GO GO GADGET GARLIC GRIPPER!

Spring has sprung.  That means that the urge to purge has come upon me.  Actually I love the idea of purging, anytime, anywhere.  Husband has more of the natural "collecting" instincts.  So it is a bit of an uphill battle in our household!

I was rummaging through an upper cupboard shelf when I found a lonely and dusty bagel cutting device.  What was I thinking that I needed something just for cutting a circular piece of bread in half?!

Despite my pursuit of keeping the house looking more tidy, I love the idea that (useful) retro kitchen gadgets are becoming popular again.  You know the ones I mean, the items that are lurking in the back of your cupboard or pantry.  Until recently they lived a very lonely existence watching their friends getting all the action.  Now people are developing an appetite for things such as a melon baller, egg slicers and salad spinners.  Although I must say, I didn't know that the spinner was ever out of style.  Collectors are also looking for kitchen tools that are for display purposes as well.  Avocado green never looked so groovy!

According to the 'Daily Mail', a U.K. publication, the following are the top 10 gadgets making a comeback in a big way:

1. Cafetiere (thought these are trendy!)
2. Fondue set (have a chocolate version!)
3. Egg slicer
4. Melon baller (love this one!)
5. Garlic press
6. Microwave omelet maker
7. Salad spinner (I use this one all the time)
8. Apple corer
9. Spaghetti server (needed mine the other day!)
10. Old cookbooks

Carol

Poor Susan's Got a Bad Rep!

Lazy Susans today
kitchenideas.com.au

Sometimes I wonder about the strangest things.  For instance, where did the Lazy Susan come from?  A bit of research has shown that this handy device was first used in the 1700's.  There is no official record of who first invented it, but there is a popular belief that Thomas Jefferson may have been the brains behind it.

Before 1917, the Lazy Susan was called a Dumbwaiter.  Now there is another funny name for a useful device, rarely used now.  Why was it called a Susan?  Why not Mary or what about Betty?  The old brown teapot is called a Brown Betty.  Wow, there is no end to the funny names, is there?  Back in the 18th century, servants were called Susans.  To use this device meant that a maid wasn't doing her duty, therefore it was called a 'Lazy Susan'.

Thomas Jefferson

Susan B. Anthony

 Another theory is one connected to the late 19th/early 20th century women's rights activist named Susan B. Anthony.  Her opposers called her lazy and her writings were dubbed lazy Susans.  Hmmm...I wonder if things ever got violent resulting in a black-eyed Susan?! 

One type of Lazy Susan
ebay.com

Lazy Susans were first used for meal service in a home or restaurant.  Rotating bases of multiple heights made for easy food access at different angles.  Others were single or multi-level, sectioned serving dishes.  Well into the 20th century, this device became fitted into kitchen cupboards.  Now they're evolved into all shapes, sizes and materials, normally hidden from view.

dailymail.co.uk

Despite its long past, we tend to think of the Lazy Susan as a retro kitchen accessory, much like a crock pot, mixer or fondue sets.  Traditional kitchen gadgets, accessories and small appliances are becoming fashionable again these days, as home-cooked meals are on the rise. 

So get out there cooking and entertaining!  We are out of winter hybernation (those of us in the Northern Hemisphere).  Brush the sleep out of our eyes and get moving!

Carol