Looking for that last minute Christmas gift? Well, you have come to the right place. This month's recipe redux theme is "Gadget Gifts". My fellow food bloggers and I are recommending our favourite kitchen gadgets. You can count on our recommendations for the perfect, kitchen gadget that won't build up dust in the cupboard or be re-gifted to someone else. If you can't trust food bloggers for the best kitchen gadgets, who can you trust? haha!
One of my all time favourite kitchen gadgets is a (drum roll please)..... a bag sealer! Anticlimactic, I know. But, here is what my bag sealer can do:
This gadget is relatively affordable (about $20 Canadian), and its small size does not take up a large amount of counter space. The sealer I have, Reseal & Save, has suction cups on the bottom of it, so it can be hung directly on your refrigerator. I have seen other sealers that have magnets on the back of them which do the same thing. A bag sealer is not to be confused with a vacuum sealer, which sucks out all of the air from the bag. These sealers are significantly more costly (about $200 Canadian), and some are fairly large in size. In addition, some vacuum sealers require you to buy special bags, so make sure you double check the instructions before buying the product. My compact bag sealer does the trick for me, but ultimately, the choice is yours!
Here is my bag sealer in action:
1. Put the bag you want to seal over the heating strip. Try your best to get all of the air out of the bag. **Note: The elephant is upright!**
One of my all time favourite kitchen gadgets is a (drum roll please)..... a bag sealer! Anticlimactic, I know. But, here is what my bag sealer can do:
- Reseals any bag that I open; cereal, rice, crackers, spices, herbs, cheese, and vegetables. No more rubber bags flooding my kitchen cutlery drawer!
- Locks in the freshness; making groceries last longer. I notice fresh greens and herbs last longer.
- Less food waste: because my produce lasts longer when sealed.
- Prevents spills/leaks: You can marinate chicken, tofu, or vegetables in bags.
- Seals bags in a jiffy: 3-5 seconds to be exact!
- It's compact: My sealer takes up no kitchen counter space.
This gadget is relatively affordable (about $20 Canadian), and its small size does not take up a large amount of counter space. The sealer I have, Reseal & Save, has suction cups on the bottom of it, so it can be hung directly on your refrigerator. I have seen other sealers that have magnets on the back of them which do the same thing. A bag sealer is not to be confused with a vacuum sealer, which sucks out all of the air from the bag. These sealers are significantly more costly (about $200 Canadian), and some are fairly large in size. In addition, some vacuum sealers require you to buy special bags, so make sure you double check the instructions before buying the product. My compact bag sealer does the trick for me, but ultimately, the choice is yours!
Here is my bag sealer in action:
1. Put the bag you want to seal over the heating strip. Try your best to get all of the air out of the bag. **Note: The elephant is upright!**
2. Press down the bag for approximately 3 seconds (thicker bags may need up to 7 seconds). You will see a red light come on, so you know it is working!
3. Do a quick check that the bag is sealed and then turn that bag upside!
**Note the Elephant is upside down for proof!**
**Note the Elephant is upside down for proof!**
Oatmeal by far is my favourite food to have start my day. Although my bag sealer doesn't directly help me make the oatmeal, it keeps the oats I have fresh because I reseal the bag air tight!
Making oatmeal is one of my favourite things to do, because you can have fun with it! Some days, I add in homemade pumpkin puree or cranberry sauce, almond butter, or even dates. The oatmeal creations are endless!
What do you like in your oatmeal?
Making oatmeal is one of my favourite things to do, because you can have fun with it! Some days, I add in homemade pumpkin puree or cranberry sauce, almond butter, or even dates. The oatmeal creations are endless!
What do you like in your oatmeal?
Allie's Messy Morning Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients:
Directions: Put everything in a bowl except the All Bran and milk. Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until steaming. Mix ingredients well, and top with All Bran and milk. Note: If you don't like the consistency of ripe bananas, add the banana after microwaving the oatmeal!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (I make a large tupperware full for the week and scoop it out when needed)
- 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 Tbsp ground Flax
- 1 Tbsp coconut flakes (optional)
- 1 Tbsp raisins or dried cranberries
- 1 banana
- 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
- Top with: 1/3 cup All Bran and 1/3 cup milk (optional)
Directions: Put everything in a bowl except the All Bran and milk. Microwave for 1-2 minutes or until steaming. Mix ingredients well, and top with All Bran and milk. Note: If you don't like the consistency of ripe bananas, add the banana after microwaving the oatmeal!
To get more ideas for the kitchen gadget gifts, check out the recommendations by my fellow food bloggers below:
