Bring Out Your Gadgets

Features

August 18, 2011

We've selected gadgets that will get good use in your kitchen. Check them out with their partner recipes.

Gone are the days when you need to spend hours preparing one dish. Now you can blitz and shred everything in seconds. We've selected gadgets that will get good use in your kitchen—check them out with their partner recipes.

Photography by David Hanson | Food Styling by Carina Guevara | Prop Styling by Becky Kho Gadgets from Rustan’s Department Store.| Props from: Dowell Turbo Broiler Skilleti; Philips Stick Blender; OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner; Bamboo Steamer Basket by Progressive; Tefal Vitaly Cast Aluminum Griddle Pan; floral apron; all from Rustan’s Department Store. Smart Cook Pastry Blender, The Landmark.

Pastry Blender Discover the joy of making pie dough or short crust, and this tool will become priceless. Make pie dough in bulk, and freeze. They keep well, and can be a savior when you have sudden visitors or are in need of something quick to prepare, either sweet or savory. Plus the smell of a pie (or quiche) baking in the oven is to die for. Try it on this Tinapa and Sun-dried Tomato Quiche.

Bamboo Steamer This is one of those kitchen tools that just get better with age. You can use it to make Steamed Fish Fillet in Tausi Sauce or even leche flan. The steamer also allows you to cook veggies and proteins in one shot, a gas saver in these times when cost-cutting is on everyone's mind. Department stores usually carry only small to medium steamers. To find larger ones, head to Ongpin or Divisoria.

Stick Blender This is one handy tool! Just a few safety tips: Do not use while pot is directly on the flame. Also, use an extension cord if your plug is too far away from the counter. Better to avoid the mess than have to clean it afterwards. Use it for to dress up this Pumpkin Curry Soup.

Salad Spinner This gadget is vital for salad making. If you've had a salad that is watery and the dressing just wont stick, the salad spinner was not used. Drying salad greens is the difference between a good salad and one that is not. But it can also be used for draining pasta as well, or when your dredging anything in flour, like Hot Glazed Wings , one quick turn in the salad spinner and you'll have perfectly dredged chicken for frying.

Your Own Two Hands What better tool to use than what God has given us? Your hands can do anything a modern machine can so don't ever use for an excuse not having a well-equipped kitchen. Your hands are your kitchen! This Prawn and Pork Triangles is a crowd pleaser, and you can make it ahead of time and freeze into little bags. Just pop out anytime you want some resto-quality but easy-prep appetizers, or even main course.

Turbo Broiler This handy convection oven is best for roasting large pieces of meat like roast beef, the classic turbo chicken, whole legs of lamb,and even Home-style Bagnet. If you are shopping for a new one, look for one with a glass bottom so you can see the dish as it cooks.