I hate trying to decide what to have for dinner. If I don’t plan it out the week before, I either end up ordering take-out every night of the week or I eat every snack in the house instead of cooking a real meal. The issue here is that most of the stuff in my kitchen takes way too long to make, probably because it’s either out of a box or sitting in the freezer. There are actually only about three things I know how to cook that require little to no effort on my part. My favorite go-to meal is spaghetti because, come on, it really can’t get much easier than that.
I think the most annoying part about making spaghetti when you have to drain it. You’ve got this pot full of boiling hot water and you’ve got to dump it into a colander, without burning your hands. That doesn’t seem like a big deal because you can just put the colander in the sink, right? Well, you could, except when was the last time you actually cleaned your sink? Do you really want all those nasty food remnants from your sink to seep into your freshly cooked spaghetti? I didn’t think so. The Silicone Pop Colander (Amazon, $29.99) not only stores flat in your cabinet to save space, but it also features collapsible legs that keep its contents above the sink floor. And because it’s non-porous, non-absorbent, and dishwasher safe, you can be sure that your cooking won’t be tainted by those of previous meals. The only drawback is that you need a sink a bit on the larger side in order to fit the collapsible legs. I’m afraid those out there with double sinks won’t be able to partake.
Not only is spaghetti incredibly tasty, but it’s dirt cheap and it lasts forever. I could probably eat nothing but a box of spaghetti for a whole month. Ok, well maybe it won’t last that long, but you get the idea.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Collapsible design keeps contents above sink floor
-Space saving
-Withstands heat up to 250 degrees
-Non porous and non absorbent
-Available in red or gray
-Made of silicone
-Dishwasher safe
I’m getting to that age where just about everyone I know is married or getting engaged. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with cohabitation and legal unification, but I’m running out of gift ideas for these people. You don’t want to be that guy who gets a toaster for every wedding, regardless of whether the couple even wants/needs it, just because you’re too lazy to get a little creative in the gift department. When selecting a gift for someone, the most important thing to remember is to know your audience. Is the recipient an artsy type? Do they live in a tiny apartment? Will they be so embarrassed by your lack of good taste that they’ll be forced to hide your gift in the closet, only to take it out when you come over? These are all very important questions to consider.
With those ideas in mind, the Stacking Drinking Glasses (Plasticland, $20.00) make a fantastic housewarming/engagement/wedding present. For starters, who couldn’t use a couple more glasses at their disposal? You always think you have enough, but glasses have a weird way of migrating throughout the house, not to be heard from for months. Those with storage-deficient kitchens will love this set of three glasses because they nest. Just like the Russian dolls printed on the side of each glass, these glasses fit together to save space. And don’t fret about hand-washing them because even though the glasses have cute colorful prints on the side, they’re dishwasher safe!
These glasses are so cute, I’m tempted to chuck my current ones and buy a bunch of these. Not only are they are they space saving, but they’re adorable. Can you say the same about your glassware? I didn’t think so.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Capacity: 8 oz, 10 oz, and 14 oz
-Set of 3 nesting glasses
-Features brightly colored babushkas on each glass
-Made of borosilicate glass
-Dishwasher safe
A lot of people don’t cook because it’s just too much of a hassle. The same thing can be said for baking – even with the help of Aunt Betty (Crocker, that is), you still have to measure, mix, and not screw up your dessert of choice. Sadly, homemade sweets and treats just taste better than their store bought counterparts. And I don’t even have to explain to you how much better Mom’s mac n’ cheese is than Kraft. But you need extensive skills and complicated utensils to make such delicious delicacies, right?
I’m not gonna lie to you, there will be some effort involved in the creation of foodstuffs. But with the right tools, it won’t be so bad. Take the Adjustable Rolling Pin (Generate Design, $33.00), for example. Seemingly just a jazzed up version of an ordinary rolling pin, it can make cooking and baking easy even to those for whom the kitchen is a foreign country. With the help of three sets of removable discs, this rolling pin can adjust to three different heights. Meaning, you don’t have to worry about whether your pie or pizza crust is the exact thickness it needs to be because the rolling pin does the work for you. It even has measurements on the actual rolling pin so you know how big the dough is once it’s rolled out. All you have to do is put a little muscle into it and you’ll be feasting on something scrumptious in no time.
Ok, so since we’re being truthful here, I will admit that I have been known to buy a frozen pie crust or two. But please don’t tell anyone – it’ll totally destroy my image over at Bakers R Us, and I’ve got a rep to protect.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 16.5″ x 2.75″ x 2.75″
-Includes rolling pin and 3 sets of removable discs
-Adjusts to 1/16″, 1/4″, and 3/8″ thickness
-Beech rolling pin must be hand washed and naturally dried
-Discs and locking nut are dishwasher safe
-Made of beech wood and plastic
I’m always on the hunt for a new travel mug. In my mind, you can never have too many because they’re constantly getting misplaced or stolen by friends or family members. I don’t know if you know this, but it’s incredibly hard to find a decent travel mug. First, it has to be functional, in that it can accommodate hot or cold beverages. Second, it has to fit in the car, on your desk, or basically wherever you intend to use it. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, it mustn’t leak. Finding a travel mug that does all these things is considered the holy grail of beverage containers.
The Coffee & Teabrew Travel Mug (Wrapables, $24.95) satisfies all the above requirements and even takes it one step further by offering fresh brewing. That’s right, you can brew fresh coffee or tea on the go, directly in your new favorite travel mug. With a special fine mesh filter basket, you just have to put the makings for your beverage of choice in the filter, pour in boiling water, and you’re all set. The stainless steel mug’s vacuum thermal construction keeps your beverage hot and features an easy open top instead of a small drink hole. The set also includes a convenient travel bag for your mug, with a carrying handle and an exterior mesh pocket for your coffee or tea supplies.
Did you know that by brewing loose tea, you’re eliminating all that excess packaging (tea bags, staples, string) and actually helping save the environment? I bet you had no idea you were such a humanitarian. On behalf of people everywhere, I’d like to say thanks.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8″ x 2.75″
-Capacity: 14oz
-Includes convenient travel bag with carrying handle and exterior mesh pocket
-Mug brews fresh tea or coffee
-Mesh filter brewing basket
-Vacuum thermal construction
-Easy open top
-Made of stainless steel
Could it get any hotter outside? Seriously, it feels like I’m living on the surface of the sun. I’m all for some nice weather and I couldn’t be happier that the terrible winter is finally over, but it’s pretty freaking hot out. I wish we could have had a nice steady increase in temperature instead of waking up to 90+ degrees out and basically melting into a puddle. During these sweltering summer months, it’s important to slather on the SPF, take cover in the shade, and most importantly, stay hydrated. The best way to do that is with a nice tall glass of freezing cold water. And how do you get your water super cold? Ice, of course!
With the Quick Snap Ice Tray (Drinkstuff, £7.99), you’ll get so much more than the standard ice cube tray. Made of strong durable plastic, this ice tray is unique in that it lets you remove any of its 12 ice cubes one by one. That’s right, you only eject the number of cubes you need at that given moment. Using a quick release mechanism on the bottom of the tray, you just have to twist the tray to loosen the cubes and then push switch for the number of ice cubes you want. Not only does it cut down on the number of ice cube trays that get ruined by excessive twisting because you can’t get all the cubes out or the mess you make when trying to get just one cube out and they all fall on the floor, but it’s also great for germaphobics because you never have to touch the ice cubes.
I can’t be the only one who’s constantly dropping ice cubes all over my kitchen floor. I mean, why do they make these ice cube thingies so hard to operate?
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 40mm x 115mm x 275mm
-Weight: 150g
-Makes 12 cubes
-Quick release mechanism
-Removes cubes one at a time
-Dishwasher safe
-Made of strong durable plastic
-Not available for delivery in the United States or Canada
