Serving

Someday, all food will come in exact sizes and shapes. No, I'm not talking about the oft-mentioned food pills of the always-distant future, where one capsule supplies enough nutrients for the day. Hopefully, that terrifying future never falls upon us, because eating or preparing a well-made meal can be rewarding in its own right. However, there is something to be said about food that is served exactly the same every time. Just ask siblings how they feel about the concept as they try to split a particularly delicious treat like pizza or a brownie.

Speaking of brownies, we've … Read more

You know how you always wanted that fountain in the back yard? That chocolate fountain? Imagine it: a 16-foot-tall tower of gushing chocolate, always ready at your disposal. Wake up in the morning, look out through the window and across the lawn, and gaze upon one of mankind's greatest treasures. Simply go outside, take your morning cup of coffee, and hold it under the flowing waterfall of chocolate.

Unfortunately such simple pleasures can be monstrously unattainable. Luckily, the Select Home Chocolate Fondue Fountain can fill in the gap until you can afford your dream fountain. Standing at a respectable … Read more

It takes a real commitment to decide on a slow-cooked meal. Pot roast, chili, stews, braised short ribs: all of these slow cooker meals require lots of cooking time. When the ingredients are in the pot, there's not much you can do to change your mind. Meals made in a slow cooker truly are set-it-and-forget-it-type meals. Once it gets going, there's no turning back.

The Crock-Pot Duo Cook and Server does double duty in more ways than one. First, the appliance combines two cooking vessels along with an attractive service for convenient tableside dining. Second, there are two … Read more

Salt and pepper are both indispensable spices. They sit by our side at practically every meal. Some people use a little, some people use a lot. Having the power over your own seasoning practically guarantees an enjoyable meal. From course to fine, the grind of our favorite spices makes all the difference in the world. Giving up on pre-filled containers of already ground pepper is probably the easiest way to increase your taste enjoyment.

The Cole & Mason Buzz Revolution Salt or Pepper Mill makes it easy to enjoy your favorite spices at their best. Fully adjustable from a fine … Read more

There are more ways than one that heated gravy can be a tricky mealtime endeavor. The essential accompaniment to many meals, gravy is quite often the highlight of the meal. Trouble is, sometimes it can be difficult to keep on the table, and not just because of its wonderful flavor. Sometimes the mad rush of the kitchen keeps all the stovetop burners occupied, making finding a place for warm gravy a difficult task. Other times, the length of the meal exceeds the heat of the gravy and you are left with a cold, unappetizing soup that nobody wants to pour … Read more

Whether you're headed to a potluck with enough cupcakes for a crowd or you're bringing deviled eggs for a big party, transportation can be a problem. No matter how carefully you wrap such dishes in plastic wrap, you'll wind up with frosting or deviled egg everywhere. The Deluxe Bakers Sto 'N Go offers a less messy alternative: the carrier has trays that keep whatever food you're transporting steady, leaving sticky decorations intact. You can even carry combinations of food, depending on just how much you need to carry: you can slide in a tray of deviled … Read more

Meals are not meant to be rushed. Perhaps in our caveman days it was a requirement of survival to scarf down whatever scraps of meat we could get our hands on, but times have changed. While that certainly could be considered an understatement, all too often we rush through our meals, ignoring the intrinsic benefit built into mealtime. Sitting down for a meal--assuming we are in a civilized frame of mind--is a perfect opportunity to slow down, speak with our friends, families, and neighbors and simply enjoy each other's company while we share our common need.

Of course, any … Read more

I recently made my first homemade pizza for a dinner with friends, and was forced to come to terms with the fact that my three-year-old dollar-store pizza cutter is on its little, last, pathetic legs. Or last axle, if we're being literal.

During an intensive course of Internet research for a replacement cutter, I stumbled upon a line designed by Frankie Flood. Flood's designs often tend toward cool aesthetics and away from functionality, but this baby looks like it would actually work well. Although I may not be purchasing one to serve practical purposes, it's definitely worthy … Read more

If you've been a reader for a while, you may remember the Cook-N-Dine teppanyaki-style cooking table, whose patented design allowed you to sear and saute meats and veggies on the same surface from which your guests eat. The trick to the Cook-N-Dine was in its reaction to being heated: the center of the table turns slightly concave when it's heated, trapping all of the juices in the center as the food cooks.

CDS, inventors of the Cook-N-Dine, have redesigned its patented line in this new family of indoor cook tops. The features that made hoards of customers fall … Read more