I'm sure I've mentioned on this blog before how much of a gadget gal I am.
I love gadets and tools and anything that makes life, projects and activities that much easier to navigate. My latest gadget obsession (make that gadet aquisition) is tied to this bowl of juicy strawberries.
You can almost taste them through the screen, can't you?
OK, now let's talk about my new gadget. Perhaps many of you are already familiar with this little kitchen tool. I personally had never seen one of these before.
It's a strawberry pitter or at least that's what I call it because it works just like a cherry pitter which I am familiar with. Actually Williams-Sonoma calls it a Chef n' Huller.
It has a sharp, closed, metal claw that opens up when you push the lever underneath.
This is super easy to use and even safe for older kiddos to handle. I think it puts a little fun into strawberry preps.
Open up the metal claw and stick the prongs into the strawberry. Twist and pull and the stem and leaves are cleanly separated from the fruit.
It takes a little practice to get the twist just right but once you've done three strawberries you'll have the hang of it.
This is so much more economical than the way I used to remove the stems. I used to just slice the stem and leaves off and in the process lost much of the strawberry along with it.
The other benefit is that the little cavity that is created when the stem and leaves are removed can be filled with other tasty things-like whipped cream.
Yummy!
I think this is cute. You can't leave these cream-filled strawberries out too long or the cream will go all soupy on you.
I suggest you fill the strawberries, freeze them and pull them out just before serving.
This is such a simple gadget. Since it's new to me, I still find it pretty novel.
Since I'm pretty smitten with this gadget and because I really appreciate your support of my blog, I thought it would be fun to giveaway a couple of these fun gadgets.
Leave a comment identifying one of your favorite gadgets and how you use it. It can be a food or kitchen or craft tool or whatever gadget you'd like to share. My guess is that everyone reading this is probably a "gadget person" too.
Tweet about this contest and leave a separate post to increase your chances.
Be sure to list your favorite gadget between now and Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at midnight EST.
Meanwhile, you may recall I mentioned in my Creative Connection post last week that you'll start to see a few changes around here as I continue to evolve as a blogger and tweak my site in new ways.
Among several new columns planned, I'll be sharing a post like this one from time to time, that I will put in the category of Fun Finds.
As always, thanks for your support and interest in my creative efforts.
Now, time to eat some strawberries and cream dessert. ♥
I would have to say that my most favorite kitchen tool is a well sharpened pairing knife. Very versatile and easy to use. That is a must for my kitchen.
Posted by: Nicole Carter | October 13, 2010 at 08:52 AM
I also love, love, love gadgets, but mine are in the form of "craft" gadgets. One gadget that I simply cannot live without is my "sticker picker upper", can't remember the correct name, but it is for card making, scrapbooking, etc. Its a little tool that resembles a pencil and on one end it has a flat space for pulling up little letters and the other end is a burnisher for rubbing, etc. Its from Creative Memories and I can't live without it, I've bought over a dozen and given them away to my "scrapbooking" friends!!
Posted by: Kim Budash | October 12, 2010 at 12:33 PM
This is one nifty gadget! just when you think everything has been invented, someone comes up with this!!! as a person who loves to sew my favorite gadget is my sewing machine. in the kitchen i would probably say my cooker.
Posted by: Jackie | October 12, 2010 at 05:27 AM
love that strawberry huller.... my favorite gadget has to be the apple slicer or the electric can opener....
Posted by: karen May | October 11, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Dearest Lisa, it's nice to get to know you from BYW forum. :) You have such a beautiful space here and i really enjoyed my stay. I am a huge fan of all types of berries and this Gadget is awesome! So happy to have drop by to visit. Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | October 11, 2010 at 07:48 PM
My favorite gadget is probably my garlic genius because I love fresh garlic and use tons of it! I do love strawberries...so I'd love a strawberry gadget too!
Posted by: Jennie | October 11, 2010 at 07:14 PM
Hey! My mom and I both follow your blog.
I'd have to say my favorite gadget is this rubber garlic peeler. Its a hollow rubber tube that you just put a clove of garlic in, roll it on the counter, and out pops the garlic peeled and ready to go! Its fantastic!
Posted by: stephanie l. | October 08, 2010 at 09:57 AM
I love your strawberry gadget! I have the old plastic Tupperware gadget for strawberries and it only pulls the leaves off-lol! My favorite gadget right now is an avocado slicer I bought from Williams and Sonoma about eight years ago and just started using this Summer. I don't know what I was saving it for.
Posted by: Susi | October 07, 2010 at 07:12 PM
Pick MEEEEEEE! My favorite gadget is a cookie dough scoop that looks like an ice cream scooper.
Posted by: Julie Size | October 06, 2010 at 10:49 PM
My fav gadget is the apple peeler, it peels, slices and decores the apples all at once, no I can make pies in minutes!!! LOVE IT!!!
Posted by: Tara | October 06, 2010 at 09:39 AM
That is one super cool gadget! My favourite gadget is my avocado slicer. Peels & slices into neat, even slices with just one pull. Inspired...
Posted by: Helen Tilbury | October 06, 2010 at 07:53 AM
I've been wanting to try one of those, but couldn't justify it; I try not to have one job gadgets, since my storage space is limited.
Anyway, I'm sure you know of the Microplane graters. But I use mine for a unique purpose... when I need softened butter to spread on something, I just grate the cold butter onto the item. Melts instantly. LOVE it.
Posted by: Lisa | October 06, 2010 at 12:04 AM
Too funny that I just sat down in front of the computer with a bowl of strawberries as my mid-afternoon snack and then saw this post!
I love gadgets! My favourite is my magic bullet.
Posted by: Kara | October 05, 2010 at 03:12 PM
Now that gadget is genius... love it! My favorite gadget would have to be this 'easy opener' that I have. It breaks the seal on vacuum-sealed lids so you can simply take off the lid! Fun giveaway!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 05, 2010 at 03:02 PM
I love strawberries and that huller would be a great gadget to have.
This isn't my favorite gadget, but it is a lifesaver for me. I have a potato peeler that has a big handle. It's easier for me to grip, because of the arthritis in my hands. Especially when I am cooking for a larger group.
Posted by: Kim | October 05, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Fantastic
Posted by: Billo | October 05, 2010 at 03:47 AM
I love my cheese grater from pampered chef. I use it even to grind nuts into itty bitty pieces for ice cream toppers, or apple pizza topper.
The strawberry huller thingy looks like so much fun! We love strawberries here!
Posted by: Tiff@ThreePeas | October 04, 2010 at 02:39 PM
What a fun gadget--- love it!
Posted by: Victoria | October 04, 2010 at 01:51 PM
Favorite gadget? I think it has to be my peeler/corer/slicer. It does all three with nearly no effort.
Posted by: Brenda | October 02, 2010 at 10:09 PM
I'm a gadget gal too ... my current favorite is my apple corer/slicer. I have one at home & another in my desk drawer at the office ... for some reason an apple always tastes better to me when it's in slices (and thus I'm more likely to choose an apple for my snack rather than something not so healthy).
Posted by: SmilynStef | October 02, 2010 at 08:32 PM
Looks lethal! :o) My favourite gadget is my food processor. It kneads bread and makes making pastry a breeze...a close second is my hand blender...I use that for everything!
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | October 02, 2010 at 01:38 PM
I love strawberries. I'd love to win. I really enjoy your blog. It's always good and wholesome. I enjoy the different subjects you speak about. Love the photos too. I look forward to it each month. thanks nanette
Posted by: Nanette Butler | October 02, 2010 at 07:16 AM
Wow -- strawberry hullers have sure come a long way. I have an old one that looks more like a little mini pair of tongs. This new kind looks very cool. Ruth took my gadget of choice -- I love my ice cream scoops -- I use them for cookies and cupcakes!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | October 02, 2010 at 04:18 AM
Great little stawberry huller. I love gadgets too! I have a tomato corer that looks like a mini melon baller with teeth. I use it on tomatoes and it hulls strawberries pretty well too! I agree with Laura, the citrus peeler works like a charm! My fave is my thirty year old pear corer. Handiest thing for getting out the cores of pears and apples.
Posted by: Berta | October 02, 2010 at 01:46 AM
What a cute little thingiebob...I love it...oh how I would love to have those strawberries...hugs for a great weekend. xoxoxo
Posted by: koralee | October 01, 2010 at 11:02 PM
This is brilliant! Strawberries are my fav fruit, and this lil' gadget looks like it cuts prep time in half. :)
As for gadgets... it's hard to pick a fav. For food - love my lil' plastic citrus peeler. I was skeptical when I first bought one - but they really work! In the craft room - I can't live without my EK Success blue adhesive remover...always takes excess adhesive off in a flash without damaging your project.
Posted by: Laura | October 01, 2010 at 03:39 PM
My favorite gadget isn't really a gadget - it doesn't look like much - but it's a melon baller. I use it for cookies, meatballs, and coring apples, in addition to melons of course!
Posted by: Stephanie | October 01, 2010 at 02:17 PM
My favorite gadget would have to be the threader. That thing saved me many had headache because I have trouble threading a needle without help these days.
Posted by: Lee Ann L. | October 01, 2010 at 02:12 PM
This looks fun - but I think you should fill that little hole with chocolate first, lol! Or dip the bottom of the strawberry in chocolate.
I'm not overly fond of strawberries - I prefer raspberries - nor am I fond of gadgets, especially for food. So don't enter me, ok? I love to eat but only when someone else prepares it, lol!
Posted by: Allie | October 01, 2010 at 01:57 PM
LOVE this gadget... One of my faves is a little wooden smoosher to shape dough into mini muffin tins for pecan tassies or other tiny tarts... I would LOVE to win the Strawberry Gadget......
Posted by: Kim | October 01, 2010 at 11:43 AM
The Stem Gem looks like an awesome gadget - love it!! One favorite gadget is my microplane. LindaSonia (baddabinda@yahoo.com)
Posted by: LindaSonia | October 01, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Those look delicious! What a great gadget!
Posted by: Angela | October 01, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Awesome strawberries...I'm so hungry now! I love electronics (especially video game related-do they count as "gadgets?"), but my favorite in the kitchen is my Kitchenaid stand mixer. That thing is super!
Posted by: Jen R | October 01, 2010 at 10:01 AM
To pick just one is hard! Let's see…it has to be the simple scissors just cause i love the simple way of cutting anything into any shape!
Posted by: Iris | October 01, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Maybe you can taste them through the screen but I can smell them--yum! Haha...
I have to say one of my favorite gadgets is my simple little tailor's awl for sewing--it is indispensable for helping get things under the presser foot that are being obstinate, as well as keeping my fingers from getting to close to the steam when I'm ironing.
Posted by: Bethany | October 01, 2010 at 09:35 AM
That looks like a great gadget, all right! It do love gadgets, so it's hard to pick just one. I like scoops for cookie dough, and the serrated peeler for mangos and thin-skinned fruit... My favorite gadget I don't have yet is the tiny automatic garlic mincer.
Posted by: Ruth C | October 01, 2010 at 09:21 AM