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The latest
technological gizmos can make working in the
kitchen easier than ever, like this Pot Clip by
Trudeau.
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If you were
around in the 1970s and had a TV, you might remember the
Ginsu knife commercial.
"In
Japan, the hand can be used like a knife," a voice
says as the camera shows a guy chopping two 2-by-4 pieces
of wood in half with his bare hand.
"But
this method doesn't work with a tomato," the voice
continues, showing the hand trying the same move on a
doomed tomato, which turned it into a smashed, flat mess.
Then, in
came the Ginsu.
The ad
showed the knife easily slicing through bread, meat,
frozen food and vegetables like melted butter. It could
cut an aluminum can but still remained sharp enough to
slice and dice a tomato.
That iconic
ad convinced millions that the Ginsu knife was a must-have
item for the kitchen. Today, housewares manufacturers
continue to drum up their wares, touting an assortment of
gadgets they say make cooking and related tasks easier and
more efficient.
With so
many items on the market and more making their ways to
shelves, it can be hard for the average person to figure
out what to try. That's why many buyers for housewares
stores attend events such as the annual International Home
& Housewares Show.
That
includes people like Judi Rackley and Melissa Finney of
Modesto, Calif. Rackley and husband Larry own The Dented
Chef in Modesto, and Finney is the housewares buyer for
Keller's in the city's McHenry Village shopping center.
Attending trade shows allows them to check out items
coming to market.
The Modesto
Bee asked Rackley and Finney to share with readers some of
their picks of must-have kitchen gadgets. The two came up
with a hearty assortment.
Some fit in
with the trend toward "green" living - products
made from sustainable materials - while others are space
savers.
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Flexible
Silicone Mixing Bowl by iSi Basics - Who needs a funnel
when you have this handy bowl. It's flexible rim forms a
spout when sides are squeezed. Available in three sizes.
Impervious to stains and flavors, heat-resistant up to 490
degrees and microwave safe; 1½ quart bowl sells for $15.
Silicone
Stretch Hotcooking Bands by Architec - No more eating
butcher's twine or toothpicks with your roast or prime
rib. Truss poultry legs, bundle veggies, tie and wrap
items quickly. Heat resistant up to 600 degrees,
disposable or reusable; $7.50 for a 25 pack.
Twist Whisk
by Cuisipro - Twisted silicone-covered wires increases
fluff when mixing eggs, cream and light batters. Heat
resistant to 750 degrees, won't scratch cookware,
dishwasher safe, $19.
Sili
Gourmet Reusable Silicone Pie Crust Protector by William
Bounds LTD. - Keep quiche and pie crusts from burning
while baking. Fits 9 or 10 inch pie, $8.50
Sporks by
Bambu - Unlike plastic cutlery that'll sit in a landfill
for aeons, the biodegraable bamboo sporks (spoon on one
side, fork on the other) breakdown in four to six months.
Made from 100 percent organic bamboo; 24-pack $10
Pot Clip by
Trudeau - Spoon rest attaches to a bowl or pot, keeping
your counter clean (and the food sanitary), $7
Mini
Magnetic Spoons by Progressive - Lose loose measuring
spoons in the utensil drawer no more as these "stick
together. Measuring size picture includes dash, pinch and
smidgen amounts, $5. Also made as measuring cups.
Angle Spoon
by Danesco - An open, silicone spoonhead with corner edges
can be used to mix, combine and fold ingredients, $12.
The Cheese
Knife by Fairchild Tech Associates - Easily cuts block
cheese without sticking to the blade; available in two
sizes, $15 and $21.
Julienne
Peeler by Messermeister - Judi Rackley said it's the
sharpest of any peeler she's tried and is great for
salads, carrots and zucchini,
Garlic Pro
E-Zee-Dice - Dices up to four peeled garlic cloves in
seconds. Can also be used to dice hot peppers, nuts,
candy, sundae toppings and more, $21.
Palm Peeler
and Palm Brush by Chef'n - Both fit in the palm of your
hand. Rackley said the peeler makes peeling potatoes
easier. Both are top-rack dishwasher safe, $5 each.
Pizza Knife
by Van Vacter - Twice as nice cutting: the first wheel
cuts and the second cuts crust or cheese missed the first
time, so no back-and-forth slicing needed. Easy-grip
handle makes holding onto it easy. Can also be used to cut
brownies, foccacia bread, pasta and more, $21.
Cherry/Olive
pitters by Leifheit - The larger tabletop version quickly
removes fruit pits and can hold as many as three baskets
worth of cherries without damaging the fruit. Good for big
jobs and can be disassembled quickly to wash, $36. For
smaller jobs, try the hand-held chrome and zinc Pro Line
version, $12.
Flipper
Measuring Cups by Trudeau - Reversible measuring cups
"flip", turning one-fourth into one-eighth, a
half cup into a full one and one-third into two-thirds,
$19.
Collapsible
Mesh Strainer by Progressive - Uses about two-thirds less
space than a standard mesh strainer. Folds flat for
compact storage and cleaning. Dishwasher safe, $13.
Good Grips
Silicone Collapsible Colander by Oxo International -
Stands upright when expanded, collapses flat for storage.
Use it to drain pasts, rinse fruit and vegetables. Can be
immersed in boiling water to quickly blanch veggies; heat
resistant to 600 degrees, $34.