Review: Have a Pie Day Clay Pie Plate from Hess Pottery

We received a clay pie plate to review from Hess Pottery. The plate is made with natural red clay and is non-porous and lead-free. It can be used in the oven, dishwasher, and microwave. I had to wait to review it until my mom came to visit as she is the pie maker in the family. After debating about what type of pie to make—peach, cherry, blackberry—we finally decided just to make our favorite, lemon meringue pie.
Continue reading: "Review: Have a Pie Day Clay Pie Plate from Hess Pottery"

Tagine

If you want to try some Moroccan cooking, then you need a tagine. This tagine is made of clay and works directly on the stovetop as well as in the oven and the freezer. It is also microwave and dishwasher safe.

At Amazon

Seed and Stem Remover

This gadget works for both peppers and tomatoes. The small end removes tomato stems and the large end scraps out seeds from peppers.

At Seed and Stem Remover

Gnocchi Board

I love to eat gnocchi, but I don't know much about making it, so I don't fully understand how this board works. The grooves supposedly help retain the sauce. It comes with a small rolling pin.

At Gnocchi Board

Kiwi Cutting Board

How can you not be cheery in the kitchen with this kiwi cutting board? Made with dishwashwer safe tempered glass.

At Chiasso

Stackable Storage Container

I love these glass storage jars. The base is glass with a transparent plastic lid. They come in three sizes and two colors and, best of all, they are stackable.

At shopFosters.com

Cannoli Form Set

MMMMMmmmm. . . Cannolis. You wrap the pastry around these tubes, deep fry the pastry, and then remove the tubes and fill with ricotta cheese. The set includes four 5.75 inch-long tinned steel cylinders.

At Cannoli Form Set

Stiletto Cake Server

Serve cake in style! Use the sole of this cake server to slice and serve cake. When not in use, it contects to the heel with a magnet. It is made from stainless steel and plastic.

Via Popgadget at Chiasso

Tap Water Sanitizer

This system changes ordinary tap water into a natural, chemical-free cleaner. The system infuses tap water with ozone — a natural sanitizer that is safe and harmless to healthy cells, which can be used to reduce pesticide residue on fruit and vegetables. It also works to neutralize odors and kill germs on countertops and other surfaces.

Via Chip Chick at sharperimage.com

Mozzarella Slicer

Use this in combination with the tomato slicer to create a mozzarella, basil, and tomato salad. This gadget is designed to slice a ball of fresh mozzarella into even slices without compacting it.

At Williams-Sonoma

Tomato Slicer

I love fresh tomato salad with a little oil and vinegar and salt. Yummy. I can't wait til my tomatoes get ripe. This tool will supposedly slice your tomatoes into nice even slices. The slicer has multiple serrated stainless steel blades. The handle is rubber.

At Williams-Sonoma

Review: Simplehuman Soap Dispenser

The good folks at simplehuman sent us the precision soap pump to review. So far I love it. We have been using it to dispense hand soap in our kitchen, and it is much more attractive than the plastic container we were using before. This is no wimpy soap dispenser—it means business. It is incredibly sturdy, so you can easily use it with one hand and it won't tip over.

The dispenser is easy to push and allows you to regulate how much soap you want to come out. While we have been using it for hand soap, it would work just as well for dish soap. The reservoir holds 20 ounces, so you don't have to constantly refill it. It is easy to get a sponge or dish cloth under the dispenser. The soap chamber is clear, so you can see when you are getting low on soap and the back opens up to easily refill. Overall, another solid product from simplehuman.

It comes in a 10 oz and a 20 oz size. It has a rust-proof chrome finish and an acrylic soap chamber.

At simplehuman

Ice Plate

So the plate is a little ugly, but it could be useful for keeping foods chilled during a summer party. The plate contains a special solution that keeps the food cold--you just put the plate in the freezer before serving. It is made of plastic.

At SHOP.COM

Shuttle Containers

Here are some cool storage containers. The containers are made of glass and have interchangeable porcelain or plastic lids. The containers come in five different sizes and can be used for airtight storage, drip-free cruets, milk and sugar containers, salt and pepper shakers, and a juicer.

Via Cool Hunting at Rosenthal-Thomas.

Watermelon Knife

There is a gadget for every fruit. This knife with an extra long blade is designed for cutting watermelons. It has a high-carbon stainless-steel blade that is 12" long and 1.75" wide and a wood handle. Put it away, next to your mango splitter, pineapple slicer, cherry stoner, and apple corer.

Via bookofjoe at Professional Cutlery Direct

Double Wall Cooler/Beer Glasses

We have the double wall coffee mug from Bodum and love it. This is from the Assam line and it looks just as cool. The walls are two layers of clear glass, which resists heat and prevents condensation. Plus it looks like your beverage is floating in the glass. It goes in the dishwasher and the microwave.

Double Wall Cooler/Beer Glasses

Silicone Potholders

I've seen these in the store a few times. We have a silicone oven mitt, but these look like they might be more flexible than the one we have. The silicone is temperature-tolerant from -58 degrees to 446 degrees. They come in dog and frog styles.

At shopFosters.com

Bread Bin

I don't really understand bread bins--I keep my bread in the refrigerator--but this is a unique take on the bread bin.

At Drinkstuff.com

Electric Citrus Juicer

I'm not a juice drinker, so I don't know much about juicers, but this looks cool as long as you are only interested in citrus juice. The motor works in both directions to extract juice. There are two pulp settings, so you can have your juice with or without pulp. The jug holds up to 30 oz. and there is a fountain accessory to alow you to juice directly into a glass.

At Electric Citrus Juicer

Tea Brewing Mug

Brewing lose-leaf tea always causes a mess at my house. This mug could help. It comes with a large stainless steel infuser and lid that fits inside the mug. The infuser has a silicone handle and lid, and the lid acts as a resting place for the infuser to eliminate mess.

At Modern Motive

Pasta Pot

This makes sense. You can pour the water out of this pasta pot without taking off the lid. It has a patented click-on lid and specially designed handles to guarantee safety. Plus I love the blue color.

At Pasta Pot

Tree Stump Cutting Board

If you like the rustic look, here is a cutting board for you. It is made from an old maple tree stump and has a natural edge. It has been kiln-dried and has a food safe finish.

At UncommonGoods

Get the Latest Each Week from BlogPire Productions

We know you have a busy life and a busy schedule, and that's why everyone here at BlogPire Productions wants to make it easier for you to get the latest news from any of our sites. It's really easy - just click the link - sign up and you'll get the list of headlines sent to you via email each week.

• Interested in kitchen stuff? Try Kitchen Contraptions.
• Want to find the perfect wine? Try Cheap Fun Wines.
• Tired of the same old board game? Give Critical Gamers a shot.
• Fascinated by the world of Fast Food? Get Fast Food Fever!
• Tired of being lost? Look no further than GPS Lodge.
• Need to know what bet to make? Get Just The Chips.
• How about a nice dry scotch? Then Liquor Snob is for you.
• Interested in living a more natural life? Check out Really Natural.
• Need to stop getting razor burns each morning? You need Shaving Stuff.
• Are you keen to know the latest fashion? We suggest Shirt Snob.
• Want a great cup of coffee fast? Check out Single Serve Coffee.
• Want to know what to make for East Dinner? Visit The Cooking News.
• Confused on what HDTV to buy? Consult the TV Snob.

Soapstone Griddle

Soapstone is not just for kitchen counters. This soapstone griddle can withstand temperatures that are twice as high as cast iron and other metal cookware. It can be placed in the oven or over an open flame. It also develops a natural non-stick surface and black patina finish after curing.

At greenfeet.com

Octodog

Want to spice up your next bbq? The Octodog turns an ordinary hot dog into a octopus dog. You just insert the hot dog into the Octodog and push down. Hilarity ensues.

At Baron Bob and Wonderfully Wacky

Chopstick Holders

Now, I've always heard that you aren't supposed to stick your chopsticks in your food because it brings bad luck or something. But I suppose it is ok to stick them in one of these porcelain holders. Each holder in the set of four is unique in size, shape, texture and they come packaged in a Chinese takeout container.

At shopmodi

Indoor Rotisserie and BBQ

Roasted or rotisserie chicken is my favorite comfort food. This rotisserie fits on the countertop and is large enough to spit-roast two chickens, a 15-pound turkey, a leg of lamb, a rack of ribs, or six kabobs. it also has a wire food basket to rotate chicken wings, salmon steaks, or other foods and a steaming tray to steam vegetables or shrimp. It includes 6 kabob rods, flavor-injecting syringe, heavy gloves, and 12 elastic ties.

At Indoor Rotisserie and BBQ

Boda Nova Glass Set

I love fun glasses. Each glass in this set of four has a pattern inspired by citrus fruits. Buy them and have fun figuring out which citrus fruit goes with which glass.

At alphabetsnyc.com

Aero Garden Aeroponic Kitchen Salad Garden

Salad is good for you and perhaps even good for your kitchen. The Aero Garden is a fully automated self-watering, self-feeding farmer's market in your kitchen. NASA proven, aeroponic technology grows up to 5 times faster than in soil, with no dirt, weeds or mess.

Now anyone can grow herbs, tomatoes, salad greens, chili peppers, flowers, and more - year-round, at the touch of a button. No green thumb needed. Harvest only what you need - fresh from the garden, with no waste.

Via Shiny Shiny at Aero Garden

Preva xSport Portable Espresso Maker

You might not use this in your kitchen, but you may need it for your weekend trips this summer. Portable espresso or making coffee of any type on the go seems to be coming of age. We've seen the Aeropress, in-car espresso makers, and now the Preva xSport Portable Espresso maker for camping, rv-ing, and backpacking.

This ultra-compact espresso maker will make espresso on the go and is very light and durable. Preva has a pretty exhaustive FAQ for any question you might have about the xSport Portable Espresso maker. We could see this being a pretty good choice for a long weekend hike or perhaps making a double shot cafe Americano on the side of a mountain.

At PREVA - Find Your North

Alessi Demitasse Espresso Set

Chrome and elegant, the Jean Nouvel-designed Demitasse Set from Alessi is made completely from double-walled stainless steel, including two cups, saucers, and stirrers. The cups each hold three ounces and measure 2”(d) x 3”(h), and the handle-less design relies upon the double-walled feature to keep you from burning your fingers while you drink.

Via productdose.com at Demitasse Set from Alessi

Presto Pro EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

What's something that all good chefs have in common? Sharp knives. We'd love to have more sharp knives too, and this 2-stage electric knife sharpener from Presto makes it quick and easy. Just draw the knife through the sharpener's 2 slots a few times and the blade is razor sharp.

At Presto 08800 Pro EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

Cuisinart CEC-7 Egg Cooker

We recently took a trip to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and found this egg cooker to be actually appealing in person. The Cuisinart Cuisinart CEC-7 Egg Cooker features a smooth, brushed stainless steel lid, and cooks poached and medium or hard-boiled eggs. The poaching tray holds up to 3 eggs; 2 egg holders included for hard-boiled eggs. There is also an automatic shut off. YES!

At Cuisinart CEC-7 Egg Cooker