Spices Dressed Up As Condiments (Don’t) Shake It Up

‘Mustard & Ketchup’ Ceramic Shaker Set

I like these, if only because of the fact they don’t bug me. I better explain that: the salt is where the salt should be and the pepper is where the pepper should be. In other words, somebody was paying attention. If forced to choose which spice would dress up as which condiment, I’d have to go with salt/ketchup and mustard/pepper, just like these salt and pepper shakers.

The Tag Earthenware Ketchup and Mustard Salt and Pepper Shakers gets it right. Mustard can carry a bit of heat just like pepper can, and salt, well, as king of the spices it seems right at home masquerading as king of the condiments. Of course, the designer could have just guessed—they did have a 50/50 chance to get it right after all. And then again, the ketchup does kinda look like a bottle of hotsauce…

Spring Has Sprung, Time For Ice Cream

Cuisinart Classic Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Makers

It has been hot in California this week… ice cream weather! Time to break out the ice cream machines. It seems as if it were only yesterday that every day was a rainy day. (Not that there’s anything wrong with ice cream in the rain.) Taking a bright and colorful approach, like the weekend outlook ahead, the Cuisinart Classic Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Makers offer easy accessibility to homemade frozen treats.

The automatic maker requires no chemicals, salt or ice while the double-insulated removable freezer bowl helps to whip up a 1.5-quart batch of your favorite flavor within minutes — good news for those caught off guard by the warm weather. As for areas with weather still stuck in the ice age? Best to plan ahead, as spring has sprung. (Or is at least in the process of springing!)

On sale right now for $49.95.

Sushi Rice Now With More Fun

Inomata Sushi Mold Rice Ball Maker

Plain white rice can be so… plain. While that can be good for everything from digestion to how awesome it works with practically any other ingredient, it’s how it’s served that could use a little sprucing up. Especially when we’re talking about exceedingly cute hearts, stars and bears.

The Inomata Sushi Mold Rice Ball Maker transforms everyday boring sushi into exciting fun-shaped sushi you can play with. Place rice into the mold, cover, press and then push it out—your fish won’t know what hit it. Although that salmon nigiri might have an inkling when it sees that bear coming at it.

Noodle cup puzzle feeds your noodle

Cup Noodle Puzzle Game

Finally there is something to do while waiting those three agonizing minutes for Cup Noodle to finish rehydrating. The Cup Noodle Game takes the iconic lunch staple and transforms it into a puzzle game. Utilizing the always-in-fashion technique of having something blow up in your face if you don’t finish in time, the timed puzzle game sends ingredient-themed puzzle pieces flying if you don’t get it right. Even though it is life-sized, just don’t try it with a real Cup Noodles. Comes in three flavors–easy (Seafood), medium (Classic) and hard (Curry).

Cup Noodle Puzzle Game Variety

Mama, let your children grow up to be pizza-makers

Curious Chef Pizza Kit (7-pc.)

There’s a new breed of pizza-maker out there: one that appreciates the tradition and culture of pizza. Like what microbrewing did for beer drinking, artisan pizza-makers are doing for the classic pie. Restaurants are popping up dedicated to the craft of pizza-making, and the results show in a quality menu. However, for all this attention heaped upon dough, sauce and cheese, the average slice still lacks soul. To be able to partake in this new pizza culture requires a commitment of an entire pie; sometimes I just want to go down to the corner and grab a slice.

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The chemistry set you eat

Molecular Gastronomy Starter Set

This is the chemistry set of today. Those semi-dangerous labs-in-a-box are a thing of the past. Nowadays, they aren’t going to pack anything remotely dangerous into those learning kits, so you might as well look elsewhere for real fun. Since Junior no longer has the capability to produce searing acid baths for his action figures, the modern chemistry set might as well produce something useful: food!

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