The Wilton Cookie Master Plus Cookie Press is cordless, so I’m thinking rechargeable batteries would be the way to go… making sure they are fully charged before starting your baking session. Requires 4 AAA batteries.

It features reverse action technology, which means there is no need to take it apart to refill it. Pretty handy!

It comes with 12 aluminum disks, in standard and seasonal shapes. The set also includes four filling/decorating tips and two recipe booklets, showcasing both sweet and savory dishes. Can you say appetizers?

Besides cookies, I think it would be great for filling deviled eggs and maybe even making snazzy cheese topped crackers, if the cheese wasn’t too stiff to fit through the disks. You could even use the decorating tips to fill doughnuts. YUMMY!

Those of you who have used this cookie press with success are more than encouraged to share any tips and hints you might have. Your favorite recipes are welcome, as well. After all; there is no such thing as too many cookies.

As you might have already guessed, this cooker WAS inspired by the first beer can chicken recipe. It can be used year round and is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Personally, I think I’d opt for oven baking, when using this dish. I like my chicken skin a bit on the crispy side and yes… before I get a ton of emails; I know the skin isn’t good for me. Of course, it’s up to you to decide.

The dish has a well in the center, where you conveniently place whatever marinade, herbs and spices you will be using to jazz up your chicken. The cooker is deep enough to use when baking a number of side dishes, as well.

(Depending on the size of your bird, you could probably get away with baking both at once.)

If you have used a similar type of baking dish, what do you think of it? We’re dying to know how the chicken actually turned out.

Honestly, I’ve never realized until now how many different pancake molds are out there. They would all make great stocking stuffers… especially the ‘winter themed’ ones. Perfect, for the gadget lover who has everything, don’t you think?

I think I’ve mentioned before that I’ve always had a difficult time making pancakes. Either they’re not the right color (I can almost hear my sons voice… Mom… are pancakes SUPPOSED to be black?) or they turn out looking something like puzzle pieces. I really think these molds would help.

The molds pictured are stack and fill molds. How cool is that? The finished product yields a flower tower, three tiers high with a yummy surprise oozing down through the middle. (At under $20 a set, they’re a steal of a deal.)

Whether you decide to fill them with blueberries and whipped cream, chocolate chips and bananas or apples drizzled with caramel and streusel topping the outcome will be a resounding YUM!

I’d love to hear about your favorite pancake topping or toppings. Tips and tricks for the perfect pancake are also welcome. It’s never too late to learn how to do it right!

I seldom make regular rice at home, due in part to the fact that I’m never altogether pleased with the way it turns out. However, this steamer seems like it might be the answer to my problems.

Not only does this steam any variety of rice, you can also use it for many kinds of veggies (including potatoes), pasta, meat and even popcorn. How nifty is that?

The set includes: 2 quart steamer bowl, locking outer lid, popcorn lid, steaming insert, steam recirculating inner lid and rice paddle.

Steamer and lids are dishwasher safe or can be washed by hand, whichever method you prefer.
If you are interested in Chinese cooking and cuisine, Joyce Chen offers many additional items that are sure to help you in the kitchen. Cooking for the public, since opening her first eatery in 1958, she developed her line of products and ease of use in mind?

If you have used any of Ms. Chen’s other products, I’d love to hear what you think about the line, as I’m sure would everyone else who stops by.

The Breville Primula Flowering Tea Set contains the following: a 40 ounce glass (borosilicate) tea pot and canister of 12 assorted green tea flowers.

The pot is dishwasher safe and guaranteed not to stain. The flower pods come in sealed foil packets and have a 2.5 YEAR shelf life, although I doubt you would be able to resist them for that long.

Preparing flowering tea is easy. Place one pod in the pot. Bring water to a rolling boil and pour over pod, filling pot. Allow tea to steep at least two minutes (or longer depending on strength desired).

Each tea flower can actually be used up to three times, in a 24 hour period. So that translates into one canister of twelve pods yielding over 250 cups of tea.

The flower pictured is a red carnation and takes roughly four minutes to open. (In regard to speed, each pod will be a little different and become more beautiful throughout the brewing day.)

It is available in a variety of finishes, to match almost any kitchen décor. These include Bamboo (as shown), stainless steel and glossy black stoneware.

The inside liner of the pail is easily removable and dishwasher safe, as well. It does require charcoal filters, which are sold separately in packages of 2 sets. Each set lasts 4-6 months and are simple to replace, in the lid of the pail.

The overall size of this product is 8 x 11. So, it won’t take up a lot of your valuable counter space and will look a heck of a lot better than a teeny tiny plastic scrap bag.

Composting is a very ‘green’ thing to do. If you don’t already make a practice of it, there are many great books out there that will help you get started. Remember, it’s never too late to help save the planet!

(Of course, this Spode Christmas tree salad bowl set can be used for other dishes, as well… everything from mashed potatoes to dinner rolls to holiday candies. Since it’s quite deep, the possibilities are almost endless and only limited to your cooking ability.)

It complements the dinnerware set of the same pattern. There are many other serving pieces available, as well… including: a gravy boat, large serving platter, crudités tray, highball glasses and covered veggie dish.

The salad bowl, itself, is 9-1/2 inches in diameter. It is microwave and dishwasher safe and will arrive nestled in its own gift box. (Call me crazy, but it just sounds right to say ‘nestled’ since I’m talking about Christmas related stuff.)

Both wooden serving utensils are 12 inches in length and are finished in rosewood, with painted holiday accents on the handles. They are to be hand washed, only.

There is no better time to start a holiday tradition than now. Consider purchasing this great salad set, along with a few other pieces, to use this year and for years to come.

From what I’ve read, it seems like the Cuisinart DLC-2AR Mini Prep Plus Food Processor just might fit the bill.

If you take the time to read the feedback, which has been written about this nifty little processor, you will soon learn that it is quite powerful. In fact, some say, too powerful. To rectify this, it has been suggested that you tread rather lightly, on the pulse button.

The Mini Prep Plus is equipped with an auto reversing smart blade that actually makes it easier to process hard and soft foods, alike. It chops and grinds, at the touch of a button and switches back and forth between the two with ease.

The processor bowl has a 3 cup capacity, which means it’s perfect for those smaller tasks when a traditional size processor is just too much trouble to drag out of the cupboard.

With 220 watts of power, this little baby is definitely capable of whipping up some tasty dips and yummy sauces. Have a recipe you’d care to share? Please post it below.

Okay, I confess I really don’t care for wine. But if I did I would definitely save my pennies, nickels and quarters to purchase one of these systems. (I wonder if it works with two liter bottles of soda?)

This, state of the art, appliance features three separate chambers each designed to hold a 1 ½ liter bottle of wine. These chambers are, each, temperature controlled by one of nine temperature presets that will actually assist you in choosing the proper temperature. (No more guesswork.)

You can also manually set the temperatures, in each chamber, if you happen to like your wine colder or a little less chilly. The choice is totally up to you.

When the wine is chilled, it is flawlessly dispensed at the touch of a button… similar to a self-serve drink machine, at a fast food restaurant. Thanks to a patented vacuum system, open bottles stay fresh for up to 10 days.

Other features include interior lighting that shows off fancy wine bottles and a digital temperature display.

Although I’m not much of a wine fanatic, I love to hear a bit about your favorites. There might be one out there that I would really enjoy.

Technically speaking is just a different kind of ‘edge pan’, which would certainly come in handy during the upcoming holiday baking season.

This particular piece of bakeware is the 11 x 7 Inch Precut Brownie Pan Set, my Slice Solutions. It includes: brownie base with removable center, cutting grid and lifting rack.

It allows you to make 18 brownies, bar type cookies, quick breads and even Rice Krispies treats, all of equal size, with just a pop of the pan. (I’m thinking you might even be brave enough to try baking something like macaroni and cheese, in the pan, depending on the durability of the cutting grid.)

I think one of the neatest things about this pan is that you can make a variety of different brownies, at the same time. You can easily add-in extras like candy bar pieces, mint chips, M & M’s, nuts and caramel chunks, to each separate square.

The pan is non-stick and dishwasher safe, which makes clean up a breeze. If you LOVE brownies, this nifty pan is definitely for you.