Making Room for MUST-Have Cooking Tools (Take 4)

While we're busy DE-cluttering the kitchen for all the good food gatherings to come this year, we're also making room for some new tools to help make delicious entertaining happen.

Here are a few MUST-haves that will be key to our cooking adventures in 2011.



Kyocera Ceramic Knife and Y Peeler
Kyocera's Revolutions Series Santoku Knife, 5.5 inches long, is the ultimate cutting tool for every day slicing of fruits, vegetables and boneless meats. The Y Peeler has an ultra sharp ceramic blade that will glide through food only peeling the needed amount and nothing more. Conveniently packaged together, it's the perfect pair for any home cook. And, if PINK is your thing, or if you simply want to generate some good karma this early in the year, why not go with the special edition Susan G. Komen set? $5.00 of each knife sold is donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. To date, Kyocera has donated over $340,000. 
Retail: $59.95

NexTrend's The Garlic Twist
Already a winner of numerous industry awards, the 3rd generation Garlic Twist has been updated inside and out. Consisting of just two parts, with cross-cutting teeth to do the hard work for you, the Garlic Twist makes it easy to mince good amounts of garlic, ginger, carrots, shallots and peppers in seconds. Polycarbonate. Made in the USA. (also pictured above in action...)
Retail: $14.95

Joseph Joseph Nesting Set of 8
If you haven't already gotten acquainted, we're so very happy to introduce you to the Joseph brothers! Joseph Joseph was founded by twin brothers Richard and Antony Joseph in 2003, combining their respective experience in product design and business. The Joseph Joseph kitchenware line is filled with strong engineering, vibrant colors and artful modern lines. The unique ability of Joseph Joseph to match form and function has earned them global recognition for their multi-award-winning kitchenware designs. 

Why does this set rate MUST-have status? A few reasons starting with function. The set includes several essential kitchen items:

• 4 measuring cups 
• 1 small mixing bowl 
• 1 sieve 
• 1 colander/strainer 
• 1 large mixing bowl 

Next, consider the unique design of the set, allowing each individual element to be stacked and stored together - NESTING - so that they occupy an absolute minimum amount of space.  We also love the range of bright, vibrant colors.  And, if that's not enough to convince you, how about this - the entire set is dishwasher safe!
Retail: $52.95

Please excuse us now as we dash off to play with our new cooking toys...(ahem)...tools!! ;-) If you have enjoyed any of these MUST-haves, please do share your experiences!

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Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music. - Julia Child