I read once that all you need in the kitchen equipment wise is one pot, one pan and one knife, or something like that. I can't imagine that there are many food bloggers out there who have such a sparse kitchen. There are some areas in the kitchen you can cheap out on and some you shouldn't. Cheap/poor quality knives are probably the worst thing you can have in your kitchen, and I should know; it was only this year that I actually got some good knives in my kitchen.
One of those knives arrived courtesy of New West Knife Works, a company from Wyoming that make some of the most beautiful knives I have ever seen. New West has 2 lines of knives - the Phoenix Knives and the Fusionwood Knives. The Phoenix are "Japanese kitchen knives with a Western flair" and are made with 33 layers of steel. 33! The Fusionwoods are made with a stainless steel blade and an amazingly gorgeous hardwood handle, which has been infused with dye in layers of colors.
I received the Fusionwood Chopper with the Harvest color handle. From the second we opened the packaging we were smitten. The 5 1/2 inch blade was safely covered in a leather sheath. The handle, as I've mentioned, was stunning, layer upon layer of color. I've never seen anything like it.
The knife, as a quality knife should, felt solid and heavy in my hand. The blade is wonderfully strong and sharp. This is a smallish knife, but perfect for chopping vegetables, fruits and herbs. It has whizzed through all the tasks it's been given wonderfully from mincing to chopping to julienne-ing.
This company and their products have been written about in numerous magazines - Cooking Light, Wine Spectator, Sunset, Gourmet and many more, all with good reason. New West has a Non-Commercial Lifetime Guarantee on their knives - if you are not happy with your purchase they will replace it free. Break or damage your knife while using it improperly (but why would you be using these gorgeous knives improperly???) and they will replace it at half price. If you are looking to invest in a quality knife, head over to their website and check out the awesome selection.
If you're a Facebooker, check out their page and become a fan.
Strawberry Mint Agua Fresca
Grilling For Life, Bobby Flay
Serves 4
1 cup very cold water
1 cup crushed ice
3 cups chopped ripe strawberries
2 tb chopped fresh mint
4 mint sprigs, for garnish
Combine all the ingredients except the mint sprigs in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into 4 glasses and garnish with the mint sprigs.
One of those knives arrived courtesy of New West Knife Works, a company from Wyoming that make some of the most beautiful knives I have ever seen. New West has 2 lines of knives - the Phoenix Knives and the Fusionwood Knives. The Phoenix are "Japanese kitchen knives with a Western flair" and are made with 33 layers of steel. 33! The Fusionwoods are made with a stainless steel blade and an amazingly gorgeous hardwood handle, which has been infused with dye in layers of colors.
I received the Fusionwood Chopper with the Harvest color handle. From the second we opened the packaging we were smitten. The 5 1/2 inch blade was safely covered in a leather sheath. The handle, as I've mentioned, was stunning, layer upon layer of color. I've never seen anything like it.
The knife, as a quality knife should, felt solid and heavy in my hand. The blade is wonderfully strong and sharp. This is a smallish knife, but perfect for chopping vegetables, fruits and herbs. It has whizzed through all the tasks it's been given wonderfully from mincing to chopping to julienne-ing.
This company and their products have been written about in numerous magazines - Cooking Light, Wine Spectator, Sunset, Gourmet and many more, all with good reason. New West has a Non-Commercial Lifetime Guarantee on their knives - if you are not happy with your purchase they will replace it free. Break or damage your knife while using it improperly (but why would you be using these gorgeous knives improperly???) and they will replace it at half price. If you are looking to invest in a quality knife, head over to their website and check out the awesome selection.
If you're a Facebooker, check out their page and become a fan.
Strawberry Mint Agua FrescaGrilling For Life, Bobby Flay
Serves 4
1 cup very cold water
1 cup crushed ice
3 cups chopped ripe strawberries
2 tb chopped fresh mint
4 mint sprigs, for garnish
Combine all the ingredients except the mint sprigs in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into 4 glasses and garnish with the mint sprigs.
