My Top 10 Housewares Show 2016 Gadgets for Pesach

Every year the International Housewares Show is here in my very own hometown, Chicago!  This year was no exception and I had a fabulous time seeing all the awesome and cool new products that are available.  Here are the best of the best that will help your Passover prep.  I’ll even attach amazon.com affiliate links so you can get them asap!  Let me know which is your fave!

1. The Gefu Spirelli 2.0 spiralizer

I actually watched a demo of this mini wonder in action.  It really truly works.  What’s great about it is that it’s mini.  For those that store their Pesach stuff every year this is small, compact, and it works.  When you want zoodles (zucchini noodles) or sweet potato noodles - which we all do on Pesach when the wheaty real deal is nowhere to be found.  Unlike some of the other mini spiralizers this comes with a little pusher so you don’t have to cut your fingers off.

2. Kitchenaid (Mini) Mixer

One of my most used appliances on Pesach is my Kitchenaid mixer.  I can’t imagine whipping all those eggs without one.  Oh, and make sure you get an extra bowl - for when you need to whip those egg whites separately!

3. Hamilton Beach Chopping Food Processor

Back in the day when my parents made the seder they purchased a food processor (you know the one that starts with C).  I inherited it when I took over the privilege.  It’s great for grinding nuts or making charoset.  It’s the second tool I feel that I would have a hard time doing without.  Well at the housewares show Hamilton Beach came out with a fabulous new food processor - it actually dices.  Really and truly.  The dice is even and a beautiful thing to behold.  If you are looking for a food processor this is one to seriously consider. It's available at Hamilton Beach: Hamilton Beach 70825

4. Pencil sharpener peeler

One of the more fun companies that I came across was Monkey Business.  It’s an innovative Israeli company that had so many adorable and clever products I had trouble deciding which I liked best.  I absolutely fell in love with the Pencil Sharpener peeler.  It looks like a big yellow old fashioned pencil sharpener with a vegetable peeler on the back.  Remember how, when you used to sharpen your pencil, the shavings came out curled?  Imagine doing that with a carrot, or zucchini.   I plan on using mine to make carrot and zucchini flowers as a garnish for my gefilte fish this year.  Check out their web site...each gadget is cuter than the next!

6. French Bull acrylic Serveware

There were a bunch of fun companies but I particularly loved French Bull.  They have fabulous acrylic cups, platters, plates, and serving pieces in super fun and bright patterns and colors.  The display completely caught my eye.  Check out their stuff!!!

7. Chefman Immersion blender

Chefman is a company that makes competitively priced small kitchenlectronics.  I personally know people that work there and they are really committed to their products.  The immersion blender come in a bajillion colors and are not costly - perfect for helping to keep Pesach costs down.

8. Bella Coffee Maker

I personally own one of the original Bella Coffee Makers in a bright red and I love it.  I got it on sale for $9.99 at Macys.  It’s a single cup coffee maker that makes a great cup of coffee in under 5 minutes.  The only downside is that you can’t use those wonderfully convenient pre-measured coffee containers (you know the ones by the “K” company).  Well, now Bella has come out with one that you can use like mine, with your own coffee, or with those pre-measured containers!  For the price you really can’t beat it!

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9. Levoons & Savel

As a baker, I know that measuring precisely is super important.  I was really excited about the clever Levoons by Dreamfarm.  They are self leveling measuring spoons!  How great is that?  They come in tons of colors too.  They also make other useful gadgets like the Savel which you put in an avocado, or other fruit,  after you cut it to keep the unused half from turning brown. 

10. Paradox Timers

One of the best thing about the housewares show are the products that are brand spankin new and haven’t been brought to the market yet.  One of my absolute favorite products was the Paradox timer.  It comes in different varieties (there’s an egg timer for example), and contains different colored liquid combined with a water like liquid inside.  When you turn the timer over, the colored liquid goes UP instead of down!!!  It’s a paradox...get it?!!!  Super cool!!!!

11. SodaStream

I had to add the fantastic Israeli company, SodaStream!!!  It’s perfect for making carbonated beverages even on Shabbat and Yom Tov!  A huge money saver, especially for Pesach!!!

So my honorable mention product is the Masha mashed potato masher by Salton.   They named it after my daughter Masha.  Just kidding, however they did give me one for that reason!!!  Thanks Salton!!! I’m saving it for Pesach and haven’t used it yet, but it looks like an immersion blender that makes perfect mashed potatoes...and who wouldn’t want that?  Especially with a name like Masha!!!

I’d love to hear about your favorite “I can’t live without them” gadgets.  One of mine is the Hindy Chopper (a.k.a the Vidalia onion chopper).  Post your faves below in the comments.  I’m sure everyone would love to hear how clever you are!!!

After Passover...the everyday fabulous gadgets and tchotchkies that were super fun at the show...stay tuned…

Kosher Everyday is dedicated to the memory of my father

Dr. Theodore Saltzberg - Tuvia Ben Nachum Z”L

May his memory be for a blessing - Yihi zichro baruch.

Look for additional information about Edible Experience Kosher Everyday at www.koshereveryday.com,

JewishExponent.com, aish.com, Mishpacha Magazine’s Kosher Inspired Magazine,

The Chicago Tribune Syndication,

or on Facebook at Edible Experience by Sharon Matten.

These recipes are for sole, personal use of visitors to Sharon Matten -Edible Experience Kosher Everyday. Edible Experience Kosher Everyday recipes are for your enjoyment but are not to be posted or reprinted without express permission from Sharon Matten. Thank you!!

Egg Birds & Scrambled Egg Tacos

Warning: This weeks’ blog is absolutely the grossest blog I have ever written – but it’s also one of the most fun!!  It will have you covering your eyes with both hands…but secretly peeking through your fingers!  You get to do something incredibly “oogy” but amazingly the results are awesomely beautiful!  When you’re done you’ll have a stunning Sukkah decoration and a yummy breakfast/snack!

It's an egg... It's a bird...
It's an EGG BIRD!!

An all time favorite project of mine (and my kids) is Egg Birds!  Although it may seem incredibly disgusting, the most fun part of the project is blowing the egg out of the shell (ewwwwwww!!!) and using the remaining shell as the bird’s body.  It takes a certain amount of skill, and a very light touch to poke the holes in the raw egg without cracking or shattering the egg in the process.  It’s SO MUCH FUN!!  You can use any type of construction paper, aluminum foil, colored or clear cellophane gift wrap, or any other type of decorative paper for the wings/beak/tail…but I strongly recommend using a waterproof one, because if it rains instead of the most gorgeous birds you will have the saddest!!  We decorate the bodies with waterproof pens – and everyone loves to get creative with their personalization of the birds.  After carefully tying a long, thin ribbon around the birds, they are ready to be hung in your Sukkah!  You can sit back and admire them as your flying masterpieces twirl in the breeze.

Breakfast taco is served!! 

So what do you do with all the egg innards when you are done with your birds?  Don’t throw them away…you can use them for easy Scrambled Egg Taco’s or simple French Toast.  Although everyone can make scrambled eggs, I’m including a recipe anyway! When the eggs are done being scrambled, I put them in a crunchy, whole grain, corn taco shell and top them with a little shredded cheese and a crunchy healthy breakfast is served!  You can even top them with some salsa (the hot kind!) to add a little jump start to your morning.

For more yummy Sukkot recipes, check out my article on aish.com “A Sukkot Feast”.  Chag Sameach!!

EGG BIRDS

• 12 jumbo, raw, fresh, eggs – washed
• decorative paper – cut into 
1. 5”x5” squares for the wings
2. 5”x3” rectangles for the tails
3. 1” x 2” rectangles for the beaks
• sharp tool, like a mechanical pencil with no lead or a well washed nail.
• super glue
• waterproof markers
• toothpicks
• thin ribbon
• bowl to catch the egg insides 

1. With the point of a mechanical pencil (no lead), or an extremely clean nail or pointed object, poke a 1/8 inch hole in each end of the egg. 
2. Insert the toothpick into the egg and break the yolk.
3. Blow into the smaller more pointy end of the egg – shooting the white and yolk into a bowl. 
4. Rinse the egg out via the poked holes, blowing out any additional water that might be inside.
5. Carefully poke another hole on either side of the egg for the wings.
6. Roll the 1” wide strip into a beak and insert it into the hole at the pointed end of the egg.
7. Fold the squares accordion fashion and twist the edges. 
8. Using a twisting motion insert the wings and tail into the egg holes.
9. Draw eyes with a waterproof black marker.
10. Decorate with additional markers or whatever you like.
11. Glue any loose wings with super glue.
12. Cut the ribbon into 18” lengths.  Tie diagonally around the wings, knotting at the top of the birds. 
13. Carefully hang your beautiful creations in your Sukkah!

Just to make it completely clear...here are two videos to demonstrate:

 Everything you

need to make 

Egg Birds!

Once the holes are in

the egg, pleat the

wings and tail...

Assemble the bird....

Then decorate....

A whole flock of Egg Birds!!

SCRAMBLED EGG TACOS

• Eggs from egg birds
• 1 tablespoon milk for every egg
• 1 slice American cheese for every 2 eggs, torn into small pieces.
• Dash salt
• Corn taco shells (I use whole grain ones.  To make this gluten-free use gluten-free shells)
• Extra shredded cheese (optional)
• Salsa (optional)
• non-stick vegetable spray

 Add the milk to the eggs and scramble with a fork.  Add the American cheese and salt, and mix with a fork until combined.  Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Spray the pan with non-stick vegetable spray.  Pour the egg mixture into the skillet.  Immediately scrape with a spatula.  Cook until egg is dry.  Scoop scrambled egg into the taco shell.  Top with salsa and shredded cheese.  Breakfast is ready!!

A bowl of egg...

Add the milk, cheese and salt...

then scramble!!

You know what to do...

Scoop it into a taco shell,

and breakfast is served!

  You can even make 

French Toast with

the extra egg!!

Look for additional information about Edible Experience Kosher Everyday at

www.koshereveryday.com, aish.com,

 or on Facebook at Edible Experience by Sharon Matten.

These recipes are for sole, personal use of visitors to Sharon Matten -Edible Experience Kosher Everyday. Edible Experience Kosher Everyday recipes are for your enjoyment but are not to be posted or reprinted without express permission from Sharon Matten. Thank you!!

 Congratulations!

KosherEveryday is one of the finalists for the 

2011 CBS Most Valuable Blogger Awards!! 

Homemade Pancake Mix - The Back to School Recipe (and Spice Packet Breaded Zucchini Bonus Recipe!)

Made from scratch!
(Sort of!)

It’s back to school time.  Leisurely mornings are a thing of the past.  Now mornings are filled with: Do you have your lunch?  Did you put your homework in your backpack? Did you remember the note I signed?  Do you need a jacket?  Did you remember to brush your teeth?  Do you need money for tzedakah?  Please hurry, you’re going to be late!  Did you eat breakfast??!!!

By the time we’re done with the ritual morning interrogation we are exhausted and pressed for time, but…regardless of how rushed we are, as semi-responsible parents, we know the importance of getting some healthy(ish) food into our kids before they walk out the door in the morning!  ”Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”! 

The most asked for breakfast food in our house is pancakes.  My kids love them with chocolate chips or candy coated chocolate chips (thus the “ish” part of healthy).  Although I am perfectly capable of making pancakes from scratch (the real scratch where you pull out all the ingredients, measure them, and mix them all together) I just don’t seem to have the time.  I am not a get up early in the morning with the roosters, singing a happy tune, “Leave it to Beaver, June Cleaver” type mom.  I usually stumble downstairs in the morning muttering something about not enough caffeine in the world.  The thought of pancakes from scratch on a school day…well, let just say it’s not happening here.  I really like the whole wheat blend “just add water” pancake mixes that are available, but they are kind of pricy and often have ingredients that I am not entirely familiar with (not a good sign).  So, as the school year started, and requests for pancakes poured in, it occurred to me that it shouldn’t be all that hard to make up my own Homemade Pancake Mix.  My biggest challenge was coming up with substitutes for the wet ingredients, such as eggs, that normally go into pancakes.  I also wanted to maintain some semblance of a healthy recipe with whole grain ingredients, without my kids throwing them at me in disgust (ok, so they would never really do that…).  Something with a little more fiber so they aren’t ravenous by the time they get to school!  As a baker, I have lots of handy ingredients around that you might not find in the average house – meringue powder is an example.  Meringue powder is just dried, pasteurized, egg whites.  I have often substituted egg whites for whole eggs in recipes, so it occurred to me that meringue powder (which can be found in many local grocery stores, and anywhere you find Wilton cake decorating products) would make a great dry substitute for eggs.  Excellent!  I used my favorite whole wheat pastry flour, which is lighter and doesn’t taste as “whole wheaty” as regular whole wheat flour, and blended it with all purpose flour for a little healthier mix.  After adding the rest of the standard pancake ingredients along with the meringue powder I was ready to test my Homemade Pancake Mix.  So excited!  It worked great!  I used water, but for an even better flavor you could use milk or soy milk.  I made several batches to test the consistency and flavor, and each one was better than the one before – although my personal favorites were the blueberry pancakes and chocolate chip pancakes.  When I was done, I just put the remainder of the mix in an airtight container to use on another busy morning!  So happy…and looking forward to happy well fed kids!! Everyone wins!!  Now if only I could come up with another instant mix for all the other stuff we need to do to get ready in the morning!!  (That, and transporter technology…)

Homemade Pancake Mix – The Back to School Recipe

1 ¾      cups                 whole wheat pastry flour

1 ¾      cups                 all-purpose flour

1          teaspoon          salt

2          tablespoons      baking powder

2          tablespoons      meringue powder

½         cup                   splenda (see note)

                                    non-stick vegetable spray

¾         cup                   water, milk or soymilk per 1 cup pancake mix

Notes:

1. You can use regular sugar or a few packets of vanilla sugar instead of splenda.
2. Pancake Add ins:  Fresh blueberries, chocolate chips, mini chocolate covered candies, chopped apple, your favorite chopped cookies, fresh fruit, your own favorite add in (please let me know!).
3. You can even make the pancakes in advance and freeze them in a large zipper bag or airtight container.  Of course they are best fresh!

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Store mix in a dry, airtight container.

When ready to make the pancakes, add 1 cup of Homemade Pancake Mix with ¾ cup of water.  Mix with a fork or whisk until most of the lumps are gone. 

Heat a large skillet or griddle.  Spray with non-stick vegetable spray.  Using a ladle or measuring cup, pour batter onto skillet.  Cook until browned on one side then flip, and allow to cook for another minute.  (Ok, so everyone knows how to make pancakes but I had to put it in anyway!!)  Serve with your favorite syrup, jam, or fruit topping.  Breakfast is served – although on a busy night they could even be dinner!!!

All the dry ingredients 

in the bowl - so easy!! 

Measure a cup of mix

and add the water - so easy!!

You know what to do - so easy!!  

Hooray!  It's yummy, 

healthy(ish), pancakes

 - so easy!!  

 Store the rest of the

dry mix in an airtight

container - so easy!! 

BONUS RECIPE - Breaded Spice Packet Zucchini: This week I made spice packet schnitzel for Shabbat (you can check out the movie for more details), and was left with a few cups of seasoned breading.  I had bought zucchini to make for Shabbat, and decided to try to coat the cut zucchini with a little olive oil, then toss them with the crumbs and spray them with a healthy spray of non-stick vegetable spray.  I baked them for around 45 minutes at 350° F and they turned out splendidly as you can see!  Hooray!

 It's SO pretty!!

Look for additional information about Edible Experience Kosher Everyday atwww.koshereveryday.com, aish.com,

 or on Facebook at Edible Experience by Sharon Matten.

These recipes are for sole, personal use of visitors to Sharon Matten -Edible Experience Kosher Everyday. Edible Experience Kosher Everyday recipes are for your enjoyment but are not to be posted or reprinted without express permission from Sharon Matten. Thank you!!

 Congratulations!

KosherEveryday is one of the finalists for the 

2011 CBS Most Valuable Blogger Awards!! 

The Mother's Day Breakfast/Omelet Blog - Written by guest writers: The Matten Kids!

Happy Mothers Day!!

Today, in honor of Mother's Day, my kids (KIH) took over writing this blog!  I hope you enjoy what they've written as much as I did!  A little background information first:  For many years my sweet husband (KIH) would let me sleep in on Mother's Day and bring me breakfast in bed.  Two years ago, when my oldest daughter was 9, he came home from shul in the morning to find that my daughter the CIT (Chef in Training) had already made the most stunningly perfect and beautiful omelet that you have ever seen (and it didn't involve the smoke detector going off like the year before..."Honey....is everything ok down there? The smoke detector is going off!!).  Anyway, my dearest husband was very happy to pass along the tradition to my kids, and I share with you my very special Mother's Day Blog - Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there!! Love, Sharon (and family!)

THE GIRLS' BLOG:

     Before I was born, my dad used to make my mother a breakfast in bed for Mother's Day. He used to make it extremely spicy and before he could serve it, it always turned into scrambled eggs. When you eat an omelet, you want it sort of spicy. Well, when my dad made it, it was like stuffing a whole jalapeño pepper in your mouth at once. It was not a good mix. But now I’m old enough to make the “Mother's Day Omelet” and my dad always tells me that I do it a whole lot better than he did. And now guess what?  For part of her mother’s day present, she has asked my sister Adina and I (Masha) to do her blog for this week.  The Mother’s Day Breakfast-in-Bed Omelet Blog!!!

    

     Before my sister (Masha to be precise) started to make the omelet and my dad did it, he sometimes made the smoke alarm go off. Then my mom would ask my dad “Why is the smoke alarm going off?" Now that my sister does it the alarm doesn’t go off anymore. So my mom can sleep peacefully without hearing AAAAAAAAAAAA… anymore on mothers day.

THE BOYS' BLOG:

Mother’s Day is a day when people from all over the world attempt to make this day awesome for their mom or wife by making a special breakfast for them. This breakfast is most likely where the saying “it’s the thought that counts” was invented because the majority of time this breakfast is just plain awful or at least could use some improvement. The receiver of this omelet must think “how complicated is it to make a decent omelet?” Apparently, it is not that easy.  The main causes for making an omelet are most likely due to a person’s lack of smell, lack of taste, or no knowledge of how to cook altogether.

Being able to smell is important to being able to make a good omelet because without the ability to smell the omelet probably will become burnt because one won’t be able to notice the omelet burning.  This lack of smell could be due to one of two things; congestion or the person just doesn’t know how to smell.  A solution to removing congestion is to find the strongest jar of horseradish and take a big whiff. It is almost guaranteed that one’s congestion will be quickly removed. If the problem is that one doesn’t know how to smell the solution is probably to go see a doctor and get medical help.  Once this lack of smell is gone one can easily cook an omelet without burning it.  Once a person figures out how to smell again one can focus on learning how to taste food.

Taste is important in creating an omelet because it is important to know if the omelet had been properly made and no ingredients have been forgotten. Taste is much different to smell because it is difficult for one to change his acquired tastes while smell can be maximized to its best efficiency. What is most recommended to help improve taste is for one to not brush ones teeth before tasting the omelet for the toothpaste may leave a lingering taste that might affect ones perception of how the omelet actually tastes. Second,  it is encouraged that one eat something that is unappetizing before eating the omelet so that one truly appreciates the true taste of this magnificent omelet. Once one has figured out how to maximize ones tasting abilities one must focus on the key part of the Mother’s day omelet, how to cook it.

  

THE MOTHER'S DAY OMELET RECIPE:      

(By Masha Matten)

¼         cup       scallions, sliced

¾         cup       mushrooms, sliced

            shake   hot pepper flakes

¼         cup       red pepper, diced

½         cup       milk

2          large     eggs

½         cup       egg beaters

2          slices    american cheese, torn into pieces

                        PAM spray

Mix the milk, eggs and egg beaters in a large mixing cup.  Spray a large frying pan with PAM and turn the burner onto medium.  Sauté all the vegetables and pepper flakes until they are soft and browned.  Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.  Cook the egg a few minutes then top the egg with the american cheese.  Cook for another minute, then fold the egg over .  Smush with the spatula to get some of the liquid out of the egg.  Cook another minute, then put on a large dinner plate.  Serve to Mom in Bed!!

THE MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST IN BED:

Masha makes the omelet...

check out the diced scallions - 

SO proud of the knife skills!!

Everything goes in the pan....

Check out this GORGEOUS EGG!!

(Way to go Mash!)

Adina makes the Strawberry Parfait!

Cut the tops off of the strawberries...

Put them in a fancy dish....

Then the best, most fun part:

WHIPPED CREAM!!  

Time to have breakfast

IN BED!! HOORAY!!

That was SO YUMMY!!! Can't 

every day be Mother's Day?!!!

Thanks family...what a great day!!  I love you!!!

I'd love to hear from you!! Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions and recipes after each blog!!!  Don't forget to pass this blog on to your friends and family!!

Look for additional information about  Edible Experience Kosher Everyday at sharonmatten.blogspot.com or on Facebook at Edible Experience by Sharon Matten.