Next time you are looking for a hard-to-find kitchen item, why not check out Fante's Kitchenware Shop. You are almost guaranteed to leave having ordered more than you were looking for. But hey, that's a good thing, 'cause you'll have it when you need it.
Fantes is an actual store in Philadelphia, and their site includes maps, traffic tips, weather tips and sightseeing recommendations, just for starters. The kitcheware section has everything from Aebleskiver pans to zesters, passing through truffle slicers and Mongolian fire pots. They have tutorials on how to use the equipment, and, of course, great recipes. So if you really want to surprise the chef in your family, look here for some neat thing they never knew they couldn't live without (besides you).
A few years ago, just about everyone I knew got a Romertopf terracotta roaster for Christmas, after I discovered how delicious and crispy bread was when made in this baker. I was unable to find them in the size I wanted anywhere else. You soak the pot it in water first, and that crisps up the dough so it comes out soft and moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. The dough is really easy too--just mix everything together, no kneading or pounding...yum...I think it's time I made some again...(see recipe below).
In addition, they carry my favorite wine stopper. You slip it over the top of the wine bottle, and when you press the lever down, the inner rubber collar expands to form a tight seal. I love wine, but no, I don't drink a bottle in one sitting. This stopper actually allows you to put the bottle on its side (in that thing in your refrigerator designed just for that, that otherwise just occupies space nothing else will fit in). No leaks, ever, and I have had mine for several years. $3.49 at Fantes.
And if you love your knives, they carry several lines of premium knives. One of the neat things here, though is the Fante's Pro line of knives. They have the same high carbon steel composition and Rockwell hardness scale as the Wusthoff Classic line, riveted handles and are also made in Solingen, Germany. So if you are a Henckel's or Wusthof fan, your money will go a lot farther, and you will be just as happy with a set of Fante's knives.
Well, I could go on and on, but that's enough for now. You'll just have to check it out and find out for yourself.
Just try not to get too carried away.
Bread recipe-adapted from Julian Street's French Brick-oven Bread (in The Clay-Pot Cookbook, by Georgia MacLeod Sales & Grover Sales)
Combine 1/2 cup of milk and 1 1/4 cup of water, add 1 1/2 tbsp. vegetable shortening, and microwave until lukewarm. Add 1 1/2 tbsp. sugar, and 1 package of yeast, and allow to start frothing while you put 4 cups of all-purpose flour (room temperature, otherwise, stick that in the microwave to take the chill off) and 2 tsp. salt in a large bowl.
Add liquids to the flour mix and stir thoroughly. Do not knead. Place dough in a well greased bowl (I usually leave it in the same bowl--the shortening keeps it from sticking too badly, and you will shape it after you take it out anyway). Cover with a damp cloth and place in a warm spot until doubled in bulk.
Soak clay pot or pots (do you want one big loaf or two small ones?) in warm water for about 15 minutes. Place a piece of folded and flattened aluminum foil in the bottom of the pan to keep the bread from sticking on the ridges. Put the dough in the soaked pot, tuck the rough side on the bottom, smooth side up. Put the lid on and allow to sit until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Put the covered pot in a cold oven, and turn the temperature to 525 degrees (yes, 525, not a typo). Bake for 45 minutes, removing the lid for the last 5 minutes to form a golden-brown crust. The hardest thing is to pull the aluminum foil out of the bottom of the loaf before serving, but it is better than not using it at all. Serve with butter, or jam, or cheese, and see if it lasts more than a day.
Fante's definitely passed the acid test for the difficult-to-find kitchen accessory. I just ordered a "Crock Stick" ceramic implement sharpener from them for 8.99. I have been coveting one of these for a while and couldn't find one anywhere, not even at the high end kitchen specialty shops like Williams Sonoma.
Also, there were loads of great gift ideas there! I loved the pie accessories - I even bought a "pie bird" - couldn't resist! Thanks for steering me to this new budget busting web site!
Posted by: Reets | August 31, 2005 at 07:14 PM