Common Cuisine |

Have you tried Uncrustables from the freezer aisle at the grocery? They are frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into a circle and crimped around the edges, like a mini pie.

This little gadget allows you to make your own without paying for the packaging and advertising. You can make several and freeze them yourself, while using different jelly flavors to give yourself greater variety than you can get from the store.

The Cut-N-Seal also comes with further ideas for ways you can use it. Baked mini pizzas and pies, deli meat and chicken salad sandwiches, and my personal favorite, a recipe for “Coney Island Saucers” using hot dog and chili.

We love the Cut-N-Seal in our kitchen. My three-year-old requests a “circle sandwich” at least once a week, and it is a big hit with her friends when they come for lunch. My only complaint about it is that you have to press pretty hard to cut off the crust of the bread. But I just set the sandwich on a cutting board, press hard and twist to loosen the crust. Its fun value for kids makes it a great addition to your gadget drawer.

Grade: A-

The Cut-N-Seal retails for $8.75 and can be purchased by visiting www.PamperedChef.com and finding a local Kitchen Consultant.