Kitchen Essentials
From the L.A. Times
Value is a relative concept. Just ask the folks at Lehman Brothers. But when it comes to ingredients and kitchen tools that beckon to the enthusiastic home cook, it's important to the bottom line -- in this case, a great meal -- to take a look at what's really worth your hard-earned cash -- and what isn't.
We scrutinized our kitchens and the merchandise. Our thumbs-up, thumbs-down verdicts on a couple of dozen popular or hyped cooking items follow. No apologies – we're opinionated. Some gadgets and goodies are grossly overvalued, others just don't get their due. We considered cost, efficacy and practicality – as well as the happiness factor. Because for a true chocoholic, a 3.5-ounce bar of Michel Cluizel Noir de Cacao 72% cacao really is worth $6.
Search One for the Table...
Duckhorn Merlot
Veuve Clicquot Pink Champagne
Caviar Pie & Salted Crackers
Assorted French Cheeses & Sliced Apples
Perfect Roast Turkey
Smokey Sweet Potato Souffle
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans with Almonds
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Corn Bread Stuffing
French Meat Stuffing
Apricot Jello Mold
POM Cranberry Sauce
Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie
Deep Dish Apple Pie
Cherry Pie
Gingersnaps
Brandy & Coffee
Senator Biden's Favorite Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 cup shortening or butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup raisins
nuts (optional)
For This We Left Egypt?
 |
 |
New York
by Cathy Pollak
Trips to New York City have become scarce over the years. Maybe non-existent is a better description.
I don't have family, friends or business in New York. All past trips have been purely...
Los Angeles
by David Latt
To great acclaim, José Andrés recently opened four restaurants (Rojo, Blanco, Saam, & Patisserie) and a bar (Bar Centro) on the ground floor of the SLS Hotel (465 S. La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 90048;...
Florida
by Sue Doeden
Outside, the roosters crow. I look at the time display on my cell phone within reach. 4:30. A.M. As hard as I try, I cannot fall back to sleep. The continuous crying sounds of the roosters are...
Los Angeles
by Irene Virbila
Under chef Walter Manzke, the Melrose Place restaurant's third incarnation is quite the experience.
The blue door, shuttered for more than a year and a half, is open once again, and the stage...
