February 19, 2009
Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan
If you are like me and prefer the crispy, chewy goodness of brownie edge pieces, then the Baker’s Edge brownie pan should be in your kitchen cupboard. Its ingenious design allows each brownie piece to have at least two edges, and you get three delicious edges on the end pieces. The design also allows the brownies to cook evenly throughout. I received the pan as a Christmas present and have used it several times. Each batch of brownies I made cooked perfectly. The edges had the crispiness and chewiness I love and the centers were just right. Another great feature of the pan is the non-stick coating. The brownies came out easily and the pan was extremely easy to clean. The pan is made from heavy gauge cast aluminum and is extremely sturdy. I suspect that it will last a very long time. The only potential shortcoming of the pan is its price. It currently sells for between $35 and $40 depending on where you buy it. If you can afford it, or you can convince someone to give it to you as a gift, the pan is well worth the price.
Phoood rating: 
November 7, 2008
Taco Rack
If you enjoy making tacos at home, the Taco Rack is a tool worth considering. It keeps your taco shells upright when you cook them in the oven, which prevents the shells from closing in when you bake them on their sides. When taken out of the oven, the upright shells are easy to fill with your favorite fillings and toppings. I used a Taco Rack recently to make some tacos at home and found that it worked as advertised. The rack itself if made in the USA from stainless steel and looks like it would last a lifetime. Check out the Taco Rack web site to see the several different versions they make. My only minor quibble with Taco Rack is how expensive it is. I’m sure that being made in the USA is probably the reason why, but still, twenty bucks for a couple pieces of metal seems awfully high to me.
Phoood rating: 