Enjoy Summer Salads, Herbs, & Berries

It’s right around this time of year that the lettuce in your backyard garden really starts to pop – I know because I have bushels of romaine and spicy lettuce that I’ve been handing out to friends. I’ve been enjoying fresh salads almost every night since July 4, too. Over a salad last night, I got to thinking: what else is ripe in mid-summer? 

Talking to friends (and consulting Google), I discovered that it’s prime berry season. Also, herbs – easy to start indoors in winter – are giving up their bounty, and have been for some time. To enjoy these fruits of mid-summer properly, try out these tools and gadgets. 

Jonas Berry Comb – Great for kids and adults, simply sweep this simple tool across berry bushes for a bounty of fruit. The wire combs sweep through thick brambles, easily picking up blueberries, raspberries and more. 

RSVP Fresh Herb Keeper - When you want to keep rosemary, basil, thyme and others fresh on hand for salads, roasted chicken, and more, look to an herb keeper. These compact devices keep herbs submerged in water and standing upright, which prevents wilting. 

Microplane Herb Mill – The last time I dried a sprig of oregano in my house most of it ended up spilled on the kitchen counter or the floor.  That’s because I would crush the sprig in my hand to remove the good bits, resulting in waste. That problem goes away with the herb mill. Not only does it shred and spread fresh herbs, but it crushes up dried herbs to produce a fresh version of store bought herbs. 

OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner - Literally one of the greatest inventions since sliced bread. No more soggy salads, plus the centrifugal force causes any last remaining bits of dirt and muck to fly off. 

RSVP Endurance Tomato Shark Huller – I despise tomato stems. Before I got a tomato huller, I was slicing up tomatoes, then using the tip of my knife to remove the hard stem parts (and before that, I would core the whole thing, wasting lots of precious tomato goodness). The inexpensive tomato shark scoops out the stem with no mess. You’re free to slice and dice tomatoes without a care in the world!  

ChefTools.com Made-in-America Shopping Guide

I am extremely proud to share this guide to all the brands available on ChefTools.com that make their products in America. I was actually surprised by how many brands still make their products here. If you’re into shopping local, or just want to support American workers, look to these brands and their outstanding products. 

Ateco: Founded in 1905 in Long Island – where it’s still located today – Ateco is known for its high quality, affordable bakeware and baking tools. Not all Ateco products are made in America, but many are. Airbrush coloring, cake decorating sets, pastry decorating sets, food coloring markers, decorating bags, and more all American made. 

Architec bowl sets

Architec: Stylish, durable, and infinitely useful, all Architec bowls, cutting boards, and cups are made in America. Even better, Architec uses 98% recycled materials to make its bowls.

AmeriColor: Are you a patriotic candy maker? Then try AmeriColor. These Kosher, oil-based candy colorings are made to blend with chocolate and hard candy and other oil-based foods.

Bar Keeper’s Friend: Invented in Indianapolis in 1882 by a chemist looking to clean a rhubarb-stained pot, Bar Keeper’s friend is still made in the Circle City. And, as a frequent cleaner of pots, I can tell you that it cleans stainless steel and enamel quickly and easily (plus, tile, linoleum, porcelain – most kitchen and bathroom surfaces).

Bag Adapter Kit: This handy device allows you to reuse pastry bags no matter how big of a hole you’ve cut in it. Invented by a baker and mother from San Diego. Two percent of all Bag Adapter Kit sales go to the Autism Speaks foundation.

Bread Armor: The Bread Armor artisan bread bags help bread stay fresh longer with a multi-layer barrier that keeps out mold-causing moisture and drying oxygen. This bread bag is perfect for low-moisture, gluten-free breads and artisan breads that do not contain preservatives.

Bella Cupcake Couture:  Posh and chic textile-inspired cupcake wrappers for all sizes and shapes. Designed and made here in Washington State.

Best Manufacturers: A leading manufacturer and supplier to the restaurant industry and for 4 decades has made its famous whisks and cooking tools in America. 

An example of a cake spruced up with a Cake Vase

CakeVase: Add flowers to you cake with this interesting tool. Great for weddings and anniversaries; made in America and it’s dishwasher safe.

DecoLace: Fancy and fun paper flowers for cheese platters and other appetizer spreads, plus cupcake wrappers, and doilies for serving pastries.

Dexter-Russell: From sandwich spreaders to granny forks, Dexter-Russell products are made of stainless steel and feature riveted walnut handles. These are beautiful and durable USA-made kitchen tools that you’ll be able to pass down to the next generation.

Epicurean Cutting Boards: Epicurean boards are made in America of Richlite, an eco-friendly, natural wood fiber from certified U.S. sustainability managed forests. Approved by the NSF (National Sanitary Foundation), durable Richlite resists and prohibits bacterial growth. Pick up an Epicurean board before we’re all sold out!

Hammerhead Products: This company makes the famous – you’ve seen it before, trust me – Eggsact Eggtimer. This handy little egg-shaped egg timer goes right in the water and gives you perfectly hard boiled eggs every time. 

Jaccard: Meat tenderizers and ceramic Y and swivel peelers – these high quality professional tools are available at an affordable price. 

Jaz Innovations: Maker of the Perfect Crust Beaded Pie Chain (available in 2 sizes), which lets you bake perfectly flat crusts every time. Simply place the chain in the bottom of your pie and bake as usual. No more uneven or warped crusts. 

From the LamsonSharp Fire Forged series

LamsonSharp: As a native of Massachusetts, I’m particularly proud of this cutlery company located along the banks of the Deerfield River in Shelburne. LamsonSharp has been constructing knives practically since the time of Paul Revere. Some products are now made overseas, but a majority of LamsonSharp products are still handcrafted in Massachusetts. All LamsonSharp knives are covered under the Sharp For Life program, which entitles owners to have their knives sharpened by the craftsmen who made them - for life.

Lucks: Makers of simply the cutest cake and cupcake decorations, cake toppers, sugar decorations and more – all made just a couple of miles south of ChefTools.com in Tacoma, Washington. 

Parrish Magic Line: Hand machined and made in California, Magic Line pans and baking tools are affordable and high quality. These are the pans that you’ll one day (far, far in the future, of course) pass down to your grandchildren. 

Microplane: For fine zests, grated cheeses, shredded carrots, and much more, turn to a Microplane grater. Constructed and honed in Georgia (they also make many excellent woodworking tools).

Pourfect: Need a mixer attachment for your KitchenAid stand mixer? Pourfect Scrap-A-Bowl attachments fit perfectly and they gently scrape the sides of the bowl so you won’t have to.

Range Kleen: Keep your stovetop kleen with a Range Kleen chrome or porcelain drip pan. These fit under your burner and prevent food, oil, and other hazards from getting inside your stove. They also make cleanup easier: simply throw them in the dishwasher when they get too dirty. 

Raw Materials Design aprons

Raw Materials Design: Yet another Washington company, Raw Materials’ aprons and linens are designed and assembled here in Seattle in the hip Georgetown neighborhood. These farm chic items are gaining popularity in boutiques and national media.

SatinIce: Practically the only name in fondant, Satin Ice is renowned for its taste and texture, perfect for intricate or simple cake and cupcake decoration.

Seattle Popcorn Company: Makers of Uncle Woody’s, not only is its gourmet popcorn unequivocally delicious, but it’s made within a couple of feet of our office. We literally see the popcorn makers with their aprons and hats walking to the local coffee stand. Sometimes the smell of delicious caramel drifts in through our air vents!

Stone-Buhr: Grown, ground, and packed in Washington state, Stone-Buhr is one of America’s oldest and most recognizable flour brands. Use to make everything from birthday cake to gnocchi.

Ultimate Edge: Look to this company to protect your knife blades (and your hands). The Ultimate Edge Blade Savers come in all sizes and sets, keeping knives sharper longer. 

USA Pans signature corrugated baking pans

USA Pans: It’s all in the name – USA Pans makes high quality bakeware here in America. Check out the pans with a unique corrugated bottom, which aids in the nonstick properties. And the most popular USA Pans product that we sell? The Nonstick New England Hot Dog Pan. 

Mario Batali's Vic Firth salt/pepper grinders

Vic Firth: Not just a drumstick maker, Vic Firth makes beautiful Mario Batali designed salt and pepper mills and rolling pins. All are handcrafted in Maine.

Zeroll: The world’s best ice cream scoops? Probably. Visit your local ice cream shop this summer and you’ll probably see the person behind the counter using the classic 2-ounce scoop.

Salt & Vinegar Grilled Potatoes

Potatoes: the waxier the better

We had some sun and heat (well, it was, like, 70) here in Seattle on Wednesday and Thursday, so I used the rare break from 63-degree temps and rain to attend a barbeque – and I had one of the best potato dishes I’ve ever had.

Grilling potatoes isn’t super common, but the host at the barbecue swore by his mother’s recipe for salt-and-vinegar flame-roasted potatoes. I didn’t take down his recipe, but today I found a similar one on SeriousEats.com. It’s so easy and delicious. Here’s their recipe distilled (har, har) through me:

• 1 pound of potatoes (my favorite are red or “new” potatoes) sliced in thick chips

• 2 cups of white vinegar

• 2 tablespoons of oil

• Kosher salt – as much as you desire

• Freshly ground pepper to taste

Bring the potatoes and the vinegar to a boil, then reduce to a simmer under potatoes are just tender. Remove from heat and let the vinegar and potatoes mingle until cool. Strain, then toss with the oil, lots of salt, and a little pepper.

While the potatoes are cooling, fire up your grill (that is, if you have charcoal – the best way to add smoky flavor). Make sure you oil the grilling grate. I cannot stress the importance of this step. If you don’t oil your grate, you’ll ruin your food! 

OK, now you’re ready to grill. Place the potatoes down and grill evenly on each side until charred and slashed with grill marks. Add more salt, and enjoy with fried chicken, hamburgers, or even a salad.

Getting Ready For July 4

Coming Monday, we’ll be launching our July 4 sale with deals on some great items (sign up for our newsletter for notice as soon as the sale starts). But I wanted to walk through some essential July 4 cooking, barbecuing, and party supplies to whet your appetite. 

Whether you’re hanging in the backyard or staking out a spot at the local park to watch the fireworks, these tools will go great with your July 4 celebration:

• Meri Meri Stars & Stripes series: Everything from bunting to paper plates, cups, and napkins, all with a fun stars-and-stripes theme. In fact, you could put together a pack of essentials: 20 large napkins, 12 paper plates, and 12 paper cups for only $13.85!

• Tovolo Blue Rocket Ice Pop Molds (set of 6): What’s more enjoyable on a hot July 4 afternoon than munching on a red, white, and blue rocket ship shaped ice pop? It’s easy to make tri-color pops with these molds, just like from the ice cream truck. 

• Lucks Edible Image American Flag: This cake topper is perfect for a July 4 sheet cake. Frost your cake with white whipped cream, line the edges with strawberries and blueberries, then top with this edible image – your cake will pop like a Roman candle. 

• Tovolo Steadysticks Wine Glass Holders: For the adults, there’s nothing finer than sitting in your local park under the band shell with  friends, enjoying a glass of wine and waiting for the fireworks to start. With these inventive devices, you don’t have to worry about balancing a wine glass on the grass or the narrow arm of a folding chair. 

• Charcoal Companion Gourmet Corn Grilling Set: Certainly, ChefTools.com offers many essential barbecue tools – and barbecue tools are certainly essential to the July 4 experience. But for me, no tool is as convenient and conducive to deliciousness than this corn basket. Easily roast up to 4 ears at a time, no more rolling, burning or under-cooking. Then, when you're ready to slather on the butter, salt, and cayenne pepper, the little corn grippers help keep your hands clean. Hurry – there’s only 3 left and they’re 35% off for a limited time.

• USA Pans Nonstick Pie Pan: And finally, what’s more American than pie? How about pie made in a pie pan made in America? All USA Pans are made of high quality materials and will last for generations. I dare say using a USA Pan may be the most patriotic way to cook.

Summer's Hottest Sweepstakes

What’s spicier than a pound of dried Scotch Bonnet peppers marinated in a gallon of Red Savina capsicum and seared over spit under the hot Texas summer sun? The Tabanero Spicy Summer Sweepstakes, that’s what.

The folks over at Tabanero – one of America’s finest hot sauces, good on everything from eggs to mangoes – were kind enough to invite ChefTools.com to take part in summer 2012’s hottest contest - and we'd like to take this opportunity to formally ask you to participate.

The prizes include, of course, Tabanero hot sauce, barbecue tools by RSVP, Blue Diamond almonds, acai berry liquor, and lentil chips – and all you have to do to enter is go to the Tabanero Facebook page and hit “like.” Want to go right now? Click here.

Three lucky grand-prize winners (and 5 runners up) will win enough FREE goodies to throw the biggest July 4 celebration since 1776 – except better, because they didn’t have hot sauce or lentil chips back then.  Each grand-prize winner will get:

• 12 bottles of Tabanero hot sauce, 2 bottles of Tabanero bloody Mary mix, 4 backpacks, 2 T-shirts, and 10 hot sauce sample packs
• A ChefTools.com grilling prize pack filled with RSVP  grilling tools, including a basting brush, grill tongs, a fish-grilling basket, and cool grilling goggles
• 3 variety cases of Blue Diamond almonds
• 2 bottles of VeeV acai berry spirits
• 12 bags of Enjoy Life Foods Plentils lentil chips

Simply “like” Tabanero and you could win – and while you’re at it, do yourself a favor, head over to the Tabanero website, and buy abottle of their sauce. Their recipe is simple – the only ingredients are peppers, carrots, onions, lime juice, agave nectar, garlic, salt, and grapefruit seed extract – and they use no fillers:

“Tabanero is 100% All Natural and adds a delicious, zesty flavor to your favorite dish. There is no vinegar in our product or any other cheap filler, such as water. Our unique blend of ingredients gives Tabanero an unforgettable flavor that ignites your taste buds like no other hot sauce. Tangy with a hint of sweetness from the agave nectar, mixed with the perfect amount of heat, spices up your dish without over powering it.”

– From Tabanero