Sale: Cookware online

Holiday shoppers get an early opportunity to save on top-brand cookware, bakeware, oven-to-table stoneware, teakettles, kitchen tools, cutlery, pantryware, and other kitchen accessories. Get 30-70% savings on every cookware and kitchenware product offered by: Anolon, Circulon, KitchenAid (cookware and teakettles), Farberware, Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, and BonJour. To shop, click here. When ready to purchase, enter DISCOUNT CODE: 100040
where: PotAndPans.com
when: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 through Sunday, January 2, 2012.

Sale at Chilewich

Chilewich is taking 50 – 75% off regular retail prices. (you've seen their stuff at practically every new restaurant) Designs will include placemats, floormats, floor tiles, pet mats and bags (some items will be irregulars.)
where: Clothingline, 261 west 36th St, between 7/8,  2nd floor
when: Sale starts on November 8th and goes through November 10th. Open Tuesday, from 10 to 7, Wednesday from 10 to 6, Thursday from 10 to 7.

en route

Headed away for the weekend? These items will come in handy.

iPad sleeves
Express yourself, and protect your investment, with colorful felt sleeves from Graf & Lantz. They come in 12 colors ranging from sunny yellow to serious neutrals and are made of sturdy German 3mm merino wool felt with leather detail. Hand made in LA. $38 each, available from the website.

en route: Stelton travel mug

It’s important to stay hydrated, but even more important to drink from a container free of phthalates, Bisphenol A and PVC (see more about the health risks here). The Stelton water bottle is just that, and comes dressed in a colorful washable sleeve that makes holding it a pleasure. Its 2-piece watertight top screws off, allowing you to add ice or sliced fruit, and use as a drinking glass or bottle. Available on Amazon. Don’t leave home without it! For more about plastic recycling codes click here.

Bambu: responsible disposable

If you must use disposable utensils, you can’t do better than Bambu’s All Occasion Veneerware. Depending on what you are serving, you might choose the adorable spork, which does the job of a spoon or fork, or go for the traditional knife, fork and spoon assortment. Available from their website, the spork comes in packages of 24 for $10, the trio of utensils serves 8 for $10. These pieces are made from made from 100% bamboo, are biodegradable/compostable, and do not contain any chemicals, bleaches, dyes, or pesticides. For bulk sales you can email Terry at terryl@bambuhome.com or call 877 226 2829.

EAT OUT SERIES: part one

Whether its on a terrace, in the park or backyard, it’s time to take entertaining outdoors.

Fyrkat Cone Grill

This adorable Martian-like grill won’t take up much space on your deck, but offers 2 levels for grilling, plus a battery-operated rotisserie. Based on a design from 1962, the cone shape supplies maximum heat—not to mention a maximum cuteness factor! The outside shell is made of enamel-coated steel and comes in red, orange, green and black, with chrome-plated steel legs and heat-resistant silicone handles. Available online at the Bodum store, for $179.95.

Grill incognito

For those totally pressed for space, Black + Blum have designed a clever solution. What looks like a terracotta pot, actually hides a charcoal grill, whose handle/tongs are stored in an opening on the side. Herbs can be grown on the top, ready to incorporate into your favorite rubs or marinades. Removing the top reveals the stainless steel grilling surface, with a spot for charcoal underneath. The inside of the pot is coated in ceramic to retain heat. Pot is 14.6” round, with a cooking area of 11.4”. Available directly from Black + Blum online for $124, or at The Brooklyn Kitchen, 100 Frost St @ Meeker Ave.

Keep it cold: IceOrb

Place the iceorb in your freezer before heading outside with food and beverages. Then use it to keep your bottle of champagne, dip, or say, ceviche, nice and chilled. The cute video on the Fusionbrands website shows you how its done. $16.

Go Slow: Hurom Slow Juicer

If you have experience with juicers, as I have, you might have been frustrated by the amount of vegetables you had to have on hand to produce one measly glass of juice. Then came the ordeal of cleaning. I was convinced that paying $6 at the health food store was a simpler alternative till I encountered the Hurom Slow Juicer. What makes it a great appliance at a gathering is that in between uses, you can just run water through it to clean it, without having to take the whole thing apart, thus enabling fresh—and different—juices to be enjoyed throughout the party. Plus, since the juicer works at a slower speed, it does not destroy vitamins with heat, and takes EVERY BIT of juice from food, leaving the pulp virtually dry. The mechanism inside works more like a mortar and pestle, crushing and pressing foods—releasing the nutrients, enzymes, and phytonutrients—resulting in a rich-colored juice that does not separate. Put in your favorite fruits, vegetables, even soybeans, walnuts or wheatgrass, to make super-nutritious drinks in an instant. Watch the video (it has a hypnotic quality) and review the nutritional tests on their website. $349.  A good excuse to try this super-fresh cocktail from Joseph Shuldiner, soon to be appearing in his upcoming cookbook “Pure Vegan” coming out in Spring 2012 from Chronicle Books.

LAVENDER-TANGERINE MARTINI
Makes 1 drink
Preparing this cocktail is like bartending in a citrus orchard. The floral scent of lavender with the bright, fresh taste of tangerines is positively Mediterranean. The gorgeous color of tangerine juice is also such a welcome change from the usual palette of pinkish Cosmopolitans and greenish Appletinis. Your “Trend Meter™” will enjoy the evening off. To prepare enough for a party, juice tangerines and lemons in a Hurom Slow Juicer by peeling the fruit, cutting in half, and dropping in to the juicer.
2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier, or other orange liqueur
2 ounces fresh tangerine juice
1 ounce lavender simple syrup, (recipe below)
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
Lavender sprigs or a twist of fresh tangerine peel for garnish
Place all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds or until well chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lavender sprig or fresh tangerine peel twist.

Lavender Simple Syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoon dried or fresh lavender flowers
In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add lavender. Allow to steep for 30 minutes, then strain. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.

Notes of LOVE

Tell the people you love just-how-much, with finely engraved Valentine’s Day cards from Dempsey & Carroll. Each card is handmade, with a simple, sophisticated drawing and message wrapped in beautiful hand-lined envelopes. Buy one for $6, or spread the love with a box of ten for $50—alternatively, you can reinforce the message all year long! You’re a Fox. Bee My Honey. You’re a Hoot. We are Lucky.  Awww.

A gift for the nurturer: Bialetti Hot Chocolate Maker

I was skeptical upon first eyeing this piece. Why would anyone need a hot chocolate maker? One sip of the results was enough to change my mind! This appliance does more than heat up milk, it adds a wonderful frothy consistency, and works on a timer, so you don’t have to worry about burning the milk. Just add an organic hot cocoa mix or your favorite shaved chocolate (the preferred method) to create a soothing, sweet winter treat. Alternatively, you can also let the appliance froth milk for many cappucinos with its 32 oz. capacity top. Once summer comes around, you can flip the switch and use it to make iced coffee drinks, shakes and cocktails. Available on the website for $99.

A gift for the show-off: Bialetti Eco-Friendly Non-Stick Cookware

These pretty red pots and pans from Bialetti will make the perfect statement on your holiday table, especially if you care about cooking without harmful emissions in the mix. Aeternum cookware has a water-based coating which is PFOA free, PTFE free, and cadmium free. Saute pans come in 8-, 10.25-, and 12-inch sizes, the 12” comes with see-through lid. There’s also a 2 quart sauce pan, with see-through lid that’s awfully cute. Order them at the website.

A gift for the perfectionist: Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder

Who doesn’t love the smell and taste of just-ground coffee? Though most people would agree, the percentage of people that actually grind before every cup of coffee is probably pretty low. The Bistro Burr is designed to make that job simpler and more convenient. Here’s how I would do it: Store the beans in the glass container on top. Test results by rotating the top to produce the desired grind. Once that has been established, on a daily basis you can just grind the amount you like, slip the static-free glass container from the bottom and brew accordingly. The grinder uses conical burr grinders, which crush, rather than chop the beans, and do so without heat, thus adding to the flavor. Choose from three gorgeous colors: red, orange, chartruese, or simply black, or white. $79.

A gift for the retro-afficianado: Yubz Talk Cell Phone Handset

Anyone who misses the feeling of holding a substantial, durable receiver which transmits sound loud and clear should love getting this. The handset has a button to answer and hang up calls, volume control, and plugs right into the headphone jack. Check the Yubz Talk USA website to see compatible phones, and be dazzled by the color selections, and artist series. It also keeps the radiation from cell phones from being right next to your head (think about it!) This company also make a nice looking line of speakers for Ipods, a bluetooth portable speaker, and tiny lamps for use with your laptop. $45 in color, $65 for the gold.

A gift for the warm and fuzzy: Ewe Cuff Bracelet

This bee-ewe-tiful cuff cradles your wrist in 100% Merino wool felt, and is designed to be worn in a variety of ways. First, the cuff is reversible, from color to grey, and the die-cut shapes can be pushed in or out, depending on the mood of the day. Designer Brandon Perhacs, added strongly-attracting rare-earth magnets to the closure which snap together, adding to the joy of adornment. See Lichen’s website to find a store near you, or order online. Free shipping until Christmas. $44

A gift for the cook who can get messy: Utility Canvas Apron

Utility Canvas has designed a 5-pocket apron suitable for either man or woman. Wearers can create custom fit by adjusting the straps over the shoulders, through the holes in the back. Their range of colors allows you to have one to match every outfit. $48 available from their online store.

(Almost) Instant Ice-Cream

The Half Pint Soft-Serve Ice Cream Maker from Hamilton Beach has such a cuteness appeal that it will make kids and adults alike scream for ice cream. By keeping the bowl in the freezer, it is ready to use, and produces a half-pint serving in as little as six minutes. Best of all you can use your own wholesome ingredients, and add whatever you fancy, from fruit to nuts. I like the idea of mixing in some savory ingredients, like wasabi or wine, for unexpected outcomes. Please feel free to send me any unusual recipes you come up with.

STIRRING ice cubes

For those who love to swirl, I see great potential with these ice trays from Blomus. For starters, you could float an herb or edible blossom in each. Or, instead of water, use a blend of juices that would melt into your cocktail or water serving. I added pomegranate seeds, mint, and small triangles of blood orange for some color and a hint of flavor to the glasses of water in the photo. We can use a little extra chill right about now!

Cooking on the Go: Hot Brazilian Flame

Ecoflame has revolutionalized sterno with earth-friendly cans of warming fluid made with sugar cane from Brazil. Clean, smokeless and odor-free, the cans can be reused again and again, when refilled from the 2 litre recyleable bottle supply. Going camping? Take along this stack, and cook elegantly for up to 12 hours on an open flame. Cans come in 1, 2, 4 or 6 hour sizes. They also make a lighter fluid. Available on Amazon and at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Camping in Culinary Style: Stay Sharp

Just because you are in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Wusthof has come out with  a folding knife that will take you merrily through all your cutting tasks. The locking mechanism on the Ikon Blackwood knife ensures that the 5-inch long blade will remain firmly in place while slicing through, say, a hard salami, and the piece is assembled seamlessly to keep it thoroughly hygenic. If you get into hunting for mushrooms a good knife is an essential tool. My father told me: Never pull a mushroom out by hand, if you cut a mushroom and leave the root, you can come back for more. It also leaves the dirt behind. The Slovak community in upstate New York takes mushroom picking seriously, everyone is quite competitive! My family hunts for them every year, and either cuts and dries them in the sun, or cuts and freezes them to use in soup, stews, and meat dishes all year round. Free food!