There are occasions  when you are preparing a recipe, that it doesn't really matter what pan you use.  But when making jam, jelly, and marmalade, the secret to success is all about the pan. In this case, the pan is the Mauviel 1830 Hammered Copper Jam Pan. Not only is it a beauty – a work of art – but it delivers results.

The company was founded in 1830 by Ernest Mauviel in Villedieu˗les˗Poêles – “the city of copper” – a Normandy village in northeastern France. The area has an 800 year heritage of copper manufacturing. The strength and foundation for Mauviel's manufacturing expertise is based upon this rich tradition of copper manufacturing that has been handed down from generation to generation.

From the beginning, the company has taken pride in producing high quality products and, today, Mauviel  copper pans are used throughout the world by many famous chefs and professionals.

We were gifted by Mauviel with a 14–inch copper jam pan and it is beautiful, with its riveted brass handles and hand hammered brass finish – if such a description can be applied to a pan. We are featuring it in conjunction with our Cookbook of the Week selection, The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook by Rachel Saunders. In her cookbook ,Saunders pan of choice for making her delectable jams, jellies and marmalades is ideally a copper pan.  We asked her about this and received the following response:

"We love our Mauviel copper preserving pans for many reasons: Their shape is perfect for quick moisture evaporation and prevents boiling over, copper provides even heat distribution and doesn’t react with the fruit-sugar mixture, and many people (including us) believe that the copper helps enhance the flavor of the jam. Copper preserving pans are absolutely safe for cooking jam. The key to using a copper pan is to put the fruit in it only after the fruit has been combined with sugar. The high concentration of sugar in the mixture prevents the fruit from reacting with the copper. Putting fruit in the pan on its own will cause the fruit to react with the copper and can be dangerous. We have made thousands of jars in our copper pans, and the results are excellent."

As we wrote in our article on The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook, we were fascinated with Saunders oven method of sterilizing the glass jam jars, as we have previously used the boiling water bath method.
"We have had great success processing jars in the oven. The good news about jam is that its high concentrations of sugar and acid render it very inhospitable to harmful microorganisms. If oven processing makes you uncomfortable, you can certainly make any recipe in The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook using a water bath or other processing technique of your choice. Any new jars you purchase should come with manufacturer's instructions for water bath processing. You can find in-depth instructions for oven processing in The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook."

And our last question to Saunders: What advice would you give those new to jam making? "Starrt with the simplest possible jam, such as blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry and then work your way up from there." 

Our bounty – homemade Sour Orange Lemon Marmalade

So, inspired by Saunders advise and using her Sour Orange & Lemon Marmalade recipe, her oven sterilization method, and our new Mauviel jam pan, we made marmalade. Was the experience wonderful? Oh yes, we just loved it and the results were delicious! We picked oranges because we love orange marmalade and they are in season. We didn't pick an easy single step recipe (as recommended by Rachel) but a 3 day recipe; each single step clearly defined and not difficult . And now we know why the pan is designed to be so large in width and not in depth – because it allows the fruit to cook evenly and when it boils and bubbles (which it does the entire cooking period) it does not boil over the top of the pot. Are we hooked on jam making? You bet we are! Are we hooked on our Mauviel Copper Jam Pam? Absolutely yes!

About the Mauviel Copper Jam Pan:
Prized in French kitchens, this classic copper pan is made of  heat-responsive copper in a wide, shallow design, it's also useful for making caramel and other high-sugar foods.

• The wide, shallow bowl and heat-conductive 1.2mm-gauge copper promote a rapid boil, which develops fruits' natural pectins.

• Unlined interior is safe for use with foods with a high sugar content.

• Ideal for gas and electric cooktops

• Oven and broiler safe.

• Because the copper pot is unlined and highly reactive to ingredients, it should be used only for cooking foods with a high sugar content – never for general cooking.

• Allow pan to cool before washing. Hand–wash; dry immediately with a soft cloth.

• Copper will develop a rich patina over time. This will not affect the pan's cooking performance. To keep the exterior looking new, use a copper polish or a combination of lemon and salt.

About Rachel Saunders:

Rachel Saunders is the owner and founder of Blue Chair Fruit Company, the author of The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook, and teaches jam and marmalade making. She studied France and the French language at Smith College and La Sorbonne˗Paris IV. For more information on her cookbook and jam and marmalade classes, visit BlueChairFruit.com.

Enter to WIN A FREE COPY of the Blue Chair Jam Cookbook.

There is no denying that the Mauviel Hammered Copper Jam Pan is an investment; but one that will last many, many years and produce fabulous results each and every time. Rachel Saunders thinks the results of preparing jam in the Mauviel jam pan are so excellent that she decided to start carrying the pans on her website and is offering KosherEye readers a 10% discount off the purchase of one. Just enter the discount code KOSHERI at checkout. Offer good until March 3rd. To purchase your very own copper jam pan, please click here. Also available on Amazon.com.

February 25, 2013

It may be smaller than it's bigger sibling, the Bosch Universal Mixer, but it's mighty! Distributed exclusively by L’EQUIP, who call it the "baby" Bosch, it is the #1 selling mixer in Europe.  Manufactured by the Bosch Group – a leading global supplier of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. Founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 1886 by Robert Bosch, the company has expanded to more than 60 countries, and has some 285,000 associates - 170,000 of them outside Germany.

Why did this compact mixer appeal to us? We already have a larger stand mixer, a true workhorse, perfect for big batch mixing. We were looking for a mixer that mimicked the larger ones, was lighter in weight to lift, and would fit comfortably in a smaller space. With the "baby" Bosch mixer, counter space and weight are not an issue.  It is permanently situated on our counter - ready for use.

Do not let its compact size fool you. The Bosch Compact Mixer is very powerful and is designed for heavy loads. It has a 400 watt motor, a sturdy 4–quart mixing bowl and can knead up to 6 pounds* of dough – about 2–3 loaves of bread depending on the size. Not bad for a "baby"! The nonslip feet hold the unit in place on the countertop and serve to minimize noise and vibration. Its other features are:

• Comes with 3 mixing attachments:

Beating Whisk:  Perfect for whipping up those items that need to be light and airy such as whipped cream or egg whites. We loved it for making this Almond Crunch & Chocolate Confetti Chiffon Cake – whipped up the egg whites in no time.

Stirring Whisk: This is used for cake mixes and light doughs. We like this recipe for Lemon Bonbon Cookies.

Dough Hook: For kneading yeast doughs - such as bread and pizza - and to mix heavy cookies, pastry doughs, and also when adding nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, hard butter, etc. to batters. Great for mixing up a batch of Whole Wheat Pizza Dough.

• Anti-Splash Cover: Made of heavy-duty see-through clear plastic, it is recommended that the lid be in place when operating the mixer. It has a pour-spout in the front that allows the addition of ingredients while the mixer is in use. It also serves to prevent the escape of flour-dust at the beginning of the stirring and kneading process.

• Four speeds, one year full warrantly and parts are dishwasher safe

With the many available attachments - such as a compact blender, food processor, slicer/shredder, juicer - it can be your all-in-one appliance. We do not have any of the attachments but we do have the Bosch Compact Mixer and it is a jewel. If you are short on space, don't want to do "heavy lifting" of those big mixers, need a second mixer that is reliable, powerful, durable, easy to use, need a mixer for Passover, or just want to purchase a really great mixer, consider a "Baby" Bosch – give it a good home.

For more information, visit LEquip.com. Also available on Amazon.com.

Watch the following demo on the Bosch Compact Mixer

*An interesting item to share regarding, on the average, how many pounds of bread dough are produced from a 5-pound bag of all-purpose flour:
From the award winning cookbook, A Blessing of Bread by Maggie Glezer: Her recipe, My Challah (pages 94 - 96), when made with five pounds of flour makes nine 1–pound (450 grams) or six 1 1/2  pound (680 grams) challahs.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. Founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 1886 by Robert Bosch, the company has expanded to more than 60 countries, and has some 285,000 associates − 170,000 of them outside Germany. We had heard about the Bosch Universal Mixer from avid challah, bread, and cake bakers, and became more familiar with it at the January AmericasMart Gift and Home Show. We have been smitten with this innovative, efficient machine ever since. We initiated our Bosch pre–Passover, a time when we often replace, update, or add to our appliances, and began our Bosch relationship with creating Passover sponge cakes, nut cakes, cookies, meringues,and more. It didn’t disappoint. We were able to blend, mix, and prepare our Passover specialties in record time! Now that Passover has ended, it’s time for the real test—challah and bread baking.

We have been searching for a machine (agreed our hands and a big bowl certainly work) to easily mix and knead big batches of bread, especially challah. A machine which would efficiently mix five pounds of flour- an entire bag. We have found the solution in the Bosch Universal Mixer. This machine arrives with a large 6 1/2 quart bowl, a dough hook, whips, splash ring, and covers. We also tested the optional cookie paddles, extra stainless steel bowl and dough scraper.  An add-on blender is also available, but we did not try it. Best of all, the mixer is configured to easily handle large quantities of dough for breads and baked goods. It is definitely the go–to mixer for big batches. Some call it the Bosch Bread Maker even though it is really a complete, easy to use mixer.  What we especially liked about this mixer was its capacity. We can make double batches of cookies and cakes, bread for a crowd, challahs to serve and to freeze. We also love that it is easy to add ingredients because of the double removable lids. And, everything goes in the dishwasher. Well almost everything, the dough hook does not.  We recommend the Bosch Universal to you if making large batches of baked goods is often on your to–do list. It will save you time, and likely money. Although our Bosch life has just begun, we read comment after comment that it will last “forever”. Stay tuned. We plan to update our findings from time to time.

Features of Bosch Universal Mixer
• Powerful motor, 800 Watts, 4 speed settings
• Cord storage
• Suction cup feet keep machine securely in place; mixer doesn’t walk around the counter
• Wide range of optional accessories
• Very popular for bread – making, 6½-quart bowl –mixes up to 6 lbs. of dough
• Ergonomic and easy handling with rim at top of bowl
• Triple arm dough hook is designed to replicate hand kneading
• 3 year motor/transmission warranty; 1 year warranty on attachments
• Bowls and accessories are dishwasher safe
• Easy to add ingredients to the bowl due to the 2 part lid

Enjoy the following recipes we made with the wondrous Bosch – Czernowitzer Challah adapted for the Bosch, Water Challah, and Cinnamon Rolls.

Visit thekosherchannel.com, for a spectacular challah recipe from Renee Chernin, former Atlantan and now at home in Jerusalem. Along with the recipe, Renee will guide you through the beautiful thoughts and Torah insights of making challah, including the special meaningful bracha (blessing) to recite as challah is made. 

Price: $419.99. 
For product information or to purchase, click here.

April 18, 2012

by Guest Columnist, Marlene Mamiye
The Jewish Hostess

Dear KosherEye Readers,

Passover is a time to break out of the traditional, and set your artistic talents free– right onto your holiday table. Of course our traditional Seder gives us such a sense of comfort, but nothing is more liberating than seeing a bit of your creative side displayed fabulously on your Seder table for all of your guests to enjoy. Here at The Jewish Hostess, I get so inspired by the hundreds of women from all over the world that share their Jewish holiday table creation pictures. Enjoy and be inspired by these original ideas sent in by Jewish Hostess readers.

10 Ways to Think Out of The Seder Plate and Create Your Own Fresh Holiday Table Style

1.  Create your own Passover place cards! Shop HERE, and find some extra Passover clipart images from HERE. Photo by Kim Dabah

2.  Get into the holiday theme by sprinkling mini animals and frogs in unexpected places. Check out this bag of Passover Frogs from Amazon. Photo Frogs Here, Frogs There- What a Fun Seder Table! by Jewish Hostess Sara Kasten.

3.  Avoid the mess of passing the seder items around the entire table, and place a mini ke'arah in a small salad plate in front of each guest. This makes the kids feel especially important. Photo by Jewish Hostess- Sarah Mamiye

4.  Another chic idea- take out those champagne and flute glasses that are very bored just hanging around your cabinets and place bitter herbs, celery, into them. Pass around on a tray to all of your guests. Idea by Jewish Hostess-Alexis Mizrahi

5.  You can also use a bento box as an individual seder plate. So cool! Idea by Jewish Hostess Claudia Bildirici.

6.  Make gorgeous Pesach decorated eggs. HERE's HOW- Photo by Jewish Hostess April Adams.

7.  This Jewish Hostess table was sent in by Shelly Anteby who used a scarf as a table runner and wood from home depot as a base for her leopard fabric. I love the hot pink and summer green combo! Amazing! Remember to use some of these ideas for Shabbat or any special occasion!

8.  Last year for Purim, I bought an inexpensive fabric and cut it as a diamond overlay over a white hemstitch table cloth. Why not purchase a bright RED runner or overlay to symbolize Makat DAM? (the plague of blood) Here's another RED inspiration for Passover by Jewish Hostess Kim Dabah. Kim used gorgeous red roses, red linen napkins and red dishes as an easy yet powerful accent to her elegant table setting.

9.  Paper napkins can be chic! Here's how. I folded these cloth–like napkins and made my own napkin rings in 10 minutes or less!

10.  Keep using COLOR, COLOR, COLOR! Color make people happy. Color adds to the festive atmosphere. Color makes us all glad to be alive and free to appreciate the beauty that surrounds our lives. I hope you've been inspired to create your own Passover table style! I would love to see the wonderful hues, ideas, and themes that you come up with! Please email your pics (iPhones take great pictures!) to me at my photos(at)thejewishhostess.com! Wishing all of you a Healthy and Happy Holiday! Marlene Mamiye

About The Author

Marlene Mamiye is the creator of the popular website, The Jewish Hostess. She has always been intrigued by the stories of Syrian Jewish grandmothers who made the most of what they had — transforming the cheapest cuts of meat and passed-their-prime breads and vegetables into memorable dishes— and  spent three years producing a documentary about the history of the Syrian Jewish community. Her work on the documentary was the inspiration for The Jewish Hostess website.

April 1, 2012

In 1937, W.G Barnard was a salesman of "modern" home products and introduced an all–new product—the blender—to his line. This blender was the very first Vitamix machine. With this introduction, the first of its kind, W.G Barnard revolutionized an industry.

When television made its debut in 1949, his son booked a 30–minute time slot in Cleveland and created the first–ever direct response commercial, which ran for several years in many markets and made the blender a household word

The business has stayed in the Barnard family for over 70 years. In 1964, the company name was officially changed to Vitamix Corporation. The Vitamix revolutionized what could be done in a blender. Its large motor and friction cooking capability enabled these amazing machines to freeze, create ice cream, grind grain, cook soup and pulverize whole fruits and vegetables, and more.

In 2007, the new Vitamix 5200 was introduced. This is a machine that "papa Barnard could only have dreamed of, and everything that his son bill Barnard wanted it to be”. Today's versatile Vitamix 5200 is capable of doing the work of 10 different kitchen appliances and over 50 different kitchen processes—without any attachments. The Vitamix 5200 is considered by many to be the best blender on the market.

Today, the Vitamix  corporation continues to grow.  Every Vitamix product, both commercial and household, is American made, built at the world headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. Vitamix is still family–owned and operated, focused on the importance of quality and customer service. It remains a family company, with Jodi (Barnard) President, and John Barnard Executive Chairman and COO.  The Vitamix mission continues: "To be the best blending equipment company in the world."

We will be sharing our Vitamix recipes, tips and thoughts in the coming weeks and months. It is certainly not the poster child for sleek or stunning kitchen appliances, but does simply beautiful work! If you watch the cooking shows, including one of our favorite cooking gurus, Martha Stewart, note how the Vitamix takes center stage.  It is an amazing kitchen workhorse – powerful, dependable, versatile, sturdy – -and so easy to use! Not only is the Vitamix capable of speeds up to 240 mph, but it does slow speed–blending as well. This slow speed and variable speed control is unique among blenders and allows for the ability to accomplish multiple tasks including: chopping. crushing ice, making frozen desserts, grinding, kneading dough, blending smoothies, creating nut butters, mincing vegetables, making hot soup and so much more. Yes, it is an investment (the model #5200 Standard, costs about $450) but comes with a seven-year warranty and loads of support.)

So let’s begin…

What can you do with the Vitamix in the kitchen, specifically the kosher kitchen? We are keeping the recipes parve and Passover friendly, since we are suggesting that Passover is a perfect time to ‘inaugurate’ new kitchen accessories. We currently have only one container and blade, however, it is already quite evident to us that we will soon need a second set as well…one for dairy, and one for meat. And, perhaps next year, a new set for Passover.

•  Almond Milk
•  Fresh Fruit Smoothie – Design Your Own
•  Homemade Horseradish
•  Homemade Vegetable Stock

For more information or to purchase, visit Vitamix.com. The Vitamix 5200C model is available on Amazon.com.

March 14, 2012

When John Ulam founded All–Clad Metalcrafters over 40 years ago, he tapped his skills as a metallurgist to utilize his knowledge of the unique properties and benefits of various metals. He created bonded cookware, which embodied simple, classic design, and proved to perform beyond the capabilities of any single-metal cookware. In this process of perfecting layered-metal bonding, a legacy was born, a benchmark for professional bonded cookware.

At each stage of the manufacturing process, every piece of All–Clad bonded cookware is hand–inspected to ensure that it maintains All–Clad quality standards. This detailed scrutiny slows the production process, but guarantees that every piece of bonded cookware that leaves the Canonsburg, Pennsylvania based mill, preserves the reputation and standards that precede it.

This company prides itself in their creed that quality always takes precedence over convenience; the metals are formulated for optimal cooking performance; not for ease of manufacturing. They are manufactured to the most stringent environmental standards. “Virtually every ounce of unused material is recovered and recycled, down to the metal dust generated during the sanding process. “

After cooking with All–Clad in our kitchens, we conclude that this brand, although a splurge, is an essential and worthwhile kitchen investment. The signature stay–cool handle is cast from solid stainless steel, ergonomically–designed for comfort during long cooking sessions. Rivets are formed from high–-yield–strength stainless steel, and treated to remove trace elements of iron that could otherwise cause corrosion. The finished tri–ply bonded cookware product is meant to offer a lifetime of service. 
And, if used according to instructions, it is guaranteed for a lifetime, and slated to be a kitchen heirloom.

We fried Hanukkah Latkes in our 12–inch All–Clad non–stick fry pan. The oil heated evenly, the latkes browned beautifully and how easy it was to clean. Next, we tested Eggrolls using just 1/3–inch of oil.  Once again, we had the same even heating results. There was no puddling or burned oil; no scorched egg roll skins. Next came pan fried breaded boneless Chicken Schnitzel. What a pleasure. And then, the real test of fry pan, making scrambled eggs, absolutely no sticking. It wasa breeze! We also fried up a batch of home fried potatoes, yumm!  As you can see, we are using our pan for fleish (meat), but now that we love it so much, we need to invest in an All–Clad for dairy.

This fry pan is easy to clean, a feature we look for on all of our kitchen cookware. We gently used a soft soapy nylon scrubber on the cooled pan, and then also put it in the dishwasher. (We put everything in the dishwasher!)

So dear foodies, chefs, home cooks and passionate kitchen hobbyists, how can you resist. We can’t. A KosherEye gift yourself or gift others selection.

Read more about All-Clad.com.  

The All–Clad Stainless Steel 12–inch Non–Stick Fry Pan is available on Amazon.com.

January 18, 2012

  
Butler's Pantry Gourmet by Lenox

“It is my will and desire that Lenox, Incorporated shall at all times manufacture the highest possible grades of porcelain, that the standard of excellence already attained shall ever be advanced..." Walter Scott Lenox.

Since 1889, the vision of Walter Scott Lenox has guided the company he founded to set the highest standards for quality, artistry, and beauty.

In the  early 20th century, fine home dining became popular, as did the concept of a separate dining room. Walter Lenox recognized this American trend and began creating custom–designed and elaborately decorated plates, despite the domination of European china.

The first two of these patterns, Mandarin and Ming, both introduced in 1917, remained popular for 50 years. The name Lenox grew to be synonymous with elegant tableware and in 1918, it was selected for the White House, by President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson; an official state service of 1,700 pieces was commissioned. Lenox was the first American china to grace a president's table. It still is the the only American porcelain in continuous use at the White House. New services have been created for four subsequent presidents: Truman (1951), Reagan (1981), Clinton (2000) and George W. Bush (2008).

Walter Scott Lenox died in 1920, having realized his dream and founded a company dedicated to the "perfection of American porcelain”.

Millions of brides in America have registered, requested and been delighted by Lenox china patterns in the past 80 years.  Many of the pattern names are legendary including Lowell ((a Kosher Eye personal choice) and Autumn. In 1989 Lenox celebrated its centennial and built its landmark Kinston, North Carolina plant – the only fine bone china factory in the United States. The 218,000-square-foot plant is situated on 40 acres, and can produce 15,000 to 20,000 pieces of china daily.

Lenox continues to be a lasting jewel on the kosher holiday and Shabbos table. As is well known, observant Jews have multiple sets of tableware; two sets for everyday (one for  dairy, one for meat), and then again, two for Passover. Beautiful Shabbos and Yom Tov table settings, which enhance the serving of delicious family recipes, are a memorable part of Jewish tradition. Lenox china has been part of the American Jewish table, and ours, for many years.  We cherish our Lenox Lowell pattern, given to us as wedding gifts over a quarter century ago.

And now, with the Lenox entry into the casual china category, Lenox is more and more part of the everyday table. In fact, two years ago we purchased a set of Lenox Butterfly Meadow, one of the new casual patterns. We find it lovely, colorful and practical. It is microwave/ oven-to-table ready and dishwasher safe. We use it for everyday meat meals, and because it is so beautiful, we sometimes use it for Shabbos!  We’ve added a matching table cover, serving pieces and placemats. Now it’s time to buy a new dairy set—and because of this experience, we’re sure that it will be Lenox!

For more information about Lenox China, their most popular formal and casual china patterns, please read A Chat with Glenda Elie, Lenox Corporation.

To view or purchase Lenox tableware and gift items, visit Lenox.com. Lenox china is available online and at all major department and giftware stores.

December 19, 2011

How have the Lenox collections become an important part of entertaining history?
Lenox Corporation is the only American manufacturer of fine bone china dinnerware. Since 1889, Lenox has held the high standards of excellence in artistry and craftsmanship set forth by founder, Walter Scott Lenox.  Today, Lenox is among the oldest and most respected names in tableware and gifts– favored by presidents, displayed in museums, honored with awards, and enjoyed in millions of homes across America.  As a continued leader in the home industry, Lenox has a rich history of beautifully designed dinnerware patterns that consistently rank at the top in both fine and casual dinnerware.  Lenox is an American company designing for the American consumer, and we are proud to make all of our bone china place settings right here in North Carolina in the United States. 

How has entertaining in America evolved since the founding of the company?
Over the years, our original focus on fine dinnerware expanded to include casual lifestyle collections, crystal stemware, stainless flatware, and bridal giftware. But beyond that, we have fantastic American design capabilities and really understand the pulse of today’s consumer. We offer the bride, self- purchaser and gift–giver great lifestyle products that are beautiful, highly functional and versatile. In response to customers who wanted a fully coordinated look, Lenox complemented its dinnerware with lead crystal stemware (in 1966) and with stainless flatware (in 1991) making Lenox the first American company to offer the complete tabletop.

When customers wanted convenience, Lenox was one of the first to offer freezer to oven/microwave to table (in 1972). And, when customers wanted heirloom quality collectibles, Lenox created the Collections division in (in 1981) offering sculptures, figurines, and jewelry.  Lenox was committed from its earliest days to listening to consumers.  Whether she is shopping on-line, in-store, reading magazines, tweeting or blogging, we have innovative products that answer her entertaining and gift giving needs. Today, people tend to select items that work for a more casual lifestyle. That being said, making any occasion more special with beautiful fine china is still a way to convey your particular style.

What type of "tableware characteristics" is the contemporary American homemaker seeking?
Something, which is distinctive and individual, with a style that’s not too fussy. Today’s home entertainer wants to show off her style when she has friends and family over for dinner.  She may use an updated dinner plate in the coupe shape, a square accent, a more graphic pattern, or bold colors in her linens, to create a table that is hers alone.

Which are your top 3 classic, fine china patterns?  
Opal Innocence, Federal Platinum and Vintage Jewel.

Choosing tableware can be somewhat overwhelming. Do you have tableware selection advice for the consumer?
Make it personal. In preparation of your Passover celebrations, you need lots of great serving accessories to present your meal. This is where you have an opportunity to mix up patterns and collections to personalize your table to your style. Your style is what you make

What's in the Lenox pipeline?
Bold florals just hit the stores. And new French provincial styles look perfect for a Sabbath dinner. As the industry leader, Lenox offers new items and patterns several times each year.  Our state of the art design facilities, located in Bristol, PA along the Delaware River, are full of brilliant and innovative designers who are turning over exciting new concepts each month.

December 19,2011

When we reviewed The Brisket Book by Stephanie Pierson, we discovered her love affair with both Brisket and Le Creuset. So, we decided to look into this nearly 90 year old company. And, yes, it was love at first use.

Occasionally we discover a kitchen tool, kitchen cookware, or a kitchen appliance which is pricey but worth the investment, even when substantial. That is the case with our Cuisinart Food processor and our Kitchenaid mixer. And, now, that is how we feel about our superb new kitchen assistant, our Le Creuset Round 7 1/4 quart French Oven.

In 1925 Armand Desaegher, a casting specialist, and Octave Aubecq, an enameling expert, recognized an opportunity to improve the versatility of cast iron cookware by coating it in a porcelain enamel glaze. Their foundry was opened in  Fresnoy-le-Grand, France, a location chosen due to the accessibility  of iron, coke, and sand needed for their process. That year their new company, Le Creuset, produced the first cocotte, or French oven, laying the foundation for what is now an extensive range of enameled cast iron cookware and kitchen utensils. That first piece was created in the signature Le Creuset color, Flame.

After an early expansion of their product range, the second world war brought troubled times. During the war years the company focused  on continually improving their product, and in the 1950’s began purchasing other companies and working with designer Raymond Loewy, the designer of the Coca Cola bottle.  A United States subsidiary was begun in South Carolina in 1974.

Le Creuset pieces are associated with the finest French style and cuisine. The company has become global by embracing local cooking trends with pieces such as the cast iron wok, an Indian karahi dish, a Japanese sukiyaki pan, an Italian risotto pot, and a Moroccan tagine.

Although some production processes have been modernized—their cast iron is still manufactured in the original foundry, with each piece passing through the hands of 15 skilled artisans to ensure flawless perfection. Integrating quality, authenticity, originality and innovation—Le Creuset maintains a connection to its heritage. To this day, it is passed on from generation to generation as a cherished kitchen tool.

Our Le Creuset Experience:

We tested the 7 1/4 quart round French oven.  It is an ideal choice for low and slow one dish cooking. We made our Coq au Vin recipe. We sautéed the basics of the recipe in the casserole, and then added the ingredients for the entire dish. How convenient – to create the dishes primarily in one easy to clean pot. The features of even heat distribution and moisture retention were perfect for these recipes. The tightly fitted lid retains the heat.  It distributes heat evenly, locks in moisture for a slow cooking process, offering wide-ranging versatility.  The casserole is stovetop friendly, oven friendly, and lovely enough to bring right to the table.  In fact, when we re-heated our chicken and then placed it on the blech (warming tray) one hour before Shabbos, it was hot and delicious when serving time arrived.  And, we served it family style right at the table! We also made our Beef Bourgignon, or should we say our kosher rendition of Julia's fabulous recipe, in the Le Creuset. It was  succulent and moist, every bite dripping with rich flavor. We could hardly stop eating! Among the other dishes that are ideal for the Le Creuset are Braised Beef Brisket, Turkey Chili, Turkey Gumbo, Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Corn Soup, and more.

The Le Creuset French oven is dishwasher safe and has a Lifetime Warranty. Buy it once, and pass it on to the next generation. It is enduring, functional, and adds to the enjoyment and practicality of cooking.

For more information, visit LeCreuset.com. The Le Creuset 7 1/4 quart round French oven is available on Amazon.com. The Brisket Book: A Love Story with Recipes is available on Amazon.com.

November 21, 2011

Are you always  looking for ways to prepare nutritious hot meals for the family and not spend hours in the kitchen? Well, we are! We are always searching for the best kitchen shortcuts and tools, and  have now added the pressure cooker to our list of "kitchen helpers."

Forget the horror stories that you have heard about exploding pressure cooker pots and food splattered on the ceiling and walls. The design of the modern pressure cooker safety valve eliminates that scary feature from years ago. We were delighted when we received the WMF Perfect Plus Pressure Cooker 6.5 liter model for testing.  However, don't think that we didn't think of those old exploding pots because we did. But we did our homework –  we read the operating instructions twice and researched pressure cookers.

Unlike the slow cooker, which is a countertop electrical cooking appliance that uses a relatively low temperature to maintain a simmering liquid over a long period of unattended cooking time, the pressure cooker is the opposite. It requires a minimum amount of liquid, a minimum amount of cooking time, is used on the stove top, cooks the food by steam pressure build-up in the pot, and must be attended. The quick cooking time preserves vitamins and nutrients and saves energy. Pressure cooking is often used to simulate the effects of long braising or simmering in shorter periods of time.

The WMF Perfect Plus Pressure Cooker is made in Germany by the WMF Corporation. Founded in 1853, they are the manufactures of tableware, premium cookware, electrical appliances,  cutleries, knives, and coffee machines. Their products are sold throughout the world.

Basically, the Perfect Plus model is made of heavy-gauge Cromargan 18/10 stainless steel and has advanced safety features that prevent excessive pressure build-up.  The handle detaches for easy cleanup as does the sealing ring. All of the parts are dishwasher safe with the exception of the sealing ring.  This model comes in several sizes but the 6.5 liter is a perfect size for families. All of the recipes in the booklet were developed using this size model.

The Perfect Plus Pressure Cooker is versatile and comes with two inserts that aid in juice extracting, sterilizing and preserving. It even allows cooking with frozen food, which will cause the steam build-up time to take longer but does not impact the total steam cooking time. Food can be browned in the pot, on the stove burner, prior to starting the pressure cooker process.

We decided to use a recipe from the instruction booklet and made Quick "Barbecued Ribs". We followed the directions and it took minutes to assemble everything into  the pot. We attached the lid, locked the handle and placed the pot on High heat on the stove top to start the steam build-up process.  As instructed, we watched the cooking indicator. This is a round button on the handle that rises as the steam builds. It has two orange rings that indicate the level of the steam pressure.

Now comes the tricky part. When the correct pressure level is obtained, the heat is lowered to insure that it doesn't build higher. The recipe states that when the second orange ring is visible, lower the heat. We did that but we noticed that the pot started to "whistle" and steam started to escape from the main valve in the handle (there are two valves). Remembering what we read in the booklet about that happening (good thing we read it twice!), we removed the pot from the burner and lowered the heat. This happened several times but once we got the hang of it, it was easy. The ribs cooked for 25 minutes (without steam escaping through either of the safety valves) –  the time starts when the proper steam level is reached. By the way, the ribs were partially frozen when we started cooking. The end result – delicious! The ribs were soft, moist, and yummy and the gravy was wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed our thirty minute meal.

We plan on using our new pressure cooker to prepare many quick, easy meals when we are short on time. Even when we do have extra time, it is a helpful kitchen tool and we will use it. The pressure cooker is suitable for preparing stews, soups, chili, pot roast, risotto, etc. So if you are looking to add a "kitchen helper", do consider the WMF Perfect Plus Pressure Cooker.

For more information, please go to WMFAmericas.com. Also available on Amazon.com.