The annual Inspired Home Show offers new and innovative products for home cooks
After two years of being held virtually, the Inspired Home Show was held in person in Chicago in March. I always enjoy learning about new products and some old ones I'd never noticed and getting a peek into what will be appearing on store shelves in the coming year. This year was no exception. Here are some things that caught my eye.
The first item on my list is a bread-proofing basket and embosser, perfect for use with my favorite No-Knead Everything Bread recipe I'm sharing this month. The basket is plastic but has the ridges associated with a traditional Banneton proofing basket, giving a round loaf that artisanal look. But unlike a basket, it can be washed in the dishwasher. The embosser is a 3½-inch plastic disc you can place in the bottom of the basket during the rising process that creates a flower design on what will be the top of your loaf but is removable if you'd rather not. Extra discs with sun and wheat designs are also available for those who want variety.
I think the wheat disc would be perfect on the No-Knead Everything Bread. If you like everything bagels, this is the bread for you. But if you don't, just eliminate the seasoning, as you will still love this bread. I mix the ingredients in a bowl the night before, cover and place it in a draft-free place on my counter, shape it the following day and bake. So easy and, most importantly, no kneading. Look at the recipe to see vessel options for achieving baking perfection.
If you've read my column before, you know I am a big fan of “The Great British Baking Show,” so I was intrigued when I saw the Ring Mold Creations by Frieling. Individual 2¾-inch high by 3-inch diameter rings may be used to make those beautiful stacked creations they make on the show, and there is the bonus of the option to snap the rings onto a base to ensure stability. Cakes, ice cream, brownies, layers of both - the opportunities are endless.
Everything is better with bacon, or at least many of us think this is true, but what about the bacon grease? My mom and grandmother used to save bacon grease for future use. They would add a spoonful of this “instant flavor” to green beans and mustard greens as they cooked and always added a little to the cast iron skillet before making eggs, but straining it was a messy endeavor. Thanks to Talisman Designs, we don't have to worry about that anymore, as the Bacon Bin has come to our rescue, but it is not only for people who want to use the bacon grease later. It holds 1 cup of grease, and the built-in strainer keeps the bacon bits out, while the lid keeps your fridge from smelling like bacon. For those who prefer not to reuse the grease, the silicone bin makes it easy to squeeze the hardened fat into the garbage, saving your pipes.
Coming soon, for those with a sweet tooth and a love of ice cream sandwiches, the Icepo by Dreamfarm is for you. Just push the Icepo into your favorite icy treat and twist, and a perfectly measured ½-cup disc of ice cream is ready to eject onto the base of your choice. Kids of all ages will like this.
As soon as I get done eating those summer ice cream sandwiches, I will start looking for the 12 Days of Christmas Popcorn Seasoning gift set by Wabash Valley Farms. The package includes 12 different 1-ounce containers of popcorn seasoning, each in its little box. Each will season two to three batches of popcorn, making it the perfect gift for the popcorn lover in your life.
All of the items I've shared can be found on the internet, with many for sale on Amazon or local stores. I hope you find them as interesting as I did, but more than that, I hope you like the bread recipe. It is so easy to make.
Penny Kazmier, a wife and mother of four from South Barrington, won the 2011 Daily Herald Cook of the Week Challenge. Contact Penny at DhCulinaryAdventures@gmail.com.