Category: Kitchen

Jul 15

These Oxo Pop Containers are for anyone who has ever struggled to pry the lid from plastic storage bins or screw the lid off heavy glass storage jars.

containers.pngSold separately, these stackable airtight containers come in 11 sizes and shapes and feature a clever pop-up button that seals the container and doubles as a handle.pop-top.png

The stackable, squared-off design means no wasted space in the pantry or fridge and the containers are see-through so everything is easily visible.

The bottoms have no-skid feet so when you handle them they won’t slide around. And even the smallest container has a mouth wide enough to get a measuring spoon inside - perfect for keeping spices.

Jul 15

The Chop Stir is a useful cooking tool for people with limited hand function and/or vision issues.

chop-stir.pngIt is light weight, easy to see and grip, and stands up on its own and won’t fall into the hot pot and need to be fished out.

The manufacturer says the chopping blade easily breaks up ground meat so a dish cooks more quickly and uniformly, and the blade can be used for stirring soups and casseroles. The plastic blade won’t scratch nonstick cookware; dishwasher safe. 10″ long x 3″ diameter.

Cait says she’s seen them at junk yard sales but didn’t know what they were until now. She says she definitely plans to grab one now that she knows what to do with it.

Eds Note: Translated, that last paragraph means Cait wouldn’t dream of paying retail for a new Chop Stir but she might part with 50 cents for a used one.

Jul 14

Of the many cookbooks for diabetics, this book is the only one on African-American cooking, according to the American Diabetes Association.

soul-food.pngCait and her husband, Doug, developed a fascination with the American South and its food when they moved stateside from their native Canada.

They travel each year to The South to eat cooking like the dishes described in this book: barbecue pulled pork, fried okra, orange sweet potatoes, shrimp jambalaya - Cajun, Creole soul food favorites!

Now Cait can eat healthy versions of these at home knowing that each recipe adheres to the new nutrition guidelines of the American Diabetes Association and is guaranteed to be low in saturated fat.

As a teaser, we’re giving you the recipe for the Soul Food Corn Pudding, which The Washington Post said was the most flavorful, and had the fewest calories, of four low-fat corn puddings their cooking writers tried. And it takes less than an hour to make and bake.

Jul 14

These fun stacking bowls have a date feature in the lid so you can set it and not have to remember how long ago you put it in the fridge.

bowls.pngOr “the Rotter,” as Marty’s mother called the fridge because she said, “You put things in there, forget about them and they rot.”

The lid has a built-in vent so you can use the bowls as a steamer in a microwave. The bowls, which ThinkGeek.com promotes as bowls designed to make co-workers think twice about stealing your lunch, are lightweight, easy to handle and safe in the dishwasher.

The radioactively bright colors ensure they won’t be able to hide and get lost behind other items in your rotter fridge.

You also can find these at Target.

Jul 9

These cute Eiko egg cookers give you the perfect breakfast egg without burning yourself and can be used as an egg cup when it’s time to eat it.

egg-in-pan.pngYou hang the egg cooker over the edge of a pot of boiling water, then remove the eggs by grasping the cool handle, run under cool water, and eat - right from the cup, which stands up on its own.egg-cup.png

The colors allow you to differentiate cooking times based on how long each member of your family likes their eggs done.

You can also buy matching plastic egg spoons that avoid tainting the flavor o the egg like metallic spoons sometimes do.

The cups and spoons are dishwasher safe and made from heat- and scratch-resistant polycarbonate.

Jul 8

We’re not sure if this is a true Gimpliment or just another gadget to consume space and grow dust on your counter.

oilwand.pngWe do, however, love the idea of the OilWand - an oil baster and brush that releases oil with a light squeeze of the baster and a heat-resistant silicone brush that spreads the oil over a hot pan or food. The wand stores in its own base when done.

The manufacturer claims the OilWand has a dripless valve to prevent leakage, is heat-resistant to 650°F/340°C and is dishwasher safe.

Jul 6

A friend of ours loves her Palm Peeler for skinning potatoes, mangos and butternut squash.

palm-peeler.pngWe prefer our OXO Peeler for most prep jobs but the Palm Peeler definitely has a place in the kitchens of people who can’t grip the handle of a conventional peeler.

The Palm Peeler, which has a soft rubber finger grip, takes a little getting used to because you can’t see the blade in motion. That’s why it’s best for bigger contoured fruits and vegetables rather than, say, skinny carrots.

Jun 11

If you’re like us, you’re always grabbing at the closest thing when it comes time to take something out of the oven or to wipe your hands while cooking.

apron.pngThis sturdy cotton apron puts it all at your disposal with oven mitts sewn into the front flaps and two buttons at the waist from which to hang dish towels.

This apron from Holland emphasizes safety and economy - giving you a lot of bang for the buck. Available in olive or navy.

May 22

Cait likes this Hues N Brews set because she can carry her tea, cup and milk to the table all at once and still have a free hand for her cane.

tea-for-one.pngEach of the three pieces has its own foot print indented on the ceramic plate to prevent them from sliding around.

The set includes an 18 ounce teapot, 9 ounce mug, creamer and tray. This set features the espresso and copper tones from the Branches collection.

Eds. Note: Cait has no trouble moving the set from kitchen counter to table while Marty, who has issues with carpal tunnel, finds the set a little too heavy for comfort.

May 1

Many of us have trouble wresting tight lids from jars - especially those vacuum-sealed screw-on lids.

In this story, Texas writer Carolyn Poirot of The Star-Telegram test-drives six jar openers from gripper cloths to an electric opener that resembles a small hovercraft in a science fiction movie.

Using suggestions from The Arthritis Foundation, Poirot’s article may be useful for anyone affected with arthritis, carpal tunnel or simply weak hands, fingers, wrists or lower arms.

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