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Posted by Chef Jim on February 4, 2010
Here are my new favorite condiments. Garlic Gold garlic-infused olive oil, Garlic Gold dipping oil, and Garlic Gold Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette. At my dinner table, we just don’t want any other dressing for our salads than this Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette. And when we serve bread, hot from the oven, dipping it in the Garlic Gold oil, which is chock full of garlic nuggets…yum! Garlic Gold’s garlic-infused olive oil is great for adding a subtle taste of garlic to almost anything you saute. Or use it as a finishing touch. In any case, you’ll love this three-pack of delicious Garlic Gold products. All for only $22.00.
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When it comes to properly de-boning chicken, turkey, duck or even leg of lamb, you need the flexibility that is unique to boning knives and this one from Global is perfect for those jobs. I also use it to french the bones on my rack of lamb and rack of pork for a four-star restaurant presentation for dinner guests. This knife, with proper (and easy) care, will last a lifetime. It’s only $97.00.
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If you’ve always dreamed of cooking like Ming Tsai or Martin Yan, then you ought to begin with the proper cutting board. This John Boos Asian-style round cutting board is exactly like the ones used by Chefs Yan and Tsai. You’ll get a truer cut when preparing vegetables or meats for stir fries. This is one beautifully crafted cutting board and it belongs in every serious cook’s kitchen. Only $139.00
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When I bought my first LeCreuset pot, I wasn’t exactly sure what enameled cast iron would do for my cooking. All I can say is, “Wow!” This 3-1/2 quart Dutch oven is just the right size for making small quantities of stews and other braised dishes. I made a beautiful Moroccan cinnamon beef tagine in mine. Only $165.00 in “Flame Red.”
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I also have this same kind of pot available in the larger 9-quart size, a perfect vessel for cooking larger quantities of soups, stews, braises and my favorite — short ribs! This size, also available in Flame Red, sells for $300.00.
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This is one of my favorite whimsical things because it involves my favorite vodka and it’s kind of “green” because the crafter has recycled Grey Goose bottles into great looking tumblers. They certainly hold a nice Bloody Mary or Screwdriver or any other vodka drink you can think of. A set of 2 is $25.00.
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This is my absolute favorite style of knife to use. I own a lot of knives, but for balance, efficiency and a great cut, I use the Santoku style — it’s a Japanese chef’s knife. The little indentations, called “kullins,” help glide the knife through products that have more density. It’s a wonderful knife that belongs in every serious cook’s kitchen. I own this one, as well as one without the kullins, and a ceramic version. This one is yours for only $140.00.
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Why are you bending to read how much liquid is in your measuring cup? The folks at OXO have made a great innovation in the production of measuring cups by placing angled inserts inside the cup so that you can view from above and be accurate every time. If I don’t have to bend in the kitchen, I’m a happy chef! You will be, too. And this very useful item is priced at $15.00.
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The first time I saw (and heard) the Vinturi Wine Aerator, I was at a friend’s home. I mention the sound because you can actually hear the oxygen being injected into your wine as you pour it through the fine mesh screen into your glass. I’ve decanted older wines, and that’s important, especially ones that have sediment and maybe even some pieces of cork. But the Vinturi works beautifully on all wines, no matter what their age. And at $46.00 it’s an investment you’ll come to treasure for years to come!
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All Clad is my brand of choice for just about every pan I use. I have others (like my LeCreuset and Lodge cast iron), but for sauteing, braising, frying, boiling — almost every function — I love my All Clad and I have just about every size and shape they make. This Brazier is a great pan because it goes from stove-top to oven to table. You’ll love the way it cooks your food, too. Take a look at my other All Clad selections. This Brazier, that’ll last a lifetime, is only $165.00.
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A digital probe thermometer has become an essential, especially for those larger meats and poultry that spend a long time in your oven. You want to be sure that the meat is cooked properly with a proper internal temperature and you can do it with this probe thermometer without having to open the oven door and lose heat. I think it’s essential for every serious cook. I think it saves time, heat , energy and more! It’s a real bargain, too, at only $38.00.
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To make a perfect gratin you need the perfect gratin pan. This one from Vollrath is just right for my special recipe for Zucchini-Tomato-Summer Squash Gratin (available in my Recipe Archive). And it’s a steal at $91.00.
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The latest addition to my gourmet food products section is Wee Bee Honey — an all-natural raw honey from pesticide-free flowers. Once you taste it, you’ll be hooked and you’ll probably think twice before adding sugar. It’s delicious and it’s only $12.00. Special on Wee Bee Honey only until Sept. 7, 2010: Free shipping! Use the code: FREESHIPSAMPLER.
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One certain way to dress up your cooking is to add special salts, especially those harvested from the sea. Here’s a great collection of three salts — Fleur de Sel, Flake Salt and Gray Salt — that will add immeasurably to your cooking — as well as to raw foods. The package of three is $36.00
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Chili and Baked Bean season are upon us. I hate rushing the end of summer, but I’m already thinking of comforting warming foods for the cold weather that we’re going to see in just a few short months. This Lodge cast iron Dutch oven is a favorite of mine and it will last forever. Get yours for only $92.00
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Even professional chefs like to take shortcuts — especially at home and especially when time may be short. That’s why I like this selection of six sauces from Melanie’s. Chipotle Maple BBQ, Chipotle Peanut, Ginger Teriyaki, Mango Peach Chile, Milagro Mole, Rich & Mild BBQ. Enhance the real flavor of ribs, beef, chicken, seafood and vegetables and know that the product you’re using has no preservatives. The whole selection is available for only $36.00.
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When I switched from retail store baking sheets to restaurant quality baking pans, my world changed and so will yours. Here are 18 gauge steel pans that are rust-resistant and quite excellent at heat distribution. Your cookies and other baked goods will come out with a great crust when you use these half sheet pans and at $20.00 they’re an affordable addition to your kitchenware.
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Here’s the other half of the baking proposition. How’d you like to not have to clean up baked on messes like burnt sugar? The Silpat silicone mat is guaranteed to give you 500 non-stick uses and it fits exactly into the half sheet pans described above. At only $22.00 you can see what a bargain it is, especially when you consider all the money you’ll save not using butter or oil to grease your pans!
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You’ve seen me use this item to lift my Grilled Pizza Margharetta from the grill and it’s a great multi-tasker for your kitchen because it also lifts frosted cakes and other larger baked items. It’s the Norpro Cake and Pizza Lifter. This dishwasher-safe item is made from the finest 18-10 gauge stainless steel for the blade and it has a non-slip hand grip that gives you perfect balance when you’re lifting. At $23.00 it’s a “steel” for your kitchen!
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