Cooking

With more of us printing recipes off the internet (maybe even some from Colbrook Kitchen!), someone had to come up with an elegant solution for getting the recipe off the counter and into an upright, readable position...and someone did!

Why a wok turner (kinda like “Why a duck?” if you’re a Marx brothers fan)?

We all love using a wok turner: the broad-blade and slightly raised sides handle more ingredients faster, which is important in the high-heat environment in which it’s designed to operate. But it’s not just for stir-fry - think about almost anything you cook in a pan - you want to have the advantage of its broader blade, to accomplish the necessary flipping and turning motion, before ingredients stick or burn. This is why a wok turner can be a Cool Tool. But why this wok turner?

If you’re using a non-stick pan, then you can’t use the traditional steel wok turner. And most of the non-metal wok turners we’ve seen and tested are either too stiff or too thick and don’t have the flexibility, strength and nimbleness to do the job.

However, the Brabantia Silicone Wok Turner, with a slim metal core and a fine silicone edge, does the job so much better than most … assuring control, flexibility, and no scratching of your nonstick surface.

There are many dishes that can benefit from some grill-time - right? But either they’re too messy to put directly onto the grill - think anything with a saucy marinade - or the ingredients are too small and will fall through the grill - like scallops or vegetables - or they need to be cooked quickly but will stick to the grill - think fish or chicken breasts .…

But using aluminum foil isn’t a good solution for several reasons: it doesn’t let the flame through to impart flavor or grill marks, it doesn’t let liquid evaporate and can lead to steaming instead of grilling, our turner or tongs are just as likely to cut the foil as to lift the protein cleanly when done, and all that fussing takes time, which can lead to burned or overcooked food.

With the recent rush away from glutens, we have been looking for appetizing alternatives to wrap our food for easy eating.  We love a nice warm corn tortilla; our favorite filling is Carnitas topped with Pico de Gallo and other traditional accompaniments, but there are so many choices: both traditional and adventurous. This does, however, present a couple of challenges. First, how do you warm the tortillas? And then how do you keep them warm, especially for a crowd? Many approaches to these issues have been less than satisfactory, until now.

The plethora of non-stick surfaces in all our kitchens require a variety of non-metal utensils. Wood is the traditional go-to material, and there are many choices, from bamboo, to oak and cherry. But for beauty and durability, olive is the choice. And as many old olive groves around the Mediterranean go out of production, local artisans are discovering that making olive wood utensils also is the sustainable choice. These are being executed in both traditional and innovative designs, with exceptional functionality … Cool Tools, each and every one!

When Kennedy and I started Colbrook Kitchen, we each found a tool that to us epitomized the concept of a Cool Tool: high design, high functionality and unique--something that in all our years of prowling cookware shops, we had never seen. For Kennedy, it was the Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker, and for me it was the Charles Viancin Lily Pad Lids. And it seems that you all agree, because these are our two best selling Cool Tools.

A few months ago, when I was making a strata that needed to sit in the refrigerator overnight in a rectangular glass dish, I wondered why the Charles Viancin silicone lids couldn’t be made in squares and rectangles to cover the glass dishes that we all use. So I emailed Charles and asked. I wish I could take credit for turning this idea into a product, but in fact, as great minds run along the same paths, he had already thought of this.

Why buy just one Charles Viancin Lid when you can get a whole bundle ...at a savings. In the “$50 and over” category we have some very cool bundles available that will make knock-out gifts for you - or for some very lucky friends or relatives.

When Kennedy and I started Colbrook Kitchen, we each found a tool that to us epitomized the concept of a Cool Tool: high design, high functionality and unique--something that in all our years of prowling cookware shops, we had never seen. For Kennedy, it was the Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker, and for me it was the Charles Viancin Lily Pad Lids. And it seems that you all agree, because these are our two best selling Cool Tools.

A few months ago, when I was making a strata that needed to sit in the refrigerator overnight in a rectangular glass dish, I wondered why the Charles Viancin silicone lids couldn’t be made in large rounds, squares, ovals and rectangles to cover the glass dishes that we all use. So I emailed Charles and asked. I wish I could take credit for turning this idea into a product, but in fact, as great minds run along the same paths, he had already thought of this.

Colanders are a necessity in every kitchen … and the use of the plural form is intentional! But they take up so much storage space! The old-style metal versions, and even some of the newer versions in plastic or silicone, are just “too big” to go easily from sink or counter to the refrigerator, and they don’t stack conveniently, unless you have all the same models, and that almost never happens! And even the newest collapsible silicone models aren’t always the slimmest tools in your kitchen!

And all they do is simply “be a colander” … they only serve a single purpose and don’t always do that well. Does your model have holes in the bottom only? Or do the holes go all the way up the sides? Does it drain efficiently? Or does water collect in the bottom, even though it was supposed to drain out? Does it do its primary job well? And can you do anything else with it? And how much space does it take up?

Finally, we have a colander that answers all these questions, and more, in all the ways you would hope for … and of course it’s from Charles Viancin, whose designs are Inspired by Nature™ … this new design is no exception to his high standards of beauty and functionality.

Charles Viancin has launched another new and innovative design: this new Citrus design has the cool zing to fresh citrus, with the same great functionality!

Almost every Charles Viancin Design evokes a wonderful season or holiday … and so we’re excited to bring you the Clover … a symbol for St. Patrick’s Day, especially as it is celebrated here in the US. We have 4 products in this design - two for food and two for drinks: a seemingly appropriate 50/50 division for this holiday. These are lovely and effective tools, and make great gifts!

Charles Viancin has launched another new and innovative design: this new Crystal design is the first silicone lid with Charles Viancin style coupled with the ability to see through lid to your contents inside.

Can't decide which size you like best? Join the crowd! Order our Bundle of all the Crystal lids at a savings!

Money saving bundle:

• Crystal Bundle: 1 large 11", 1 medium 9", 1 medium-small 8" and 2 XSmall Drink Covers 4.5" (~$47 value) = $44.99

Charles Viancin's launched another new and innovative design: this new Dahlia design has mavelous detail on the petals!

Can't decide which size you like best? Join the crowd! Order our Bundle of all the dahlia items at a savings!

Money saving bundle:

• Dahlia Bundle: 1 Oblong, 1 large, 1 medium, 2 x-small pink, 2 x-small blue, and a set of Glass Markers (~$62 value) = $56.99

There are certain times when you really need a double boiler--any time when what you’re cooking is too delicate for direct heat. Melting chocolate or butter are only two examples; my super easy zabaglione from my single days (for each person use 1 egg yolk, ½ egg shell full of sugar, and ½ egg shell full of marsala, and whisk for a long time--until doubled in volume--in a double boiler over simmering water; serve over fresh strawberries) is another.

The function of a double boiler is necessary in any well-equipped kitchen, but the downsides are that it takes up a lot of space, it can be used only on a cooktop and the shape usually makes it difficult to get all of whatever you’re cooking in it, out of it … even with the best spatula skills. Well, not anymore….

Charles Viancin has launched another new and innovative design: this new Fruit Stand design has a different fruit for each size, each with great detail

Can't decide which size you like best? Join the crowd! Order our Bundle of all the Fruit Stand items at a savings!

Money saving bundle:

• Fruit Stand Bundle: 1 large 11" Raspberry, 1 medium 9" Strawberry, 1 medium-small 8" Blackberry and 1 Small 6" Blueberry (~$40 value) = $38.99

Charles Viancin's launched another new and innovative design: this new Grape design has mavelous detail on the leave section, and grapes to grab!

Can't decide which size you like best? Join the crowd! Order our Bundle of all the grape items at a savings!

Money saving bundle:

• Grape Bundle: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, 2 x-small, 1 wine stopper, and a set of Glass Markers (~$53.50 value) = $49.99

Bold and beautiful: those are the only words to describe Charles VIancin's Poppy Collection. Gorgeous fire engine red with a black center...these certainly won't get lost in your refregerator and they'll make a great statement if you're taking a dish to a pot luck gathering.

Can't decide which size you like best? Join the crowd! Order one of our Bundles, and get a nice assortment at a savings!

Money saving bundles:

• Bundle 1: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, and 1 small (~$44 value) = $39.99
• Bundle 2: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, and 2 x-small (~$44 value) = $39.99
• Oblong Big Bundle: 1 10"x14" Oblong, 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, 1 small, 2 x-small, and 1 wine stopper (~$73 value) = $68.99

We do love the creativity that Charles Viancin exhibits in his new designs every year. (And, yes, unlike Betty Crocker, Charles VIancin is a real person... a very handsome tall Frenchman who is inspired by nature!) But when we saw this year's designs at the show in January, we were literally blown away. With the Sea Collection Charles has gone from recreating the beauty of nature to capturing its intangible qualities as well. Whether you have a house at the beach (or you're visiting someone who does: these make great gifts!) or just want to bring the calm beauty of the sea into your home, this collection is truly, mind-blowingly beautiful!

Can't decide which size you like best? Join the crowd! Order one of our Bundles, and get a nice assortment at a savings!

Money saving bundles:

• Bundle 1: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, and 1 small (~$46 value) = $43.99
• Bundle 2: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, and 2 x-small (~$46 value) = $43.99
• Big Bundle: 1 large (Coral), 1 medium (Sea Shell), 1 medium/small (Starfish), 1 small (anemone), and 2 x-small (~$55 value) = $51.99
• And you can add a beautiful Seashore Towel from Michel Designs for just $8.49 when you buy any of the Sea Collection Bundles.

I’m pretty much a disaster when it comes to plastic wrap; it seems to stick to everything except the bowl I'm trying to cover.  And the green side of me hates to use it once and throw it away. If you're like me, you'll love these Charles Viancin Lids.

Can't decide which design you like best? Join the crowd! Order one of the Mixed Bouquet Bundles, select the design for the large lid, and we'll choose the designs for the other sizes to give you a mixed bouquet of lids!

Money saving bundles available in one design or in a Mixed Bouquet:

• Bundle 1: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, and 1 small ($44 value) = $39.99
• Bundle 2: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, and 2 x-small ($44 value) = $39.99
• Big Bundle: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 medium/small, 1 small, 2 x-small, and 1 wine stopper ($55 value) = $49.99

Make your choice in the drop-down menu below ...