Oreo Cookie Cake Pan

Oreo cookie lovers, rejoice! You can imitate the look (and taste, if you wish) of an oreo cookie with this cake pan. Available at Williams-Sonoma for $29.95.

Orange Peeler Art

This modern stainless steel appliance is the perfect excuse to play with your food. You can carve designs into orange rinds as well as other citrus fruits. It’s shallow enough that it won’t puncture into the actual orange fruit itself, so carve away! Available at Alessi for $27.00.

Fall Wedding Mood Board

Since I’m in the beginning stages of planning a wedding, I’ve started to visualize what might be nice for our special day. Here’s what I call a wedding mood board. I’m open to any bits of advice you may have for fall weddings.

Wedding Mood Board, originally uploaded by  Refined Designer.

Vending Machine Makes Pizza in 2.5 Minutes

Looks like Pizza Hut may be getting a run for their money. Apparently there is a new type of vending machine on the market that makes piping hot pizza pies in less than three minutes for only around $5 bucks. There are four different types of pizza and each are made fresh; the robot prepares the dough, pours the sauce, sprinkles the cheese and bakes. The vending machine is currently only in Europe (Italy), but the owner plans to bring it to America. Check out the photos for yourself:

You can view the full article at Dvice.com, “Pizza-making vending machine serves fresh pies in three minutes.“

[PICS] Food Portions Then & Now

What do 200 calories look like?

Visiting with my boyfriend’s parents this weekend tempted me to revisit the portion control post from back in December 2008. His mother and I talked about the sobering reality of an American portion size. Here’s a visual representation from author Liz Monte of DivineCaroline.com of what a portion used to be twenty years ago versus now:

Pizza

Cup of Coffee

Popcorn

Bagel

Soda/Pop

Coffee Lids Revisited: McDonald’s

Photos Louise Harpman and Scott Specht.

When I first blogged about the Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks Coffee Lids, I explained that I rate beverage product packaging based on the ability to function well while traveling. This morning, I took advantage of McDonald’s free medium cup of coffee special for the month of February (I would link to a reputable article about it, but it appears that the McDonalds’ marketing team decided to promote this deal purely through viral marketing).

After the McDonald’s employee handed me my coffee cup, I realized that the lid has no hole — that is, until I’m ready to puncture it to consume my coffee. While one consumer complained that the lid does not allow for safe slurping of hot beverages, I beg to differ. The lid does well in traveling safely without spilling coffee. My new rating for beverage product packaging, with #1 being the best, is:

1) Dunkin Donuts

2) McDonald’s

3) Starbucks

Judging from the comments and other blogs on the web, it seems like many people have an opinion about the design and functionality of coffee lids. Which one do you think is more important? Design or functionality?

For further reading, check out this article, “Peel, Pucker, Pinch, Puncture.” A little outdated, but offers an extensive analysis of what should go into the engineering of lid design.

Fat Americans, Fatter Portion Sizes

Typical All-American Burger

With many restaurants and fast food chains offering meals that can be two to three times larger than a single serving, it’s no surprise that America’s nationwide obesity crisis is in full effect. For a reality check, learn about what a portion size really should be.

1 Serving of meat, fish, or poultry:

Deck of Cards

Really Cool Kitchen Gadgets

I stumbled upon this website today while I was at work searching for blog designs. It’s a website dedicated to the latest kitchen gadgets on the market.

Check it out: http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/category/home-gadgets/kitchen/

Steak Toaster

Cooking: Wok Fried Rice

Does anyone know how to make a flavorful fried rice or know of a recipe that I could follow?

Wok Fried Rice

Here’s what I’m thinking for ingredients:

• Scallions
• Garlic
• Rice (preferably brown)
• Onions
• Soy sauce
• Egg
• Carrots
• Snow peas
• Salt & pepper
• Oil
• Protein like shrimp, beef, or chicken
• Bean sprouts

I’m having trouble figuring out the process and order in which I cook up my ingredients. Suggestions, tips, and recommendations are welcome!

Sweetwater Tavern

Going to Sweetwater for dinner tonight. They have the best caesar salads; Outback *used* to be my favorite, sorry! Mmm can’t wait.