9 Kitchen Gadgets That Are Just So Extra

We all have that one friend. That friend who has to perform every basic task with just the slightest (or most outrageous) degree of spunk or dramatic flair. In layman’s terms, we refer to this friend as attention-seeking. In millennial terms, we refer to this friend as “extra.”

There’s certainly a negative association with being certifiably extra, but those who’ve embraced their “extra-ness” can also be quite entertaining and, at times, very endearing.

Humans are not alone. In fact, a quick search on Amazon led us to nine kitchen gadgets that embody everything it means to be unnecessarily over-the-top in both design and purpose.

Scroll down to check them out. They should make perfect gifts for that extra friend who also happens to enjoy cooking.

Pistachio Serving Bowl

Amazon

God forbid the pistachios are served in a bowl that doesn’t resemble their exact shape and color. The nerve of you lazy party hosts. Buy it here.

Sponge Holder Bed 

Amazon

You’re not the only one tired of doing dishes. The fluffed pillows are a bit much, though. Buy it here.

Lochness Monster Soup Ladle

Amazon

Unlike the elusive Lochness, this is a soup that wants to be seen (and tasted) by everyone. Oh, the irony. Buy it here.

Horse-Shaped Spaghetti Measurer 

Amazon

The art of eyeballing pasta is long forgotten. We now have horse-shaped instruments to measure for us. Buy it here.

Automatic Cat Toothpick Holder/Dispenser

Amazon

The things we have to go through to get a toothpick around here. (Honestly, we actually find this super cute. We just probably wouldn’t have it on full display.) Buy it here.

Soap Dispenser and Dish Brush Set

Amazon

A basic sponge also works, but by all means, use the contraption that’s only big enough to clean a spoon. Buy it here.

Egg on Nest Salt and Pepper Shaker

Amazon

The only thing that’s going to hatch is higher blood pressure with too much salt. Buy it here.

“Oiladdin” Oil Pourer and Stopper

Amazon

If this grants three wishes, then it absolutely deserves a place on our kitchen counter. If it doesn’t, then kick it off the magic carpet and into the recycling bin. Buy it here.

Soup and Cracker Mug

Amazon

Resting crackers on a table is tough work. Luckily, this mug has got you covered. Just don’t try to sip from it, because then it does exactly the opposite of what it was built to do. Buy it here.

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Zucchini-and-Corn Fritters With Herb Sour Cream

If you grow your own summer squash, belong to a CSA, or just shop at a farmers market, the weekly haul of zucchini and corn can be overwhelming. Our solution? Shred it, squeeze it, mix it into a cheesy batter, and fritter it away. Literally. Next thing you know, you'll be wanting even more. Get Recipe!

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Celebrate National Rum Day with an Entirely Rum-Centric Menu

I treat the national food holidays like I do my birthday: I only like to acknowledge the really good ones. National Hamburger Day, National Wine Day, National Mac n’ Cheese Day? Yes, I see you, I hear you, I’m down to party with you. But, like, National Fig Newton Day? Nope, sorry, no thanks, keep walkin’.

Fortunately, we’ve got another good one coming up on August 16th: National Rum Day.

Now, we could have easily chosen to celebrate the occasion with a collection of our favorite rum-based cocktails or desserts. The internet is awash with an abundance of those. But we didn’t want to stop it at that because we know this spirit has more culinary tricks up its sleeve than it’s given credit for. A world of sweet and savory-inspired possibilities: Glazes (lots of glazes), marinades, sauces, braising liquids, you name it. This way, you can celebrate National Rum Day with not just one course of rum, but an entire menu of rum-based dishes, from the cocktail hour through, apps, entrée, and dessert, of course.

Cocktails

Frozen Pineapple Daiquiri

Chowhound

I know craft cocktails, I appreciate craft cocktails. But I have absolutely no shame in admitting that a have a soft spot for the “basic” frozen cocktail.  You know, the ones served in a hollowed-out piece of tropical fruit and stabbed to death with colorful paper umbrellas and plastic tchotchkes? So while nothing will ever take the place of my go-to classic Daiquiri in my heart, I’d like to take this opportunity to give it up and show my love for its often maligned cousin. Here’s lookin’ at you frozen pineapple daiquiri, I’ll meet you out by the pool. Get our Frozen Pineapple Daiquiri recipe.

Hurricane Jelly Shots

Chowhound

Those who’ve partied on the street of New Orleans know, few cocktails will rock you quite like a Hurricane. A delicious, deceivingly daring combination of light and dark rum, passion fruit syrup, grenadine, and orange juice (aka boozy fruit cocktail), the cocktail gets an even more party-appropriate makeover here by taking on the form of a jelly shot. Get our Hurricane Jelly Shots recipe.

Mai Tai Spritz

Chowhound

In case you hadn’t heard, summer is for spritzes: That delightful category of cocktail that takes an already delicious cocktail and improves it with a splash of bright, tingly sparkling wine. (Or sometimes water, but c’mon we’re not here for that.) This variation on the classic island cocktail has dark rum share the spotlight with a couple ounces of French fizz, making it a great choice for those who don’t too hard-boozy. Get our Mai Tai Spritz recipe.

Apps and Small Bites

Sticky Rum and Scotch Bonnet Chicken Wings

Helen Graves

Not to rag on Buffalo-style, but I prefer my wing sauce with a bit more of a lip-tingling kick. If you fall in the same camp, give this fiery, sticky-sauced version a try. And don’t worry, the sweetness of the honey in the glaze will help temper the heat . . . a little. Get the recipe.

Mini Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos with Boozy Tropical Salsa

Katie At The Kitchen Door

Let’s taco-bout (sorry, I really can’t help myself) how jazzed your guests will be to dig into these bite-sized starters. Lighter, fruitier white rum gets the double-feature treatment here: Staring in both a glaze for the shrimp and as an accent in the tropical fruit salsa. Get the recipe.

Mojito-Inspired Cuban Ceviche

No Spoon Necessary

The classic light rum, lime, and mint-based cocktail is reimagined as a ceviche in this clever recipe. The trifecta of ingredients instead becomes the seasoning with which to flavor a fresh combination of white fish (tilapia, sea bass, halibut), scallops, and shrimp. Get the recipe.

Mains

Seared Scallops with Orange Rum Sauce

Ciao Florentina

Sweet, fork-tender seared scallops take a turn towards with tropics with this orangey, rum-spiked butter sauce. Served over citrus zest-seasoned rice, polenta, or even a chunky plantain mash. Get the recipe.

Barbecue Ribs with Spiced Rum Pineapple Sauce

Downshiftology

Nothing quite says #backyardbarbecuegoals like taking a big ol’ slab of baby back pork ribs and slathering them with with dark rum-spiked sauce, amiright? Get the recipe.

Apricot-Rum Glazed Ham

Skinny Taste

Sweet and savory FTW, my friends! Chunky apricot preserves and spiced dark rum come together in a simple, glossy glaze that gives your ham a can’t-beat, opposites-attract kind of star power. Get the recipe.

Drunken Steak

Framed Cooks

While the marinade for this steak can be adapted to help polish off the almost-finished bottle of bourbon or red wine hanging around your bar (I know, as if you really needed the help), the caramel-sweetness of dark rum works especially well with the salty soy sauce. Get the recipe.

Sides

Boston Baked Beans

Chowhound

Remember those ribs with spiced rum-pineapple BBQ sauce we mentioned up there? They’re going to be a little lonely on the plate without a generous scoop of these smoky-sweet baked beans next to them. Get our Boston Baked Beans recipe.

Fried Plantains with Brown Sugar Rum Glaze

My Fare Foodie

Think Bananas Foster, except sub in starchy-less sweet plantains for the bananas, and serve them with a main like jerk chicken instead of with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. Get the recipe.

Roasted Pumpkin with Maple Rum Glaze and Nuts

My Food and Happiness

If you’re looking to rum-spike your sides, a glaze is definitely the way to go. Hearty root vegetables like carrots and yams, or members of the squash family—all of which get slightly sweeter as the cook—are all great contenders for this kind of application. Get the recipe.

Desserts and Sweets

Chocolate Rum Pudding Cake

In case you’re feeling pangs of guilt over the display of decadent indulgence that is this rich chocolate rum pudding cake, comfort yourself with the knowledge that it’s vegan. That’s gotta count for something, right? Get our Chocolate Rum Pudding Cake recipe.

Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Chowhound

Now, I’m more of a chocolate dessert person, but this timeless vanilla cake soaked in a combination of rum-laced sweetened condensed, coconut, and evaporated milks is hard to deny. It’s kind of like a piña colada in cake form. Get our Tres Leches Cake recipe.

Pineapple-Rum Sorbet

Chowhound

For a more light, refreshing spin on a rum-based dessert, try this icy-cool pineapple rum sorbet. Which, when you think about it, is basically another way of having a frozen cocktail for dessert. Get our Pineapple Rum Sorbet recipe.

Cardamom Rum Banana Bread

My Modern Cookery

Basic banana bread gets the 21-and-up treatment in this recipe, which features aromatic cardamom to complement the spices in the (generous) splash of dark rum used to flavor the batter. Bet this would make a killer base for french toast, too. Get the recipe.

— Head photo: Chowhound.

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The Best Prepared Foods at Whole Foods (According to the Employees Who Know Them Best)

When you’re hungry and in search of a wholesome meal ASAP, there’s nothing better than the prepared foods section at Whole Foods. Your to-go box is a blank canvas, just waiting to be filled with your singular vision for lunch or dinner. Metal tongs are your paintbrush as you create your masterpiece, be it composed of just one dish or an eclectic variety of meats, noodles, salads, and slaws.

While there’s really no wrong way to assemble your meal from the trays upon trays of options, I thought it might be interesting to seek the insight of experts. So I visited five different Whole Foods stores and chatted with thirteen employees about their favorite prepared foods.

It should be noted that the salad and hot bars are constantly evolving due to ingredient availability. While you may not always be able to find the items highlighted below, my sources tell me that this first one is usually available in one form or another . . .

1. Mac and cheese

Foodspotting.com

““I hear the macaroni and cheese is really good.”

“Everyone loves the mac and cheese.”

“It’s pretty killer.”

Out of the thirteen employees that I spoke with, eight mentioned the mac and cheese. One gentleman told me that the special guest ingredients have run the gamut from bacon to bleu cheese. But during most of my visits, the featured mac and cheese was baked with charred tomatoes and jalapeños. Despite the peppers, one of the cashiers assured me, “It’s not hot—just real fresh and good.”

Another cashier loves the mac and cheese but has one gripe about it: “It’s expensive. Do you know it’s like $7.99 a pound?! It’s delicious, but I keep away from that.”

I told her that my strategy to keep my grand total under $10 was to fill my to-go container with a lot of leaves. To that, she said, “I refuse. I mean it’s good for you. But I am not a goat when I’m hungry.” Amen.

2. Yucca fries

Yelp

A man purveying samples of protein bars had good things to say about the yucca fries, an opinion that would later be seconded by the cashier at this same location. Not having experienced a yucca fry before, I had to try this one for myself. My verdict? Looks like a mozzarella stick, tastes like a steak fry. Will 100% eat again.

3. Tofu nuggets

Yelp

When I asked a man working at the growler station about his favorite dish, he answered, “To be honest . . . I like the vegan tofu nuggets. For some reason—I don’t know.” He went on to tell me that while he’s not vegan and in fact eats a lot of meat, he enjoys the flavor and texture of the nuggets. Further recon taught me that there were actually a couple different tofu nuggets for sale that day, seasoned with either za’atar or sweet chili.

4. Chicken wings

Random Meal of the Day

While the thought of Whole Foods doesn’t conjure visions of chicken wings in my head, it turns out that you can always find a variety of wings in the hot bar at any given time. Across my five store visits, three different flavors were recommended to me: buffalo, Mandarin sweet and sour, and sweet chili.

5. Chicken fingers

Two employees at different stores told me that the chicken fingers top their go-to lists. In fact, one cashier told me they were the only prepared food item she liked. “There’s not too much flavor; that’s why I like it. I don’t like a lot of seasoning.”

6. Even more chicken!

Yelp

But if you like your chicken on the spicier side, the options abound. Some poultry-centric recommendations included BBQ chicken, grilled Caesar chicken, jerk chicken, and tequila lime chicken, which I was assured wasn’t prepared with an excess of alcohol and wouldn’t send me back to work tipsy.

7. Fish in Ginger Sauce

Yelp

When I asked a cashier on Houston Street about her favorite hot bar item, she named this dish without delay. While she wasn’t sure exactly what type of fish it was, she described it as “some kind of light fillet.”

8.  Mochi

Yelp

Don’t forget dessert! Starting earlier this year, Whole Foods has been introducing this Japanese sweet to their stores, sold at $2 per unit. “They’re pretty good,” one employee told me. “The texture is kind of like a marshmallow and then in the middle is ice cream.” While her favorite flavors are strawberry and cookies and cream, other flavors range from vanilla to mango to matcha green tea.

9. Honorable mentions

Flickr (wordridden)

In my opinion, some of the Whole Foods salads and slaws make eating your veggies about as zesty as possible. But when I asked employees about their favorite foods, the greens just didn’t rise to the top of their lists on a consistent basis. However, there were a few veggies that were mentioned at least once, and I’d like to acknowledge them at this time. To spinach, broccoli, kale Caesar salad, curried cauliflower, and summer corn risotto—thank you for playing, and keep up the good fight. You may not be as drool-worthy as mac and cheese, but you do weigh less, and thus, cost less. And if only for that reason, you’ll always have a place in my to-go box.

— Head photo: Flickr.

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Berry and Banana Terrine

This berry and banana terrine is one of my favorite summer desserts. It’s so pretty!

It’s packed with potpourri of berries, speckled with banana slices, and held together with a grape-juice based gelatin.

Think Jello, but a grown-up, sophisticated version, with all natural ingredients and much less sugar.

Continue reading "Berry and Banana Terrine" »

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Say Goodbye to Coke Zero and Make Room for Coke Zero Sugar

Attention Coke Zero lovers. This is not a drill. Please proceed directly to your nearest Costco and purchase cases upon cases of your favorite aspartame-fueled liquid. We repeat. This is not a drill. We highly recommend a stock pile, can fort, or post-apocalypse bunker with stacks of the bubbly, sweet stuff. It’s officially your last chance.

Much to the world’s surprise and dismay, Coca-Cola has announced plans to ditch their signature diet soft drink in favor of a redesigned (and apparently better-tasting) Coke Zero Sugar.

“It is a reinvention of Coke Zero,” CEO James Quincey said in a call with investors, which means absolutely nothing to the soft drink’s devout drinkers, because let’s be completely honest: Once you say that you’re revising a food product for a more modern market, everyone will automatically say that nothing will come close to the original.

According to Coca-Cola, the new recipe took over a year to perfect and guarantees and even closer-to-Coke-tasting flavor. The re-branding of Zero to “Zero Sugar” is simply a marketing ploy to attract healthy-minded, sugar-free seeking consumers (soda sales dropped to a 30-year low in 2016). As arch-nemesis Pepsi begins to roll out more diet options, it’s also a clear attack against their lower calorie options.

Business Insider reports that Coke Zero Sugar is already a hit outside of the US, boasting a 3.6% increase in sales last year (with Diet Coke decreasing by 1.9%), though seeing as the good ol’ U.S. of A. is the true authority when it comes to junk food, we won’t believe it’s delicious until we sip it ourselves.

Here’s to hoping that Coke Zero Sugar lives up to its international hype and proves to be a suitable replacement. And if it doesn’t, feel free to use it as a toilet cleaner, grease remover coin shiner, or rust reducer.

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Retro Glass Bottle

Proudly sourced and bottled in California, the product speaks to the company’s future and legacy of purity, quality and family traditions.

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Top Family Summer Activity, Snack Trends

The detailed survey concluded families are most interested in simple, outdoor activities and unexpected road trips with the right mix of snacks and fun in the sun.

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Cherry Ice Cream

Without any egg yolks to get in the way, this ice cream tastes like pure cherry and nothing more—although if you'd like a hint of smoke try throwing the cherries on a hot grill until wilted and soft. Get Recipe!

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