Give thanks for gadgets that save time, make butter
Thanksgiving — arguably the biggest day of the year for home cooks — is right around the corner, and tension is starting to build. Here are a few things sure to make the whole process smoother for you and your guests.
The Taylor Weighing Bowl Scale recentlywas named to Oprah Winfrey’s list of favorite things, and nowonder:the8-cupbowl fits on the scale (11-pound capacity) and is tapered for easy pouring. It weighs in 0.1-ounce increments, and you can weigh, mix and pour with one device. $49.67, amazon.com
Itseemslikeeverybody makesbrusselssproutsfor Thanksgiving, which means a lot of stemming and coring of the little gems. The Chef ’n Twist ‘n Sprout can make the task easier; all you do is press thesproutonthedevice’stip andtwistandoutgoesthe core. $7.99, chefn.com
If you have more guests than room at the table, you can make the juggling act a lot easier for them with the icup, iplate and ifork interlocking system. Lock your fork into your plate, then slide the cup in underneath. And they’re reusable. $19.99 for an 8-pack of cups, plates and forks, ifork.com
You’re spending plenty on the wine, but you don’t havetobreakthebankonthe decanter. The Mako decanter performs the task of aeration with simple, streamlined elegance. $20, makobarware. com
Fresh butter is a real luxury, butwhohasthetimeand patience to run the churn? With the Chef ’n Buttercup, allyoudoispourinacupof heavy whipping cream, let it sit at room temperature for six to eight hours, then shake (or have the kids do it) for about3minutes—andit’s butter! Recipes are included for honey butter and roasted garlic butter. $14.99, chefn. com
— Heidi Knapp Rinella