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The Right Mix: Choosing the Best Salad Servers

If you’re in the market for a pair of salad servers, you may have a hard time sorting through the dizzying amount of options out there. Never fear, we’re here to help. Here are some tips for cutting through the clutter so you can easily find the best salad servers for your table and family. View full article →

The Bowl Man’s Secret Weapon for Conditioning Wood

The secret to conditioning your wood salad bowl, cutting boards or wood spoons is not mystery oil, bees wax or even our specially formulated Iddo Kimball’s Wood Rub. It’s a microfiber cloth, 10x more effective than using cotton or your bare hands.  Microfiber is among the world’s softest fabrics, yet incredibly strong and universally recognized as a superior cleaning cloth.  Lint free microfiber is perfect for saturating with mineral oil or Wood Rub and then applying to your wood bowls and boards in to nourish the wood and add a protective layer. View full article →

Inspired Granola Simple to Make

My Granola is inspired by some of my favorite cookbook authors, and of course, my best taste tester, The Bowl Man.  Here's a simple to make recipe and an easy one to adapt to your own tastes.  The inspiration is the Maple-Nut Granola from Claire's Corner Copia Cookbook.  If you were walking the streets of New Haven, Connecticut back in the early 80's, you will remember the iconic restaurant of Claire Crisculolo on the corner of the green.

With New Hampshire roots like mine, I love using Maple Syrup as the sweetener in this granola, but honey would be delicious too!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup almonds or mixture of almonds, walnuts, pecans
• 1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup pure Maple Syrup
• 1 cup dried fruit - I particularly like dried cherries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  In a medium bowl, mix the oats, nuts, cinnamon, and wheat germ, if using.  Pour the canola oil into a one- or two-cup measuring cup and add the Maple Syrup (or honey).  Mix well.  Spread in a 9" x 12" baking pan or cookie sheet with a rim.  Bake for about 1-1/2 hours, checking every 20 minutes and stirring well.  When light toasted, remove from the oven and add the dried fruit.  Let cool.  Store in a covered container for 1 week.

 

 

 

Choosing the Right Wooden Carving Board

Plump turkey. Savory ham. Juicy roast beef. Each of these traditional holiday meats may require different carving techniques but they all have one thing in common – the need for a good wooden carving board with deep juice rings and a large surface.

Choosing the proper wood carving board makes slicing meat easier, safer and more effective. Here are five things to consider when looking for your next carving board.

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Should I Always Use the Wedding Gift Registry?

People often wonder if it’s ok to give someone a gift that’s not on the couple’s gift registry. The answer is yes absolutely. Registries are meant to be suggestions for your consideration.  It’s wonderful if you find the perfect gift on the registry, but when you don’t, your own thoughtful choice is always appropriate.

 

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Top Ten Reasons to Cook with a Wooden Spoon

When it comes time to buy a cooking spoon, there are three choices:  metal, plastic, or wood.  While each has its merits, just look at the kitchens of professional and home chefs everywhere, and you will surely see a collection of wooden spoons.  It's easy to see why.  Here are the top 10 reasons most often given. View full article →

How to Choose the Perfect Wood Spoon

When it comes to choosing the perfect wooden spoon, the quality of the wood is very important.  There are, however, other factors to consider as well so you choose the best spoon for you. View full article →

Seasoning New and Not So New Wood Cutting and Carving Boards and Blocks

When someone asks me how they should care for their new wooden cutting or carving board, I tell them there are only two things to do.  First, buy the best one you can afford and make sure it's made from a quality North American hardwood.  Second, learn how to properly season your cutting board.  Luckily, that's easy to do! View full article →

My Wood Salad Bowl: Summer Caprese Salad

My wood salad bowl if filled with tomatoes and basil picked in the garden this morning.  Caprese salad is one of the simplest salads to prepare and perfect for summer entertaining.  What better way to capture summer's bounty on your table? View full article →

My Wood Salad Bowl : Summer Squash

On a hot summer night, this cold salad of fresh squash and zucchini will fill up a wood salad bowl with delicious pickings from your garden or the farmer's market.  Nothing is simpler than letting fresh vegetables soften in a good quality vinegar. Capers add a little zip...and basil tops this salad with a little zing. View full article →