Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos - Page 11

Ellen · 09-14-2008, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missyboxers

I'd like to see a device for herbs where you drop them in and it separates leaves and stems. Picking through cilantro is such a tedious, time-consuming job!

Let me know if you find one! I like cooking with thyme (as well as cilantro), but de-stemming is a b**ch.

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myrosiedog · 09-14-2008, 08:06 AM

Thyme is the easiest. I just grab a stem and hold one end and rake my finger and thumb of the other hand down the stem and the leaves fly off.

DesertRose · 09-14-2008, 10:29 AM

As for cilantro and parsley, you do not need to take off the stems. Only the long main stem needs to be removed. Just grab your bunch and twist off the top. The little stems that come with the leaves are great in flavor and texture.

Ellen · 09-14-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myrosiedog

Thyme is the easiest. I just grab a stem and hold one end and rake my finger and thumb of the other hand down the stem and the leaves fly off.

My fingers are too strong -- I always end up pulling branch stems along with the leaves. I have the same problem with rosemary, too!

Critical · 09-14-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellen

My fingers are too strong -- I always end up pulling branch stems along with the leaves. I have the same problem with rosemary, too!

Maybe I grow a different variety of rosemary, but I just grab the stalk at the top and run my fingers along it against the direction that the leaves are growing. It's super easy compared with trying to get them off going the other direction. The leaves just peel right off the stalk.

myrosiedog · 09-14-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critical

Maybe I grow a different variety of rosemary, but I just grab the stalk at the top and run my fingers along it against the direction that the leaves are growing. It's super easy compared with trying to get them off going the other direction. The leaves just peel right off the stalk.

That's how I do it too. I love the smell when I've deleaved a stem of rosemary.

Ellen · 09-15-2008, 01:14 AM

Yep, I run my fingers against the direction of growth, just like they show on Food Network and in cooking classes. And I always get some amount of stem with leaves. (But love the smell it that remains on my fingers!)

canuckinchile · 09-15-2008, 03:48 PM

My cookware has seen better days

and since my kids are off to college I am thinking about giving some of it to them. I don't know a lot about Le Creuset and All Clad or any other types but would love to hear who thinks what is better and why. I looked at Le Creuset, and it is nice but awfully heavy. I was thinking that a couple of small pots for sauces and one big one for stove to oven would be nice. My hubby prefers the All Clad type because he doesn't like the ceramics. I am on a learning curve, and would love to pick up a few pieces for his birthday or Christmas (close together) since he really loves to cook. My head is kind of spinning after reading on the internet about all the different types of cookware!

Veruka · 09-15-2008, 03:53 PM

Canuckinchile - If you have one nearby, you may want to check out a store like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Often times, they've got individual pieces of various cookware, so you can just buy a piece or two for a lower price instead of a full set to decide whether or not you like the feel. I know I've seen Le Creuset there at times before.

I took that approach years ago when I was trying to decide between Henckels and Chicago Cutlery knives. I ended up finding so many different sized knives there over time that I stocked my drawer with all of them over time, never buying a full set of either knives.

PugMum · 09-15-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veruka

Canuckinchile - If you have one nearby, you may want to check out a store like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Often times, they've got individual pieces of various cookware, so you can just buy a piece or two for a lower price instead of a full set to decide whether or not you like the feel. I know I've seen Le Creuset there at times before.

I took that approach years ago when I was trying to decide between Henckels and Chicago Cutlery knives. I ended up finding so many different sized knives there over time that I stocked my drawer with all of them over time, never buying a full set of either knives.

I did exactly this a few months ago. Not knowing what I wanted I searched the local TJ Maxx Home Goods where I bought a Circulon Elite 1 qt sauce pan with a glass lid for $15.00. LOVE IT!!! Then I found a Circulon 4 qt Covered Tapered Sauteuse for $20.00 at a Macy's "right place at the right time" sale. These can go from stovetop to oven too.
I LOVE the glass lids. You can see what is going on inside with just a quick glance. I also have the 8 qt stock pot.

I have a glass cook top that says not to use ceramic cookware. I have not researched to see if Le Creuset would fall under that no-no or if the manufacturer means cheap Walmart ceramic cookware.

09-14-2008, 08:06 AM	#102
myrosiedog FORT Fogey Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nat'l Championship bowl bound. Go Gators! Age: 46 Posts: 12,060 Blog Entries: 7	Re: Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos Thyme is the easiest. I just grab a stem and hold one end and rake my finger and thumb of the other hand down the stem and the leaves fly off. __________________ Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds. - Bob Marley Que me amat, amet et canem meum (Who loves me will love my dog also)

09-14-2008, 10:29 AM	#103
DesertRose When coffee just won't do Join Date: May 2005 Location: Reno hell Posts: 3,357	Re: Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos As for cilantro and parsley, you do not need to take off the stems. Only the long main stem needs to be removed. Just grab your bunch and twist off the top. The little stems that come with the leaves are great in flavor and texture.

09-15-2008, 01:14 AM	#107
Ellen Sun & Fun in SoCal Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 50 Posts: 2,389	Re: Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos Yep, I run my fingers against the direction of growth, just like they show on Food Network and in cooking classes. And I always get some amount of stem with leaves. (But love the smell it that remains on my fingers!) __________________ "There's no crying in baseball!" -- Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own ================ Congratulations, President-Elect Barack Obama -- Jan. 20, 2009 can't come soon enough!

09-15-2008, 03:48 PM	#108
canuckinchile Forum Assistant Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: back in "The Big Smoke" Posts: 4,498	Re: Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos My cookware has seen better days and since my kids are off to college I am thinking about giving some of it to them. I don't know a lot about Le Creuset and All Clad or any other types but would love to hear who thinks what is better and why. I looked at Le Creuset, and it is nice but awfully heavy. I was thinking that a couple of small pots for sauces and one big one for stove to oven would be nice. My hubby prefers the All Clad type because he doesn't like the ceramics. I am on a learning curve, and would love to pick up a few pieces for his birthday or Christmas (close together) since he really loves to cook. My head is kind of spinning after reading on the internet about all the different types of cookware!

09-15-2008, 03:53 PM	#109
Veruka FORT Fogey Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 6,952	Re: Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos Canuckinchile - If you have one nearby, you may want to check out a store like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Often times, they've got individual pieces of various cookware, so you can just buy a piece or two for a lower price instead of a full set to decide whether or not you like the feel. I know I've seen Le Creuset there at times before. I took that approach years ago when I was trying to decide between Henckels and Chicago Cutlery knives. I ended up finding so many different sized knives there over time that I stocked my drawer with all of them over time, never buying a full set of either knives. __________________ "When you believe in nothing, you will believe anything"