I love to cook, and I pride myself on keeping a fairly lean and gadget free kitchen. Nevertheless, there are some kitchen tools that are so handy, once you use them you will wonder how you got along without it. This past week I surveyed my kitchen and made note of my favorite kitchen tools that would make a great gift for the cooks in your home. Come back and visit for more ideas in the days ahead!
THE SILPAT NON-STICK BAKING MAT
Baking gear has gone 21st Century with the invention of the silicone baking mat, or Silpat. This flexible and reuseable baking mat replaces cooking parchment paper or grease on the baking sheet, saving money and calories. Even better, it works fantastically well, with an easy release of food with no sticking. Simply wash it with warm soapy water and dry it for the next time you bake. Amazing! I store mine by rolling it up in my favorite vintage kitchen linen. Do make sure you buy the size that fits your baking sheet.
I love the Silpat, and I recommend purchasing two if you like to bake cookies and rotate the pans. There are also baking dishes and muffin pans now available in this same material.
Recently I read that the best way to make coffee for the true coffee lover is with a French Coffee Press. Since my daily morning ritual includes two cups of coffee, I decided I had to check it out for myself. I bought a French press, put a few scoops of coffee inside, poured hot water over the grounds, and after a minute or two slowly depressed the plunger to separate the grounds from the coffee. The model linked to above is insulated, so your coffee will stay nice and hot.
They are right; this method does produce a flavorful and markedly smoother cup of coffee! Apparently we Americans over-extract our coffee, which produces a more bitter brew. The European method of the coffee press is gaining favor here in the States as more people are discovering these little pots.
I know, it's very unromantic to consider a mop kit as a gift item. But I love this mop. Let me tell you why.
No one likes cleaning the kitchen floor, but this mop makes it quick and easy. The microfiber pads will hold three times as much water as conventional fabric. Simply wet the pad and place it on the floor, then press the mop head into the pad. The velcro makes it stick and you are ready to go! When you are done mopping, simply remove the pad and rinse it out or throw it in the washing machine.
This mop system is like the popular "Swifer" brand mops--with one essential difference: The pads are reuseable! I don't know about you, but it kills me to consider using a mop with disposable liners. Our poor planet is already sufering under a load of wasteful garbage. And don't even get me started on the Swiifer mops that are battery operated! Puh-leeze! No thanks.
This mop kit comes with the mop, and two pads--one for wet mopping and one for dusting. I recommend you buy an extra set of whichever type of pads you use most. I have a lot of tile flooring so I use two or three pads to go over the whole floor very quickly. I have used several types of floor mop, and this one is my favorite by far.
Great Ideas! I love my silpats to death
Posted by: Joe | December 11, 2005 at 08:19 PM
Hi Joe! I was just reading your blog. That's some pile of butter you got there! I used a pound myself today!
And I also love my Silpat to death. It's the greatest invention ever!
Thanks for dropping by.
A.
Posted by: Andrea | December 11, 2005 at 08:27 PM
I too love my Silpat, have 3 of them, great gift idea. Never heard of that mop though, must check out.
Posted by: Elise | December 12, 2005 at 08:50 PM
FYI, The "Descoware" was available via Blye Chip Stamps well into the '60s. I have a skillet I had gotten for my grandmother in about 1964. I've had my eye out for additional pieces for years.
Enjoy your find.
I still have some old Blue Chip Stamp catalogues showing the set.
Posted by: Scot McKibbin | September 10, 2007 at 09:49 AM