Ducasse

Introduced this year by alessi, the pasta pot by Alain Ducasse claims to be a rediscovery an ancient cooking method used by olive pickers. Ducasse has brought to light a unique pot which produces a new and interesting flavor (i.e. the starches are not discarded with the cooking water but are totally absorbed by the pasta, and the same holds true for the ingredients of the sauce). First you put the dry pasta in the ½Pasta Pot ½, sauting lightly if you wish; then the various ingredients of whichever sauce you wish to make; then last comes water or broth, all at once or gradually, cooking everything together with the specially designed cover, stirring occasionally. in just a little more time than normally required to boil the pasta according to the classic method, your pasta with sauce is done and served directly at the table on the included trivet. a booklet containing a number of recipes developed by Ducasse himself is included. I am looking forward to trying this...some day

Veneerware

This technique seems like it would be the splinter-maker but it looks cool. I think that it makes more sense for larger utensils than it does for cutlery. Also, I think that I have heard that using bamboo in this catagory is not really all that responsible as it dries out and separates when washed thus limiting the number of uses. I do like the way they look like tongue depressors.

grilldaddy

I am not sure what the surface treatment is on this but the configuration and scale look really good. The form is a little bit like a poor mans russell wright but it really needs some more intentional detailing because it looks a little bit homemade at this point.

Holiday gift idea #16

In case you forgot to buy for anyone that likes robots check these out. There are a bunch that have yet to be sold and although they are about $1000 a piece, they are also one of a kind works of art. I like this one. Scott, this seems like the kind of thing for which your father would be well-equipped and well-stocked.

http://bennettrobotworks.com/robots.php

tonic

I think that I mentioned Q tonic a few weeks ago after reading about it in Esquire. It was not easy to find but my case arrived right before the holidays. The bottle is awesome and the presentation is great but the flavor is a little too dry. The bubbles are nice and fine like champagne but I think that I actually like the flavor of Schwepps better.

Thanks Don

Don really went way over the top with his gift of the Nuvi. (I am not sure that this is a photo of the right model but you get the idea.) Maybe he is sick of me asking for directions to his house? Maybe he is tired of having us call from the road because we are lost? Either way I am looking forward to firing this up. From what he says all I have to do is key in an address and this thing will talk me in...I can not wait to try it out. Thanks Don.

Great gifts

Mike and Kristina sent me this salt and pepper shaker set for Christmas. The rubberized black and polished chrome look great together and the form is even better in person. I have never owned a salt and pepper shaker so this is a first...I am not sure if I will leave them on the stove or on the kitchen table.