Gizmos for Cooks

Rosie, the attentive robot maid from “The Jetsons,” was always one of my favorite characters on that show.  Of course, no one has found a way to bring Rosie to life, but it appears that someone has laid the foundation for doing just that.  In fact, scientists from the Technical University of Munich have created a robot that can function in your kitchen and act as an assistant as you prepare meals.  From keeping track of the contents in your kitchen to setting the table, the B21 can learn simple tasks using radio-frequency identification tags, making it a much more viable product than other household robots developed in the past.  And while the robot can’t make dinner for you and your family just yet (and won’t be available for purchase any time soon), that chore might be right around the corner.  To learn more about the exceptional robot and its software, read this article on NewScientistTech.

Pineapple is a great addition to just about any recipe, especially this time of year.  With its sweet yet tart flavor, as well as its ability to be served raw, grilled or otherwise, it can give your meal a real kick.  But the difficulty associated with carving and slicing a pineapple may deter you from using this tropical treat in your cooking adventures.  Well, now you can add the versatile fruit to your arsenal of ingredients thanks to Williams-Sonoma’s Pineapple Easy Slicer, which lets you prepare and slice pineapple with the twist of your wrist.  All you have to do is insert the cutting shaft down through the top of a trimmed pineapple and, with a bit of pressure, twist the handle — in one fell swoop, you’ve cored and sliced the fruit into perfect rings.  Then all you have to do is sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor.  And what’s even better, you never have to worry about the prickly skin, which is left behind as an intact shell.

Price: $24.95 from Williams-Sonoma

That’s what I do every time I chop onions.  I’m not sure if I have really sensitive eyes or the onions from my local grocery store are just that potent.  Whatever the case, I tear up as soon as I’ve peeled away the skin and get the knife through the first layer of the pungent bulb.  But there may be an answer to my dilemma — Onion Goggles from Sur La Table.  Made of plastic and featuring a comfortable foam seal, these shades are designed to protect your peepers from onion vapors and allow you to get through your vegetable prep with ease.  They even have anti-fog lenses.  And because they come in both pink/white and green/black, they’re perfect for every cook in the house.

Price: $19.95 from Sur la Table

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Pasta Workshop

Saturday, July 19

Viking Cooking School

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

$89

“There’s nothing like the taste of fresh pasta. Learn to make homemade pasta from a few staple ingredients using a few simple techniques; then create pasta dishes celebrating the flavors of the season.

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