misosouper, a shopping blog

Crock pots not your thing?

Try making a casserole in this bright dishware.  No one can resist lasagna served in a happy yellow pan.

I’m no chef, but when push comes to shove, I can cook.  My secret weapon–not so secret as much as it is lazy–is the slow cooker.  Last night, I braised a whole chicken, then used its stock and shredded meat to make a wicked chipotle chicken chili.  All in one pot.

My criteria for a slow cooker are few:  it must have multiple settings (high, low, warm); it must look good sitting out on the counter; it must be big enough to evenly cook an entire meal (proteins and side dishes); and it must contain a dishwasher-safe insert.

So I’m picky.

This Hamilton version is only $40, and contains all these features, plus a handy lock-top (hence the Stay-or-Go name) and wraparound heating (usually only available in more expensive models).

And unless you’re Octomom, 6 quarts means you’ll have leftovers for ages.

On New Year’s Day, there will be 38 wine glasses in your sink.  Will you be prepared?

Love this!

I was searching for a kitchen timer as a gift for my mom. Both she and I are huge Alessi fans and I wanted to contribute to her collection. She loves the “Salif” Philippe Stark designed juicer I gave her a years ago. You know the one, it looks like a long legged aluminum spider from outer space. It actually does a fine job of juicing and makes a nice job of adding a touch of whimsy to your counter top. I ended up buying the Michael Graves timer, but wish I would have went with the Josephine Banana design instead.

The Alessi Josephine Banana Kitchen Timer is an adorable little cheeky monkey from the OrienTales collection. OrienTales is an ongoing collaboration between designer Stefano Giovannoni and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. The project brings the charm and wit of 18th century trinkets into products that are functional and contemporary. The kitchen timer features a mechanical timer and is made from hand decorated thermoplastic resin.

Inspired by American pop culture, Josh Jakus 6-Pack Coasters are a nod to the conventional soda can 6-pack. The coasters are a fun and modern design made of recycled rubber. There are six coasters in a set and you can place them back into their rings for storage. The black coasters are made 100% of recycled tires and the colored rubber is 30% post-industrial waste. The functional design of the coasters are part of Josh Jakus‘ vision to create simple, elegant and whimsical every day objects. The California-based designer’s home accessories are not only aesthetically pleasing, but sustainably produced as well. Jakus aims to use recycled or excess materials in his products when possible and using production methods, which achieve the highest yield. The products are made in the USA in small batches to meet consumer demand.