Friday, August 24, 2012

Missy and Her Kitchen Gadgets

The Belle, here. And I'm a total sucker for gadgets! My husband has always said I'm a marketer's dream. I fall for everything I see in ads on TV,  in magazines, live demos, you name it.

I thought I'd share two recent acquisitions and their first uses.

The first: FAIL

The second: SUCCESS


We'll start with the Mission: FAIL (Disclaimer! This is only MY experience from one use and is MY personal opinion. This product may work just fine for others!)


Okay, who else out there has fallen for the sections in a store that has the "As Seen on TV" labels? Yes, I love that aisle. In this case, I bought one of those items.



This Product that Shall Remain Nameless. (although I may have left a hint.)

I guess I should preface this by saying I seem to always have trouble getting my boiled eggs to peel easily. I've tried starting eggs in hot water and starting them in cold water. But nothing has worked.  Soooo, when I saw the above box, I thought, "Cool! I could use that and quit worrying about the peel. Look at those beautiful deviled eggs on that box!" Yes, you have just lived inside my head, lucky you. ;)


So I bought them, took them home, and then bribed my daughter to wash them for me while I was cooking one evening. I promised her egg salad, one of her favorites, for her work.

First off, there are a bunch of parts that have to be put together to form the little cups. That's okay, I figured. It would be worth the effort. Still less effort than peeling.

But then I found it difficult to crack the eggs into the little holders. Found it difficult to tighten the lids tightly. And then a couple of them leaked into the boiling water.


And I used large eggs, but the finished product came out basically a half an egg! If you were going to do deviled eggs, you'd have to cook a dozen eggs to get a dozen deviled eggs (and the box only has 6).

And then, even worse, here's the mess I had left to clean up (brought back memories of washing scores of baby bottles!). All those parts! So, in my opinion, this experiment was a failure. I plan to take them back to the store.


Next, a success story.

Chef's Envy.

Disclaimer! This is very, very sharp. You have to follow the manufacturer directions. Use at your own risk. Any recommendation I make is my personal opinion based on my experience. You can't hold me responsible for any injuries! :)

Now, back to the blog...  :) But let me back up a little...

My daughter and I headed to Belk one day to look for a swim suit. Well, nothing is more torturous for me than waiting on a fifteen year old girl to try on six gazillion bathing suits only to have her reject EVERY SINGLE ONE. So I left her to her fun and went to the housewares department.

A young man was setting up to do some sort of food demo. Yes, I should have run the other direction. I  KNEW I was in danger of making a rash purchase. But then he promised a freebie for everyone who watched, and the chance for a bonus if you stayed till the end...

Well, I was a goner.

He proceeded to demonstrate the coolest thing ever and made it look easy as pie to use and clean. And he offered a bonus of a nice pair of kitchen shears for anyone who made a purchase. (And wouldn't you know the handle had broken off my old kitchen shears?! Surely this was meant to be!) So I bought one.


The other night, I pulled it out for the first time. Washed it--simple for only a few pieces. Plus, it has a decent set of instructions to show what blade to use for each food.


I planned to do white potatoes but found I only had sweet potatoes on hand. You know how hard uncooked sweet potatoes are, but I was still able to do a good job with them using the larger julienne blade. You just have to be very careful and use the hand guard! Don't push anything through with your fingers. The last few slices at the end of the potato were a bit difficult, so I ended up throwing away one wedge rather than risk getting my hand too close (or you could slice with a knife if you didn't want to waste).

Slicing in progress

Here's a video on YouTube if you're interested in seeing how it works. (click here but come back!)


And here are my potatoes! A nice size for quick cooking.


I ended up cooking in a skillet with some oil and salt. But I think next time I'll try baking. They'd probably be good deep fried as well. I also think I'd like white or red potatoes better cooked on the stove like this, because when I eat sweet potatoes, I want butter and brown sugar! :)

So someone please tell me you're also a sucker for gadgets you see in ads!

48 comments:

  1. I'm a sucker for gadgets...esp if they give a free knife or something and I came *this* close to getting those egg thingies. sure glad now that I didn't (now if they'd come in cute shapes I'd have done it for sure!)

    don't think you and I would be safe together at one of those home and garden shows...

    Susanna

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  2. Ohhhh, cool! I liked that last one.

    I hate gadgets. My sister is always giving me kitchen stuff: pastry blender, no sharp edges can opener, etc. I don't even like to use the mixer and NEVER use the blender.

    A spoon and a pan are about my limit. Maybe a sharp knife.

    But more than all the sharp things, I truly hate hot grease. There was a grease fire in my house when I was little and it gives me the willies.

    Then a friend said she had a 'fry daddy', where it's all contained in a tidy little canister and much safer. Hmmmmm.

    But then again, my diet doesn't need fried food anyway.

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    1. Pioneer woman bowl and spoon....

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! :)

      I don't do TV gadgets, but my kitchen is machine happy heaven...

      My mixers... food grinders... Cuisinart food processor... And amazing baking/roasting/cooking pans and FRYERS, plural!

      We made fried dough for the kids yesterday... And invited older kids back to hang out and eat fried dough on the side porch. That's the part of me that could be SOUTHERN!

      Virginia, the fry daddy is darling but small. I love my big double basket fryer. It's like my new BFF.

      My name is Ruthy and I love kitchen stuff!!!

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    2. QVC used to sell one that you closed then lowered the basket into the grease then raised it before opening the lid..not sure if they still sell it or not but the demo looked pretty cool. I had one of the fry daddy's or baby..and the grease would still pop out if you weren't careful. I went a bit too wild with it and sam's club having those chicken nuggets, taquitos and egg rolls...
      Susanna

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  3. My friend got the egg thingies and I think she got it to work only by doing something they showed online. Im not sure what.

    I have seen the other thing looks good.

    Oh on the demos we have a stay sharp knife here. Well everyone one stayed to the end got a free paring knife. the knife is so sharp it will cut a tomato really easy etc. well the set had the knife, a paring knife, a filleting knife and 2 staysharp knives, a small juicer. Well I wasn't going to get it so got my free paring knife then decided I would so got to keep that and as a bonus she had an extra knife (the main ones are carving knife size). So I got 3 of them 2 paring knifes which are wonderful, gave the filleting knife away also one of the knifes away also. I still have one unopened but I do use them alot they are really good. The juicer is a thing you put into a orange or fruit and pour out the juice. (haven't used them.) I am happy to have these knifes cos after about 5 years they are as sharp as the day I got them.

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    1. Jenny, I got a set of knives like that at Sam's Club and they work very well! So I can be convinced, LOL!

      I've had them for 3 or 4 years and no problems, so they've earned their keep in the Herne kitchen!

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  4. Susannah, we better not shop together, then! LOL

    Virginia, I totally understand about the grease fire scaring you off still today! When I was little, the house behind us exploded into smithereens from a gas leak. To this day, if I smell gas, I about freak out.

    I've thought many times about splurging on a Fry Daddy! But every time I stop. I might go fry-happy! I'd be tossing in Oreos and Twinkies and all kids of things I don't need. :)

    Ruthy, I'm so glad you have a touch of the gadget addiction! I don't feel so bad now. Yes, I think you can say you're southern if you eat fried dough on the porch. hahaha

    Jenny, thanks for the idea to check for the video. If they can teach me something, I'd be willing to try. I haven't taken them back yet. And you know, I think those knives you and Ruthy have may be the same ones my mom bought for me. I love them! I'll look next time I'm in the kitchen and name the brand. We can compare. :)

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    1. I can literally stand for hours entranced in just about any kitchen demo - my friend dragged me away from the waterless cookware demo - should've known if they didn't have their prices that it was expensive!
      Susanna

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  5. Missy, I too am a gadget person. However, I'm rarely suckered in by demos or TV ads. I need to touch something before I buy it. Which is probably why most items in the housewares section of Walmart/Target/World Market/etc. have my fingerprints on them.

    Speaking of Walmart and gadgets, the other day I was passing through the housewares section when something caught my eye. I mean REALLY caught my eye. The Big Boss Oil-Less Fryer. Cooks fried foods with little or no oil.

    Okay, I LOVE fried foods. Just rarely fix/eat them because of the fat and cholesterol. This item intrigued me enough to check out the website. It's got a two year guarantee, so if I don't like it I can get my money back.

    Yeah, The Big Boss Oil-Less Fryer might be at the top of my Christmas list this year.

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    1. Mindy, I'll be checking that out! Just because it sounds crazy! I'm curious how it'll work. LOL

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    2. Im wondering if I could survive in the south (your south not mine cos I do survive in the south here).
      I dont like fried foods much. Its the oil, If its canola oil its not so bad but I was at the church lunch last week and someone brought hot chips (fries) I only had around 10 of them and I was feeling sick for the next few hours. its the oil they use. I find the same issue with other things fried. When in Hawaii I just couldn't eat McDonnalds because of the oil and I loved Macca's, found out they use a corn oil and I just cant stomach it without feeling sick. even the smell put me off.

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    3. Jenny, I can't imagine! French fries are one of my favorite foods.

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    4. I dont mind McDonalds here but I dont like them as much as I use to.

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  6. To successfully peel boiled eggs, Missy.
    1) don't use really fresh eggs
    2) boil them, drain them, run cold water over them to cool down the pan and eggs for easy handling
    3) dump most but not all of the cold water off
    4) put lid on pan and gently but firmly and for a while, like 30-60 seconds, shake the pan until all the eggshells are thoroughly shattered.
    5) peel, the peels will nearly fall off
    6) go to a restaurant (Notice that restaurants NEVER serve devilled eggs, too hard!)

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    1. I do my eggs the same way, Mary. Sometimes I'll use fresher eggs, but I'm almost always sorry. I rarely have problems with the shells anymore!

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    2. Oh my gosh, I'm laughing just picturing all the racket that'll make!! :)

      Thanks for the info, Mary. Do you put them in cold water before boiling them? Or do you drop them in once the water boils?

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    3. I put eggs cold, straight from the refrigerator into cold tap water and bring that to a boil.

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  7. I bring them to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer them for 20 minutes. VERY thoroughly boiled.

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    1. I do the same, except take the eggs off the heat for 20 minutes. No more cooking after coming to a boil except to stand in hot, hot water.

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    2. I wondered if that could be you, Jan. :)

      So y'all start with them in cold water, I assume?

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    3. Yes, cold water. Right out of the tap.

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    4. Hey learnt something wasn't sure how long to cook them for etc. do you put anything in the water? I know some will put a pinch of salt.

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  8. a fry daddy hint
    1) Use the fry daddy outside. (be careful with small children of course and the electric cord, but it sets nicely on a cold grill) no smell, no splattered grease all over the kitchen.

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    1. I always use my fryers outside. Can't have that smell in the house... And I use an old table to set them on, big enough for me to cover with newsprint and paper towels for draining.

      Did you know that KFC uses pressure fryers??? Now that's a machine. Not only the danger/fun of a pressure cooker, but filled with oil.

      :)

      Maybe that's the idea behind those low-oil new fryers, Mindy. I'll have to check that out because oil is about $8-9 a gallon now.

      That's pricey.

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  9. I never bring anything into my house, kitchen gadgets included without giving it the store and dust test. "Where will I store that? Who will dust that?"
    Usually I leave stuff in the store.

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  10. I was born without the shopping gene. I avoid info-mercials, product demos and "as seen on TV".

    When I need something, I go buy it.

    If I don't need it, it won't fit in my house anyway.

    Drives my husband nuts.

    So, Missy, you just need to go shopping with Mary and I. You won't even open your purse.

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    1. Oh man, my son was on my computer again!!!

      That kid. I have no identity when he's around.

      Just for that I'm going to include a cute picture of him on Monday....

      Just in case I'm not able to sign in under my own name, my name is Jan. You know me, you really do. :(

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    2. We'll know you're the white dog, Jan. :)

      Okay, my new secret weapon for fighting my shopping addiction is to take Mary and Jan. (And Mary's mantra is now stuck in my head)

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    3. I am good at resisting these things too. I am happy to watch and see but I tend to be a I will think about it by the time I have its to late. Also I have a budget I have to think can I justify buying it, would I use it. do I really need it. with the knives yes we needed them. I go to tupperware parties and dont feel guilty if I don't buy.
      Im a country gal, I don't get to the big smoke that often and normally have limited time. I use to go for a weekend stay with friends and would have maybe 2 and a half hours to shop. I would get so annoyed that I knew what I wanted where to go and they would be looking at every little thing. I would then say how about I meet you back here in an hour. Would have done the books stores and the few things I need in the store we were in and often come back and they would still be looking at the same things as when I left. Being from the country we know what we want and know we have limited time. I cant just window shop for the sake of shopping it really bores me and I get quite grumpy. You will hear me muttering I HATE SHOPPING.

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    4. "Store and Dust Test"
      Sometime I should tell you about the "Shattered Glass and Cranapple Juice Test".

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    5. LOL, Mary. I'm afraid to find out what the shattered glass and cranapple juice test is!

      Jenny, shopping is not fun when you're with someone with totally different shopping habits. And my daughter loves to shop...as long as we're shopping for her and not me! :)

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  11. I'm going to have to watch that video, Missy. I bought something like your second one and have been unable to make it work (and I'm usually pretty good with kitchen gadgets). Sharp knife thingy went flying when I tried to use it.

    Hmmmmm.

    I don't think it was the same brand but it looks the same.

    My favorite gadgets are my silicon ice cube trays. The ice cubes just pop right out.

    My husband loves his fried egg rings, but I love the FB image I saw for using green pepper rings instead. Nothing to clean after you fry the egg in the ring cause you eat the ring too!


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  12. Mary, I love silicone items!! They make my favorite spatulas and scrapers. And muffin "tins"! I didn't even know they make ice trays. I'm excited to hear it. Christmas gifts for my mom and dad!

    Love the idea of green pepper rings, too! :)

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    1. Did you like the way the muffins come out? Using the silicone trays?

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    2. I did, Ruthy. I think I shared it on here once. They were snowflake shaped pumpkin muffins. Look under pastries to see if you can find them. I spray with a little Pam and they pop right out, even with the detailed snowflake design!

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  13. Know what I rally want! I want a new egg poacher that doesn't weigh a ton! We have a good one but its so heavy when you put the water in.
    We bought a new one about 7 years ago but someone (and yes it was me) had the element on and didn't know it and destroyed it.
    I haven't been able to find one in a shop since. I think we have a single egg poacher but I like 2. our big one holds 5 eggs.

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  14. Also I chop up boiled eggs by CRUSHING THEM IN MY BARE HANDS. It's surprisingly fun.

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  15. Jenny, I bought a poacher but have never used it! LOL At least I think it's a poacher. I should give it a look. Mary would not be pleased with me. It just catches dust!

    Mary, I never thought of that! I have a nice egg slicer like you saw in the photo. I'll have to try it therapeutically.

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    Replies
    1. Missy I love poached eggs done in the poacher. I would really love a lighter one.

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  16. That potato thingie. OH MY!!! Sweet potatoes fries. I had them last weekend at Outback. Baked-crispy and delicious and then drizzled with honey. AMAZING!@!!!!!

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    1. There you have it. I'll bake them next time, Tina! I never thought to drizzle with something sweet! LOL Forget the salt. I want sweet!

      And it was so easy. I didn't even peel the potato. Took about 5 minutes to prep.

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    2. I use honey or maple syrup with mine, Missy. And a sprinkle of cinnamon or cinnamon/sugar.

      AS IF MORE CARBS CAN ONLY BE GOOD, LOL!

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