While in Bed Bath & Beyond looking for a princess cookie cutter, I came across the Robinson Push Button Lexan Cookie Dough Scoop. (The BB&B site doesn’t seem to have the scoop listed.) Although I never found the cookie cutter, I did manage to go home with the scoop.  For a mere $3.99, could I really say no?

What’s so special about this scoop?  It looks like a scoop, weighs as much as a scoop (maybe a little lighter), but has a soft, pliable Santoprene finger press that you can smoosh to free the dough.  It’s great for the occasional bakers who don’t have a need for the fancier-type cookie scoops.  And, not only does the Santoprene finger press come in different colors to suit any personality, kids will love the scoop and poke method of making cookies.

I must say, while I am an avid baker, I am not a sifter.  Unless a recipe is “delicate”, or someone has told me sifting is the difference between success and failure, I don’t do it.  At most, the ingredients might meet up with a whisk.  Its all about me, really, since my refusal comes from a combination of laziness and hating to clean mesh strainers.

Just when I thought my lazy-anti-cleaning-mesh-strainer-self was hopeful…A miracle. Last time I was visiting my mom, she gave me one of her two Battery-Operated Flour Sifters. Holy moly, this thing is great!  No more cramped fingers from my old metal hand sifter or no more spill-overs while sifting through a mesh strainer. Just fill over the bowl, turn on the sifter, and watch the flour go. I am sold!

Several months ago, Lindsay contacted me about mangoes. Random?  Well, yes!  But, it was a great thing.  You see, her job at an International PR firm in the food practice group led her to emailing me regarding one of my postings.  I thought that was so cool she took the time to comment.  Since then she and I have become fast email buddies, chattin’ up a storm about food – work related or not.

Our most recent chitchat was about Buitoni products and there was a response somewhere along the way from me, “This Italian is at your beck and call!” Next thing I knew, a wonderful package arrived on my doorstep Friday, complete with 3 types of ravioli and an Alfredo sauce.  With a couple of recipes in the mix, I decided the Cheese Ravioli with Pumpkin Sage Sauce was perfect for our recent change in temperature.

Now, I have seen Buitoni and similar products in the store.  To be honest, I don’t recall ever purchasing any.  And, I can’t say I enjoy the thickness of Alfredo sauce, so never gave it a second glance.   All that white sauce… I don’t know…makes me a bit queasy.  Even so, the mission was set the minute I opened my package.  The sound of Pumpkin Sage Sauce was intriguing, not to mention pretty fancy for my kitchen. Game on.

The result?  Extraordinary! The end result looked like something I would have ordered in a restaurant, and the look of the dish led me to think no one would ever know how it was easy to make.  The pumpkin coupled with the sage brought forth a sweet, earthy flavor I don’t think I have ever had with pasta. The teamwork between the creaminess of the Alfredo and the combination of cheese in the pasta made for a mouth-watering experience. I may throw some nuts in there next time for some added texture. Now, I must I admit how it pleased me when the whole wheat ravioli remained pliable and didn’t break. It may sound goofy, but I have to overcook my ravioli – purposefully (long story about why).  I can’t tell you how many times I end up with cheesy water because of broken pockets. So, it was nice to have “in tacked”, non-gummy little parcels.

While I haven’t eaten through the entire Lindsay package, I am definitely impressed so far.  Not only was the recipe straightforward and effortless, but the flavor was outstanding. Looking through the site, other recipes seem just as user-friendly.  In addition, it seems as though Buitoni is cognizant of the importance of eating healthy.  That’s an important element, since pasta can have a reputation of being carb heavy.  There is a section on their site designated to helping their customers achieve a balance.  “Many people are seeking ways to eat better and live a healthier lifestyle. Buitoni supports your efforts! Explore our Eat Right, Live Well section to learn how to make small changes to improve your diet while still enjoying a satisfying, delicious meal.”

If you haven’t checked out Buitoni products, do so next time you’re in the refrigerated section of your grocer.  It is a quick and easy way to get a healthy and hearty meal to the table. Head over to the recipe section for their wide variety of choices bound to please any palate!

Want to send not-so subliminal messages to a significant other?  Tend to forget which glass is yours after drink number three? Prefer to arrange seating at dinner to bring people together….or not? Need questions to be answered before your kids leave the table?

These sturdy, unique glasses are a fun way to bring back conversation.

I used my sauce on grilled salmon which brought a grin to my food-filled mouth.  But, I am thinking this is a sauce that can be utilized in both savory and sweet dishes.  Sure, it would go well with meat proteins, like fish or turkey, but what about breakfast burritos. mashed potatoes, or over veggies? Maybe a sweetened cream cheese or goat cheese tart or pancakes? I am going to have to continue to experiment.

However it is used, and if its not a familiar item already, I think Bronco Bob’s Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce will become a fast favorite in many households, including my own.

Last month, I wrote about Wild Garden hummus I picked up at World Market. Soon thereafter, I received a lovely note from Wild Garden and then a package from the company.  Anxious while opening, I quickly found 10 jars of hummus, 4 bags of pita chips, and 4 “Hummus to Go” packets. I was grateful for the generosity.  And, finding the package at my door one evening after the gym, famished, I immediately dove into one of the bags of chips, the cinnamon pita.  Then, I decided to keep the sun dried tomato hummus for me, and then bring the rest to work.

It so happened that the day after the hummus arrival, the administration covered lunch duty to give teachers a lunch-period off.  (We are not union down here and teachers eat lunch with their classes in the cafeteria.) I thought it would be nice to set up a taste test for teachers to try the hummus during their reprieve. So, I set up a tasting center with comment cards and left the rest up to them…

Overall, the hummus was well received and enjoyed. Many said they would purchase the hummus if they saw it in the store. Some of the comments included:

• They were awesome!
• Most of the flavors needed more spices.
• All were creamy in texture.
• They all taste similar.
• Nice citrus flavor.
• No difference between roasted red pepper and red hot chili pepper.
• No kick.  Not hot.  Not as spicy as I expected.
• All creamy but not distinctive
• Good stuff!
• Yum!
• A little too thin.
• Dee-e-e-e-licious! And best of all healthy!
• I couldn’t quit eating them.

Even though the majority of the testers said the various tastes were not very distinct, the hummus was a homerun. and the taste test was a hit.  It made for a nice treat for some very stressed middle school teachers.

Thanks Wild Garden!

I tried.  Really!  The plan was to buy gummy Band-Aids for a teacher who badly cut her finger . Fifty dollars and a full shopping bag later, I walked out with a lot more than the gummies.  One of the “gotcha” items?  Wild Garden™ Hummus Dip. This fun little porta-hummus is “all-natural, preservative and trans fat free. They are vegetarian and feature the healthiest ingredients available. And because they are shelf-stable, they have a shelf-life of 18 months which increases their value.”

Wild Garden has several products.  I happened to be enamored with the Wild Garden™  Hummus to Go. And, I was quite pleased with the flavor. Tastes like hummus!  Ha!  Yummy for 99¢. Depending on where you live, you can find Wild Garden™ products different stores, like World Market, Target, Earth Fare, or Ridleys.  Or, you can order online.

World Market has carried Lemberg Gumi Aid Fruit Flavored Band-Aids for several years. I began buying them as accompaniments to get well cards.  They’re just a fun way to let someone, young or old, know you care.  At $2.99, that’s not much to pay when the appreciation on the other end will last and last.

When I saw Plink hanging from one of the end caps in Kroger, I thought why not?  I have tried everything else. 

A product from Phelps Industries, Plink, these little round treatments come in lemon-scented and citrus-scented, and claims to clean a garbage disposal while helping to prevent clogging. So, following the package directions I Plink’d my sink and dropped the marble-sized pellet into the disposal.  I “flicked the switch”, 15 seconds….grind, grind, grind……then lemon!  Lemon scent arose from the drain.  Yeah!

Admittedly, I was a bit cynical at first, the lemon scent helped turn around my thoughts.  Now…time will tell and I have 9 more gel caps to go.  I am optimistic, though!

*To reiterate the warning on the packaging, keep out of your children’s reach.  Plink treatments look like candy.  The lemon ones I bought resembled Lemon Heads.  So, please be cautious.

The company prides itself on it’s merchandise — of which there is a large variety.  Case in point: “Regency Wraps manufactures cooking accessories for the top chefs in the Foodservice Industry and our Gourmet Retail line makes chef grade products available for the chef at home.” I have only used the Spice Bags.

The 100% cotton mesh drawstring bags are great to use for holding any combination of spices or herbs.  They also work for teas and/or sachets.  So, next time you’re fishing out herbs that went a rye in your soup or stew, think about picking up a Spice Bag, available online on Amazon, The Kitchen Store, or Chef Tools.