Ideas & Tips — Kitchen

Perhaps it is because they're such a ubiquitous and simple item that few people ever consider what straws actually do for us aside from streamlining the beverages we drink. However, straws actually provide several benefits for our oral and dental health.  Here are three reasons why you should consider stocking up on straws for your kitchen: Convenience: One of the reasons why straws are great for children is that they protect them from germs that may exist on glasses, especially in restaurants and other public venues where you can't verify the cleanliness of everything. Additionally, the controlled amount of liquid...

May is National Moving Month, with the Department of Transportation predicting that more than 35 million Americans will relocate this year. That means you probably know someone who is changing residences in the next month, whether a friend, family member, coworker or significant other. Once they complete their big move, why not help them celebrate with some thoughtful housewarming gifts? Here are five beautiful home gifts available for $10 or less: Fruit Juicer / Squeezer: This handy stainless steel juicer is great to quickly extract juice from lemon, lime, orange and other citrus. Lots of good vitamins in natural juices, so...

Nothing is more fun than going out to eat sushi at a local restaurant, but what if you could also make your favorite sushi rolls right in the comfort of your own home? It may prove less expensive than dining out and it's also a fun activity with which to wow your friends and family members! Here are some tips to keep in mind:  Buy sushi-grade fish: It's very important that you only use sushi-grade fish when making your own rolls, which means it is safe to eat raw. Sushi enthusiast Monnie Nilsson writes in The Denver Post that you should...

Stainless steel is king in the kitchen and has been for decades, according to the Wall Street Journal. A recent article explored stainless steel's dominance when it comes to kitchen appliances, noting shoppers' unending devotion to the sleek, clean metal.  "The appliance industry has tried to promote new looks before," the article said. "In recent years, manufacturers have pitched 'oiled bronze,' 'antique copper' and a gray hue called 'meteorite,' as well as aluminum and other look-alikes, but none has been able to unseat stainless steel." No appliance finish resonates with consumers like stainless steel because none is so reliably attractive,...

The mortar and pestle is a versatile and useful kitchen implement, but few of us actually grew up using one, so it can be a bit difficult to get into the swing of using it for cooking. Here are a few tips to help you take proper advantage of your mortar and pestle: It's not just for dry spices. Garlic, basil and other "wet" spices can also be ground into pastes or muddled in the mortar and pestle, making it a great tool for creating rubs and seasonings for meat dishes. Use it to make pesto. According to numerous cooks, the difference...