KNHR's Top Drawer

A Microplane Herb Mill, please.

I’ve become completely obsessed with the thought of owning a Microplane herb mill. It’s mentioned a couple times in our upcoming November issue of Kitchenware News, deemed one of the best new products of the year by various retailers, and called Microplane’s biggest innovation this year by Microplane’s Marketing Manager, Tracy Panase.

Let’s be honest, readers, despite my love for cooking, baking, and all things kitchen, your blogger is sorely lacking in knife skills. I’m an at-home trained cook, and I haven’t worked very hard at being technically great; I just want to be able to make delicious, home-cooked meals. So sometimes, my julienned basil isn’t very consistent, and leafy herbs like parsley and cilantro define the term “rough chop.”

This is why I’ve placed the herb mill from Microplane at the top of my wish list this holiday season. The herb mill works similar to a pepper mill, allowing you to insert herbs into the mill, and then twisting it to cut. The blades at the bottom of the mill cut your herbs quickly and consistently. I’m fairly certain this is a win-win for me and my meals (though probably not my knife skills).

 

Gourmet Housewares Show Moves To New York In 2011

GLM, LLC, owner of the Gourmet Housewares Show, has announced that the show is moving to New York in January, 2011. No Gourmet Housewares Show will be held in 2010. In January, 2011, the Gourmet Housewares Show will be co-located within the New York International Gift Fair. GLM is hoping that some of the 150 new exhibitors it expects at NYIGF as a result of the move will also exhibit in the fall NYIGF show.

Salt and Pepper Grinder

Here’s a compact salt and pepper grinder from Bodum that will be really useful for small kitchens or on a small table.

The Twin Grinder is equipped to handle both salt and pepper in one unit. Turn the red silicone band and the grinder switches between salt and pepper. The ceramic gears make it possible to grind both salt and pepper.

According to Bodum, the grinder  features an ergonomic shape that makes the process of grinding comfortable. The price is comfortable too - $29.95.

Vic Firth Adds New Mills

Vic Firth Gourmet just added two fabulous colors to  the 7” Mario Batali  Signature Series: eggplant and turquoise.

I’m the first to say that I have a weakness for anything in the aqua to turquoise color family. Every room in my house is some version of this range of  blues. Even  if you don’t have that weakness, you’ve got to admit that the finish on these mills is beautiful.

Plus, Vic Firth is based here in my home state of Maine, so I’m really proud that a leader in the pepper mill industry  has its manufacturing base here. Lastly, there is the “cool” factor of the famous Vic Firth – maker of  drumsticks for the some of the biggest stars in the music business.

Along with the new mills in the Batali Signature series, Vic Firth Gourmet released the 6” City Stix mills, designed by architect Josh Schweitzer. These mills have a contemporary feel with classic black and white for the colors.

Both the 7” Batali Mills and the 6” City Stix Mills retail for $39.95 each and are covered by Vic Firth’s  lifetime guarantee.