Stainless Cookware Source Blog

Have you ever said the same thing or something similar (perhaps with adjectives) as the title of today’s post? Substitute the name of any utensil. If you have collected a lot of them over the years and haven’t necessarily had the time to organize your utensil drawer(s), chances are quite good that there have been frustrating moments when you have had difficulty putting your hand on a needed whisk, spatula or zester when you needed it. [I hate when that happens!!]

One nice but costly solution is to have custom-built drawers that include dividers. But of course, that complicates matters should you change your mind and want to rearrange the kitchen or the drawer contents.

The answer that comes to my mind in this situation just so happens to be a product you’ll find in many colors and division options at Stainless Cookware Source (what a surprise!!) Currently, we carry only trays made by Mountain Woods and Simply Bamboo, so you know you’re getting quality-crafted, earth-friendly products.  (For full details, pricing and ordering, please click on the product image or text link, or visit “Kitchen Organizers” at Stainless Cookware Source).

Our 3 Compartment Flatware Tray shown above in natural finish is great for organizing 3 different general sizes of gadgets and utensils, making it so much easier to spot the tiny 3-inch whisk, etc.  The 3-section tray is also available in black, white or walnut finish, which has a black felt lining for added cushioning care of your special tools. Measuring 16 x 22 x 2½ inches, each of the 3-section trays fits most drawers.

Now here’s a color that will wake you up!!  This is our Cherry 5 Compartment Flatware Tray, and though I’m personally not a big fan of red or orange, what I do like about this one is the striking contrast it will give you in a dark drawer – very helpful when searching for your target stainless steel frosting knife or melon ball cutter.  We also offer 5-section trays in green or yellow, and these three measure 12 x 14 x 2 inches.  Our Bamboo 5 Compartment Flatware Tray is slightly narrower, measuring 10 x 14 x 2 inches.

For even more organizational options, check out our two expandable trays!  The Walnut Finish Expandable (below)

goes from a 5-section tray measuring 12½ x 15 x 2½ inches to a 7-section tray measuring 19½ x 15 x 2½ inches by easily pushing out on the ends.  Our Expandable Bamboo Flatware Tray also expands from 5 to 7 sections, and this tray measures 10 5/8 x 14 x 2 inches, expanding to 17 5/8 x 14 x 2 inches.

In the 6-compartment category, we have black, natural finish or white hardwood trays, plus two woven trays crafted from maize or seagrass fibers:

Each of the hardwood 6-section trays measures 16 x 12 x 2¼ inches, while the maize and seagrass trays are each 16 x 12 x 2 inches.  (Not a big difference, but you like to know these things before you buy, right?!)

Seagrass

Just in time to treat your Valentine to a fabulous new set of cookware, Stainless Cookware Source is proud to introduce this 10 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set by Leyse!!

This finely crafted cookware is not only beautiful to look at but built to last ( 50 year limited warranty!) and do a professional cooking job while it does!  Created of extra thick, premium quality stainless steel with encapsulated aluminum bottoms, each piece is incredibly durable, even heating and just pure delight to work with.

All of the heavy gauge handles are securely welded for safety, strength and reliability.  And some clever soul at the drawing board designed interchangeable covers – love it!!

As shown above, the set includes:

• 2 quart Covered Saucepan (lid also fits Steamer)
• 2 quart Steamer Insert
• 3 quart Covered Saucepan
• 6 quart Covered Dutch Oven (lid also fits Omelette Pan)
• 10 inch Omelette Pan
• 5 quart Covered Sauté Pan

Oh! And did I mention…?  It’s on sale!!! Our regular discount price is $245.95, a savings of $50.00 off list.  But now through Feb. 14th (Valentine’s Day!),  you’ll save an additional 25% and get this gorgeous set of cookware for [drum-roll!] $184.83!!!

We at Stainless Cookware Source are delighted to announce the introduction of our first baby nutrition products, Baby Safe by Kinetic!! In keeping with our greener goals, all Baby Safe products are 100% free of bisphenol-A (BPA), PVC, lead and phthalates.  And they’re FDA approved!

GlassLock BB Jr. wide baby bottles are loaded with fantastic features for baby and you:

• Sized to be easy to clean & sterilize
• Removable silicone sleeve for secure grip & impact resistance
• Soft natural silicone nipples are non-slip and extremely temperature resistant
• Innovative air venting system minimizes air-swallowing and colic
• Compatible with other brands of replacement   nipples & caps

The new Baby Safe 3 Piece Silicone Spoon Set is composed of three veggie-colored natural silicone baby spoons, designed to be gentle on baby’s tender gums.  The spoon bowl is small enough to fit in any size food jar.  BPA-free, dishwasher safe.

The Baby Safe 6 Piece Feeding Set includes (3) glass bottles, (2) Glass Lock 5 ounce food storage containers with locking lids and (1) gentle silicone feeding spoon. Each bottle includes a smooth-flow silicone nipple, polyethylene bottle lid & nipple collar and an end cap. FDA approved, all parts are BPA-free.

And as if that isn’t enough, we’re offering reduced introductory prices on all Baby Safe products!!  From now until midnight on Jan.24, 2010,  you’ll save from 13-25% off our regularly discounted prices!   See StainlessCookwareSource.com for details.

UTFS

This just in!!!  We have new Simply Bamboo cooking tools in time for Thanksgiving, and please excuse me for gushing but they’re gorgeous!!! (You know how much I love wood!!)

Here is one of the sweet two-tone offerings:  the Forked Spatula.  There’s just something about the two-tone wood that appeals to me so much.

You may recall my earlier discussions of bamboo regarding the characteristics that make it so incredible for kitchen/cooking uses, but here’s a quick recap.  Bamboo is lighter weight yet stronger than many hardwoods.  It’s less prone to splintering or splitting.  Bamboo is less absorbent than other woods,  so it can resist odor and bacteria.   And Earth-friendly?  Mercy!!  Bamboo is classified as a grass, one of our planet’s fastest-growing plants!  Sustainable, renewable, natural.  The attractiveness of the grain is just a bonus!

UTSN

UTSA

The Two-Tone Slotted Spoon and Spatula – stripes are not just for wearing!!

UPS

USSN

Even the new “stripeless” utensils are great!  Here, the Pasta Server and Slotted Spoon.

To round out the collection, check out the Stirring Spatula on the left followed by the Slotted Spatula.

USTS

USSA

Each of these new utensils measures 12 inches in length, and they all have a food-safe finish.  Let the Holiday cooking begin!

We have some great new items in our natural materials department, aka Cutting Boards & Wooden Gifts, and we’re happy to be able to introduce them to you before Thanksgiving.
First up, our 6 Compartment Flatware Trays, woven of natural Maize shown at left and Seagrass  below. We think they look great out of the drawer, too, for buffet-style serving.

While we’re on the subject of storage, next is our new 12 Bottle Bamboo Wine Rack.  It stands 16.5 inches tall, 12 inches wide to fit on the counter under most wall cabinets.

How about breakfast in bed?  This over-sized Bamboo Bed Tray measures a king-size

22 x 14 x 13 inches with the legs unfolded (2.675 inches high with legs folded), so there’s plenty of room for a hearty breakfast, cheery bouquet and the morning paper!

Set an elegant table with these rich cherry finish serving bowls. Measuring 9 inches in diameter by 2.5 inches deep, the Montana Bowls 4 Piece Set will serve your sides with style and grace.

For salad or popcorn, this glossy Walnut Bowls 5 Piece Set fills the bill and looks fabulous on the table.  The server measures 10 inches in diameter by 4 inches deep, while each of the small bowls is 6 inches in diameter by 3.375 inches deep.

The last two new additions are the 5 Piece Wood Utensil Set and its larger version, the 8 Piece. Both sets include a 12 inch slotted spatula and a 12 inch solid spatula plus three sizes of mixing spoons: 10-, 12- and 14-inch.  The 5 piece set has one of each size spoon and the 8 piece set has two of each size spoon.

There you have it!  Hope you enjoy the new goodies as much as we do :)  Have an incredible week!

Ruth

Patterned after an actual fiddle bow, these clever and graceful knives take the guess-work out of slicing bread.  The super sharp, double ground blade’s wide serrations slice through crusty bread with ease as the handle guides the thickness of each slice.

Stained in oak (above) or cherry finish (right), these indispensable kitchen knives are also available with an adjustable width guide as shown below in both finishes, to cut slices up to a full inch thick for hearty sandwiches, Texas toast or fabulous, thick French toast.

Imported Adjustable Fiddle Bow Knife (right-handed only)

The adjustable oak finish fiddle bow knife is also available in the imported version, shown below.  You may choose either left- or right-handed for all but the imported knife.

This simple recipe from Rosetto is so-o-o-o good!! It claims to serve 5, but our annotation is 5 [extremely small people] – and after the first time we made it, we have always doubled the recipe!  We present it here in its original proportions.

• 1 package frozen Rosetto ravioli or tortellini (any filling)
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 8 oz. bacon, finely diced
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1  14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp. basil
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• 5 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 2/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 Tbsp. parsley

Prepare frozen Rosetto pasta as directed.  Meanwhile for sauce, place oil and bacon in pan.  Heat and cook bacon until brown.  Add onion and garlic and cook until soft.  Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for 3 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve over prepared Rosetto pasta (we use cheese tortellini).

Cooking time: 10 minutes

All this past week, I wracked my brain for a post topic and just didn’t come up with anything compelling. Then my daughter came home from picking up her daughter from a sleepover.  As I sat here at my computer, I listened to their happy chatter drifting down from the kitchen above my office and I went up to welcome Hannah home.  Seeing the two of them together, bustling around the kitchen, gave me the perfect seed.

It’s about the pleasure to be found in shared creativity, especially in the kitchen.  Sure, cooking solo is a wonderful experience, but sometimes the difference between that and cooking with friends and family is like the difference between listening to great music on the stereo and hearing it live.  It adds whole new dimensions to the experience.

What do you think?

Have a great day:)

Ruth

Bring the natural warmth and elegance of wood to your entertaining with our servers and trays by Mountain Woods and Simply Bamboo.  The eclectic design of the  Square Bamboo Charger, shown here, adds an interesting element to your buffet while presenting a versatile  serving option.

Another visually stunning charger/serving tray is the Acacia Finish Charger pictured here at right. Measuring a generous 13 inches in diameter, this beautiful tray will serve everything from crudités or hors d’oeuvres to sandwich meats and pastries with style and flair. (Also available in Natural Finish).

Sushi for one or two may be served nicely from the 10 x 6 inch Sushi Server and Chopsticks set that includes two sets of chopsticks.

For a larger server, the 16 x 7 inch Double Sushi Board below does a wonderful job.

Add a spark of fun to salad-serving with our Cherry Finish Salad Hands pictured below! Measuring about 6 x 4 inches, these clever servers fit comfortably in your hands. Sleek and smooth, they’re finished with a food-safe and earth-friendly finish.

out of stock

Finally, cut and serve cheese, fruits and veggies with our handy Cheese and Vegetable Slicer Board that measures 10 x 6.75 inches.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a marvelous day :)

Ruth

As you may deduce from the creases in this photo from the original recipe, this is an oft-used and much loved favorite in my family.  It has also been photocopied and copied long-hand numerous times! The original title was “Lemon Chicken with Thyme,” and it came from the Extra-Light Cooking section of a mail-order recipe series entitled “Creative Everyday Cooking.”  We didn’t purchase the series, so the only other information I can give to credit the author(s) is the code from the edge of the page: (c)1990 TLB C-1/CEC291.

Printed under the photo on the original is the following description, and I couldn’t say it better:

The principle behind this dish, which is similar to an Italian chicken piccata, is really quite simple. Chicken is lightly dredged in flour, quickly sautéed to brown it and then braised in a lemon-and-thyme-flavored broth. The results are extremely satisfying, especially for only 250 calories per serving. Serve the chicken with steamed broccoli and, if you are not counting calories, lightly buttered pasta.

Nutritional information (approx. values) figuring the recipe makes 4 servings and not allowing for extra sauce or using bouillon:

Calories: 250  Protein: 28g  Fat: 12g  Carbohydrates: 7g  Cholesterol: 66mg  Sodium: 635mg

Note:  I changed the title from the original, and I also cut the chicken into ~1/2-inch x 2-inch pieces before dredging and doubled the amount of sauce because there wasn’t enough – it’s that good!! These changes are indicated by brackets and color.  Though we never tried it with pasta, we love it with rice – covered in sauce!!

• 3 Tablespoons [Scant 1/2 cup] flour
• 1/2 [1] teaspoon salt
• 1/4 [1/2] teaspoon pepper
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves: 1 lb. total [cut into ~1/2-inch x 2-inch pieces]
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 1 Tablespoon margarine
• 1 [2] cup chicken broth   [I use bouillon dissolved in 2c water, so this increases the sodium too]
• 3 [6] Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 [1] teaspoon thyme
• Lemon wedges (optional)
• 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

1 In a plastic or paper bag, combine flour, salt and pepper and shake to mix.  Add the chicken [a few pieces at a time] and shake to coat lightly. Remove the chicken [to a paper plate, placing in a single layer so pieces don't stick together] and reserve the excess seasoned flour.

2 In a large skillet, warm 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat.   Add the chicken and brown on one side, about 5 minutes.   Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, turn the chicken and brown well on the second side, about 5 minutes longer.  [Times are from the original recipe and the cut-up chicken browns so quickly, I've never really noticed the actual time it takes.] Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

3 Coarsely chop the onion.  Add the margarine to the skillet.  When the margarine melts, add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.

4 Stir in the reserved seasoned flour and cook, stirring, until the flour is completely incorporated, about 1 minute.

5 Add the broth, 2 [4] tablespoons of the lemon juice and the thyme and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.

6 Return the chicken to the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low [low] and cover the skillet.  Cook until the chicken is tender and opaque throughout,  about 5 minutes.  [I have always cooked it on low for 20-30 minutes.]

7 Divide the chicken among 4 plates.  Stir the remaining 1 [2] tablespoons lemon juice into the sauce in the skillet and pour over the chicken. [Or, as we do, return the chicken to the finished sauce in the skillet and serve together over rice.]  Serve the chicken with lemon wedges and a sprinkling of parsley, if desired.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful recipe as much as we do, and if you’re the author or know the origin, please email CustomerService@StainlessCookwareSource.com so that we can properly credit you!!

Have a spectacular day and weekend, and happy cooking:)

Ruth