useful gadgets
OXO Avocado Slicer
The slicer is essential in my kitchen drawer, given how often I make guacamole. And with keto diets in fashion these days, one will be eating a lot more avocados. The jagged edge acts as the paring knife to slice around the length of the avocado, starting from the middle. The three-blade grip pulls out the seed. And the harp-like lines scoop out the flesh, similar to an egg slicer.
OXO should come up with a hardy durian slicer too. Now that will sell.
The Philips Smokeless Grill
I grew up having the best family barbecues, just like everyone else. Alas, I cannot replicate this beloved childhood tradition in my enclosed 25th floor apartment. The last time I tried barbecuing with a Weber grill in a previous apartment terrace, I found the firemen knocking on my door in their full gear.
This Philips grill came highly recommended by my friend Lisa whose son is a smokeless-grill master. I have used mine to grill vegetables, kebabs, chicken wings, hamburger patties and even fish otak otak. You smell the aromas but forego the smoke, unless of course you douse too much oil or marinade like I sometimes do. The grill is also easy to clean and sits well on my counter. It is not meant to barbecue for twenty people but it has been helpful enough to provide ample platters of delicious dishes for eight.
The Immersion or Stick Blender
The stick blender is very handy for small counter spaces. My kids love to play with this electric wand to make smoothies and mash potatoes. It is possibly one way to get my kids to drink healthy. I first encountered the stick blender when I needed to puree baby food. Watching a recent Raymond Blanc cooking episode, I was reminded of its usefulness to be able to stick it into a pot and whirr peas into soup. There is also a blender version that comes with a small container and blade, great for making small batches of sambal paste; or a whisk attachment that is wonderful for whipping cream.