Common Cuisine |

Wow, I’ve finally joined the ranks of those who don’t burn their rice. It’s only been about 10 years, but now I have one, and since I saved it from being my daughter’s drum last week, it is still part of my kitchen. What a novel concept to measure in the proper ingredients, plug the machine in and walk away. I can’t wait to get started with sushi now that I have a way to make predictable rice!

So the model I got only makes 3 cups, which is how much I usually make for our small family. It’s nothing fancy, but I think that for the small price I paid for it, it’s good enough for what I need. If we turn out to use it more than it can handle, then I will consider it worth my while to get a bigger and better one!

I’ll let you know in the long run how it turns out, but in the meantime, consider me a happy cook with an inexpensive, simple new appliance that will remove one more step from my crazy life. I can dig it.

I think that when someone coined the phrase “Easy as Pie,” they didn’t appreciate how complicated a pie can be. Sure, it’s just crust and filling, but seriously, who really knows how to crimp a perfect edge? Or how to cut just the right size vents in the crust? Or for that matter, how to make the crust in the first place? It seems to me that pie making is more of an art form than the easiest thing in the world.

For the pie-craft impaired, as well as for the pie artists among us, there are many more accessories than I ever knew existed. Aside from a wealth of sizes and types of pie pans, and pastry making tools, there are beads for holding down air bubbles while you pre-bake a crust. There are rotary cutters that give you the perfect crimped edge. There are rings you put over the edge of your crust to keep it from overbrowning (after you put all the effort into the perfectly crimped edge, you want to save it). And for the truly impaired (or compulsive), there is a little tool that perforates your pie in just the right places so you can cut professional size pieces!

One of the favorite accessories I have discovered is a ceramic blackbird that you build into the center of your pie, that vents the top crust. What a terrifically cute idea! It makes me want to bake a two-crust pie just so I can use the little bird to vent it. Perhaps next summer, when I bake my first annual fresh blackberry pie, will be the perfect opportunity.

Once you have baked your perfect pie, there are even special pie baskets for carrying the pie to the party. I love mine and don’t know how I would live without it. It even has two layers, so I can take either two identical pies or give my tasters their choice of culinary temptation. Unfortunately, Royce Craft Baskets, who made my pie basket, is no longer in business (although you can still find their products on eBay). However, there are several brands of pie baskets if you choose to look for one. Just be sure to look for those two levels, because making two pies is as easy as one pie, and it doubles the rewards when you show up with your scene-stealing masterpiece.

An apple corer/slicer is a fun gadget to have in your kitchen for snacks. This round handheld device cuts your apple into 8 wedges with one slice…

Just make sure you get one with sharp enough blades to easily pierce apple skin without bruising the flesh. I think the rubber handled Good Grips Corer and Divider from OXO looks pretty comfortable for the palms of your hands as you push down.

If you want something really fancy and durable, check out the square Cuisipro Stainless Steel Apple Corer, which comes with interchangeable blades for making French fries and diced potatoes. You will look like quite the pro to your friends.

To simultaneously peel, core and slice a larger volume of apples, consider a peeler/corer/slicer tool. These come in two types: clamp-mounted to the edge of your counter, and vacuum suctioned to the flat surface of your counter. I have enjoyed my clamp-style tool, but have seen high reviews for the vacuum-mounted Peel Away version offered by Back to Basics. This tool gives the user the choice to peel, core and slice; just core and slice; or just peel; plus if the peeler or coring blade ever wear out, you can buy replacement parts. For making pies, applesauce, and other apple-intensive treats, this is the ultimate kitchen companion.

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.