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Finally… A Kitchen Gadget That Works!

Imagine finding an inexpensive kitchen doo-dad that actuall does something. Tony actually found one at StuffMart!
One of my favorite things to do is wander down the housewares aisle at the local StuffMart. The kitchen gadgets there are often cheap tin or plastic doodads that don’t do much.

One intriguing gadget catches my eye everytime I visit—the “microwave egg poacher”. Seriously. I envisioned egg muck stuck to the device or a quivering mass of not-so-cooked eggwhite staring back at me. Just thinking about what could happen makes me have an “Eeeeeew! moment”.

Recently, when I went out foraging for sporting goods, I was drawn into the forbidden aisle—probably by the oversized refridgerator magnets—and the little poacher called out, “try me… I'm only two bucks....” I couldn’t resist any longer. I just had to have this disaster in waiting for my very own. I rationalized that the kids could use it for a science experiment if the thing didn’t work.

But it did work. Actually, quite well. I have a reputation, well deserved, as a cruel destroyer of eggs. I’m probably the guy who invented the term, “scrambled omlet”. We’ve received complaints from the EPA about my previous attempts at poached eggs… OK, not really, but if they had seen them, they’d complain. Until last night.

After wrestling with the overkill that passes for packaging, I had my shiny new egg poacher laid out on the counter. The instructions were fairly simple: Put the eggs in the poacher. Microwave them. Eat. Somewhere in there is a note about “experimenting”—a concept I’m all too familiar with when it comes to poaching eggs. However, my first attempt was an edible success.

Later, my wife tried the device and marveled at the fact that it actually took longer to make the toast than it did to poach the eggs. I marvled at the fact that I had a consumeable meal before me in less time than it takes to find the pan I once used to humiliate myself in vain attempts at proving I could cook.

Now, with renewed self-esteem and a full tum tum, I feel safe in recommending the Nordicware Microwave Egg Poacher. I hope you try it and enjoy it.

Now where were those leg weights… Oh yeah, Sporting Goods.

Kitchen Ballistics—Microwave Eggs

If you have boys, you know that at least one in five boys loves to see things explode. This kitchen tip may take away some of their joy but the tasty eggs they get in return will make up for it.

Lewis and Clark: Songs of the Journey Companion-- Book and CD

A combination of journal, nature log, cookbook, and (of course) history book---this is not your run-of-the-mill text! Thoroughly researched and beautifully illustrated, this study provides backgound information on the Lewis and Clark expedition, actual journal quotes, and copious sidebars with related information, recipes, and activities. Includes a companion CD featuring original songs by the author. Ages 12 and up. 125 pages, softcover from Edge-of-the-Woods.

Grade Four: Christ and His Word, Student Book

Designed for flexibility in teaching and learning styles, and class schedules, the ACSI Elementary Bible Series has a strong continuity and underlying structure without the 'cookbook' approach. The series easily accommodates a three-, four-, or five-day instructional program and provides a variety of suggestions for instruction that can be chosen to meet a classroom's unique learning needs.

At every grade level, this series provides students with the tools for a dynamic personal relationship with Jesus Christ by focusing on personal Bible study, prayer, devotions, praise, and worship. Missions and service are fundamental themes repeated throughout the series. Missions studies incorporate fictional characters in many cultures, famous missionaries, and stories from the book of Acts. Ideas for missions projects are also included.

In Grade Four, essential doctrines of the Bible at an elementary level are introduced. Students will study God, Jesus, the Holy spirit, the Bible, salvation, heaven, angels, hell, and final events.

Williams-Sonoma New Healthy Kitchen: Main Dishes

We all know that we're supposed to be eating several servings of fruits and vegetables each day, but we're also supposed to be eating as many different colors of fruit and vegetable as possible. Sixty recipes can be found in this cookbook, grouped by the color of a key ingredient and offering dozens of appealing and easy ways to bring the rainbow of fruits, vegetables and grains into your daily meals.

Brownie Mix Bliss

There's no need to settle for plain brownies when a myriad of mouthwatering concoctions are at your fingertips: Rocky Road Brownies, Dark Rum Brownies and more, thie cookbook also has recipes for bar cookies. There is something here for every brownie lover under the sun.

Spaghetti Sauce Gourmet

Tasty spaghetti sauce recipes from New York Times bestselling author David Joachim are packaged in fun cookbook with realistic spaghetti jar cover! 160 mouthwatering recipes for all budgets and tastebuds, from four basic sauce recipes. Color photo illustrations; each recipe includes time needed to prepare. 257 pages.

Flavors of Fall

Nothing compares with the aromas and tastes of autumn cooking, and our Gooseberry Patch® Flavors of Fall cookbook is bursting with delicious recipes. Comb binding, illustrated decorative pages, freshly picked recipes, easy how-to's and new ways to celebrate with family and friends. 217 pages.

Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook

Meet the Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook, an irresistible collection of more than 800 All-Purpose, Welcome-Home Recipes. Fix-It and Enjoy-It Cookbook, a 'cousin' of the extraordinarily popular Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook offers choice recipes for stove-top and oven cooking. Paperback.

A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen

Jack Bishop'scommitment to simplicity and his talent for fine-tuning recipes so they work perfectly in real time make his books favorites among vegetarians and occasional vegetarians alike. As a busy husband, father of two young children, cookbook author, magazine and book editor, and head cook for his family, Bishop demands a lot from the meals that make it into his repertoire. They must be convenient dishes that he can prepare at the end of a day in an hour or less with readily available ingredients. They must satisfy his and his wife's discriminating palates. And last, but emphatically not least, they have to pass muster with his five- and nine-year old daughters.

In A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen, Bishop guides you through the seasons with 248 of his favorite everyday recipes, which deliciously embody his philosophy of 'shop locally, cook globally, and keep things easy.' Cooking with seasonal produce, he says, is the best way to bring a welcome variety to the table.

In spring, dinner might be Soft Tacos with Garlicky Greens or Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Asparagus and Eggs, perhaps with a side of Sugar-Snap Peas with Fried Ginger. Summer brings Savory Corn Griddle Cakes or Fresh Tomato Pizza with Avocado. For fall, Root Vegetable Tarts with Rosemary or Orecchiette with Spicy Broccoli is on the menu. And in winter, when farmer'smarkets are a distant memory in most parts of the country, there are dozens of flavorful choices, including Pan-Glazed Tofu with Thai Red Curry Sauce, Caribbean Black Beans with Sautéed Plantains, and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Mushrooms. In concise sidebars that accompany each recipe, Bishop shares tips gleaned from his ten year's experience at Cook's Illustrated, covering everything from choosing a good vegetable broth to picking the best potatoes for mashing to mastering the secrets of successful stir-frying. Hardcover, 480 pages. (16 4-color photographs)

With Mommy’s Help Children’s Cookbook

Easy to follow recipe collection is ideal for family cooking time, with mom, dad, and grandparents getting involved. Included are tested favorites for children three years old and up, who want to help with breakfast, snacks, and desserts. Each cookbook comes with four cookie cutters that are used in the recipes, including piggy, star, heart, and bear. Book is 6.25' x 9' x 3' deep and contains 15 recipes, colorfully illustrated in three-ring binder format.