New mandoline from Shun

You might get sticker shock when you look at the price on this new mandoline from Shun. But, let me tell you, this is the Mercedes-Benz of mandolines. I saw a demo of this mandoline recently and was amazed by three things: safety, results, and styling.

Safety: The clever design team at Shun deduced that the reason many people don't buy mandolines is because they're afraid. Either they've had a bad experience or heard horror stories. I could tell a first-hand--ahem, no pun intended-- story, but I'll spare you the gory details. Anyway, when using the Shun Pro Mandoline, it's nearly impossible to run your fingers or hand across the blade because the carriage features an offset handle. So, your hand never hovers over the super-sharp blade.

Results: I was amazed at how thin you could slice your produce. Think of the thickness of the ginger you get on the side of your sushi order. This mandoline could slice thinner than the thinnest slice of that ginger. So, what's the benefit in this for you? For starters, I'm thinking potato gratin, maple sweet potatoes, etc. And, how could those not be beneficial?

Styling: This is one pretty piece. The mandoline's legs are made of Pakkawood, which is known for its strength and durability. The black finishing on the wood offers a classy look to match other Shun Pro products. And, the sturdy stainless-steel deck matches more modern kitchen appliances. Overall, this piece is heavy, but that's what you'd expect of the Mercedes-Benz of mandolines, right?

Move over stand mixers, there's a new countertop king in town--the Shun Pro Mandoline.

--Sous-Chef on the Run

T-Mobile Launches 3G Network in New York City

Yesterday saw a flurry of blogging over the rumored launch of T-Mobile's long-brewing 3G network today in New York City on May Day, and speculation that the launch would be voice only--neglecting the data capability that is really central to 3G usage. Well, the 3G network did indeed launch today and Electronista is reporting that data is included:

Tests in New York City's Brooklyn borough using phones already capable of supporting the carrier's unique 1,700MHz UMTS Internet service show downloads at 300Kbps or more, pushing past the 200Kbps or less normally available on the EDGE (2G) network. Data can also pass through at the same time as calls -- a feat normally impossible with EDGE, which blocks phone service during heavy use.

T-Mobile's 3G network will be rolled out to at least 20 more markets by the end of the year, and no doubt their selection of 3G-capable phones will increase dramatically. Only a handful are currently offered, including the Nokia 6263 (seen at right) and 3555.

Despite the kleenex-ized generic monicker of 3G, there are actually several flavors of 3G connectivity as defined by the frequency that the cellular network uses. AT&T, T-Mobile's main GSM provider in the United States, offers dual-band connectivity on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands. However, T-Mobile's 3G network runs on the 1700 MHz frequency--thus a 3G-enabled phone that you may have picked up from AT&T won't get past the ropeline at T-Mobile's 3G party should you decide to switch networks.

This also prevents many current unlocked 3G-enabled phones from utilizing 3G on T-Mobile, as those that are geared for the American 3G audience currently offer connectivity to the 850/1900 MHz frequencies like the US network-enabled Nokia N95s. (Most unlocked 3G phones made for the European and Asian markets can't access either AT&T's or T-Mobile's 3G networks as those international networks run on the 2100 MHz spectrum.) But it does look like some new phones coming down the pike--such as the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1--are integrating 1700 3Gness in order to roll with T-Mobile.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

from amazondaily

How Well Do You Know Your Own Music Collection?

The other day, I volunteered to pick up some friends from the airport. Their luggage was lost on the tarmac, so I was on hold in the Cell Phone Waiting Lot for over an hour. Not a problem, because I had my 6th-generation iPod classic with me, and it features the coolest game ever: iQuiz, which comes pre-loaded on every 6th-generation iPod classic. I'm a music fanatic (1,200 CDs and 5,500 MP3s), and I keep my iTunes in pristine condition--not just song title, artist, and album, but also composer, lyrics, year, genre, track number, album cover, my rating, and any other information I have about the song. (If I could find a way to determine BPM on songs, I'd include that, too.) So, iQuiz is the best because it's a simulated game show, where I'm the only contestant, and the topic is my music. (I can also play iQuiz with TV and movies, but I haven't even ventured there--yet.) Most of the questions are multiple choice and true/false, but the Lightning Rounds focus on similarities--years, artists, genres, and the like. The game is a ton of fun, and it really encourages OCD-like organization of your music collection. It's just one more fantastic reason to own an iPod. Heck, I was having so much fun, I let the kids wait an extra 5 minutes at Baggage Claim so that I could finish my game. High score: 14,531. What's yours?

--Andi

From amazondaily

cake pans

Just when I thought things couldn't get any cuter over at Norpro, they now have several baking pans I'm eying (and yet have no practical need for, but that's not really the point...). Check out the:

• Cakesicle pan


• Mini donut pan


• Mini cheesecake pan


• Mini popover pan (!!)

As a lover of all things bundt, and the many fantastic shapes those cake pans come in these days, I'm a sucker for these novelty baking items. Plus, my son's first birthday is coming up soon, and I've got to pick a cute and tasty way to commemorate the event. Do I smell cakesicles...? Or, maybe a giant cupcake?!

Readers, do you have a novelty pan you can't get enough of? Or, is there one you've been wishing a manufacturer like Norpro would produce? Add a comment and let us know!

By--KitchenMaus

From amazondaily

Marinated Goat Cheeses

Don’t get flustered by the French title, this salad (which can just be called Marinated Goat Cheese Salad, if you don’t want to sound continental. But why wouldn’t you) is from Ann Willan’s absolutely marvelous new book The Country Cooking of France. As we make the turn into spring and summer, salad becomes more and more a dining staple. To make this delish version, you’ll need to plan ahead a bit to marinate the goat cheese. Remember, on that step, a little hint from the author: “small goat cheeses are best for marinating, and they should be quite dry.” The wait, by the way, is completely worth it.

Serves 4

Marinated Goat Cheeses

Ingredients:
4 small round goat cheeses (about 2-1/2 ounces/75 grams each)
3 dried bay leaves
2 teaspoons peppercorns
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 to 4 tiny dried hot peppers
1-1/2 cups olive oil or nut oil

Directions:
1. Put 4 small round goat cheeses (about 2-1/2 ounces/75 grams each) in a 1 quart/1 liter/1-3/4 pint covered jar with 3 dried bay leaves, 2 teaspoons peppercorns, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme, and 3 to 4 tiny dried hot peppers.

2. Add 1-1/2 cups/375 milliliters/12 fluid ounces olive or walnut oil, or enough to cover them generously. Cover with the lid and leave at least 2 weeks before using. The cheeses are good for 3 to 4 weeks, but will soften if kept too long. As you use them, more cheeses can be added to the oil.

Salade de Fromages de Chèvre Mariné

Salad Ingredients:
6 ounces/175 grams salad greens
4 Marinated Goat Cheeses (above)
8 slices whole-wheat bread
Oil from marinating the cheese, for brushing

Vinaigrette Ingredients:
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
6 tablespoons/90 milliliters/3 fluid ounces oil from marinating the cheese
2- to 3-inch/5- to 7-centimeter round cookie cutter

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the salad greens, discarding any wilted leaves. Slice each cheese in half horizontally. Using a cookie cutter, stamp a round from each slice of bread slightly larger than the rounds of cheese. Brush the bread rounds with oil and set a round of cheese, cut side down, on top.

2. For the vinaigrette, whisk the vinegar with salt and pepper in a small bowl until the salt dissolves. Gradually add the oil, whisking constantly so the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning. The greens, cheese, and dressing can be prepared an hour or two ahead.

3. To finish, heat the broiler. Broil the cheeses about 3 inches/7.5 centimeters from the heat until bubbling and browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the greens with the dressing, then taste a leaf and adjust the seasoning. Pile the greens on individual plates. Set two rounds of cheese on each plate and serve while still warm.

--A.J. Rathbun

Article From : amazondaily