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Post by htmb on Oct 31, 2013 1:46:52 GMT
Betty, reading this reminded me of the TWO electric carving knives given to us as wedding gifts and never used. I think I stuck them both in a box for about 20 years before giving them away. They were certainly wasted on me.
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Post by Kimby on Oct 31, 2013 13:24:33 GMT
I had never had an electric carving knife, mangling my Thanksgiving turkeys with a knife instead. Last year a Sanibel neighbor loaned me hers to cut 3" foam for an upholstery project and didn't need it back till after Thanksgiving. So after the cushions were completed, I scrubbed it well and used it on our turkey. It worked so well that I wasted no time buying one for the Sanibel house, as well as one for Montana. I will never shred a turkey with a regular knife again! (Unless it's at home when we celebrate Turkey Day at the lake cottage. Maybe I need three!)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2013 14:13:50 GMT
We also received 2 electric carving knives for wedding presents. Rarely used with the exception of skinning large fish. Amazing how easy and efficient they are for this tedious task. The second one is still in it's original box.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2013 7:08:44 GMT
I think I still have my parents' electric carving knife in the back of a cupboard. I probably haven't used it for at least 10 years, but it is kind of useful for carving a leg of lamb.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2013 18:38:43 GMT
Watching some French cooking shows recently, I was astonished to see that major French chefs often wrap items (usually rolled up things with stuffing or some such, which they want to remain compact while cooking) in plastic wrap before throwing them into boiling water. I would have never imagined that plastic wrap was something that you can put into boiling water (then again, since it often goes into the microwave which gets very hot, why not -- except for the fact that it goes into the microwave for a very short amount of time and in any case much less time that something you put into boiling water).
Do any of you put plastic wrap into boiling water?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 9, 2013 19:03:14 GMT
Short answer: no.
My first question would be what brand of wrap are they using and the second would be what would happen if you used the wrong kind.
Even though I can see the logic -- allowing things to cook in boiling water without any flavor being leached out -- I'm not in the least tempted to do this.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2013 19:33:40 GMT
On these shows they just act as though "any" plastic wrap will do. Obviously we all know that "microwave wrap" would be better to use than "ordinary" wrap, but I have to confess that I use ordinary wrap for the microwave.
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Post by mez on Nov 10, 2013 0:04:10 GMT
Do any of you put plastic wrap into boiling water? Rarely, but only because I find such dishes too fiddly. It is a good way to poach eggs without mess.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2013 9:18:31 GMT
My endless pursuit for the ultimate citrus zester/grater has led to to this very very cool gadget/tool from the good people at Lee Valley based in Ontario. (also the ultimate in garden tools btw). It's derivation is a woodworkers rasp discovered by a housewife culling through her husband's tools. It grates/ zests citrus, cheese, whatever your fancy into "gossamer like shreds". It comes with a stainless steel holder that catches the gratings. I ordered one this morning. I ordered one of these for my brother for Christmas and he was over the moon being the kitchen gadget fanatic that I am and also a fabulous chef as well. (I also lusted after many of the cool gadgetry he has).
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2013 12:04:09 GMT
A zester is the last gadget that I bought as well, even though I overpaid. I was looking in all sorts of likely places and not finding one, so when I finally found exactly the one I wanted, I jumped on it and price be damned.
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Post by lagatta on Dec 30, 2013 20:48:00 GMT
The Lee Valley one is very nice, also for hard cheese, ginger, garlic (though garlic must be cleaned carefully so as not to leave an odour). And also cabinet making!
There is no Lee Valley in Montréal, but the closest one - I believe the original - is in suburban Ottawa. One can spend a whole day there, and it is as much for gardening and woodworking as for cooking.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2013 11:10:30 GMT
Yes, I have used this gadget for all of the above. The garlic odor is not that difficult to rid of as the gadget is stainless steel.
I would go crazy should I ever actually go to their store. I have to show great restraint just perusing their website.
And yes, their garden tool selection is fantastic. Their prices are also very reasonable.
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Post by lagatta on Jan 7, 2014 13:34:31 GMT
When I last went (with relatives who live in Ottawa), I was careful to take a limited amount of cash, and leave any debit cards at home. Hey, why pay the rent or mortgage? A friend gave me a very thoughtful Lee Valley gift, a kneeling bench. No, not for prayer. It is for gardening, in two positions, and means that even when the arthritis kicks in, I have no excuse not to clean the baseboards or do other "close to the ground" housework. www.leevalley.com/us/gifts/page.aspx?p=45632&cat=4,104,53220&ap=3 She bought herself one afterwards. It is a beautiful dark green. Makes a nice little seat too. We also bought ourselves these things: www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=68771&cat=1,43349 Carabiner LED lights. I have the red one - it is easy to fasten on to clothing higher up than one's bicycle lights.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2014 7:54:14 GMT
How about a small water bottle as a kitchen gadget?
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Post by htmb on Jan 20, 2014 13:34:11 GMT
I doubt I'd ever use that trick, though now I'm intrigued. It really does look pretty cool.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2014 20:22:17 GMT
I am absolutely certain that I would break my yolks somehow.
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Post by htmb on Jan 20, 2014 20:43:30 GMT
I rarely cook with eggs due to my middle granddaughter's allergies, but I'm going to have to try this. I'll bet that fella went through a lot of eggs before he got his system down pat.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2015 4:29:38 GMT
Not exactly a gadget, but I bought this at a thrift store this weekend. A very old, very fine fish poacher. I love it and can't wait to use it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2015 4:47:55 GMT
I'm going to hold out for the sterling silver model.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2015 5:00:38 GMT
Good luck with that!
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Post by questa on Jul 13, 2015 7:33:15 GMT
Lizzy, your lovely fish poacher doesn't have lead in it, I hope.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2015 12:12:50 GMT
You mean it wouldn't mix well with the mercury in the fish?
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Post by questa on Jul 13, 2015 14:43:53 GMT
I think the cadmium and other heavy metals will cancel out the lead and mercury.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2015 15:05:17 GMT
No, it's aluminum, with steel handles. Can't poach really acidy things in it, but a little white wine once in a while won't hurt.
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Post by fumobici on Jul 13, 2015 18:50:39 GMT
That poacher looks the stuff to me, I could put that to good use. If I come across an amazing fish or fillet my inclination is to poach, nothing else is less intrusive to the flavor. For such a fish, I recommend poaching in plain water and simply serving with S&P to taste. The preparation won't impress anyone, but the result may. For a less glorious fish, interesting poaching liquids can usually be cobbled together from what's in the garden or the kitchen.
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Post by fumobici on Jul 13, 2015 18:54:13 GMT
(Seawater where available and appropriate is maybe the best poaching liquid of all.)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2015 20:57:05 GMT
I went to Pike Place Market and picked up a snapper, I'm going to pretend it is a rouget or some such thing. Didn't feel like going for salmon/trout and I think a mackerel would be too oily.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2015 17:17:27 GMT
If they didn't throw it halfway across the market, it doesn't count.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2015 17:57:21 GMT
Jeez, those guys are annoying. The tourists who block the pathway 20 deep even more so.
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Post by fumobici on Jul 17, 2015 18:18:50 GMT
At 9AM, The Pike Place Market is a great shopping opportunity; at 3PM, not so much. That seems to apply at some of the touristier markets in Paris as well, Aligre or even Richard Lenoir are fairly relaxed early in the day.
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