"kitchen gadgets" news and stories

• Twenty-two shopping days till Christmas (but no pressure...). What will you give the cook?
• There's no shortage of gadgets -- but does a home cook really need a sous vide or a hand-held smoker?
• Assuming they've already got smart phones, consider some food and wine apps.
• Savory bread pudding and warm sticky toffee cake -- is it getting warm in here?

• It's too hot for the oven, y'all. Time for no-bake tamale pie.
• Think you know all there is to know about American food? Take this pop quiz.
• Gadgets, gizmos, whozits -- whatever we call 'em, we love 'em.
• How much do you love pizza? Can you eat it all day, every day, for a month, like this guy?
• Okay, one more quiz. This one's easy, frankly.

Dads who love to cook, eat or drink typically consider themselves the household "top chefs" and taste-testers. These Father's Day gifts will give him the tools to cook more efficiently, experiment more wildly and consume food and beverages with a sense of humor. (Useful and funny? We can't think of anything better.)

Check out our product picks after the jump.

Well, America -- the truth came out in Chicago. Judging from the appliances on display at the International Home and Housewares show running in the Windy City earlier this week, what people really want is what they've been clamoring for since the 1950s -- convenience. No matter how we profess our love for chefs, watch culinary how-to shows, or snap up lushly illustrated cookbooks, apparently most of us still aren't so wild about cooking itself.

In fact, it seems as though grocers and appliance makers have teamed up to create a futuristic "cooking" future where no one really has to think at all. Remember when it seemed crazy that microwaves had a button for popcorn? Well, now they come outfitted with one-touch options for pizzas and omelets.

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

• Yes, you can! -- ditch the supermarket and make these 10 food items, that is.
• In these lean times try easy on the pocketbook and easily jazzed up red beans and rice.
• This plastic will fit nicely next to your ATM card.
• Say hello to the banana's big brother.
• With only two pans and some cans of soup, you too can make a panini.
• Do you know what this squashing machine is?
• Chili purists, turn away -- delicious meatless chili in a slow cooker.