Playing Around With Garlic Zoom at KitchenArts

New product. Playing around with it in the KitchenArts office.

KitchenArts: Chef'n Emulstir emulsifier

PITTERS: CHERRY VS. OLIVE

People always want to know the difference between Cherry Pitters and Olive Pitters. This vid should help a bit (despite our use of a fake cherry!) Yes, a cherry pitter will pit olives--if you're careful. But if you want to do a bunch of olives fast, the olive pitter is much easier to use. An olive pitter will not, however, pit cherries--they usually smoosh. At last! Enlightenment.

BENRINER JAPANESE MANDOLINE

Ahh, the Benriner. Yet another example of cheap is good. The Benriner does not have all the functionality of more expensive mandolines (no french fry blade, no waffle cuts) and the finger guard is worthless, but if what you need is veryfine ("superfine") to medium slices and/or fine juliennes, this is the thing. We sell more of these than all other mandoline styles combined. $29.95 KitchenArts.biz

KUHN RIKON JULIENNE PEELER

There are a few julienne peelers on the market, but this one is the beauty. Works great on carrots, 'cukes, etc. For full length juliennes without a mandoline it has become a summertime staple. $12.95 KitchenArts.biz

BRAUN HAND BLENDER

The Braun immersion (or stick) blender is cheap yet powerful. 200w motor is strong enough to crush ice, frozen fruit, nuts, vegetables, etc. and is typically used to make smoothies, ice cream floats and soups such as gazpacho--no more pouring batch after batch into the blender; use the stick blender right in the soup pot! It comes apart easily and can be dishwashed, top rack. There are more expensive stick blenders out there, with more speeds and attachments (which you don't need), but for $24...

FORSCHNER BREAD KNIVES

As recommended #1 by Cook's Illustrated. Long enough for big loaves, wide enough to cut all the way through without hitting your knuckles on the board. Very nice thin edge does not tear or make alot of crumbs. Try it on citrus and tomatoes! Made in Switzerland by Victorinox, the swiss army knife company. Model 40547 has a plastic "fibrox" handle, 40040 is wood.

CLAM RAM

Get your mind out of the gutter...this thing opens clams, like the kind you find at the beach. Certainly one of the more ridiculous items in the shop (and one that incites the most commentary) the Clam Ram has been one of our best online sellers.Available from KitchenArts.biz.

HOW TO USE A SHARPENING STEEL

How to properly use a sharpening steel, as demonstrated by me, Owen Mack, Owner of KitchenArts. If 15 or 20 passes over the steel doesn't work, it means you need to get your knife ground. Steels don't wear out! Unless perhaps you work in a commercial kitchen... Click here for info on getting your knife ground. My favorite steel for the money (and the one I'm using in the video) is Forschner's 12" medium model, available for about $30 plus S&H here.Â