AROUND THE KITCHEN ~ TASTINGS AND BEYOND

 

(Prang's aids for object teaching--The kitchen - Library of Congress)

  

I’ve always enjoyed trying new foods, new recipes and new kitchen prep tools.   For the most part, these discoveries have enhanced my food kingdom.  In this article, I’m sharing with you some recent finds that fall into this broad category.  Of interest are the grouping of related items discovered at the recent and massive International Home + Housewares Show (IHA), held in Chicago at McCormick Place this past March.  This annual event puts on display the industry’s latest and greatest in product innovation, technological advancement, design, color, and convenience. 

With over 2,200 exhibitors set-up in three separate buildings, in aisle space alone, there’s over twenty-two miles of eye candy; then there are the 30,000 plus trade visitors from all parts of the world.  The IHA was a four-day product and services extravaganza, complete with hundreds of professional development workshops, keynotes and a show favorite, cooking demos by celerity chefs and cookbook authors on the expo floor and in the cooking theater.  Much of the show had to do with inter-connectivity of cooking with handheld devices (e.g. Smartphones, iPads, etc.); I’m old school and preferred the basics approach, which was still very much present at this impressive event.  For more information on this outstanding event, go to http://www.houewares.org/show. 

As is my custom, I’m only featuring those products I’ve actually tested in my home kitchen.  As newer launched products become available, received and tested, I’ll feature those in future articles; noteworthy is that many of the exhibited products won’t be launched to the consumer until sometime during the fourth quarter.  

~ The Housewares Show ~

  

Squish Expandable Over the Sink Colander ~ I fell in love with this line and especially this collapsible, removable and all-around must-have food preparation Colander.  If a product can make food preparation fun and effortless, then this one wins hands-down!  This Colander is adaptable to varying sink widths for easy rinse and drain chores and converts to removable two-quart baskets for individualized chores; the baskets are also self-standing, quick draining and dishwasher safe’ made of non-toxic materials.  The entire Squish Expandable line offers colorful and practical ways to prep foods.  http://www.robinsonus.com/Brands/Squish.aspx

 

The Original GreenPan ~ 3d I Love Fish & Vegetables 10” Frypan ~ The dimpled surface of the Frypan allowed for sautéing or stir frying delicate food items like fish or vegetables evenly, with an evenly distributed and maintained temperature; distribution of oil or liquids were also evenly distributed and maintained; this prevented bruising of the delicate flesh of the contents.  Less oil was needed for cooking, making recipes healthier and virtually fat-free.  GreenPan led the way with the Ceramic Thermolon™ technology; this first of its kind in the non-stick cooking arena allowed for a healthy non-stick cooking surface that was also scratch resistant, warp-resistant, and easy to clean.  Using the 3d I Love Fish & Vegetables Frypan, I made a healthy and delicious Caponata using the recipe from the “GreenPan The Perfect Pan Cookbook”.  I also made sautéed mushrooms on one occasion, and sautéed sliced apples on another.  The versatility of this pan made cooking effortless and goof-proof; there also weren’t any food odor transfers either, despite the variety of food items prepared.  http://www.green-pan.us/us/3d-cookware-7207.htm

Tervis 16 oz. Tumbler ~ Since 1946, Tervis has been the definitive insulated tumbler design with its patented air sealed, double walled fabrication that keeps hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold longer than conventional drinkware; there’s also with minimal condensation and so far, I haven’t noticed any staining whether I have coffee or tea; I also don’t notice any coffee taste when I have tea; products have a lifetime guarantee, are dishwasher safe and made of non-toxic materials; they’re also made in America. http://www.tervis.com

Pure Safe Shell 20 oz. Glass Bottle ~ The best selling feature about this take-with product is that it has a patented design so in the event it falls or is dropped on the floor, breakage and shattering is self-contained, and any liquid inside remains inside without splattering about; when a conventional glass bottle falls and breaks, any liquid contents go flying, as do broken pieces of glass.  The downside to this product is that it’s weighty even when it’s empty, since glass is a heavier substance compared to plastic products, when it’s filled with a liquid, it becomes even weightier, making it’s portability an issue. http://www.pureglassbottle.com

~ Food Tastings ~

 

Dave’s Gourmet Pasta Sauces ~ Organic Red Heirloom, Butternut Squash, and Wild Mushroom ~ For some cooking purists, even considering using a jar of pre-made “anything” is tantmount to culinary heresy, but when it comes to these tasty gluten-free Gourmet Pasta Sauces, all of that becomes folly.  For that just picked off of the vine taste, the Organic Red Heirloom Gourmet Pasta Sauce has that just-picked fresh taste.  Made from all organic ingredients, this delicious sauce is made from heirloom and other tomato varieties, onions, carrots, fresh garlic, EVOO, basil and oregano; loved this over cavatappi.  The Butternut Squash Gourmet Pasta Sauce had just the right balance of sweetness to it, so that the squash melded in falvor and texture with tomatoes; I loved how it dressed up basic turkey meatballs.  Winner of New York’s 2009 Fancy Food Show Best Pasta Award, primary ingredients include butternut squash, tomato paste, red bell pepper, celery, onion, and garlic.  The Wild Mushroom Gourmet Pasta Sauce was an outstanding tasty sauce that had plenty of umami going on for the palette; primary ingredients include tomatoes, mushroom mélange (shiitake, porcini, button, etc.), onions, carrots, and EVOO; delicious over sautéed white button/oyster mushrooms and sliced Portobello.  All three sauces were delicious as a standalone over pasta, polenta, quinoa, or rice, or perfect when used in a recipe that included meat, poultry or fish.  This is definitely the right sauce with the perfect taste for carnivores and vegans.  http://www.davesgourmet.com/

TCBY New Silk Vanilla Almond Frozen Yogurt ~ Just in time for the heat of summer, this luscious and intensely refreshing Frozen Yogurt treat, is perfect!  And, if you’re a fan of delicious rich-tasting Silk Almond Milk, you’re going to absolutely love this frozen version that’s also dairy-free and gluten-free.  A welcome treat for those that are lactose-intolerant or who have celiac disease.  Better than ice cream and just as refreshing and tasty!  http://www.tcby.com

Real McCoy’s All Natural Organic Baked Vermont White Cheddar Rice Puffs ~ I received an insufficient amount of product to adequately review for quality and consistency.  That being said, the product’s taste was dense and had a very chewy texture, and wasn’t at all airy or “puffy”, and lacked a snappy crunch.  The white cheddar taste was difficult to discern and virtually non-existent, although it had a trace amount of white cheddar dust on the pieces.  http://www.realmccoysnax.com

~ Lastly ~ 

Keep your culinary palette primed by continuing to discover the new and never before tried.

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to always celebrate yourself and your culinary curiosity.  Happy cooking…happy eating…happy drinking.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN continues perfecting her passion for food and wine.  She has been covering culinary related for many years as it relates to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.  Her popular blog, Terry's Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To has featured formidable reviews of cookbooks, restaurants, wine and food, food prep and tools, chef interviews, and coverage of prestigious events such as the International Home+Housewares Show, the National Restaurant Show and the Sweets and Snacks Expo.  She has been published since the mid-1990s in both consumer and trade publications, and is regarded as an expert in spa, beauty, wellness, travel and lifestyle, and is frequently interviewed by publications for her expert content.  She has also presented at major industry conferences, and has served with distinction on numerous governing and advisory boards.  She has a background in strategic and qualitative management, consulting, and motivational speaking.  Her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Cision Seek or Shout, Plaxo, Red Room, Pinterest, and Tripatini.  For additional information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.

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(Introductory photo credit from www.time2design.biz; all other photo credits, as represented by the specific brand.)