When it comes to pie, I have trouble saying no. For example, this past Thanksgiving I ate large quantities of mostly starchy foods and just about stuffed myself more than the turkey. A few hours later, I was presented with no less than four different types of pie. How many slices did I have? Three. That might not seem like a lot, but consider the massive meal eaten barely two hours prior as well as the fact that I also attended another Thanksgiving earlier in the week. Pie is my kryptonite.
What’s better than choosing from a multitude of pies? Choosing from a multitude of mini pies! The Personal Pie Factory (ThinkGeek, $26.00) allows you to make four different types of pie at one time with little to no effort! No one ever eats a whole pie because there are usually so many different choices that it’s hard to pick just one. If you had mini pie selections instead, you wouldn’t be wasting any food because it would be exactly the right amount of dessert. This contraption magically cooks four pies in less than 10 minutes, transforming raw dough into bakery perfection. And cleanup is mega easy because the entire cooking surface is coated with nonstick awesomeness.
You do have to provide your own dough and filling. I know, you might as well BUY a pie then.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 5.9″ x 9.3″ x 11″
- -Makes 4 mini pies in under 10 minutes
- -Nonstick surface
- -Easy removal and cleanup
- -Dough and filling not included
My kitchen utensils are so boring. I mean, I have more than enough gadgets to get by, but they’re just not any fun. Wouldn’t you rather use a peeler that looks like a beehive hairdo than that generic one you got from the dollar store? My thoughts exactly.
Sure, I could buy a trillion basic toothpicks, but where’s the fun in that? Also, they’re disposable so you’re pretty much committing yourself to killing the Earth. If you’re a friend of Mother Nature’s and/or a geek, then you’ll appreciate the Foodfighters Party Picks (ThinkGeek, $9.99) as an exciting alternative to banal kitchen accessories. The set comes with twelve army men, six green and six grey, in a variety of poses with two toothpick feet attached to the bottom of each one. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy concocting elaborate battle scenes with your food!
May the best man win!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Set of 12 army men toothpicks
- -Includes 6 green and 6 grey
- -Handwash recommended
- -Made of plastic
Sometimes I feel like I take entertaining a bit too seriously. I mean, I’m the type of person who goes all out for theme parties, making sure that every snack served pertains to event or else it has no business being there at all. Needless to say, I’ve become somewhat of a snack connoisseur and yes, I am judging your snack selection.
Just because you go through all the trouble of making sure you have a wide selection of tasty treats, doesn’t mean that your sustenance will be a success. For that to happen, you not only need to make sure you have enough food but that it stays in optimal condition for the duration of your get together. What you need is the Electric Heated Dip and Chip Snack Tray (Kegworks, $39.95). What good is your homemade queso dip if it congeals into a cold clump halfway through your party? With its removable ceramic dip bowl and heating base with inline power switch, your dips and spreads will stay hot all night long. Sure, you could break out a mini crock pot and a separate chip bowl but why go through all that trouble when you this duo does the same thing all in one convenient location? And if you’re not all about hot dips all the time, you can use this snack tray without the heating base to serve cold dips as well.
I have another chips ‘n’ dip tray that looks just like this one, only it plays “La Cucaracha” every time you open the dip bowl.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 14″ x 3.25″ x 14″
-Capacity: 21oz (dip bowl)
-Electrical: 120VAC, 60Hz, 0.22A
-Keeps dips tasty and warm
-Heating base with attached inline power switch
-Retro 1950s design
-Removable ceramic dip bowl
-Plastic melamine chip tray
-Use without heating base for cold dips
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
I think if you’re going to subject yourself to the act of camping, you had better be prepared for roughing it. To be fair, my idea of “roughing it” would be to stay in a shitty hotel room, but to each their own. I went camping not too long ago and it actually wasn’t that terrible. I’m not saying I’ll be doing to again this weekend, but I managed to survive in the semi-wilderness. Next time (if there is one), there are a few things I’d bring along with me though.
Certainly not the first thing on the list (poncho, anyone?), but the Grandpa’s Firefork (Not On The High Street, £4.50) would be a handy tool to have whilst being one with nature. Depending on your level of camping skills, you might have a grill to cook your food on or you might just have to settle for an open flame, campfire style. If it’s the latter, you’ll probably want this contraption because it’s a great alternative to poking your food onto a stick you found in the woods. Don’t get me wrong, you still need the stick to use as a handle, but at least your food will stay on the clean metal part while it roasts instead of marinating in unknown woodsy bits. And since we talked about overpacking yesterday, you’ll be happy to note that this camping companion takes up barely any space and is fairly multi-use. Heck, you could even use it as a fire poker if you really wanted to.
You know what’s more fun than camping? ANYTHING.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Makes grilling easy
-Attaches firmly to any stick
-Secure storage cap included
-Can be used as a fire poker
-Great for camping
