat into chunks.
A santoku knife is perfect for dicing carrots, onions, and celery for mirepoix or simply cutting vegetables and meat into chunks.
Right-Sizing Your Bake Ware
Whether you're cooking for two or six, a standard cookware set such as the Cuisinart MCP works. But when it comes to bake ware, smaller pieces are worth the investment. For example, trying to make a soufflé for two in a 4 quart soufflé dish is asking for disaster.
Whether you're cooking for two or six, a standard cookware set such as the Cuisinart MCP works. But when it comes to bake ware, smaller pieces are worth the investment. For example, trying to make a soufflé for two in a 4 quart soufflé dish is asking for disaster.
Tip: Thermometers
You need kitchen thermometers because no single gadget can so improve your cooking as precise control of heat and cold.
You need kitchen thermometers because no single gadget can so improve your cooking as precise control of heat and cold.
Review: KitchenAid Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a workhourse. I've had the opportunity to cook with KitchenAid, Viking, Cuisinart, and Sunbeam stand mixers. I like the KitchenAid Stand Mixer best.
The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a workhourse. I've had the opportunity to cook with KitchenAid, Viking, Cuisinart, and Sunbeam stand mixers. I like the KitchenAid Stand Mixer best.
Cameron Stove-top Smoker: An Indoor Alternative
Cameron's Stove-top Smoker isn't a replacement for a genuine outdoor smoker or grill. However, when the weather's bad or if you don't have access to grill or smoker it can provide genuine wood smoke flavor indoors.
Cameron's Stove-top Smoker isn't a replacement for a genuine outdoor smoker or grill. However, when the weather's bad or if you don't have access to grill or smoker it can provide genuine wood smoke flavor indoors.
Hawaiian Yellowtail: Mail-order Fish from Kona Blue
It's rare (except in the case of cookbooks), but occasionally I'm offered products for review. I recently had an opportunity to review, of all things, some fish. The fish is called variously Hawaiian Yellowtail (also known as Almaco Jack and trademarked as Kona Kampachi by Kona Blue).
It's rare (except in the case of cookbooks), but occasionally I'm offered products for review. I recently had an opportunity to review, of all things, some fish. The fish is called variously Hawaiian Yellowtail (also known as Almaco Jack and trademarked as Kona Kampachi by Kona Blue).
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Cookware: A Review
As a cooking instructor I've had long-time experience with most name brands, but when I upgraded my cookware I chose Cuisinart's MCP Cookware.
As a cooking instructor I've had long-time experience with most name brands, but when I upgraded my cookware I chose Cuisinart's MCP Cookware.
Kitchen Aid Immersion Blender: A Review
The Kitchen Aid Immersion Blender is a surprisingly handy kitchen tool, well worth the investment.
The Kitchen Aid Immersion Blender is a surprisingly handy kitchen tool, well worth the investment.
Top 10 Small Kitchen Appliances
Sometimes small is beautiful, particularly when you're only cooking for two. About Guide Diana Ratray of Southern Foods has developed a great list of small appliances.
Sometimes small is beautiful, particularly when you're only cooking for two. About Guide Diana Ratray of Southern Foods has developed a great list of small appliances.
Top 10 Cookbooks for Lovers
Peggy Filippone, the About Home Cooking guide, has collected 10 great cookbooks for lovers that can make any special occasion even more special - and fun.
Peggy Filippone, the About Home Cooking guide, has collected 10 great cookbooks for lovers that can make any special occasion even more special - and fun.
The Elements of Cooking - A Book Review
The Elements of Cooking: Translating the Chef's Craft for Every Kitchen, written by Michael Ruhlman author of The Making of a Chef, is a clearly written reference to cooking terms, techniques, and culture.
The Elements of Cooking: Translating the Chef's Craft for Every Kitchen, written by Michael Ruhlman author of The Making of a Chef, is a clearly written reference to cooking terms, techniques, and culture.
Thinking Small in the Kitchen
Although small, my kitchen works as long as I cook alone, but it's far from well-designed so I've been looking for ideas for an eventual remodel and ran across this great little article.
Although small, my kitchen works as long as I cook alone, but it's far from well-designed so I've been looking for ideas for an eventual remodel and ran across this great little article.