Favorite Gadget Series - 3

It's time for another "Oldmarrieds favorite kitchen gadgets!" Ok, really, it's just time a for a new post!

Today's gadget is a mighty fine tool called a garlic press.


Mmmmmmm, fresh garlic

I can't quite remember where I first saw a garlic press used, most likely on a Food Network show, but I knew I had to have one. It may be considered a "uni-tasker" by the great Alton Brown, but man, it really saves me time in the kitchen.

Almost any time a recipe calls for "minced garlic" I pull out my handy garlic press. Simply pluck out a garlic clove from the garlic bulb, lightly smash with the side of knife to remove the paper skin and then plop into the press and viola! Minced garlic! Side note - be sure to press your garlic over the cooking vessel you prefer as you want all the tasty garlic juices to be in your cooking, not lost on a cutting board.

We bought our press at Ikea for the amazing price of $2.99. Sadly, you must pick up your own in store as they are not available for purchase online (hey, you just need to go to Ikea any way, it rocks! NC residents - Ikea Charlotte opens on February 18th at 9am, I'm not counting the hours or anything...). I would honestly have a hard time paying the $15+ I've seen them for at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Favorite gadget series 2

It's time for another "Oldmarrieds favorite kitchen gadgets!"

Today I want to share with you one of the slickest, sharpest and newest additions to our kitchen, the microplane zester!



What do we use it for?
-grating fresh Parmesan cheese
-zesting lemons and other citrus fruits
-grating dainty chocolate toppings

It is made by the people who make awesome woodworking tools. This means 2 things - first, it isn't the cheapest gadget in our drawer and second, it is the most sharp! I experienced the wrath of the zester last night while grating some delicious aged 18 month Parmigiano Reggiano cheese - my poor thumb knuckle will never be the same!

We bought ours at Bed, Bath and Beyond while shopping for a friend's wedding gift. Isn't that how it always works? You're out shopping for others and you just find the most perfect thing for yourself?!

Don't just take my word for it, read reviews here.

Our favorite kitchen gadget series

You can't eat at home without having a few kitchen gadgets, right? Today's post is on one of my favorite kitchen staples. It's not fancy or flashy (and certainly not a "uni-tasker" as Alton Brown would say) and can be bought for less than $15. Even my mother, who does not share my interest in cooking and making kitchen messes, owns one and loves her too.

No kitchen is complete without an 8 cup measuring cup!


We use ours mostly for mixing and baking (cakes, cookies, pancakes, waffles, muffins...), but it comes in handy when you need that 5 cups of water for a soup or just need something with a handy pour spout, handle and/or lid. They are microwave, dishwasher & freezer safe, what more can you ask? I will warn you - Pyrex is shatter resistant, but if you drop it on a kitchen floor (with a cement sub floor underneath) it will break into many itty-bitty pieces (which will be easily found by a bare feet, ouch!).