Category: Prep Tools

Eat your way through the eventual robot uprising

robot_cookie

The obligatory war with our eventual robot overlords will not be as distasteful as once thought. In fact, quite the opposite: it will be delicious. The Robot Twist And Press Cookie Cutter twists and turns allowing for dozens of robot configurations. The rotating top, middle and bottom sections each feature a corresponding robot part, letting you assemble the exact robot you want. With an army of robots reduced to cookie form, it’s a win-win situation. We get to earn our freedom and eat cookies at the same time.

No more chasing runaway fruits and vegetables

mini_colander

We all know that any fruit or vegetables we purchase should be washed first. It’s just basic common sense. No matter how far your food has traveled, it still needs a good rinse to wash off (at least) the particulate matter that it unavoidably accumulates. Usually the best tool for the job is a colander; just hold it under the faucet and let the water do all the work. Sometimes, however, we just want a small snack and digging out the colander (which tends to be large and cumbersome) can be an easily overlooked step. For these times, I use a folding steamer basket (you know, the one that looks like a UFO), but without any sides, food can escape and roll away (and quite often does).

These Mini Colanders are perfectly suited for small-sized rinsing. Measuring just six-inches by 3-inches, the small size allows for easy storage when not in use. The colanders are available in a variety of colors to match any kitchen décor: white, turquoise, kiwi, green, red or yellow. Best of all, the sturdy melamine construction comes with easy to grasp handles, so it’s not only easy to store but convenient to use. My steamer basket will just have to go back to being just a steamer basket (and occasionally a UFO).

Dino Sandwich Cutter removes crusts, adds fun

dinosandwich

Even as a kid I never quite got the whole sandwich “with the crusts cut off” thing. Crusts are delicious too and deserve such recognition. However if your young’uns need a little encouragement to bite into their PB&J, check out this Dino Sandwich Cutter from Williams-Sonoma. Not only does the sandwich cutter trim off offensive crusts, but it also makes mealtime fun. What little kid (well, the boys at least) wouldn’t enjoy pretending to be some great beast tearing into a dinosaur?

Now, the only problem is what to do about that kid who likes their sandwiches with the crust left on. That’s not gonna fly when everybody else is running around with cool dinosaur sandwiches. (Also available in a stupid boring heart shape for the stupidhead girls.)

For when one spout just won’t do

leftycup

It’s no secret that lefties are forced to wrestle with a world built for righties. For the lefty, everything from scissors to can openers all the work the ‘wrong’ way. Which is why I can understand why having a measuring cup with measurements all around the vessel would be a good thing. Be that as it may, I’m still not exactly sure why this Triple Pour Glass Measuring Cup needs three spouts. And it’s not even the only one out there. By that logic my ‘normal’ righty version should have two spouts, but it only has one. It probably all has to do something with an eventual lefty uprising, but I hope they bake the rest of us a nice batch of cookies first.

Grate and slice with a mandoline

zyliss_mandoline

Kitchen gadgets are easy to accumulate: they are fun, encourage you to cook and make excellent gifts. One measure as to the usefulness of any kitchen gadget is how many degrees separate it from being a unitasker. Any device meant to do one thing is just going to end up cluttering up the junk drawer. If a gizmo can do two things, great. Three things, even better. But four? Hey. I’m on board.

Okay, this Zyliss 4-In-1 Multi Slicer/Grater might be pushing it, as almost any grater will at least offer the choice between fine and course, but not as many can handle slicing too. If you got a mandoline hanging out in your kitchen, there’s a good chance it doesn’t do any grating (although many do). Likewise for your grater, the slicer portion can be woefully inadequate. With the added bonus of a finger guard, this grater-meets-mandoline makes for a fine addition into the collection of kitchen gadgets designed to do more than one thing.

Pocket pie for your pocket

pocketpie

Everybody likes food-on-the-go. Grabbing a bite when out and about is a quick and easy to way to refuel. While there may be seemingly endless options for the mobile eater, portable pies could use a little more representation. Sure, you could opt for a McDonald’s Apple Pie, but wouldn’t one you had baked yourself be so much better? Sure it would.

Preparing portable pies doesn’t have to be the messy affair you may think it is. These Pocket Pie Molds from Williams-Sonoma make it easy. Just roll out your dough, use the mold to create either a star or heart shape, place it in the mold along with your desired filling and crimp it shut. Baked or deep-fried, the little pies go a long way when you are on the go.