Gadget Crazy(And A Contest Too)

Are you addicted to anything that's going to make your cooking process simpler? Do you get more excited than a foodie in a gourmet shop at those infomercials? Do you have your credit card out , waiting to buy? Then you may be addicted to gadgets.Yes, those interesting items that supposedly whip, blend chop, fry, dice, whatever - that makes our prep time easier and much more fun,

Don't be ashamed. I'm the biggest gadget buyer out there. I recently had to buy a rotostirrer (actually I bought two for the price of one) I couldn't resist the commercial or the price ($19.99 without shipping.This little gadget which looks like a cross between an alien space craft and a whisk promised me a hands free stirring . That sounded intriguing and I knew I had to get it. After all it would be perfect for when I make gravy. it would stir for me while I did other things in the kitchen. I have to admit it works I've tried it for stirring thick soups and it did okay. I do have to watch that it doesn't scrape the enamel and that i always have fresh batteries in it)

The roto stirrer is the latest line for my gadgets. One of my favorites though is the Vidalia Chop Wizard which is used for chopping what else Vidalia onions. I've used it for the onion when I've made guacamole however fresh onion can be too strong for me. I've used the chopper more for hard boiled eggs for making egg salad. I have to admit it's the perfect machine for that. I get evenly cut hard boiled eggs all the time. It doesn't mash them which produces a chewier, more textured egg salad.

Gadgets are one of my favorite addictions. There are so many out there that I'd love to buy and probably will. I have to admit they do make kitchen work fun.

Here's a question for all you foodies: what's your favorite gadget. Write in to Foodie Pantry and you may win a prize!

That Other NY Paper Food Section

For those of you foodies out there who ar e not so snobbish, there's another Manhattan based newspaper with a pretty good food section. It belongs to the Daily News and it's seen on Fridays and Sundays. It may not have the gourmet cred that the New York Times Food section has but the Daily News does have more popular and more affordable recipes and meal ideas.

I've always loved the News for their basic and easy to follow recipes. My favorite pizza recipe came from there over twenty years ago and it's still relevant . It was a thin, easy to make crust topped with fresh tomatoes , basil and mozzarella. I never tired of making it and it became my signature dish. Other recipes that were great were the cookie and pie ones. as well as a marble scratch cake one. The News believes in giving its' readers simple but tasty dishes. There are no fancy ingredients, no culinary names attached to them and no sending away to some fancy mail order supply house. Onc in a while they will feature a celebrity chef but the recipes are always accessible and easy to replicate.

Another part of the News' food section are the local cook contests. People from all over the New York metro area can contribute recipes , from spaghetti and meat balls to blintzes. Some contestants are even junior chefs who barely reach the table top. These recipes are always fun and tasty with simple instructions. Check out the News' Christmas cookie section where readers contribute their favorite snaps and bars recipes. It's a great place for garnering some new ideas for holiday baking.

Don't be swayed by the Times and their Food section. Yes, it's informative and good. However if you want just basic , down to earth dishes and articles , then check out The Daily News. You'll definitely find something that suits your taste.