Tech Talk: chef tech

Gone are the days of the tinker tinker buzz from the egg timer. More often than not, at a friend’s house for dinner I’ll hear, “Alexa, set a timer for ten minutes,” but it is in more ways that one that technology is making itself at home in the kitchen.

In general, big ticket appliances like refrigerators are updated only as need arises.

It’s at some crucial juncture when one must decide if a refrigerator needs something as full service as a camera, Wifi, bluetooth and digital display.

Samsung’s Family Hub refrigerator lets you see inside the fridge from anywhere, manage your family’s calendars, stream music and stay connected right from its Family Hub screen.

[The short answer is no, no one needs such a device, yet it could be life changingly helpful in the right hands.]

The one thing every kitchen needs is food safety. Meat thermometers are kitchen staples that are constantly updated with new technology.

There are some that light up and have digital read-outs. Others have magnets that, hands free, keep them attached to a hot pot.

Since determining doneness is mandatory for almost every meal, both the high or low end versions of the product are helpful. The minimum requirement is food grade stainless steel for the probe and a clear temperature gauge, be it digital or analog.

Gadgets

Of course there’s a huge market for smaller scale gadgets. Have you crossed over into the sous vide side? That is, have you tasted food that has been sous vide; the process of immersing vacuum sealed food in circulating water that produces the tenderest of morsels?

Those gourmands who have tried it might argue that it is, in fact, a lifestyle. Once you’ve tasted the impossibly tender quality of sous vide loin chops, there is no other way to enjoy them.

Having had a roommate who sous vide daily, made sous vide sushi and other bold fusion cuisine, I can attest to the high quality of the experience of its enjoyment.

But it’s complicated. There seemed to be a lot of tools and accessories involved, and, really, who has the space for any more stuff? Breville has an answer for that.

Breville Joule Sous Vide, ~$40

The Breville Joule is among the smallest immersion circulators available at 11 inches tall and 1.1 pounds. It’s Wifi and bluetooth ready for both Android and iPhone.

Controlled by an app that also gives you the freedom to cook from anywhere, the Joule holds temperature with accuracy to ensure perfect results every time.

Heat conducting ice cream scoop ~$20

Speaking of holding temperature, heat conducting ice cream scoops are here to get the ball rolling on hard frozen ice creams, sherbets and gelatos alike.

A biodegradable liquid inside transfers body heat from the handle to the scoop, so the longer its held, the better it works.

The thermo-ring heated scooping edges makes serving ice cream effortless and requires no batteries or electricity.

Kale & Herb Razor

Eating your veggies is one thing, but having to deal with veggies is something else. De-stemming kale may be lowest on the list of fun things to do. A kale razor could make the whole process manageable.

This one, invented by kale chip enthusiast industrial designer and ceramist Marta Cornwell, features a graduated slot for shearing leaves quickly, and three different sized holes that strip herbs as you pull the stem through.

Now, foodies and health nuts can enjoy their favorite garden fresh leafy greens and flavor-packed herbs in no time.

Apps

Epicurious by Condé Nast Digital

4.8 in AppStore

Epicurious is an app for finding and saving favorite recipes, watching cooking videos, and making shopping lists. Extra features like the local Seasonal Ingredients Finder and a smart kitchen timer that shows how to cook essential dishes like steak, vegetables, chicken, pork, seafood and eggs without a specific recipe, make this a keeper.

Besides providing step-by-step guidance for even the simplest of kitchen tasks, there’s also a timer built into each set of directions, so you can hit start and get into cooking right away.

Sous Chef: Timers & Recipes by ChuChu Train Productions

4.6 in AppStore

Managing multiple recipes on multiple timers can get tricky. With Sous Chef, you’ve got a personal assistant on hand. There are five cook timers, a portion calculator, quick conversion tables, and easy recipe reference.

Using these or other apps and gadgets to get your kitchen cooking? Share your favorites at brianna@waitsburgtimes.com.