Kitchen Tools - Weighing In & Weeding The Clutter

Wow! Some of the articles I ran into these last few weeks. People love lists! Today I cover 3 different lists that will help you find your tools in the kitchen.

This first list "15 Awesome Kitchen Tools You Didn't Know You Needed" should change to "2 or 3...".
https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartmentliving/tips-tricks-renters/15-kitchen-tools-you-didnt-know-you-needed/

These are my top 3 picks out of that list:

1. FreshForce Orange Juicer - Not worth $45 but I like the concept. I use tongs to squeeze the fruit and my hand to catch the seeds. Cheaper products: https://amzn.to/3s8fyWA

2. Silicone Universal Lid - I can see the usefulness of this product. But again, not worth the estimated $54 for that particular lid. Cheaper glass see-through options are available. https://amzn.to/3LNHhE2

3. Cherry and Olive Pitter/Obsessive Chef Cutting Board - This is a tie. A cherry/olive pitter can be useful but I buy them pitted. But a good quick smash with the back of a knife and you can remove the pit. The cutting board may be useful for those still working on their knife skills. The pitter is OXO: https://amzn.to/3v6fCIG The Chef Board: https://amzn.to/3JLeDkS

Most of these items on the list are drawer stuffers. One-hit wonders. But if you're into having the newest gadgets, feel free to disagree.

The next list "9 Kitchen Tools For Clumsy People" I can get behind and endorse. Depends on your level of clumsy. Check it out: https://thepracticalkitchen.com/kitchen-tools-for-clumsy-people/

If you haven't figured it out by now, I am a bit of a minimalist in the home kitchen. This article "The Only Pieces of Kitchen Equipment You Actually Need" is a good start. https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-06-04/the-only-pieces-of-kitchen-equipment-you-actually-need

I wouldn't go so far to say it's the ONLY pieces you need. But it's a great understanding of getting started.

Is that a frywall on his head?

There is a method in this article. The way I presented the lists. Check out all the articles in order. You
start to see they start overlapping each other. I want you to pick up on what will actually help you. For example, the first article lists a "frywall". A funny heat-resistant "plastic" cone that looks like they put on animals so they don't scratch. In the second article, we find a splatter guard. In the third, we find a great non-stick pan that the splatter guard will work great on. You now have no need for that "one-hit-wonder flea cone". Either that or buy a wok or flat-bottom wok! Definitely more uses than a "frywall". https://amzn.to/3sW8mMB

Check out my kitchen lists of suggested equipment! You can save yourself some time on finding affordable high rated items to complete your kitchen! http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

The Mayor of Flavortown, Trader Joe's Snack Reviews, and other Curated Culinary Curiosities

In this first post of Curated Culinary Curiosities is a list of culinary things that grabbed my attention in my news feed. Or maybe you could call it "The Foodie Feed". Catchy, no? 

Guy Fieri, some people love him, and then there are the haters. I am not sure why all the hate. I know a lot of professionals (in foodservice) don't think much of Food Network. Most of Guy's stuff is still at or involved with the network. He was a restaurateur BEFORE he won The Next Food Network Star competition. I always enjoyed the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives show. It highlights local non-corporate food businesses. Sure, this video has some crazy cheesy bling factor to it. BUT if you haven't learned that much about marketing yet, those are the ads that stick in your head the most.

If you need one more reason to "hate" Micky D's, or maybe love them, here is the way they make the onions that go on their burgers. I would encourage you to watch some of the other videos on Essential McDonalds in order to really solidify your opinion on eating there. The choice is yours! Very interesting. But not surprising...

@essentialmcdonalds #mcdonalds #onions #howto ♬ That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings

By now I think I have seen it all...BUT wait! Here's a new kitchen gadget that's about as useful as a lid. It's a cozy to seal in steam and help food to continue to cook. Like a lid. Yes, you too can wash your winter hat and put it over your pots and pans to harness the power of escaping heat to cook your food. Or maybe, use your lid! Basically, to make this product I think they relabeled some winter hats for people with ponytails (or man-buns). Read the full article here >>> https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/spend-it-better-the-simple-kitchen-tool-that-will-change-the-way-you-cook-1.4778730

 

New Year, New Trader Joe’s Snack Reviews - Last, but not least. Here's something useful. A Trader Joe's snack review from Bon Appetit. I found the review helpful and very entertaining. This reviewer has some comic value! I thought this would be a great addition considering our town just recently got a Trader Joe's. Read the full article here >>>  https://www.bonappetit.com/story/trader-joes-reviews-january-2022

Thanks for coming to "hear" me ramble about new things I curate from the culinary world. In future reports, I'll just call it C3 for short.