Costco Connection - September 2006

foryour home

Small appliances

^dodoublle duty

Gadgets lend a helping hand

SAM TROUT

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By Jennifer Heyns

ARE YOU one of those people who have a kitchen counter lined with small appliances, each with its own special function? Well, it’s time to get creative.

Tom Douglas, Seattle restaurateur and Costco member, says that he loves using small appliances to help him prepare meals for large groups.

“They are one less employee I have to hire,” he jokes. “They’re like an extra set of hands.”

Many small appliances are more versatile than you think. We asked several professional cooks and appliance representatives for ideas. Here’s a look.

Rice cooker: Cooking rice is just one of the great things it can do, according to Bob Trout, independent representative for Aroma, a manufacturer of rice cookers.

Add chicken and chiles to the cooker along with the rice for an entire meal. Rice cookers can also be used to make soups and to steam vegetables.

FoodSaver: Also known as a lifesaver in many households, this fairly new kitchen gadget is designed to vacuum-pack food. But users have found it to be handy in many other ways. In fact, the manufacturer, Tilia, has an entire section of its

Web site ( www.foodsaver.jarden direct.com) dedicated to consumer write-ins about the new uses they’ve found for their FoodSaver. Tips include sealing open tubes of caulk or glue or paint-sat-urated paintbrushes to keep them from drying up, making individual servings of ”dog food or laundry detergent to take on trips and vacuum packing sweaters to store them until winter.

Coffee grinder: Whole spices,

such as cloves or cumin seeds, can be combined in the grinder to create various rubs or freshly ground

to be used by themselves. (Be sure to clean thoroughly so the spices and coffee don’t flavor each other the next time you use it.) Blade-type grinders can also be used to grind nuts; burr grinders are best left to grinding coffee beans only.

Douglas, who sees being a chef as “the highest profession in the land,” uses his coffee grinder for spices so often that he keeps a second one dedicated for this purpose.

Food processor: Who says you can’t teach an old appliance new tricks? Chef Michelle Bernstein, Oster spokeswoman, enjoys making quick fruit ices with her food processor.

“Freeze the fruit mixture overnight in a shallow metal pan. The next morning put it in the processor and pulse until smooth, working in small batches,” she says.

When you are finished processing, refreeze in individual servings and serve when ready.

Toaster oven: Just right for the mini-chef! Children can use toaster ovens to practice making their own gourmet meals, sort of a substitute Easy-Bake Oven, or for crafts such as Shrinky Dinks—both with plenty of adult supervision, of course.

Cut-ups: Susan McCorkindale, a freelance writer and former marketing director for Family Circle, has many uses for another kitchen tool.

“I use my pizza cutter for cutting up spaghetti or pancakes or slicing sandwiches in half more quickly,” she says.

No doubt, small kitchen appliances were designed to make our lives easier, but used creatively (and safely) they can really be indispensable. C

Leslie Watson

Housewares Buyer

WHETHER YOU LOVE to cook or only dabble in culinary endeavors, the new Kirkland Signature™ 14- piece hard-anodized cookware set is a practical addition to any kitchen.

I’m excited about this set for several reasons. First, the tulip shape bows slightly at the top, a trendy design that reflects what’s popular in other brands. The frying pans have an extra flare at the rim to make removing food easier. The set also features stainless steel handles, an ultra-smooth exterior and DuPont-technology nonstick surface.

Another new feature of this set is an 8-inch frying pan, which replaces the square griddle in the previous set. Other pieces include two additional frying pans, three covered saucepans and a stockpot with a steamer insert.