I’ve even pondered with issue with my co-workers, suggesting that there must be a better way. My idea was the “Coffee Press Condom”, which may possibly need a different name, but it would fit into the carafe, the grounds would go into it and when you were done you’d pull out the condom and toss it in the trash. Ok, it’s not the greatest idea in the world, but it would work.

However, thanks to the guys over at Kaffeolgie my “Coffee Press Condom” will never see the light of day. That’s because they came out with the “Coffee Catcher” which is essentially a mesh disk that you put in the bottom of your coffee press before adding the grounds. It then sits on the bottom during brewing and when it’s time to clean up you pull it up and all the grounds come up with it. Stainless steel sweetness.

They were nice enough to send over a couple so that I could see how they work. In order to get the disk in and out, there is a little detachable handle that slides into some tabs to secure it. I thought that this would turn out to be the downfall of this device, how are you ever going to find those holes when it’s covered with coffee grounds? Well, if you line them up with the spout, it’s actually pretty easy to find and lock into place.

I gave it a shot this evening and it worked pretty darn well. I had a bit of trouble maneuvering the handle off the tabs once it was in the press and when I pulled the grounds out some got stuck on the rim of the press. I think like anything else though, once you do it a couple of times it will become second nature and you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.

It’s pretty neat little product that fills a need, so I’m down with it. If you’d like to get one for yourself you can do so from their website or they are also available on Amazon. They have also given me a few to give away to readers to keep your eyes out for the contest later this week.

• Bodum 8 Cup Coffee Press – Product Review
• How to Use a Coffee Press – With Pictures
• Coffee Addict – Are you one of us?
• Boo to Oxo Good Grips
• How to Make Homemade Corn Tortillas

I’ve been eating a lot of roasted vegetables lately and I generally prepare them simply with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. But I have to tell you, for applying the oil, brushes really suck. The old fashioned pastry brushes are impossible to clean and the new fangled silicone ones are completely worthless.

That’s where this cool little device, the Misto, comes in.

The Misto oil sprayer is essentially a aluminum cylinder with a cap that has a sprayer nozzle like a paint can. You put your own oil in (it also works with vinegar and any other liquid for that matter) the cylinder, replace the cap and use the lid to pump it. The pumping builds pressure which allows use to use the spray nozzle without any propellant chemicals. Pretty sweet.

A few pumps is enough to spray for 10 seconds and the light mist created by the nozzle is perfect for oiling up a pan or spraying on vegetables before grilling.

I really like this little gadget, it’s easy to use, easy to clean and it only cost $10. You can’t beat it.

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But recently a friend told me about his Bodum French Press coffee maker and what a smooth luxurious cup of coffee it makes. I picked one up for myself and the proof is in the pudding(mmm, pudding): I’ve had at least one cup of coffee every day since I’ve bought it. So much for not being a coffee drinker.

Making coffee with a coffee press takes about the same amount of time as brewing a pot with a regular coffee maker, but it does require a bit more effort on your part. The reward is a fantastically smooth cup of coffee that will blow your mind if you’ve become accustomed to that acidic swill they serve up just about everywhere. Another nice thing is that they aren’t expensive at all, the one I got was only $20. That’s what, 5 trips to Starbucks?

Another feature of the Bodum Coffee press that I really like is the fact that it’s portable, you can take it anywhere with you. If I want a cup of coffee at work, I can bring this in with little hassle. What about traveling? Do you really want to use one of those hotel room coffee makers? You know every single one of those has had semen in it. I’ll make my own coffee, thanks.

Keep your eye open later this week when I show you how to use a French Press coffee maker so you too can enjoy coffee the way it is meant to be.

• The Coffee Catcher – Product Review
• How to Use a Coffee Press – With Pictures
• Coffee Addict – Are you one of us?
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A few weeks back I received a package from a company in Wilson, WY by the name of New West Knife Works.  I opened it to find, to my surprise, the most beautiful chef’s knife I have ever seen.  It was the company’s 8 inch Fusionwood chef’s knife packed along with a large leather sheath covering the blade.

I was immediately drawn to the handle with its vibrant ringed colors seeming flowing through the wood.  I read the included card to find out that the handle is made by impregnating hardwood veneers with dyes and resins to create a durable and long lasting handle.

I hadn’t even picked it up yet.  I was enamored with the beauty of it and couldn’t get over that  I was expected to use it and not just display it as a piece of art. I couldn’t imagine plowing through a pile of vegetables with it.  It would be like driving a perfectly clean Porsche through a mud hole.
But maybe that is the most beautiful part about this knife.  Not only does it look good, but it is also an excellent knife.

Once I got over my fear of getting it dirty I took it into the kitchen to put it through the paces with a bunch of onions, peppers and chicken breasts with which I was going to be making a green chili.

Picking up the knife for the first time you immediately notice it’s heft.  While I own many other chef’s knives, none come close matching the heavy body of this Fusionwood knife. You know this isn’t going to fall apart.

It’s the weight that makes using this knife such a pleasure.  While you may think that using a heavy knife would tire you out more quickly, it’s just the opposite. You use much less energy because the knife is actually working for you.  A novel idea, I know.

I have large hands and I would say that the handle is quite comfortable but the overall 14 inch size might be a bit too much for a smaller cook.  I also tested different grips on the knife and they all seemed to work fine unless you favor the method where you grip your index finger around the bolster. The inner butt of the handle has some square corners that could cause could cause discomfort with extended use.

As far as the actual cutting and chopping goes, I have never used anything finer. The big, super-sharp blade easily dealt with the soft chicken and the hard onions.  The blade is made from Japanese steel and New West Knife Works claims that it has 70% more carbon than Wustof’s best knives allowing it to hold a truer edge longer.  With the way the knife performed, I can not argue with that.

The New West Knife Works’ Fusionwood 8 inch chef’s knife is truly a piece of art.  It is also a highly functioning tool for your kitchen.  Chances are, it will outlast you.  So whether you want a piece of art or a unique kitchen tool that can be cherished for generations, you need to get your hands on one of these.

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This ladies and gentlemen is my Oxo Good Grips garlic press.  I bought it a few months ago after hearing the folks on America’s Test Kitchen rave about it and it set me back about $15.  It does a fantastic job and can’t count how many times my wife and I have used this in the short time that we’ve owned it. 

However, last week when I was prepping my mise en place for risotto I placed a clove in the designated area and POP!  I looked down to find this:

The metal on the damn thing literally cracked. On both sides too.  I tried using it again, but it no longer functions properly.  No worries I thought.  Oxo has awesome customer service, they’ll get this straightened out.  I’ll have a replacement in no time.

After contacting Oxo I come to find out that they have since changed their 100% satisfaction guaranteed exchange policy.  Instead of replacing the item for you, you now have to send them the broken product before they will replace it.  So I have to spend $8 to ship them a $15 garlic press.  Not awesome.

While I’m sure that this is how most companies handle these types of things, I’m disappointed that Oxo has decided to change their policy.  Their previous method really differentiated them from the rest of the industry, because it showed trust in their customers.  I can only imagine that they were burned because of this trust and that is why they changed. 

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Unlike most other flexible silicone bakeware designed for kitchen use that are merely thin sheets of silicone, the Silpat mat is made from a woven fiberglass mesh permiated with a food-safe silicone.  This fiberglass core gives the Silpat mat a level of strength not found in other silicone bakeware.  Even the silicone itself seems to be of higher quality, being very smooth to the touch.

The Silpat silicone mat is very easy to use, simply lay the mat onto a cookie sheet and place the food you’d like to cook on top.  The mats come in a variety of sizes, so make sure to measure your pans before you order one. The being said I have used mine on a pan that was smaller than the mat and even with the edges hanging over I experienced no problems.

What can I do with a Silpat mat?
While baking cookies is obviously the first thing that comes to mind when you see the Silpat mat, don’t let that limit your creativity when using it.  Remember, the silicone baking mat is non-stick so it can replace foil, wax paper and parchment paper at any time.  And the Silpat works for savory dishes too.  You’ll never cook frozen foods on foil again.  You can even use your Silpat as a no-stick solution for kneading dough, rolling out pie crust or cooling chocolates and candies.  The mat is oven, microwave and freezer safe with standing temperatures from -40°F – 482°F.

How do you clean the Silpat?
You will see instant improvement in color and taste of the food you cook on the Silpat baking mat.  To clean the mat simply wash the mat in hot water and a little soap, dry with a towel and let it finish drying while lying flat. You do have to let it lay flat to try which I have always found to be a bit cumbersome and annoying as I am the type of person that likes to put things away when I am done with them.

Some places I’ve read suggested not using soap on the Silpat. I have tried cleaning the mat with and without soap; the results are much better with soap.  This is especially true in the case of foods with a high oil content or strongly flavored foods.

Are Silpat’s dangerous?
I have read people online claiming that the Silpat gives off smoke and/or toxic fumes, but my experience has proven this to be completely false when working with the mat in the appropriate temperature ranges.

You must have a Silpat in your kitchen
The Silpat silicone mat certainly earns my seal of approval and I consider it to be one of the items you must have in your kitchen.  You pay for what you get here and you’ll be happy with your investment for years to come as the Silpat can be used 2,000 – 3,000 times.

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The Mixer’s History
The KitchenAid stand mixer was introduced in 1919 as alternative to large industrial mixers for small restaurant kitchens.  As its popularity increased, they their way into many American homes, becoming the machine we remember our grandmothers using.

While some people may purchase one of these stand mixers for sentimental reasons, it is its workhorse reputation that initially earned it a spot in my kitchen.  Built from cast iron and stainless steel, the KitchenAid mixer may be a bit too heavy for some to handle, but it is this durability that allows a mixer like this to become an heirloom.

KitchenAid has done quite a bit over the last few years to reinvigorate their stand mixer product line. Starting by expanding the color choices, KitchenAid has ensured that anyone can find a perfect match for their kitchen. The have also increased the versatility of the line by offering a variety of attachments to automate some of the more labor intensive kitchen processes.  They offer attachments that can grind meat, cut pasta, stuff sausage, make ice cream, mill grain, juice citrus fruit and open cans.  What strikes me about all of this is that the people who could benefit from these accessories the most are probably the same people that wouldn’t be able to move the 22 pound monster.

Keys to Performance
The KitchenAid stand mixer features a mixing mechanism located above the mixing bowl on a tilting head that contains the motor. The mixing mechanism can be fitted with various tools depending on the task at hand. A bread hook will quickly pull together a dough and save your arms the trouble of kneading, the wire whisk whips up egg whites into stiff peaks faster than you can separate the eggs and the flat beater can mix together even the stiffest of batters.

The key to the mixing ability of the KitchenAid mixer is the rotating action of the mixing mechanism.  As the arm moves clockwise around the bowl, the attached mixing tool spins in the opposite direction, hitting an amazing 67 points around the bowl! This efficiency virtually eliminates the need for you to scrape down the bowl.

KitchenAid offers bowls larger than the 5 quart the standard model comes with as an upgrade, but I think they should do something to increase the diameter at the top of the bowl.   As it stands, the top of the bowl is not much larger than the head of the machine, therefore it is very difficult to add ingredients while the head is down.

The stand mixers offer ten different speeds, but I think that may be a bit overkill as I rarely use more than 5.  Another nice thing about the mixer is the level of torque created by the motor allows very stiff batters to be mixed with ease, something that would be impossible to do with a hand mixer.

Once you’re through using the mixer clean-up is rather easy, if you’ve been careful.  The mixing tool and bowl come off easily to be thrown in the dishwasher.  The machine body itself is usually spotless, unless you are like me and get carried away with the higher speeds.  Should that happen though, a quick wipe-down with a wet cloth will do the trick.

Why I Love It
Obviously, I love the KitchenAid stand mixer and it earns the seal of approval as one of My Favorite Things. The thing though is that the KitchenAid stand mixer is so much more than a mixer. And I’m not talking about all of the great colors that allow you to make a statement in your kitchen or the various attachments.  I someday hope to pass my KitchenAid mixer down to my children and as reliable as it is, I know I will be able to do just that.

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When I first saw this Universal Knife Block in the store, it stopped me in my tracks. The knife block contains inserts made up of hundreds of long plastic rods all tightly squeezed together. It allows you to slide in a knife, no matter what size or brand. Its damn genius.

I know I am like many of you who purchase their knives on an individual basis and I hated having them lying in a drawer getting ruined. Not any more. The Kapoosh block can hold your knives in whatever configuration you choose. I can’t fit my big cleaver into it, but that leaves me only one knife in the drawer as opposed to ten.

I am one to be demanding of my kitchen gear, but I’ve had mine for about 6 months now with absolutely no issues. I was concerned that sliding the knives through the plastic would cause them to dull faster, but it they are staying sharper longer when compared to my wood block or being in a drawer.

This is just a great product and I know you’ll love it too. They come in many different styles, colors and case materials so you can match it to your kitchen with ease. Available at major retailers everywhere, but Amazon is the easiest place to get them.

• How to Sharpen a Kitchen Knife
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• New West Knife Works – Fusionwood Review
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Ahh, Bacon Salt.  When I mentioned this product previously, my post was inundated with comments about how Bacon Salt was the greatest thing since well, real bacon.  Obviously, something was up, so I put up another post smearing the good name of Bacon Salt.  It wasn’t long before one of the owners of the company contacted me regarding the issue.  We made a deal.  I agreed to take down the derogatory post if he would send me some Bacon Salt to review.

A few days later the Bacon Salt arrived in the mail.  Unfortunately, with everything going on for the wedding today is the first day I have been able to try it out.  To put it through the ringer I tried it 4 different ways: straight up, on scrambled eggs, in a grilled cheese sandwich and on tater tots. 

Straight Up:  The people over at Bacon Salt chose a good name for their product, because it tastes like bacon and salt.  It is readily apparent that the bacon flavor is artificial, as it really reminds me of those Bacon Bits they sell for salads. 

Eggs: I made up lightly cooked scrambled egg and sprinkled Bacon Salt on top.  A recommendation that is often mentioned in promotional material for this product.  While it did add a bacon flavor to the eggs along with needed salt, eating it this way provided for a very strong artificial bacon flavor.  I’m guessing that was because of the delicate flavor of the eggs.

Grilled Cheese: Ok, I certainly didn’t plan on this one, but I really wanted some grilled cheese and the Bacon Salt was sitting right there, so I figured, "What the hell."  As you can see from the photo, I just sprinkled the Bacon Salt on to the cheese before I put the other piece of bread on top.  You know what, it was actually really good.  The Bacon Salt added another layer of flavor to the sandwich and the artificial flavor I mentioned earlier was unnoticeable. 

Tater Tots: I sprinkled Bacon Salt over the top of some tater tots, just like I would regular salt.  They too were very good.  It provided good bacon flavor, something I can say that I have never had on tater tots before today.

Additional useage:  My dog is a terrorist.  Osama Bin Laden has been trying to recruit her for a year now.  She has recently decided that she’s no longer eating the dry dog food that we buy her.  She’s a stuck up bitch, what can I say?  Actually, I think she’s not eating because someone, I won’t mention any names, is feeding her table food while I’m slaving away at work. 

I took some of the Bacon Salt and sprinkled it over the food that has sat in her bowl uneaten for over a week.  And you know what?  She ate the whole damn bowl.  I’m sure they people over at Bacon Salt aren’t marketing it this way, but they should keep all venues open.

Conclusion:  Bacon Salt is good and it has a ton of uses as you can see from the few I came up with in only a short period of time.  It can quickly and easily add the flavor of bacon to any dish.

There were two things that I did not like about it though.  The first and most obvious was the artificial bacon flavor.  Maybe my Mom used to punish me with Bac-o’s or something, but that flavor does not agree with my tastebuds.  Also, the best part about having bacon with food is the scrumptious fat it provides, something you’re not going to get out of a shaker. 

If you like the flavor of bacon in lots of foods I would make sure you get yourself some Bacon Salt.  They do offer it for sale on their website at a very reasonable price of $4.49 per shaker.  Bacon Salt is powerful stuff too and you don’t need to use a lot, so one shaker could last you quite a while.

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