The Clef du Vin wine aging tool really does age wine!   I was a bit skeptical (well, actually, VERY skeptical) when I saw it demonstrated at a show.    It’s supposed to “age” a glass of wine by one year for every second you leave the key in the wine. I thought, “Yeah, right, like that’s going to happen”. But, stunningly, in 5 seconds the young red wine tasted like it had 5 more years of age on it!

You’re probably thinking what I did -– how can this little key with a tiny metal circle really age a glass or even a bottle of wine—must be a gimmick.  After trying it at home, I can report that the Clef du Vin is NOT a gimmick.  It really works.

The first time we tried the Clef du Vin was with a mid-priced, two year-old Italian red that we should have waited another three to five years to drink.  Amazing.   In 5 seconds the wine was great.  We drank it all – no need to find a cooking use for it.

We even tried it on cheap wines,  (yes, even a box wine).  While the wine tasted a little better, even the Clef du Vin could not improve it much. As the Clef du Vin’s manufacturer says, it’s not a magic wand.  If the wine is going to age well, you are going to get to experience the future flavor and smoothness of the wine today.  If it is not going to age well, like with the box wine we tried, you will know that right away too. Thus, I am still not a convert to box wines, but it did smooth the wine out a bit!   We’ve taken the Clef du Vin to restaurants, while traveling and even at some wine tastings.   It performs every time, as long as we use it on wines that have the ability to improve with age.

One thing I did wonder about was …what was the little bronze colored metal circle on the key adding to the wine?   Nothing.    The metals in this little circle just create a reaction that’s similar to what naturally happens when wine is aged in the bottle.   No chemicals or additives are going into the wine.

One thing to remember, if you leave the Clef du Vin in the glass too long, the wine starts to lose its character, just like wine that is left to age too long.  You can experiment with how many seconds it takes to get the taste that is pleasing. Want to try a little more age, just put the Clef back in for another second – you don’t have to start fresh with a new glass of wine.  So it’s really simple and quick to get the taste you want from every new wine you try.

It’s easy to use.  It’s easy to clean with a little hot water (no detergent, cleansers or dishwasher).  And, the Peugeot Clef du Vin has made our 2009 holiday shopping a breeze. Every wine lover on the list gets a Clef du Vine wine aging key!    They will love this wonderful thing every time they use it.

Age Wine in Seconds with the Clef du Vin Wine Aging Tool is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

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1. The weekend of wine tasting and testing

Ceramic cookware, Flame Top by Emile Henry, is my favorite new line of cookware. My new piece of Emile Henry Flame Top cookware sits right on my stove for all to view.

Emile Henry Flame Top Dutch Oven

I’ve always been a fan of cast iron cookware,  but my new ceramic dutch oven has opened up a whole new world for me in my kitchen.  My beautiful, yet highly functional blue Flame Top dutch oven is the most versatile, green-friendly cooking vessel in my pantry.  My favorite feature of this dutch oven is the fact that I slow cook a meal on my stove, then put it in the oven for baking, and if I want to cook leftovers the next day, I can leave my food in the dutch oven over night, (its freezer proof too!), and then warm it in the microwave the next day.  Of course, its a great serving piece as well.  The Emile Henry dutch oven is extremely light weight and has dual handles for easy lifting and serving.  You wont waste any gas or electric when using this cookware, it is designed to withstand high and low heating temperatures while offering the best cooking results for your recipe.  I love to make chili, casseroles and even tomato sauce in my ceramic dutch oven.  Clean up for me is a breeze:  it is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.  Emile Henry cookware is made in France.

Ceramic Cookware by Emile Henry is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

All-Clad, the most popular brand of cookware around the globe, has introduced a new line of cookware called All-Clad LTD 2.The All-Clad LTD2 cookware collection is based on the original All-Clad LTD line, but with new additional features surely to please All-Clad customers.

The most exciting new feature is that it is now dishwasher safe. Dishwasher safe cookware saves a lot of time when it comes to clean up in the kitchen, something every cook and chef look for. All-Clad LTD2 is constructed slightly differently than the original. The inner core is constructed with pure aluminum at the bottom and all the way up the sides. The cooking surface is stainless steel for optimum heating results and the exterior is hard anodized which won’t chip, scratch or peel.

As with the other All-Clad lines, pots and pans with a non-stick surface should never be washed in the dishwasher.

All-Clad LTD2 is sure to please the cook in you. MetroKitchen offers open stock and cookware sets of this wonderful new addition to the All-Clad line.

All-Clad LTD2 – The Sequel is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

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1. All-Clad LTD Cookware on Sale Now at MetroKitchen.com + Free Ship
2. Made in the USA: Marcus cookware
3. Ceramic Cookware by Emile Henry

This month’s Wusthof Sharp Pick is the recently introduced Wusthof Panini Knife.  The knife features a sharp, serrated edge that is perfect for slicing through toasted breads while protecting the delicious meat inside.   Wusthof Panini Knives are forged from a single piece of steel and has in incredibly sharp, long lasting edge.  The slightly off-set handle is designed to protect knuckles and provides optimal leverage while using the knife.   Available in Classic and Classic Ikon (shown) styles, save $10 on the retail price of Wusthof Panini Knife in the month of October.

About Panini

An Italian sandwich, the panino (it’s singular form) is commonly made with small loaves of bread like ciabatta.  The sandwich is usually made with salami, or other meats with cheese.  The toasted panino is grilled in a sandwich press and served hot.  The sandwich has become rather popular state-side in recent years and can be found in many places where sandwiches are made.

Panini Making at Home

As panini sandwiches have become more popular, many manufacturers have created panini presses so you can make these a delicious hot panino.  Wusthof had this in mind when they developed the Wusthof Panini Knife.  MetroKitchen features the Krups Panini Maker, which is electric, and the All-Clad Panini Pan with Press to use on the stove.  If you enjoy making panini at home, then the Wusthof panini knife is the perfect compliment to your pursuits.

For the month of October, you can save $10 on the Wusthof panini knife and enjoy free shipping on your order:

Wusthof Classic panini knife $89.95 (regularly $99.95)

Wusthof Classic Ikon panini knife $109.95 (regularly $119.95)

photo credit: stevendepolo

Wusthof Panini Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for October is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

Related posts:

1. Wusthof Tomato Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for September
2. Wusthof Classic Ikon 8 inch Chef’s Knife
3. MetroKitchen tours new U.S. location for Wusthof Knife

Recently I got news about a neighbor, young mother,  who found out she has breast cancer. We have boys the same age, so it really hit home. We live in a great community, and all of us got together and decided to act fast and help. We formulated a schedule for the next two weeks to cook homemade meals for our friend after she comes home from surgery. I signed up to make her (well actually for my husband to make) penne ala vodka. Food brings comfort and at the same time we can help someone who cant take care of her family at the moment. Food and cooking brings people together in communities around the world.
Well it just so happens that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. My dear neighbor did not feel sick or any lumps—they found a one centimeter lump in a routine mammogram. At MetroKitchen, we sell a great product from a great brand that helps to support Breast Cancer Research.

The Kyocera Susan G Komen 5-1/2 inch Revolution Series Pink Ceramic Knife is a special edition knife developed to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It features a pink, ergonomically designed handle and white ceramic blade. Kyocera will donate $5.00 for each pink ceramic knife sold for a maximum of $10,000. This Kyocera Ceramic Knife is a versatile knife, perfect for slicing fruits and vegetables and even some meats. The Kyocera Ceramic Knife will never rust, nor alter the taste or smell of food. It is super lightweight and made in Japan.

Support the cause!

Kyocera Ceramic Knife Honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

The MetroKitchen customer service department fields this question quite a bit. Even performing a simple Google search of “burned all-clad pan“ yields several results.  Earlier last Summer, we noticed this tweet from Chef Paola Petrella where she was ready to toss out her All-Clad pan after accidentally burning some pasta!

It happens even to the most skilled chef like Chef Paola.  But never fear!  There’s a good chance that if you’ve burned some food to your All-Clad pots and  pans, it can be saved.

How to save your burned All-Clad cookware

First, give the time for the pan to cool.  Next, put some Bar Keepers Friend, a gentle abrasive, on the cooking surface and add a little water.  Using a soft cloth, rub the Bar Keeper’s Friend and water into the affected area in a circular motion.  This will hopefully get some of the food which is stuck to the pan to loses up.  It should also remove some of the discoloration, if any, has occurred.  Another solution is to bring some plain vinegar to a boil in the affected pan which may loosen up any stuck bits you’re not able to get up.  Vinegar will also help with the bluing which sometimes occurs.  If you’re still having trouble removing the bits, you might want to soak the pan for a night or two in soap and try applying the previous method. Just be aware that these tips apply to stainless surfaces and not non-stick.

As for Chef Paola’s problem, MetroKitchen and Lisa at All-Clad jumped in on Twitter to give her some tips.  The result?

Hooray!  Another All-Clad pan saved.  We should also note that All-Clad offers a lifetime warranty on their products, however burned pans are not included.  But in the rare even that you feel your All-Clad cookware piece has a manufacturing defect, feel free to contact us at MetroKitchen directly at 888-892-9911 or find us on Twitter!

Happy Cooking!

Have I ruined my All-Clad pan? is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

Stacks and stacks of amazingly sharp knives…. Sounds like the scene for a horror flick. No, it’s just Wusthof’s amazing new U.S. headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. MetroKitchen had a chance to share in the opening festivities. Wusthof family members from Germany, Wolfgang and Harald, were both on hand to celebrate this significant move. Connecticut Culinary Institute even made a special cake, which of course was perfectly sliced by a Wusthof Classic Chefs knife. Yummy!

We were so pleased to see that Wusthof’s new warehouse will ensure better supply for us, so our customers can depend on MetroKitchen for always having a huge selection of Wusthof knives in stock. As one of Wusthof’s largest U.S. sellers, MetroKitchen stocks every item Wusthof makes. Most retailers only carry a limited selection. MetroKitchen has basic Wusthof knives, like slicers and paring knives. But you can also find more obscure or specialty knives.
Have you ever used an offset deli knife?

Wusthof offset deli knife WU-4121

What about a salami knife? It really does a much better job at cutting through hard meats and sausages. I didn’t believe it was needed, until I tried it and saw how much easier it was to cut pepperoni.

Wusthof salami knife WU-4110

In our Wusthof tour, we saw how they build knife sets. We also saw a very cool machine that rotates in order to make it easy to select the right knives that go into each set.
Here are some photos so you can see the inside of a knife warehouse:

Wusthof warehouse

Grand Opening of Wusthof's warehouse

MetroKitchen tours new U.S. location for Wusthof Knife is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

Related posts:

1. Wusthof Classic Ikon 8 inch Chef’s Knife
2. Wusthof Panini Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for October
3. Wusthof Tomato Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for September

Today we’re introducing our Wusthof Sharp Picks feature, which will profile special prices on select Wusthof knives for the month.  A great way to introduce this new feature is with the Wusthof Tomato knife.

If you’ve ever used a paring knife to slice a tomato, you know how sometimes you can end up squishing it a bit while trying to get the blade to pierce the skin.  It’s not that the knife is dull, one assumes, but that skin is a little tough to get through.

Wusthof tomato knives, with their serrated edge, are specifically designed for this task: to get right through the skin so you can make more precise slices without making a mess of the tomato.  You can also pick up the slice using the dual-point tip at the end of the knife. Right tool, great slices, no mess!

Now you can use your thin tomato slices with just bit of balsamic vinegar and good olive oil plus freshly ground pepper.   You can even add a dollop of pesto or a sprig of basil if either is resident in your refrigerator for a delicious treat.

The knife can also be used for slicing hard or semi-hard cheeses too!  It’s up to the task, for sure.

For the month of September, you can save $10 on the Wusthof tomato knife and enjoy free shipping on your order:

Wusthof Classic tomato knife $49.95 (regularly $59.95)

Wusthof Classic Ikon tomato knife $79.99 (regularly $89.95)

photo credit: specialkrb

Wusthof Tomato Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for September is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

Related posts:

1. Wusthof Panini Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for October
2. Wusthof Classic Ikon 8 inch Chef’s Knife
3. MetroKitchen tours new U.S. location for Wusthof Knife

Every year there is some new gimmick knife that is supposed to replace all others. For my money, I prefer the Wusthof Classic Ikon 8 inch Chef’s knife. Why this particular knife? There are SO many reasons this is THE knife for me. First off it is truly an icon, truly classic in appearance. The lines are elegant and engaging. This knife will add to the aesthetics of any kitchen contemporary or traditional in design.

The pleasing lines of this knife are not just easy on the eyes, they are easy on the hands as well. So many other knives on the market are squared off which can become uncomfortable over time. This knife has a smooth ergonomic handle that is a delight to hold. The knife has a respectable heft to it announcing that this is a knife that is made of a forged German stainless steel. This is not a flimsy stamped blade.

While Wusthof Classic Ikon is an entire line, I chose this particular knife as The knife because the chefs knife is the work horse of the kitchen. This is the knife that does all the chopping of vegetables, the knife you will use more than all others. I happen to prefer an 8 inch chefs knife, others may want a 6 inch chefs knife or a 9 inch chefs knife depending on the size of your hands and the feel of the knife in your hands. One thing is certain, once you have one of these nothing else will do!

Wusthof Classic Ikon 8 inch Chef’s Knife is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

Related posts:

1. Wusthof Panini Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for October
2. Wusthof Tomato Knife – Wusthof’s Sharp Pick for September
3. MetroKitchen tours new U.S. location for Wusthof Knife

“Passion. Ambition. Butter. Do You Have What It Takes?” That is the tag line for the new movie everyone is talking about, “Julie and Julia”, written and directed by Nora Ephron, and bases on a book by Julie Powell. Any foodie knows this movie is a must see! The movie stars outstanding actors such as Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci. On its opening weekend, “Julie and Julia” took in over $20 million..making it the number 2 movie in America, at the moment. The movie follows the lives of Julia Child, the French Chef who was the first widely known television cook. The movie also follows the life of Julie Powell, a New York blogger who became famous for making all 534 recipes in Child’s famous cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, in just one year. The silent star of the movie is the cooking equipment used to cook these grand meals. Mauviel copper cookware was featured in the movie, as well as cast iron and ceramic pots and bakeware. At MetroKitchen, we love the foodie movies and cant wait to see it.

Mauviel Copper Cookware

“Julie & Julia” is a post from: MetroKitchen Blog

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