Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts

11/18/2011

Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG196600RED 9 1/2-Inch High Heat Spoon Scraper Review

Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG196600RED 9 1/2-Inch High Heat Spoon Scraper
Average Reviews:

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These silicone spatulas are the highly recommended ones from a leading cooking magazine. So I purchased all these Rubbermaid professional heat resistant spatulas and spoonulas (9 ½", 13 ½" and 16 ½" in length). I use the spatulas primarily for folding ingredients in a mixing bowl. I prefer to use the spoonulas for scraping a bowl when I want to scrape out every last bit of cooking goodness (the edges of the spoonulas are thinner and the cupping of the spoonulas both help to scrape bowls, pans, and pots clean). The Rubbermaid professional plastic handles are more comfortable to use than the wood handles on my heat resistant spatulas and spoonulas. Also, the silicone heads of my wood handle ones are stiffer than the Rubbermaid professional ones. I think that little bit of flex in the Rubbermaid Professional silicone heads helps me scrape cleaner.
I have yet to use the little notch on these spatulas for scraping under the opening of jars (I think they were intended for use on the commercial kitchen size jars) since the spatulas are 2 ¼" wide for the 9 ½" to 2 ¾" wide for the 13 ½" and 16 ½" long tools. The handle ends have small prongs that look like they are to help keep the entire spatula or spoonulas from sliding into a work bowl.
I have some older Rubbermaid ones and they are definitely not stain resistant: the paprika has permanently stained one of the mixing spatulas. I was able to remove the paprika stain from the Rubbermaid professional spatula using dishwashing liquid and a nylon Scotchbright like pad. Also, my older Rubbermaid heat resistant spoonula developed a split at the tip and has warped a bit.
I just realized that one of the reasons why I don't like my similar sized 13 ½" sized silicone spatulas and spoonulas with wood handles: the working end is heavy so the tool is not as balanced as these Rubbermaid Professionals.
For most home kitchens, I'd recommend buying the 9 ½' and 13 ½" size spatulas and spoonulas. There is a 16 ½" size that is very long and the silicone head is the exact same size as the 13 ½: (14" actual) size (4" X 2 ¾").
PROS: The silicone heads have just the right amount of flex to scrape cleaner than similar sized scrapers and spoonulas. The handles are more comfortable and sized well.
CONS: A bit expensive but you a get a tool likely to last.


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The Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG196600RED 9-1/2-Inch High Heat Spoon Scraper resist heat up to 500-Dergee F/260-Dergee C which makes it ideal for use in cooking. The scraper is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and a Cool-touch handle is designed with employee safety in mind. The Blades are stain resistant and will not scratch your grill or cookware which provides longer life for both the scraper and your cookware. The high heat scraper also features a Clean-Rest which keeps the blade from touching the table and helps to prevent cross contamination of foods. All handles are red with white blades for easy identification for hot applications.

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9/24/2011

Old Stone Oven Pizza Stone Round Review

Old Stone Oven Pizza Stone Round
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I bought two of these, despite their relatively high price. I wanted to be able to cook two large pizzas at once for entertaining, so nobody waits slobbering while others eat their pizza.
I've made pizza twice and have not been disappointed. The stones are fairly soft and would scratch easily with sharp steel implements, so I'd avoid using them. The sone's porosity means it will stain easily. Spilled tomato sauce and cheese will bake right into the surface. I expect my pizza stones will quickly develop a patina. If you want clean looking pizza stones, the maintenance would be nearly impossible. Otherwise, maintenance is easy. Wash in hot water (no soap) and air dry. Use a belt sander or orbital sander if you ever want to renew the surface.
I'm surprised another reviewer received a broken pizza stone. The manufacturer packages these heavy and moderately fragile items very well with lots of corrugated cardboard. Both of mine arrived in perfect condition. They were shipped separately, like apparently everything from Amazon.
The crust is much better than the pizzas I was making in glass pie plates. It's crispy on the bottom and tender in the middle. The toppings are better too, because they are cooked at higher temperatures and have more of a roasted flavor. Before, pizzas cooked at 350 F for 25 minutes. The crust had good flavor but tended to steam under the vegetables and cooked very slowly. Now, I cook pizzas in ten minutes (!) and the crust and toppings are perfect. For entertaining, you could easily bake a pizza in the time it takes to assemble the toppings for the next pizza.
I just received the peel. For the uninitiated, a peel is the flat wooden pizza assembly station used to transfer the pizza to the stone in the oven. So far, I have made four pizzas without the peel and it's frustrating, and possibly dangerous working in a 500 F oven. Get the peel. It's not an option.
A tablespoon of corn meal on the peel and the stone will prevent the dough / crust from sticking.
The pizza stone is requiring a new learning curve, and I'm fairly sure it'll end up being a bit more effort than the pie plates I was using, but the much better pizza will be well worth the little extra effort. The peel and stone make it possible to have gourmet restaurant pizza at home. It's much easier than most people would think, and much less expensive than eating out. With no prior experience, expect 4-5 attempts to work out the tricks. After that, homemade pizza is fast and easy.
Pizza Dough:
1 1/8 cups of warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups bread flour
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl in the order listed. Mix by hand until liquid is absorbed. Use a heavy duty mixer (Kitchenaid, etc.) and a dough hook to knead the dough for ten minutes (highly recommended), or knead by hand on a floured bread board until the dough has a silky sheen (the labor intensive method). Spray with olive oil in the mixing bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let the dough rise until doubled in size. This takes 20-30 minutes in a 200 F oven (lowest setting) or on the stove top as the oven below is preheating. Makes two 14" pizza crusts.

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A baking stone for home oven use reminiscent of the stone baking ovens of earlier times.Over 30 years ago the Old Stone Oven Company first introduced the baking store for home use and it is still the best.Thicker than other stones available, it has a porosity and heat retention that is perfect for a good crust.The Old Stone Oven Pizza Stone duplicates crispy pizzeria quality pizza - crust and all- in a standard kitchen oven.The Stone can also be used to bake bread, rolls and biscuits giving them a very special texture and quality or as a warming tray to keep waffles, pancakes, fried chicken, etc warm until ready to serve.

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7/11/2011

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 2-Quart Heart Casserole, Red Review

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 2-Quart Heart Casserole, Red
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I've used my Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware for over 10 years; I'd be lost without it. The excellent heat retention and even heat distribution allow you to cook over low-medium heat; you'll save energy and your cookware will last longer. But who am I kidding?--I bought my Le Creuset pans because they're pretty and oh so French! That they're energy efficient, sturdy, and easy to clean are just bonus points.
Although I own a set of the cobalt blue pans, the heart shaped red pan with lid is my favorite Le Creuset piece. It would make a great Mother's Day or Valentine's Day gift; then again it would make a wonderful present to yourself!

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Nothing says "I love you" like pot roast! Or perhaps Boeuf Bourguignon, or Chicken with Dumplings, even Lobster Bisque? We know there's a strong connection between the stomach and the heart, so cook your sweetheart's favorite dish for that special day. This aptly-designed pot will not only do a great job cooking the feast, it makes a brilliant presentation, and adds a cheery note to your kitchen anytime of year.

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