Book tells you how to use all kinds of food gadgets

  • By J.M. Hirsch Associated Press
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2008 6:01pm
  • Life

Most foodies have done it at one point or another. You see and simply must buy some new or unusual widget or gizmo for the kitchen. It doesn’t matter that you don’t like rice; that paella pan is coming home.

Now there’s a cookbook to help you put all those must-have items to use. Marie Simmons’ latest, “Things Cooks Love,” was written with gear-loving foodies in mind.

Organized by cuisine, the book introduces tools and appliances from the common to the esoteric, then offers tips for using and caring for the items, as well as recipes for putting them to work.

With the chef’s torch, for example, Simmons take the reader beyond the obvious creme brulee. She suggests using it to brown goat cheese for salads or mozzarella over roasted asparagus and tomatoes.

The chapters also detail the basic ingredients of each cuisine, a huge help if you’re wondering what you’ll need to stock up on now that you own a karahi (a wok-like pan from India).

Flipping through this book, however, which was written in conjunction with kitchen tool company Sur la Table, is a bit dangerous. You could, for example, realize how vacuous life has been without, say, a couscoussiere.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Curtis Salgado will perform at the Historic Everett Theatre on Friday. (Dena Flows)
Curtis Salgado, Flight Patterns, 9 to 5 and more

Music, arts and more coming to Snohomish County

A peach tree branch with buds. (Sunnyside Nursery)
The Golfing Gardener: What a Peach!

One of the true pleasures in the world of gardening has always… Continue reading

Freshened design for the 2026 Kia Sportage compact SUV includes new front and rear bumpers.
2026 Kia Sportage loads up on new tech features

Changes revolve around the infotainment and driver assistance systems.

Jana Clark picks out a selection of dress that could be used for prom on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A basement closet in Snohomish is helping people dress for life’s biggest moments — for free

Call her a modern fairy godmother: Jana Clark runs a free formalwear closet from her home, offering gowns, tuxes and sparkle.

Acclaimed blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Ana Popovic will perform Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre. (Giulia Ciappa)
Ana Popovic, 9 to 5, fiber art and more

Music, arts and more coming to Snohomish County

Rotary Club of Everett honors Students of the Month for the fall semester

Each month during the school year, the Rotary Club of Everett recognizes… Continue reading

Sarcococca blooming early. (Sunnyside Nursery)
The Golfing Gardener: The dilemma of dormancy

Winter may have just begun, but it has been a strange one… Continue reading

Sheena Easton, 9 to 5, fiber art, and more

Music, arts and more coming to Snohomish County

PHOTOS BY Olivia Vanni / The Herald
Dwellers Drinkery co-owners and family outside of their business on Sept. 25 in Lake Stevens.
Welcome to Dwellers Drinkery in Lake Stevens

Make yourself at home with family-friendly vibe and craft brews.

Ray’s Drive-In on Broadway on Sept. 4 in Everett.
Everett’s Burger Trail: Dick’s, Nick’s, Mikie’s – and Ray’s

Come along with us to all four. Get a burger, fries and shake for under $15 at each stop.

Jonni Ng runs into the water at Brackett’s Landing North during the 19th annual Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 in Edmonds, Washington. The plunge at Brackett’s Landing beach was started by Brian Taylor, the owner of Daphnes Bar. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Photos: Hundreds take the plunge in Edmonds

The annual New Year’s Polar Bear Plunge has been a tradition for 19 years.

Backyard in the fall and winter. (Sunnyside Nursery)
The Golfing Gardener: The season of the sticks

Now that winter has officially arrived, I thought it would be the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.