Saturday, June 7, 2014
NFL Oakland Raiders Sandwich Press
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Nordic Ware 365 Indoor/Outdoor Sizzling Steak Server
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We make enchiladas and my mom had a set of these when I was growing up she would "build" the 3-layer corn tortilla red chile enchiladas and melt them in the oven and serve these work great for this.Read Best Reviews of Nordic Ware 365 Indoor/Outdoor Sizzling Steak Server Here
Friday, April 18, 2014
BBQ Grill Mat (Set of 2)
Friday, April 4, 2014
Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 9-Inch Panini Press
Using it: After opening it I read that this is not meant to be used with my type of cook top but I thought I could probably still make it work. And I did. But it took three batches of panini to get the crust I wanted. Too black, too white, just right-and I don't see how anyone, no matter the cook top, will avoid this process. No little dial to set like on a traditional panini maker for how you want your toasted product to turn out. Second, the instructions say, heat your pan and press on separate burners till hot. Then grease each piece and set the press inside the pan for a minute or so, then do your sandwiches OFF THE HEAT. Okay great. Now say you want to make more than two sandwiches, which is what the pan will hold. No problem for the pan, just put it back on the burner to reheat, but what about the press? It is now greased on the side you put directly in contact with the burner (perhaps more of a problem for electric ranges...). You can carefully wipe it dry (it's still hot) and stick it back on the burner, then grease it again (did that, annoying to deal with, but it worked). You can use the retained heat from the press and pan and get a much more lightly toasted second set of sandwiches (have also done that) and then you pretty much have to start over. With a traditional press you can just keep sliding sandwiches out, sandwiches in. I'm feeding a family of six, so to me this seems like a real selling point for the grills and a real drawback for the press.
After I mastered my pan and press I was all happy till I got to thinking, what would one of these taste like without the grill marks? Some of the traditional presses have two sided plates, one smooth, one ridged. I wanted to try a smooth panini. Luckily I had the wit to realize this would be a simple matter. I got out a plain old frying pan and made a no grill marks panini by simply using slighly thinner bread, and pressing the sandwich down with a spatula as it was cooking, then flipping it halfway through. I liked it better, but that is a matter of opinion. It did get me thinking though: I already have high quality skillets. Did I really just pay $150 for a fancy grilled cheese sandwich pan? Yes, I think I did.
I would say that the most value I got from this purchase is the little booklet that came with it urging you to mix spices in a small dish of olive oil, then to brush your panini bread with this mixture on the outside before making them. It is delicious. Don't think I would have thought of it on my own and my panini cookbook doesn't mention that great little idea, so kudos to Le Crueset for good cooking tips. But you may want to consider (as I wish I had), before dropping your cash: does anyone really need a panini maker? To cook something both sides at a time, thus saving a total of two minutes, and to imprint it with grill marks: is this worth $150 to you? Or $80 or $90 if you go the traditional press route? Before buying this or any panini press I would urge you to get out a heavy duty flat bottom skillet, assemble a panini, place it in the pan over medium heat, press it down with a spatula, and carefully flip it two minutes later. If this is tasty to you, you just saved yourself more than $100 and you are still enjoying a panini.
I hope to use this pan for other things, like burgers, steaks and chicken, to feel I got my money's worth out of it. It is a great pan, nothing wrong with it, thus the four stars. HOWEVER If I really wanted fancy grill marked panini I think I would rather have gone with a traditional press for the convenience of making multiple sandwiches, not using up more than half my stove to make what is supposed to be a quick and simple meal, and adjustable temperature control. Nor would I get one with multisided plates. I would use a frying pan for a "no grill marks" sandwich. Something to think about!
Buy Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 9-Inch Panini Press Now
I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. 99% of the time I reach right past my Calphalon and pull out the Le creuset. It's big, bulky, and weighs a ton, but it is hands down the best cookware I've ever owned. I use my square grillet for everything from burgers to meatloaf, as it cooks as well in the oven as it does on the stove. I intend to never have to purchase another set of cookware in my life, so when I had to spend $50.00 for a panini press, I didn't even give it a second thought. This press heats evenly over the grillet, and gives panini the perfect press and crisp grill marks. The pan and press can be soaked so cleanup is a breeze. I would not recommend buying a cheaper version; you get what you pay for!Read Best Reviews of Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 9-Inch Panini Press Here
We bought this instead of getting another panini maker. Works well, you just need to make sure to heat it enough and give it time. Not as fast if you are use to larger panini maker.Want Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 9-Inch Panini Press Discount?
We have two Le Creuset Griddle pans, one in a southern home and the second in our summer cottage. I use my griddle pans 4-5 times a week and love them. I have the Panini Press in our summer cottage and when I'm there I use the Panini Press maybe half the time.I spray the griddle before I heat and use it, but using the Press is different. It is supposed to be heated separately, then I spray it with Pam or something like that, then put it on the food. This works well the first time. However if you are doing a second batch of chicken or sandwiches, you either have to clean the Press to re-heat it or not use it because if you heat it with the spray and the juices on the Press you will have a mess on your stove top.
Confused? Come to my kitchen and I'll show you.
I like to use the Press with the Griddle because my grilled chicken comes out moist and tender, but I usually repeat the grilling process at least one and sometimes two more times. Is it absolutely necessary to have a Press? No! Fun? Yes! Great conversation in the kitchen with friends and family? Sure!
It's something you can always buy later.
Monday, January 13, 2014
All-Clad LTD Nonstick Grande Grille Pan
I am a purist when it comes to certain cookware. Cast iron just does some things better. But cast iron isn't for everyone. It's heavy, doesn't 'clean' the way many people are comfortable with, and takes some adjustment to understand its slow cooking properties. This grill pan is great if you're looking to do the following:
1. Grill up some salmon or swordfish steaks without worrying about leaving a 'fishy' residue on that precious, seasoned grill you have
2. Tenderize and cook to near perfection some chicken you have
3. Grill vegetables with, or without olive oil (the wonders of non-stick make the pan virtually a no-fat cooking device. Think of it like a much, much higher quality non-electric george foreman grill)
What it's not so good with:
1. Strip steak
2. Hamburgers (fat tastes good, lets face it folks)
3. Slow cook BBQ (you need real charcoal or at least cast iron to cook these babies nice and slow when you don't have your own smoke house)
So bottom line:
If you're more of a meatier eater/cooker, stick with the original (and less expensive cast iron or outdoor grills). If you're into fish, veggies, and chicken, consider adding this to your arsenal of essential All-Clad supplies.
Buy All-Clad LTD Nonstick Grande Grille Pan Now
Actually, had to buy two because I had the misfortune of leaving our old one inside of the stove in our previous apartment! Well the new renters surely got a fabulous housewarming gift. This grill is easy to clean and wonderful to handle on two burners. We put one burner on medium for cooking and the other on low for keeping the finished food at the right temperature (handy when doing protein and veggies at same time). Also, if your oven is big enough, you can sear the meat on top of the stove and move it into a 450 preheated oven to panroast (the stainless handles make this a cinch). We've used Creuset as an alternative, and it's just not as easy to clean and maneuver. If you buy it on Amazon it's 99.95 plus free shipping (and whatever bonus is running--like today another $25.00 0ff with a small additional purchase in kitchenware). However, if you buy it at Williams Sonoma you can get it with shipping of 10-15 dollars but you do get garlic paste and stainless steel skewers). So you might want to see what works better for you.Read Best Reviews of All-Clad LTD Nonstick Grande Grille Pan Here
This pan is EXACTLY what I was looking for. After buying two different brands of cast iron grill pans, I have finally found one that does the trick.All of my pots and pans are All Clad, but I didn't want to spend the big bucks for an All Clad grill pan so I order two different cast iron pans and both of them were awful. Food sticking (even after much seasoning) and the pans were really heavy and cumbersome to use.
Then I found an incredible price on this All Clad grill pan on Amazon.com and bought it.
Should have bought it in the first place!I just purchased this grill last week & don't know how I survived without it. It is absolutely wonderful. It fits perfectly over the 2 burners on my gas stove. I lightly seasoned with vegetable oil just before using (as recommended) and clean up has been a breeze. It easily holds 8 NY Strip steaks & could probably hold 10-12 burgers. If you like to grill inside, this is so much better than a George Foreman grill. I ordered mine from Williams Sonoma because for the same price listed here, you get free All Clad skewers (6) & a jar of roasted garlic paste marinade. Some might think it's a bit expensive, but it's something you'll only have to buy once. I felt just like Rachael Ray using mine! It's definitely a must have!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Nordic Ware Round Cooling Rack, 12 Inch Diameter
Was I surprised when these arrived. Large than my old pair...will hold the largest cake I'll ever bake..13" in diameter and teflon coated. I am delighted with the price and quality (what can you expect from Nordic?) of these mundane cake racks. Fast shipment also!I bought this rack expecting it to be 12 inches in diameter, as listed in the product description and on the label. It's actually 13 inches across, which is too big for what I need. (I got it for the bottom of my water canner set, to sit under the rack for jars.) Very annoyed, so back it goes.
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Minus one star because the description is wrong, but since I read the reviews I knew to expect about 13" instead. It's a great product, easy to clean, at a great price. Expect about 13" and you'll be happy.I use this over a plate for resting meats after cooking. If you place meats directly on a plate after cooking, the juices will pool under the meat and melt any carmelized browning you may have achieved by searing. Using a rack allows you to keep your sear and still save all those yummy juices in the plate below so you can add to your pan sauce.
Read Best Reviews of Nordic Ware Round Cooling Rack, 12 Inch Diameter Here
This cooling rack is sturdy and will handle large cakes well. It is larger than 12 inches as others have noted. and it's black matte finish is already rusting slightly.Want Nordic Ware Round Cooling Rack, 12 Inch Diameter Discount?
I read other reviews from people disappointed that this cooling rack was bigger than the stated dimensions. Thanks to those reviewers, I knew what to expect and was in fact, happy about that. I've already used the heck out of these, cooling 6"-12" cakes, muffins, cupcakes and cookies on them. I love Nordic Ware and I appreciate that it is made in the USA. This cooling rack is a great product.Monday, December 2, 2013
La Paella Carbon Steel Paella Pan
Like any thin pan, don't heat it up without anything it, or you'll make it lopsided. The plastic/rubber coating on the handles doesn't come off on the grill which is nice. A bigger pan would be a bit harder to hold on to as well. Make sure you order a good oven mitt.
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Bought this after getting tired of cooking paella in a stainless steel frying pan could never create the "socarrat" aka crusty layer of rice at the bottom, and this pan really allows you to do so. Researched different materials and this one seemed to be the most recommended. It's quite wide my first time using it I had leftover paella for days! So keep in mind that if you don't have large burners on your stove, you might be using two side-by-side to cook the paella. Because the pan spread across two burners on my stove, the key was to keep moving it so that no two spots became "hot spots" and to ensure the rice cooked evenly. I am hoping this is a pan I keep for years so far it's seemed perfect.The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because the instructions it came with said to simmer the pan with a dash of white vinegar before the first use to get the film/coating off the surface. I did so then washed and dried it, and it left the pan looking dull and slightly worn even though it was brand new. Not that it takes away from its functionality, it just won't look new and shiny any more.
Read Best Reviews of La Paella Carbon Steel Paella Pan Here
I have a big family and I wanted to make Paella where I don't have to make it twice or thrice and bought this. Love how this can serve 15-20 people. So glad that I made the right choice of buying this.Want La Paella Carbon Steel Paella Pan Discount?
This quickly became a favorite for our Sunday friends and family dinners, especially during the spring and summer months, when we can eat outdoors by the pool. The recipes are plentiful and adjustible to your families taste. I began with a 22 inch then bought the 14 inch, we always make both, the 22 inch "Paella de la Valencia" seafood and the 14 inch all meat, sausage and chicken for the non fish eaters.I would recommend that a purchase of the 14, 18, 22 or 36 pan would be best, Why those sizes you ask? Well, Weber kettle comes in those sizes, the pan fits right on top of the appropriate grill (you do need an airgap between the pan and lip of the grill or it will snuff your heat) and anyone can cook this amazing dish to your own taste, in a method as close to tradition as possible (without a fire on the ground) in your own backyard. Oh yea the red handle means HOT, someone else recommended good grill gloves and I second that. I use welding gloves, but I already had them. I also wrap the handle with a kitchen towel or washcloth while it is on the table to remind our guests that the handle is HOT also.
The only other things needed to make this dish properly is Spanish "Bomba" rice, saffron and a long (20"+ recommended)spatula. I have not seen these items cheaper than Amazon anywhere else I shop near home, you're gonna want to make this stuff pretty quick after you get your pan so may as well order it now.
Have fun
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
NEW Oster 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker, Waffle Maker and Cooking Grill Cg120
Keep them Clean, Use Pam or equivalent when in Doubt, Use Common scene & it will last you for years.
Note; Try this for a treat; Make Waffles or Pancakes, Pour the batter & just before you close the lid, add 1 Egg to the center of the batter & or some bacon strips & Close the lid. Yum, Yum.We had an old one that was 20 years old and it finally failed. This was the only one we could find that wasn't very expensive. This product is poorly built. The trays don't fit properly and can fall out. It burns the middle and the outsides are not cooked. We returned it.
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Waffles don't brown enough it's just a waste of money ... Truly awful . I don't think I'll ever get another product from this companyRead Best Reviews of NEW Oster 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker, Waffle Maker and Cooking Grill Cg120 Here
Griddle/ Hotplate for CIG 18.5
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Paula Deen Porcelain Square Griddles
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After only a few, very few uses this pan warped horribly, it is useless and customer relations is even worse. I have a Paula Dean baking sheet that stained after only one use. I think I am done with Paula's products.Read Best Reviews of Paula Deen Porcelain Square Griddles Here
I LOVE this griddle! The coating Paula Deen has put on her pans is wonderful!!! I switched from another brand name pots & pans to Paula Deen pots & pans because of the coating. You need very little oil/shortening when frying, which is a real plus! I highly recommend her pots & pans. In fact I showed them to my daughter and she tried them and switched to Paula Deen also!This griddle came with a set we purchased from a big box store. The griddle warped after about 6 months. The rest of the set is fine.Sunday, July 7, 2013
Charcoal Companion Reusable Steak Button Thermometers, Set of 4
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Saturday, June 22, 2013
HomArt Large Decorative Fancy Fish Matches
These matches are for ARTWORK ONLY. The matches themselves are not functional. If you want a unique matchbox spice up the decor of your home, these are great. The artwork is really unique. However if you want functional matches, look elsewhere because these do not light when struck. They sputter and spark and then go out. You cannot use them to light candles or anything else.
I am a big believer in the old fashioned "bathroom match", but didn't like having a junky looking box of matches in my powder room. These match boxes are beautiful and really add to the look of any room they are in. I just replaced the nonfunctional matches with ones that actually work and they are fine in the bathroom.
The negatives are that they are very expensive for the amount of matches you get and unfortunately the matches don't light. I had been willing to buy them for the artwork on the box, and refill with cheaper matches when the originals are used up, but when it came I realized that there is only one striking surface on the side of the box (instead of two like on most matchboxes). This means that the box itself has a limited lifespan, and when the striking surface is worn down, the box must be discarded. My plans for reusing the box are not going to work out like I had hoped.
Still, it is pretty and classy looking, and if you can afford SIX DOLLARS for a small box of matches that don't light then I highly reccommend these. I love looking at them and get compliments from guests. It is a quirky addition to my home and I think little details like this are what make a house interesting.
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The box is gorgeous, something I definitely want to keep and it was larger than I expected, to my pleasant surprise. I would buy these again!Read Best Reviews of HomArt Large Decorative Fancy Fish Matches Here

