Become a pro in the kitchen with the help of right tools
More and more Americans are spending time in their kitchens cooking, or at least learning to cook.
Whether it’s to relieve stress or to avoid trips out of the house to buy takeout, people have taken up to cooking and baking. Social media platforms are filled with pictures of sourdough loaves, cakes, pies, pickles, and anything and everything that is homemade. As a result bakeware and home freezers sold at record rates this spring.
But to enjoy the experience of cooking and baking and to have a dish come out well, it is only fair that a homecook is equipped with the proper and convenient tool or gadget.
If you are among those who have been experimenting more in the kitchen this year, we’ve got a roundup of new and unique kitchen gadgets you might like to check out.
Summer favorites
“ScoopThat!” ice cream scoop: This special ice cream scoop warms up in the heat of your hand, so it “scoops ice cream perfectly even if you forget to take it out of the freezer ahead of time,” says Jen Clark, owner of Crate. $19.95 at Crate in Scott. cratecook.com.
Cuisinart ice cream maker:
This machine has a 2-quart capacity and allows you to make frozen treats in under 30 minutes. Regular price $185; on sale for $89.95 at Crate.
Koosa corer: Used for coring zucchini, eggplant or summer squash, this little tool is perfect for preparing these garden staples for stuffing. $2.99 at Pitaland in Brookline. pitaland.com.
Watermelon Keg tapping kit:
Turn a watermelon into a drink dispenser with this unique keg tapping kit. $29.99 at In the Kitchen, Strip District. shopinthekitchen.com.
Cherry Chomper: If you’re picking fresh cherries this summer, or even if you’re just buying them from the store, you can use this gadget to pit them for your pies or jam. This is a new item this summer at In the Kitchen. $14.99.
Mini berry colanders: This set of tiny colanders can be used to give berries a gentle washing. $12.99 at In the Kitchen.
Chicken leg griller & jalapeno roaster: This rack-style
gadget allows you to stand drumsticks up for even grilling. $22.99 at In the Kitchen.
Monogrammed steak brand and carving board: Sear your initials into your grilled steaks and chops with an iron brand forged by a Texas cattle rancher. The brand also comes with a carving board with a well to catch juices and a wallmounting storage rack for the brand. Although Williams-Sonoma stores are located in Ross, Shadyside and Mt. Lebanon, this particular item is available only on the chain’s website because it’s personalized to order. $89.95-$99.95 (depending on choice of single, double or triple initials) at williamssonoma.com.
Year-round picks
Maamoul molds:
Maamouls, nut-filled Middle Eastern cookies, are made using wooden molds that create intricate designs. The traditional molds are sold for $4.99 at Pitaland in Brookline.
Flat-bottomed ladle:
Made in Japan, this ladle has a flat bottom and a sort of spout along a corner. According to the packaging, the product is meant to pour “smoothly without spilling the soup.” $3.19 at Panda Supermarket in Squirrel Hill. facebook.com/PandaSupermarket2017.
Salt plate: Himalayan salt plates can be used for grilling or oven-baking meats or nearly any type of food. Some of the salt transfers into the food during cooking for added flavor. $49.99; a separate book of recipes to use with the plate is $8.99, both are from In the Kitchen.
New foods
Here are a couple of food items that are new, at least to the Pittsburgh area.
Ripple Foods vegan frozen dessert: Pea protein from yellow peas is used to make this protein-rich ice cream alternative that is shipped to consumers in the Pittsburgh area. If you order by July 31, you can get a four-pack or six-pack at full price and a second one for 50 percent off. Flavors include vanilla, cinnamon churro, chocolate, mint chip and cookies & crème. $23.99 for a 4-pack; $34.99 for a 6-pack at shop.ripplefoods.com.
Butter Chicken and Saag Paneer spice mixes:
Priya Osuri, owner of Anar Gourmet Foods, has created two new spice mixes. The spices come in packets and can be used to make Saag Paneer (spinach with Indian cheese) or butter chicken. Ms. Osuri has previously released packets for chicken tikka masala, curry dishes and other popular Indian foods. Each spice packet can be used to prepare a meal feeding four to six people. $7.99 at T-Bones Marketplace or Naturally Soergel’s, both in Franklin Park, or at anargourmetfoods.com.