Pending update
Kitchen Gadgetry 2010
I love experimenting in my kitchen and welcome any assistance from funky gadgets. I roam the aisles of cooking supply shops and my kitchen drawers and shelves are stuffed with my finds. Sometimes I can’t actually locate what I need, but there are a few things I bought recently that are still on the top of the pile or reside on my kitchen counter.
The Sous Vide Supreme
Sous vide cooking technique has long been available in restaurants, but the price tag and counter space they required had generally meant that home cooks would didn’t have access to the method. Now that Eades Appliances has brought us the Sous Vide Supreme, it’s a cinch for anyone who can push a few buttons.
Sous vide literally means cooking under vacuum, but its best described as cooking foods in air-tight pouches and submerging them in a water bath for the duration. Cooking times and temperature vary with different items.
What’s the point? Chef Heston Blumenthal says it best. “By vacuum-sealing the food and maintaining low temperatures, you lock in healthy nutrients, flavour and moisture. The taste and texture you get from cooking sous vide is simply spectacular”. “It’s going to revolutionize home cooking in ways that the microwave didn’t even dream of doing.”
It’s a no-fail technique that takes the guessing out of cooking meats. Tougher cuts come out tender as the protein breaks down in the cooking process. There’s also the advantage of holding the food at a given temperature without overcooking, so you can actually time your meals more precisely and cater to those late arriving guests.
http://www.sousvidesupreme.com/ – $450 online only (soon to arrive to Vancouver)
Serious Eats covers the technique with Blumenthal on their site, http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/10/understanding-sous-vide-cooking-heston-blumenthal.html
Cuisinart Pure Indulgence Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream and Sorbet Maker
Those who have toiled over a batch of ice cream using a hand cranker will love this gadget. Simply mix and pour and 25 minutes later you have a batch of healthy yogurt or decadent ice cream. It’s also small enough not to take over your entire kitchen counter and priced at $80 it won’t break the bank either.
http://www.cuisinart.ca/cuisinart_product.php?item_id=143&product_id=127&cat_id=27
Oxo Kitchen Scale
Oxo has stepped up to the plate (or scale in this case) and brought us a useful measuring device for large plates or bowls. The pull out display prevents shadowing from oversize containers. AND, you don’t need math skills to subtract the container weight from the measurement; you can press the zero button to offset the weight. The platform can be removed for cleaning, but hand-washing is recommended for all parts. http://www.oxo.com/xxoxo_ibeCCtpOXOPrdDtl.jsp?section=10057&item=63529&minisite=10024&respid=53057
T-fal Actifry
The main advantage of the T-fal Actifry is that you can cook a batch of fries with very little oil, but I like it for creating risottos without hovering over the stove to stir the rice every three seconds. The rotating arm does all the work and your stop top is freed for other dishes.
http://www.tefal.com/All+Products/Cooking+appliances/Fryers/Products/ActiFry/Actifry.htm
Kuhn Rikon Juli Peeler
Julienning veggies and fruit can be a timely endeavour, but not with this little peeler. It quickly thinly slices your cucumbers, apples, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables, into an attractive presentation for salads, stir fries or dessert topping.
Progressive Silicone Scraper
When baking and in need to transfer ingredients from one bowl to the next, this scraper gets every last drop, even from strange angels. No more waste, but your children may complain as they can’t lick the bowl clean. There’s always the egg beater!
http://www.progressiveintl.com/
Presto Bucket!
Very little storage space, but in need of an ice or wash bucket? The Presto Bucket folds flat and opens into a watertight 28 gallon bucket. Colourful and handy.
Great Gadget Sources
Gourmet Warehouse
Cookshop
Ming Wo
The Kitchen Corner
Well Seasoned – Langley
Sur La Table – Seattle
Aloha 2010
Welcome to the first official week on 2010. I sincerely hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I took some much needed time away to celebrate family. We went out to our cabin on Okanagan Lake between Vernon and Kelowna, which has neither TV or internet. The children kept me busy enough not to miss it much, and I must say, it was a nice break, although I am glad to be back in technology land.
Of course I have lots of plans for The Good Life Vancouver for the year. Among my goals are more recipes and cookbook reviews, more wine reviews, many more original posts and better photography (I just bought a Canon T1i Digital SLR, and am eagerly awaiting its arrival).
I hope to share more of the wonderful culinary adventures and tastes British Columbia has to offer, I just need a few more hours in the day to accomplish these goals. In any case, welcome to Food 2010 on The Good Life Vancouver. Here’s to many good meals and many great wines, beers and spirit derivatives to celebrate the great year that this will be.
Holiday Gifts For The Foodies In Your Life
As seen on Breakfast Television December 7
During the holiday season there’s always plenty of food and wine displayed on the market shelves, however, if you have some true food or wine geeks on your list, a box of waxy chocolate and bottle of cheap plonk just won’t do. They’ll be looking for something far more precious under their tree. Here’s a few selections that will be sure to get you invited back for dinner.
***The Salami that Don Chubai on BT was so fond of is available at Moccia’s at 2276 East Hastings (near Nanaimo)
A Basket Case
Edible British Columbia is your one-stop-shop for all things British Columbian. If you don’t have time to pick out your own basket of BC pleasures for those on your list, have them put together a Best of BC Gift that will be remembered each time an item is enjoyed by the receiver. Don’t miss items from Gone Crackers, Sister’s Secret and Mix Bakery. Throw in a gift certificate from one of their cooking classes.
Farmer’s Market Fare
If you really want to impress the foodie in your life, you won’t want to miss the Vancouver Winter Farmers’ Markets. Put together a basket of local produce, or try one of the prepared items made locally. Christopher Brown, the former owner of Ecco il Pane Bakery will be parked at the Decmeber 19th market at the Wise Hall with his breads, biscotti, marmalades, Panforte and Panettones. The Meyer Lemon Marmalade is made with organic Meyer lemons and makes a perfect gift alongside either the hazelnut, almond, fig, honey and spice Panforte or his chocolate, pear and cranberry Panettone. Rise Artisan info: christopher-brown@shaw.ca. 604 731 0739.
Soothing Teas to Calm
Stop into the newly opened Urban Tea Merchant at either their Park Royal Location or the newly opened shop at at 1070 West Georgia for some divine tea from the House of The O Dor. Pick out a teapot if the recipient has been extra good, and perhaps some of their Pink Champagne Truffles and some jams and jellies.
Get Your Apron Dirty
Dirty Apron Cooking School has exactly what you need form those budding chefs on your list. Pick up a gift vocher that comes conveniently wrapped up in a box with some foodie treats. The recipient can use it for a class, or to purchase some cooking equipment at their on premise store.
Go for the Gold
Vista D’oro Farms & Winery offers holiday gift boxes and branded wood wine crates for personal and corporate gifting. The winery’s bestseller contains a 500ml bottle of 2007 D’oro, the winery’s fortified port-style wine alongside a trio of Vista D’oro Artisanal Preserves for just $90.
Chocoholics Rejoice
Thomas Haas Chocolates has the fix for anyone craving quality chocolate. Purchase one of the truffle trees, boxed chocolates or chocolate Santas, or perhaps a Stolen to share around the office. The newest store at 2539 Broadway in Kits, makes shopping that much easier. Take a pause here for a latte and a chocolate treat for yourself.
A Baker’s Delight
Ganache Patisserie has one of the most intricate Buche Noels in the city. This is a must if you are on the hook for dessert. Why end the night on a sour note?
Go ahead and Wine
Stick local!
- La Stella Winery just outside of Osoyoos crafts a spectacular Merlot, their Allegretto. This medium bodied red has flavours of plum and dark berries, balanced acidity and a long, smooth finish. A perfect pizza wine. Available at Private Wine Shops or from the winery for $38. The name is a reminder to pair good wine not only with food, but also with music.
- If bubble is in order, bring out a bottle of Sumac Ridge Winery’s Tribute. This 100% Chardonnay has citrus, apple and pear aromas and flavours. $1.25 from each bottle’s purchase goes to the Canadian Olympic Team. Available at your BCLDB stores for $30.
- White wine fans will appreciate Road 13 Vineyard’s Jackpot Chardonnay. You’ll discover tropical notes with apple and pear. Barrel aging gives this white complex toasty notes that make it a perfect wine for roast chicken. Buy at your local BC VQA stores at $25.99.
Snack locally
If you’ve been invited to a feast, why not volunteer to bring a cheese and charcuterie platter. Pick up some salamis from Moccia’s on East Hastings and pair with some BC Cheese, such as Farmhouse, sourced from Les Amis du Fromage. Grab some crackers from Vancouver’s Leslie Stowe. Try the newest flavour of Raincoast Crisps, cinnamon raisin.
Keep alert Ethically
Buy some locally roasted ethical coffee from Ethical Bean along with a travel mug for those on the go. Pick them up at the newest Ethical Bean Express in the Granville Skytrain Station.
Book It
If you’d like to inspire a home cook there are a plethora of new cookbooks to check out. Araxi, Quattro, C Restaurant, Blue Water Cafe, and West are among the latest must haves for the kitchen bookshelf. Purchase Vancouver Cooks2 and you’ll have a resource that will be frequently consulted, plus you will be supporting the Chef’s Table Society and their busary programs for upcoming chefs. Books to Cooks is a great place to shop for cookbook worms.
Bring a Chef Home
Give the gift of peace….in the house. Executive Chef Quang Dang from C Restaurant is available as a private chef for a night…or two. Give a certificate for a dinner party and hope that you’ll be invited. Contact Curtis Wong, Director Sales and Marketing for C Restaurant at curtis@crestaurant.com.
After it’s all over….
Why not buy yourself the gift of health this year with the T-fal Actifry? This handy device can “fry” 1 kg of French Fries in just 1 tbsp. of oil. Might be handy after all that holiday feasting.
Weekly Updates
Unfortunately The Good Life’s host station, Talk 1410, has now turned its focus to sports. The Good Life is looking for a new home, and will update all soon. In the meantime I will be updating the site daily and posting a weekly report. Thanks for all you support. Stay tuned.
