nuts

Kitchen gadgets are ultimately designed to do one thing; namely to turn (or help to turn) ingredients into food. That being said, there are levels of complexity involved that depend upon the desired final result. Usually, the more delicious the goal, the more complicated the actions. However, sometimes, with food and with gadgetry, simplicity is key. And fun for the kids, too.

The delicious substance known as peanut butter is surprisingly easy to make. Don't bother reading the label on the average jar found on the supermarket shelf; all that is really needed is peanuts, salt and oil in … Read more

Someone at Honda's been watching too much "Akira," because the automaker's latest electric vehicle concept looks a lot like the main character Kaneda's bike with training wheels.

Created by Honda's research-and-design facility in Milan, the 3R-C concept is an inverted trike that is powered by a battery electric drive train and seats a single passenger. When parked, the driver's seat and controls are covered by a clear canopy for added security and protection from the elements. This canopy rises and slides forward to become a windshield when the vehicle is in motion, protecting … Read more

Remember when the bottom dropped out of the economy and everyone was screaming for small, inexpensive, and fuel efficient cars? Well, they're here; and they're in Los Angeles.

Small cars ruled the roost at the 2009 LA Auto Show, with marquees such as the Ford Fiesta, the Mazda Mazda2, and the VW Up Lite attracting a lot of attention and stealing the spotlight from bigger more powerful cars.

Check out our gallery of small cars at the 2009 LA Auto Show for a closer look.

A bowl of freshly popped popcorn is close to being the perfect snack. Healthy, delicious, and versatile, the fluffy treat can take on any flavor you decide to impart upon it. The same can be said about nuts. Although high in fat, in moderation, nuts are essential eating. Nuts and popcorn together is like a secret combination of the universe. Snack makers long ago discovered the power of the popcorn and nut combination, but that doesn't mean you have to enjoy the mixture on their terms.

Nuts, like popcorn, are best served hot. Easy enough task when it comes … Read more

I have always been of the mind that the fastest way to ruin a good nut is to coat it in some sort of flavoring. Obviously--as evidenced by the massive selection of candied and spiced nuts on the market--I am in the minority. However, I am sure there are some chocolate lovers out there who feel the same way, albeit about chocolate. Luckily, there are plenty of nonchocolated nuts out there, while there also happen to be plenty of non-nutted chocolates. You see? We can all get along.

With the holiday spirit in mind, I took it upon myself to … Read more

When you first see the Bordeaux electric fireplace, you might think, "Gee, this looks like an attractive way to get a fireplace in my living room without installing a chimney. A real wood mantle! Actual heat! Remote-controlled convenience!"

But then you open the side panels to reveal hidden storage--for wine. Wine, right next to a heat source. And that heat source is capable of warming up to 400 square feet.

I can kind of get what manufacturer Muskoka is going for; after all, who doesn't enjoy a glass of wine while warming up next to the fire? … Read more

Some Cravers out there had a few choice words for a $17,000 Blu-ray player we featured last week, so we can't wait to hear the opinions on this one.

Meridian Audio, also known for its Ferrari label products, now has a CD player that's selling for $16,000. That's right, just audio--no DVD video, no Blu-ray. You can read all the gory details here, though Luxurylaunches points out that the "808.2 Signature Reference" player has something called a "Resolution Enhancement System" and features "a novel digital speaker connector you can … Read more

Who says creativity is dead? Sanity, maybe, but not creativity. Just hours after learning of a concept that lets you use your laptop while walking, we came across another invention that does it one better: a chair that does the walking for you.

The ingeniously named "Walking-Chair" is the brainchild of a couple of mad-scientist designers in Austria, for what purpose we have no idea. The eight-legged beast is made of steel tubes, plastic, and an "electronic heart," according to Gizmowatch.

The price might be a bit on the high side for the office budget, however: … Read more

We told you so. Vizio had promised to come out with a 47-inch LCD television with the highest resolution (1080p) for under $2,000, and it has.

The $1,900 TV is the latest of Vizio's "Gallevia" line, as well as the latest salvo fired in its trench warfare with other relative newcomers in the flat TV business--namely Westinghouse, which has a competing product around the same price.

In a recent interview with News.com, Vizio CEO William Wang said, "We don't believe anyone can call $3,000 affordable" for a 1080p TV. For … Read more