Accessories – Page 38 – Beyond The Kitchen Sink

Serve up a side salad — literally

Salad is an excellent accompaniment to almost any meal. Problem is, big, leafy greens take up a lot of room. After all, salad bowls are big for a reason; they require a large footprint to hold all that greenery. As such, often the salad bowl gets left behind, while the other, less healthy courses get the limelight of the tabletop.

The Dark Acacia-Wood Salad Bowl with Stand Set allows for the salad to stand alone, saving valuable tabletop real estate for other entrÃ©es. The 28.5-inch stand compliments the 8-inch by 16-inch bowl, and placed next to the table, the set is an attractive and easy-to-reach option for smaller dining tables. With this salad bowl at your tableside, the roast beef and mashed potatoes are just going to have to learn how to share top billing.

Roll the salt, please

Salt and pepper shakers seemingly have no end to their variations. Which is good news for all of us kitchen gadget hounds. Priced right, these table essentials make great gifts and are the easiest way to change your tablescape. Besides, sometimes they are just plain fun.

The Boogie Woogie Salt & Pepper Shakers feature a (presumably) bottom-heavy tumbler fastened with two large wheels. Designed to give new meaning to “pass the salt,” the spice shakers are meant to be rolled between diners. While it may be impolite to play with your food, I don’t think that includes table accessories that roll around. Ms. Manners however, may still have to look away.

Wannabe Rube Goldberg kitchen gadget

There must be more to this Upright Peeler With Stand than is seen in this picture. I say that because of the simple fact it looks like the final stage of a Rube Goldberg kitchen device. Through a process of deduction involving rolling marbles, fire, and darts popping balloons, I have come to the conclusion that this peeler is simply not complex enough; there must be more to it.

This actual product is designed, oddly enough, to streamline the process of peeling carrots. Simply set the six blades in place, set to an optimum height, tighten down the screws, place the carrot in the hopper and use the included plunger to strike down and peel your carrot. See? One simple motion. If you need to peel a vegetable other than a carrot, an additional cucumber accessory is available.

To be fair, like all Rube Goldberg contraptions, this one has a real goal. If you were suddenly tasked with peeling thousands of ~~vegetables~~ carrots or cucumbers, this one-motion gadget might seem to fit the bill. If you set up some sort of carrot trolley then you’ll really have it made. After all, there is only one proper way to make ramen, deal with a Cadbury Creme Egg, or even mix a drink. Remember, proper kitchen technique is always important.

i-Roast your own coffee beans

Serious coffee lovers are always looking for a new way to enhance the experience. I know from a personal standpoint, I have tried every type of coffee maker imaginable. Lately, I have centered on the stovetop espresso maker, but Iâ€™m always open to anything that might make my morning brew better. Perhaps itâ€™s time to look past the method and focus on a different step: coffee roasting.

If you are drowning in a sea of megabrew, it might be time to take your coffee game to the next level. The i-Roast 2 Coffee Roaster is a home device capable of producing fresh roasted coffee beans right on your countertop. With features such as five stages and preset roasting curves, your coffee-roasting game can be off and running immediately.

When you find your perfect roast, the machine can store it (along with nine other preferred roasts) in the on-board memory. The included timer and temperature gauge allow for consistent results. With a little experimentation, you can achieve quality results every time. Oh, and if you want to have ultimate precision with every cup of joe, check out some advanced tips and tricks, here.

(Via Home Appliances)

Barbecue Spatula Tongs for easy grilling

Just like it can be easy to overload on the condiments while grilling in the backyard, the tools to cook delicious steaks and burgers can sometimes just get in the way. For quick and easy grilling sometimes all you need is one tool — especially if that one tool does it all.

Williams-Sonoma combines two must-have grill accessories into one convenient tool with the Barbecue Spatula Tongs. With one end of the tool resembling a spatula, and the opposite end armed with an easy-grasping tong, the combination tool makes flipping even the most delicate foods a breeze. Just be sure that now you that you have a free hand, you occasionally set down the ketchup.

UPDATE 6/30/12: It looks like Williams-Sonoma no longer has this item, but here is the very similar (and well-reviewed) GrillPro 40240 16-Inch Stainless Steel Tong/Turner Combination.

Price Alert: double duty spatula almost half price

Clean out your spatula drawer and get cooking with the Chefâ€™n Switchit Spatula. Constructed of scratch-safe silicone with a sturdy steel core, the spatula features an asymmetrical design for easy reaching into any pan, pot or bowl. Both ends of the spatula are workable, with one side larger than the other. Able to withstand temperatures up to 650 degrees, the spatula is safe to use for most applications.

Three color choices: Clear, Lime or Cherry. Available in two different sizes: 10-inches or 11.5-inches. Both spatulas are on sale right now for $5.99. Dishwasher safe.