Needless to say, we all love fun kitchen accessories and gadgets and sometimes it will take all your willpower not to go nuts whenever you see something that makes you smile. Whether you get them as gifts or for yourself, unique kitchen gadgets besides being quite useful, are always a hit. And while they will not transform you into a better chef overnight, we tend to use the things we like more than the ones we do not.

You may be surprised to discover that a few must have kitchen gadgets in your kitchen might provide you with the motivation to spend extra hours prepping and cooking which is vital especially for those trying to live healthier lives. Additionally, those just starting out in the kitchen may even be encouraged to invite their friends over and show off. Below, therefore, we take a look at 5 interesting kitchen gadgets that are somewhat out of the ordinary but still very useful as follows:

1. Smokey the Silencer

Admittedly, we all blame the oven whenever our kitchens fill with smoke when we cook. But the real reason may lie in the fact that our cooking is not that great. And this would almost be funny were it not for the annoying smoke detector going off each time we cook. Therefore, rather than always laying blame on the smoke detector, it is advisable to invest in a remote-controlled smoke detector silencer. However, while such a device will aid in making cooking less stressful, it cannot sort out your culinary deficiencies.

2. Spice-Leaf Book

If you notice that your spice rack can no longer take another paprika jar, then it may be time to reconsider your seasoning storage. The spice-leaf book overcomes this shortage of space by storing various spices inside a handy little book. All you need to do is pluck off a page of dissolving paper that is packed with seasoning and then throw it in your stew in much the same way as you use a teabag. This is a concept for now, but who knows it, it may find its way into your kitchen.

3. Double Sided Spreader

For those who use jelly for their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, it is likely that they may not realize that those who use the jelly after them for their toasts do not appreciate the peanut butter left behind. Therefore, to avoid this and not have to use an extra butter knife, a double sided spreader for peanut butter and jelly is more considerate. And the good news is that it is color coded so you will have no excuse for leaving peanut butter in the jam next time around.

4. Condiment Gun

A condiment gun is a great way of combating those boring hotdogs at a picnic. Simply load it up with your favorite condiment ammunition such as mustard or ketchup, aim, and then fire away. Carry this unique kitchen gadget along for a picnic and you are guaranteed to become the quickest draw.

5. Sauce Dispensing Chopsticks

Since it is hard enough to get food from the plate to your mouth let alone the sauce dish, sauce dispensing chopsticks will help you avoid an embarrassing soy sauce disaster. Just squeeze their ends as you eat and a little sauce will drip on your sushi.

Whatever your Independence Day plans, chances are there’s food involved. The holiday traditionally ends with a bang: fireworks. So make sure your holiday meal ends with a similar bang: dessert!

Here are some ideas for a festive holiday desserts, to celebrate our nation’s birthday.

Ice Cream - Want a dessert that’s quick, easy and refreshing? Simply mix and match ice creams or sorbets that are red, white and blue. Choices include strawberry ice cream or raspberry sorbet, blueberry ice cream, and vanilla ice cream or coconut sorbet.

Cupcakes - These small, single-serving treats have been all the rage in recent years. Simply pick up your favorite cupcakes, or better yet, make them from scratch.  Get cupcakes with vanilla or another white frosting, or add the frosting yourself. Cream cheese is a delicious variation that will give you cupcakes added zest. Then top with blueberries and strawberries. As an extra bonus, berries are fresh, in season, and delicious in July.

Cake - Want a dessert center piece? Try a 4th of July cake instead.  Make or choose a rectangular cake, so that you – or the kids – can decorate it like an American flag. Top left, create your star field: blueberries or blackberries are a tasty, fun way to make stars. For stripes, use raspberries or sliced strawberries, alternating with whipped cream or bananas for white stripes.

Pie  - Few desserts are considered as American as pie. Make  a berry pie with blue or red berries, then top it with berries of the other color. For white, try whipped cream, or top your pie with vanilla ice cream, for a star-spangled salute, a la mode.

Shortcake – Often overlooked, shortcake can be a tasteful alternative because it’s less sweet than most desserts. Simply pick up your favorite shortcake, or better yet make it – be creative and make it in the shape of stars. Then decorate with blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream for a red, white and blue summer treat.

Parfaits – A uniquely delicious treat, layered parfaits are the perfect way to make a colorful desertUse blueberries , or dark berry jam or sorbet for the blue layer. For red, try raspberries, cherry jam, or strawberry ice cream. As for white, use vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, or try sweetened cream cheese for a unique take.

Popsicles – For kids of all ages, popsicles are an awesome treat for a hot summer day. For a healthy dessert, use fruit juices such as cranberry (red) and grape (blue).  Pour in one layer at a time, let it freeze, and repeat. For white, allow some vanilla ice cream to soften just enough to pour into molds, then freeze and enjoy.

Sprinkles – Red, white and blue sprinkles are an easy way to give any desert a patriotic look. Put them on cookies or cupcakes. Or drizzle them on the vanilla sides of ice cream sandwiches for a unique treat.

Berries – Start with blueberries, then choose from a wide variety of red berries such as raspberries or strawberries. Then decorate with whipped cream. For a fun alternative, melt some white chocolate, and dip your berries. Let them harden – and enjoy!

About the Author

This is a guest post by Mark Lynch. Mark recommends reading more about dessert ideas, tips, and recipes at Chefs.edu.

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