I really love to bake, but the problem with baking is that it’s very rarely single serving style. I mean, sure I want a few leftovers but I don’t think it’s healthy for me to eat a whole tray of brownies by myself just so they won’t go to waste. And even if you have a larger amount of people to bake for, there’s no guarantee that they won’t wuss out and spout some nonsense about being on a diet or being full – whatever, dude, it’s still totally your fault that I have to throw away 16 out of 24 delicious cupcakes.
If only there was a way to still be able to make your favorite dessert without the guilt of throwing away most of the leftovers…something like the Split Decision Pie Pan (Taylor Gifts, $16.98), perhaps? Who in their right mind would make one giant pie that no one will finish when they could make two pie halves that everyone can enjoy? Ok, so if you were of the one giant pie persuasion, you can still do that with this pan because it comes with removable nonstick inserts. Once the pie is done baking, just lift and serve for easy removal that won’t break the crusts.
I can’t stress enough how great of an idea this is for holiday baking – nobody wants to bake a whole mince pie just because it’s Grandpa’s favorite when they could instead bake half a mince pie and half a pecan pie.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ diameter
-Bake two pies in one pan
-Includes pie pan and two inserts
-Create two halves or one full size pie
-Lift and serve
-Nonstick coating for even baking
-Easy cleanup
-Made of coated carbon steel
Society has basically run out of ideas. Whether it’s music and movies or some other kind of media, there seems to be an absence of original thought as of late. In fact, it seems there aren’t even a whole lot of unique gadgets out there, just a lot that claim to be improvements on the original. Some genuinely are better than their predecessors. Others, not so much.
It’s up to you whether you think the Bodum Bistro Flatbed 4-Slice Toaster (Amazon, $69.95) is better than the traditional two-slice model or just a hunk of overpriced junk. Before you judge though, let’s go over the facts. It’s got to be hard to rethink a toaster, but the general idea is that a toaster’s walls were way too confining when it came to large bread items. This design cuts out the walls completely and gives you a flat toasting surface that works with any size or type of bread. If you’re working with a standard piece of bread, you can fit up to four slices on at a time but you are limited to toasting one side at a time so your total crisping time may increase. That’s pretty much the only difference here as all the other usual toaster amenities can be found: variable shade settings, defrost and reheat options, slide out crumb tray, and on/off indicator light. You’ve got to admit, it does a lot cooler than your mom’s toaster.
A lot of people like to complain about how you can’t use this toaster under a cabinet and that it doesn’t have any safety restrictions. I guess this is a toaster for capable adults then.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 14 3/5 x 10 1/5 x 3
-Flatbed toaster with stainless steel heating surface
-Toasts 1 side at a time
-Toasts up to 4 slices at a time
-Works with any size or type of bread
-Variable shade settings from 1 to 9
-Defrost and reheat options
-Slide out crumb tray
-On/off indicator light
-Made of stainless steel with black silicone finish
-1 year limited warranty
I know it’s a little early to be thinking about Halloween, but realistically you’ve only got a couple of months to get together a kickass costume. That’s not a lot of time if you’re going to go the totally awesome (and only acceptable) route and make your own costume. And if you’re going to throw a Halloween party, you’d better start planning your shindig because scary spooktaculars don’t throw themselves.
When preparing for a Halloween extravaganza, the important thing to remember is to really run with the theme. Anything and everything that can be Halloweenized should be, including yourself. The Spooky X-Ray Skeleton Bones Apron (Plasticland, $29.00) is a great way to get into the holiday spirit when making dirt or shrunken apple heads. For one thing, you won’t get fake blood and other tasty delights all over your killer crazy costume. Alternatively, if you’re the type of total lameoid who doesn’t dress up for Halloween, you can at least pretend to be in the spirit with this apron. Bonus: it doesn’t have to be All Hallow’s Eve to wear this skeletal garment.
If you’re looking for theme-appropriate cuisine to serve at your party, check out this blog for super easy yet incredibly impressive ideas.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 34″ long
-Screen printed skeleton bones graphic
-Adjustable neck strap
-Waist tie
-Available in pink pop, licorice black, or acid green
-Made of 100% cotton
-Machine wash
If you like to cook like I do, then you know that the secret to a truly tasty dish is quality spices (and lots of them). Having a well-rounded spice selection can certainly take your meal from bland to grand, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number you’ll manage to accumulate. I mean, where are you supposed to put all these tiny bottles in your modest kitchen? I’ve tried shoving them all in a cabinet, only to pull every last bottle out in order to find my spice of choice hidden way in the back. That’s no way to cook!
A much more sane way to cook is to use the Spice Stack (Taylor Gifts, $29.98) to organize your seasonings. Fitting in most cabinets, this spice organizer holds up to 24 full-size or 48 half-size spice containers in a three-tier plastic unit. If that’s not enough space to hold your spice fortress, you can always buy two and stack them on top of each other (hence the name). Each shelf slides out and tilts down so you can easily see which spice you’re looking for. But how do you know which spices are where without opening all the drawers? Easy! Just use the preprinted spice labels to affix the appropriate spice name on its spice slot, and you’re all set. Now instead of spending your time taking all your spices out of the cabinet while desperately searching for one in particular and then having to shove the whole mess back in the cabinet again, you can simply pluck out the one you want. Perfection!
Note: Having a spice organizer does not mean you automatically possess cooking skills.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 11″ x 11″ x 8″
-Capacity: 24 full size or 48 half size bottles
-Three tier spice organizer
-Drawers pull out and flip down to reveal spices
-Preprinted spice labels affix easily to drawers
-Space saving
-Made of plastic
Have you ever gotten lemon juice in your eye? It’s not pleasant. You would think that a surefire way to avoid this sort of catastrophe would be to just boycott lemons, but what’s to stop your friends and acquaintances from accidentally squirting you with some citrus? The key here is containment.
In an effort to enjoy all your favorite lemony goodness without fear of its acids burning your eyes, why not try the Lekue Lemon Squeezer (Amazon, $9.99)? This set of two lemon squeezers allows you to not only squeeze lemon juice without worrying about splatters or squirting, but they also prevent seeds from falling into your food/drink. You control how much or how little lemon juice you want by squeezing the contraption and then replacing the attached cap. Best of all, you can even store partially used lemons inside the squeezer as it self-seals around the lemon after insertion.
I suppose you could forgo this little device and just use your hand to squeeze a lemon, but what are we, cavemen?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.3″ x 3.3″ x 2.5″
-Easily squeeze lemons
-Protects lemon halves and maximizes freshness
-Squeeze free of seeds
-No risk of splatters
-Set of 2
-Dishwasher safe
