Kitchen Gadgets - Charles Viancin Silicone Lids and Seals

These Charles Viancin silicon sealing lids - in hibiscus, lily pad, or sunflower design - are ingenious! With one simple press down on top of a bowl or container, the silicone lid seals completely shut. Comes in small, medium and large and is incredibly useful as a cover while heating in the microwave, or sealing a bowl or container for storing in the fridge.



A small size is available to seal coffee cups, or glasses - perfect for outdoor entertaining this summer, when you don't want any (ahem...uninvited) guests arriving in the drinks! Yes, mosquitoes and flies, I mean you! Also a simple little topper for heating up coffee, tea or water in the microwave.

Charles Viancin is selling out in the kitchen store where I work - get your hands on these amazingly designed products. They make ideal gifts, too.

Mastrad Top Chips Maker and Slicer - Microwave Potato Chip Maker

The Mastrad chips maker makes delicious homemade potato chips right in your microwave oven! People are raving about this new gadget...you slice root vegetables like sweet potatoes or regular potatoes, and in just a few minutes you have delicious, crispy homemade chips!



I like this set in particular, because it comes with a simple mandolin-type slicer, too, so you're getting 2 gadgets for the price of one! Mastrad also sells a set of 2 potato chip makers -- two trays that you use in the microwave. The trays are made of a durable, high-quality silicone, so your chips will crisp up, but won't stick to the tray.

Do you have a Mastrad potato chip maker? If so, please leave a comment and tell us how you use yours!

A Great Garlic Gizmo: Garlic Zoom

Do you consider a garlic press passe? Want to have more fun mincing your garlic? Well then do I have a garlic gadget for you! The Garlic Zoom by Chef'n is a fantastic little garlic gadget that makes chopping and mincing garlic a much easier task. In fact, chopping your garlic will no longer be considered a chore at all!


With the garlic zoom - which comes in a few dazzling colors, such as green and red - you simply pop open the top lid of the gadget, throw in your peeled garlic cloves, and then 'zoom' 'zoom' 'zoom' to your heart's content! The rubberized wheels on the bottom are like the wheels on a toy car, but they work to turn the blades inside the gadget, thus mincing and chopping your garlic. Keep on 'zooming' until the garlic is perfectly minced - either big and chunky or finely minced, however you like it.

Do you have a garlic zoom? Leave a comment and tell us what your favorite features are.
PS. You will need a basic Garlic Peeler to peel your cloves of garlic before using the Garlic Zoom. Garlic peelers are basically a rubber tube - you pop in a regular clove of garlic and roll the tube around on the countertop, and the peel comes off.

More Garlic Goodies: Joseph Joseph Garlic Crusher

Even EASIER than a garlic press is the new garlic crusher by wonderful Joseph Joseph. How easy can it be?

Just place a peeled garlic clove on your countertop or cutting board. Use the Joseph Joseph garlic crusher to rock back and forth over the garlic - using that rocking motion until the garlic is minced as finely as you like. Scoop the crushed garlic into the end (the end is shaped sort of like a spoon) and then add to your recipe.

Rinse off your Joseph Joseph garlic crusher and use the end bit to rub your fingers on - since it's stainless, you'll effectively remove the stinky scent of garlic from your hands.

Great Garlic Press! Oxo Stainless Garlic Press

Looking for a fantastic garlic press that will really get the job of mincing garlic done in a flash? You've found it! Oxo Good Grips is one of my favorite brands (the black grippy material makes it easy to use these kitchen tools over and over again - they're comfortable, sturdy and well made)...and this garlic press is a fave. The durable construction of the garlic press makes it one you'll use for years:



And remember a favorite kitchen hint for after you're finished with the garlic. If you have any lingering garlic odors on your fingers and hands then just use anything made of stainless steel - a spoon for instance - and rub your moistened hand on the stainless steel to totally remove the stinky smells left behind!

Kitchen Gadgets - Make Fresh French Fries at Home - French Fry Cutter

Who needs McDonald's? Once you have your own snazzy french fry cutter, you can easily slice fresh potatoes into perfect french fries, ready to bake (drizzled with olive oil and salt and pepper at a high oven heat...halfway through baking use a heat-safe spatula to flip the fries) or fry. Delicious!




Just as delicious is the fact that this version is popular with consumers and still costs under $15.00.

Kitchen Gadgets - Westmark Cherry Pitters

Pitting a cherry by hand, with a knife the old-fashioned way is a real pain. On the other hand, finding a decent cherry pitter that does a good job is almost as hard! This little cherry pitter by Westmark is a winner -- it does the job well, removing the pit quite easily, and is lightweight and easy to use for large pitting jobs. If it's a REALLY large cherry pitting task set before you, then research Westmark's large cherry pitter. I've listed both of them, below:

Yes, you pay a little more for Westmark products, but the quality of these cherry pitters and other kitchen gadgets make it worth the cost.

Kitchen gadgets - Gluggle Jugs from the UK (Wade Ceramics)

Okay, so maybe we can't technically call it a 'gadget.' But, Gluggle Jugs from the UK are an old fashioned favorite tha are making a comeback! Literally, the fish (or orca or seahorse) shaped jugs gurgle and gluggle as you pour water or other liquids from them. Great fun for kids of all ages, and they are fantastic to look at. Makes a fun statement on any table...And apparently Prince Charles uses a tiny one to pour his liquor. Who knew?