You know how I like kitchen gadgets that simplify my life and are easy to clean. I pick my big mandolin slicer when I need julienne strips but I would prefer a hand held option for when I only need to slice one carrot. I found this julienne slicer that seems to do a good job on Elena Pantry.

Another option is the Kuhn Rikon Julienne Peeler with Blade Protector, which costs less ($15 USD vs. $22.99).

+ Via Elena Pantry

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I admit that I am a fan of Lékué. Their premium silicone cooking tools are fun, practical and imaginative. On the green side, this company finds permanent solutions to techniques that typically nourish our trash can. Their innovative products make the best of the possibilities offered by silicone kitchenware.

I told you before that I think Lékué produces the best collapsible silicone strainers. I am very pleased with mine. Here are some new products that I wish to add to my collection.

1. Cooking Mesh

The Cooking Mesh has many uses. First, it is perfect to boil mussels or vegetable in a pot. Use two mesh bags and boil two vegetables to perfection in a single pot. The Cooking Mesh makes it easier to blanch tomatoes, broccoli, green beans, peas or any other vegetables before putting them in the freezer. You transfer all your vegetables in a bowl icy cold water to stop the cooking in one step. Recall my story on tips for not wasting food and save time in the kitchen.

It also works on small tasks. The Cooking Mesh can replace cheesecloth when you need a bouquet garni for a soup or a stew.

2. Steam Case with Tray

The designers committee of Trends 2009  selected the steam case at Ambiente Frankfurt. I introduced the Steam Case one year ago. Lékué added a model with a tray to drain the liquids of accumulated during cooking, preservation or defrosting. So depending on the recipe you prepare, you can enjoy tasty and healthy food with Steam Case with tray.

3. Stretch Tops

This would greatly eliminate our consumption of clear food film. The stretch top creates a vacuum seal that prolongs the freshness of food in the refrigerator easily and hygienically. It is especially useful with leftovers stored in metal, glass or plastic. Plus no more search for the cover. The stretch tops come in two diameters to fit a wide range of containers. It is not just for containers; use it to keep fresh your halved citrus fruits.

MORE:
+ Cooking Mesh
+ Steam Case with tray
+ Stretch Tops 8.5cm – 3 units
+ Stretch Tops 11.5cm – 2 units (green / orange) or orange and white or green and white

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Do you recall this fabulous discovery from the IDS 09 in Toronto? Magisso exhibited at the IDS in the hope to find a distributor. They did! Urban Butik opened a couple days ago their online store, which delivers in Canada and the Unites States.  I used my kitchen cloth holder since the IDS and I am very pleased with it.

There are three models to choose from: the curved stainless steel, the straight stainless steel and the curved plastic handle. The two models are identical except for the material used for the handle part of the holder. Until now, I used the plastic model. I will give it to my sister in law now that I received a complimentary stainless steel model. The stainless steel suits more my style.

The straight model is designed to satisfy the aesthetics of people that opt for a sink with square corners. By opting for the straight handle, they maintain the integrity of their straight line kitchen.

I am happy to report that the distributor are from Montreal, my home town. Urban Butik is the love child of Anne Foged and Jean-Luc Bouchard.

Update: Besides buying online, retailers in the United States currently sell this practical kitchen gadget. I guess that it will not take too long before Canadian retailers follow. They update their retailer lists regularly.

MORE:
+ Magisso Kitchen Cloth holder all stainless steel model $59.95, plastic handle model $24.95 at Urban Butik

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+ Jorre van Ast designed a set of functional screw caps that fit twist off standard jars. The set is built for most common sizes of glass jars used for food. The Jar Tops provide several serving devices. There is a better option than throwing them in the recycle bin. Simply repurpose them with the Jar tops. ? 14,95

+ The Herb Garden comes with an integrated pocket to keep your herb scissors. I think it is just the right side. Designed by Officeoriginair. Available all white or in white and grey. ? 29,95

+ I found the invaluable picnic knife at the UK retailer Cox & Cox. This wooden handle knife features a bread knife and a corkscrew. £18

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Storing our kitchen cloth under the sink is not very practical. When we are cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, we need to keep the kitchen cloth at reach. This cool Finnish product enables us to keep the cloth at reach while hiding it from sight.

Miika Mansikkamaa designed the magnetic kitchen cloth holder. It is sold in Finland since 2006. I had the chance to chat with Miika at the IDS about his invention.

How it works

It installs anywhere on the side of any kitchen sink within seconds. The holder is held in place with magnets; no tools or fixed fixtures are necessary. The handle goes on the side that suits you.

I installed mine and I love it. It takes less than 10 seconds to install. In fact, it is longer to watch the installation video. The magnet is so strong that there is no need to remove the 3M sticky cap. This way, you can change where the position at will.

The handle comes in two finishes: a plastic handle or the chic stainless steel handle. Magisso is looking for retailers and distributor in Canada. With the strong positive reaction they receive from IDS visitors, it should not take long.

I suspect this will become one of the hottest housewarming and hostess gifts pretty soon.

+ Magisso

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The top 3 are Red-Dot Design Award winners and an honorable mention. The fifth is there because it is cute and original.

Zyliss’ Easy Spin Salad Spinner

On my book, noting beat a Zyliss salad spinner and I got a 10 year old model. Zyliss won in 2004 for its Easy Spin salad spinner.

The latest model, the Zyliss Smart Touch Salad Spinner won a Red-Dot in 2008. Sadly, the consumer reviews are mixed so far.

Everywhere I checked, people were more than satisfied with the Easy Spin Salad Spinner. So I will say to go with the previous edition (the ones I am showing you).

Joseph Joseph’s Folding Colander

Anthony Joseph designed for Joseph Joseph the ultimate space saver colander. This innovative colander folds completely flat for easy storage. Moulded from polypropylene it uses 12 live hinges to achieve its transformation. It took 149 prototypes to arrive to this solution.

Joseph Joseph folding colander is available in five colors: black, white, green, light blue and hot pink.

Thurø Line Serving Concept

An outstanding and innovative design characterizes the Thurø Line by Rauff & Møldrup. This is for an entire serving ware collection. This aesthetic serving concept includes a serving wood tray, a cooling tray and a set of blue glass dishes. Finishes in pale, medium and dark wood are available.

They are so much to say about the Thurø Line Serving Concept that I am preparing a post just about it. As far as I know this is only available in Denmark and maybe in a few Scandinavian stores.

Lemon Run Lemon Squeezer

I am glad that a product I introduced earlier this year received a Red-Dot Design honorable mention. Lemon Run designed by U.I. Design for KEDO makes your dining experience an easy and relaxed one.

KEDO describes their invention in those terms: “The design of the Lemon Run lemon squeezer is inspired by the traditional Chinese platter art. When squeezing the pouch, which is shaped like a ginkgo leave, on both sides a drip of lemon juice will run down along the ginkgo stem into the meal. This playful yet useful device makes a slice of lemon a decorative object on the table before and after it is used.”

Bosa’s Meilito Honey Pot

I always want a small honey pot to put on my table. Until now, I never find one that captures my attention. The ceramic dipper tips of this Italian design honey pot are dipped in bright colors: yellow, green, blue plus the typical black and white.

SOURCING:
+ Zyliss Green Easy Spin Salad Spinner – price: $24.95 USD
+ Folding Colander by Joseph Joseph – price: $29 USD
+ Thurø (Thuroe) Line Serving Concept
+ Lemon Run by KEDO
+ Bosa’s Meilito Honey Pot – price: $44 USD

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I was looking for unique gift ideas when I spotted three amazing kitchen tools at Generate. It is worth noting that this US retailer ships to Canada and the United States for free.

Serving ware by Zoocreative

First, Zoocreative reinvented the eating tray by converting two of its corners into armrests. Your arms rest comfortably on the grooves of the Delica Table tray to deliver a more enjoyable dining experience.

A table tray, a coffee tray and a small tray compose the line. The Delica Tray series won several awards including the prestigious Reddot design award 2007.

The Ameba Collection consists of a set of coasters, plate chargers and placemats. The plate chargers can be used as a trivet set. These would look great on a buffet table.

Both series are available in three wood finishes: oak, tiger and zebra. Spanish creativity is well represented by Zoocreative.

No-Mess Chopping Board

Antony Joseph created an efficient chopping board. You chop and dice your ingredients on the entire board surface.Then squeeze the handle of the Large Chop 2 Pot. That motion folds the board into a chute that guides the food into a pot. Pretty cool!

SOURCING:
+ Delica Trays by Zoocreative at Generate – price: $67 small tray, $79 each for table tray and coffee tray
+ Ameba Collection by Zoocreative at Generate – price: $49 USD for 6 coasters, $69 for 2 trivets (plate chargers)
Buy online: Large Chop 2 Pot Chopping Board at Generate – price: $29 USD

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I followed the International Home and Housewares Show 2008 in Chicago mostly through the eyes of The Kitchn. From what I have seen so far, these cooking tools are my favorites.

Emily Henry’s Flame-Top Collection in Figue

I told you earlier about the Urban Colors for the oven and tableware collection of Emile Henry. Take a look at the Flame-Top line in figue (fig). It is so cute. The rich purple color of Figue mixes nicely with the Granny, Litchi (pink) and Muscade (nutmeg).

Kitchen Gadgets by Chef’n

Manual kitchen tools are the new frontier for green living. They use fewer parts, are smaller and do not consume electrical powers. If your kids enjoy cooking with you, they are less dangerous to handle. But young children should never be left alone when they help you in the kitchen.

The Chef’n Palm Peeler is an interesting cooking preparation gadget. Apparently, people who are less agile or have less strength will find the Palm Peeler easier to handle. The strength of your entire hand is transferred to the palm peeler making it easier to peel hard skin fruits and vegetables.

You can extract the juice, measure and catch both pulp and seeds in one step with the Juicester Citrus Juicer. If you have a small electric juicer that is showing its age, this is a great replacement option.

For our day to day cooking, a small food processor can save us time. Chef’n proposes a model that reminds me of the Starfrit Manual food processor that I own. I stopped using mine because I lost the handle. You can watch the demonstration video of Chef’n Manual Food Processor filmed by The Kitchn.

This rotating power is similar to pull spinning handle of the older Zyliss salad spinners. From 10 years experience with my Zyliss salad spinner, I can tell you that if you retract extremely hard, it is possible that the cord gets disconnected. To avoid that, simply put the cord between two fingers so you can always stop the cord in case of emergency. It may sound confusing right now but you should understand the process if you try it.

Sourcing:
Buy online: Chef’n Palm Peeler at Amazon.com – price: $4.99 USD
Buy online: Chef’n Juicester Citrus Juicer at Amazon.com – price: $14.99 USD
Via: Fresh Colors from France: Emile Henry’s Figue Clay Pots on The Kitchn
Via: Video: Manual Food Processor from Chef’n on The Kitchn
Via: Chef’n Palm Peelet on The Kitchn

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These are gift ideas for the fashionable girls who have everything. They are off track for my blog but at least they are stylish. And everyone knows that being fashionable is a proven method to get invited to the coolest parties. So!

Beautiful and practical memory keys

The next time you assist at a meeting or stand at a kiosk of a trade show be prepared and wear your USB Memory Keys as a jewelry piece. It is practical because if you like to wear dresses as much as I do, you know that pockets are rare. So you cannot carry around your USB Memory Key with you all the time.

My only complaint about the Active Crystals Heart model is that is only comes in the 1 MG capacity. I expect higher capacity options for a high end product. But from a style point, it is the prettiest USB memory key on the market.

Stylish in-ear headphones

It used to be that wearing the white iPod earphones was considered hot. Now, you need more to impress your girl friends. Before your steps in the trendiest coffee shop, make sure to wear the SPACE in-ear headphones in the latest Violet or Jet Hematite color.

SPACE in-ear headphones are made with polished stainless steel body and high quality fabric-type cable. The soft and flexible earpiece is made of transparent silicone with fully faceted drop-cut Violet crystals on outside. I would like to get a pair. Does anyone can tell me about the sound quality?

Sourcing:
Buy online: Heart Ware Vitrail Light USB Memory Key – price: $ 210 CAD
Buy online: Space Violet Headphones – price: $105 CAD

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I have to admit that I am not a fan of dining out on Valentine’s Day. The restaurants are too busy. I prefer a romantic, more intimate dinner at home sitting on the cushions near the fire place.

Since typically a home cooked meal requires minced garlic or onions, what do you do with the smell on your hands? Stainless steel bar soap is the solution.

Rub-A-Way Bar

I have to admit that I was skeptical. But I tried the Rub-A-Way Bar at my brother’s house last Christmas. It really works! Do not be afraid to make your own sushi or cook fish that night; just rub your hands on a stainless steel bar.

I have been told that Canadian shoppers can find from time to time the Rub-A-Way Bar at Winner or Home Sense (I am not sure which) for about $5.

How does it work?

These gadgets use oxido-reduction, a natural property of steel, to effectively remove strong odors. You can get rid of onion, garlic, fish, even nicotine scent in minutes.

Orka DEOS soap

Being displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art is a sign that Orka DEOS is out of the ordinary. DEOS provides the added benefits of a nail cleaner located at the tip of the teardrop-shaped steel soap. As I wrote this, Amazon.com is temporarily out of stock of DEOS. 

Royal VKB Garlic Crusher

If you are short on time, go for the stainless steel Garlic Crusher by Royal VKB. The crushing action enhances the garlic flavor. Rinse immediately the garlic crusher and rub your hand on it. You clean up the kitchen tool and your hands in the same operation. Voilà!

The Garlic Crusher was designed by Ineke Hans in 2005 and won the prestigious Red dot design award that year.

Last words of advice

My brother’s girlfriend told me that rubbing your hands on a stainless steel sink works too. Since I do not own a bar yet, I gave it a try the other night. It might not be as stylish and practical than those bars but my hands were odorless after a few cycles. Now you have no excuses for lingering scent on your hands.

Sourcing :
Buy online: Amco 8402 Rub Away Bar at Amazon.com – price: $6.95
Buy online: Orka Deos Stainless Steel Soap at Amazon.com – price: $9.95
Buy online: Garlic Crusher by Royal VKB at A+R – price: $24

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It is simpler to separate a cake into identical pieces, but the fact of the matter is that everyone wants a different size. When it comes to desserts, the host needs to please the dieters, the large appetites and the ones in the middle.

You can cut the pieces at different sizes yourself but these pre-shaped pieces look better. And you will always have enough portions with this neat invention by Konstantin Slawinski.

How it works?

S-XL Cake SL14 is a silicone cake mold that produces 15 portions from small to extra large. The pieces vary in widths and heights. In my opinion, S-XL Cake would not be ideal as a birthday cake but it becomes handy on the dessert buffet table. Decorate each piece individually while creating a unique overall design. You can put some berries over a little coat of frosting or whipped cream.

If you are planning a baby shower, you can bring a coffee cake done in it. Test the cake mold by baking a Chocolate Cake a la Vera Slawinski. The recipe is published on the back of the SL14 postcard available online via the Download button.

If you are interested, you will need to wait because the S-XL Cake Mold is out of stock at Vessel right now. Or you can preorder now and pay less at Charles & Marie. Canadians will be happy to know that you can order at Vessel with no duty charges.

Sourcing:
Buy online: S-XL Cake Form at Vessel – price: $49 USD
Buy online: S-XL Cake Mold – Presale Feb. 2008 at Charles & Marie – price: $33 USD
Learn more: Web site of Konstantin Slawinski

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New more efficient food preparation tools pop up constantly. If you are invited by someone that like to cook and you do not know what to bring as a hostess gift, why not take a look at the best of the crop in specialized kitchen tools. My hostess gift ideas are all under 30 dollars.

I select Sur La Table online store because they got a nice selection. You can also stop at a local shop that specialized in fine cooking. I like to support my local independent retailers because these small shop owners are often passionate and they bring us more innovative and well designed products.

Vegetable brushes are often awkward to hold. This one called Chef’n Palm Vegetable Brush let you slip your middle finger so that the head rests in your palm. At $4.95 USD each, you can stock up a few Chef’n Palm Vegetable brushes and get helpers at the food preparation station.

Invented by a surgeon, Van Vacter Avocado Knife is neat. You can do it all with this avocado multiple blades knife. The serrated stainless steel blade cuts through tough peel, the sharp spikes quickly remove pit, the rounded tip quickly slices and dices while the flat side of blade removes the peel. The Van Vacter Avocado Knife is sold for $19.95 USD.

The Avocado Slicer by Progressive is another great tool. It is a must to nicely plate your avocado for a salad. If you make your own guacamole, the avocado speeds up the process because it slices and removes the peel in one movement. This product is widely available in stores for $14.95 USD.

I took the Avocado Slicer picture from Cooking.com, an online store that I recommend because I always got a great service from them. Customers of Cooking.com wrote lots of product reviews to help you make your choice. Sur La Table carries the same Avocado Slicer but their picture was not as nice.

These colorful die cast aluminum squeezers let you neatly press out pure juice and leave behind seeds and pulp out of citrus halves. I do not know about this particular brand but I know that this technique is appreciated by many cooks. There is one for lime, one for lemon and one for orange. These citrus squeezers start at $12.95 USD. Because you need three, I will give these to someone with a large kitchen.

If you are looking for a high-end hostess gift, take a look at David Rocco’s Dolce Vitae Olive wood collection. The Lemon Reamer got my vote of appreciation. There are many wood lemon reamers out there, many that are a lot cheaper but the Dolce Vitae Lemon Reamer has an authentic look and feel that makes it a first-class hostess gift.

The David Rocco’s Dolce Vitae Olive wood Lemon Reamer retail price is $29 CAD. This collection is only available in Canada for the moment. The products are imported from Italy. I located two shops in Montreal and Toronto where you can find the DRDV olive wood collection:

Cuisine Gourmet – 2 locations in Montreal:
- 2005 rue Drummond 514.845.0372
- Centre Rockland 514.344.6190
Junors at Bayview Village Shopping Center , Toronto 416.223.0910

Buy online: Chef’n Palm Vegetable Brushes at Sur La Table
Buy online: Van Vacter Avocado Knife at Sur La Table
Buy online: Citrus Juicers at Sur La Table
Buy online: Avocado Slicer by Progressive at Cooking.com
Get info on: David Rocco’s Dolce Vitae Olive wood Lemon Reamer on David Rocco’s Web site

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+ Blown Glass Kitchen Tools
+ Comfort Food Christmas Gift Ideas

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