As any new mother can attest, having children often means choosing between productive time spent in the kitchen or pleasurable time with the children. Pam Abrams has written a book, Gadgetology, that is filled with ideas for combining the two.
Creative Uses for Kitchen Gadgets
The idea behind many of the fun games and crafts in Gadgetology is to use a kitchen gadget for its intended purpose in one of the simple recipes provided, then use the gadget in a creative way that both teaches and entertains children while in the kitchen. One example is using a box grater in an easy lasagna recipe that a child can help with, then using the grater to create pretty stained-glass paper.
Kitchen Tools
There's no need to have a stocked gourmet kitchen to make good use of Gadgetology. Most of the 35 gadgets referred to in this fun book can be found in every kitchen, including a peeler, grater, cookie cutter, garlic press, melon baller, salad spinner, tongs and whisk. If not already on hand, all of the gadgets can be purchased inexpensively in a family shopping trip which will surely build anticipation for the next project.
Sample Recipe & Project
Gadget: Rotary Beater
Project: Snow-covered candles, making whipped cream, turn heavy cream into butter, learning to beat egg whites until stiff (instructions for all included in book).
Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancakes
Makes 12 to 15 pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole or 2 percent milk
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- Jelly or jam in your favorite flavor
Directions:
- Combine the flour, brown sugar, and baking powder together in a medium-size bowl.
- Place the peanut butter and eggs into a large bowl. Beat together with a rotary beater until the peanut butter is softened. Add the milk and melted butter and beat until well blended. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula.
- Heat a griddle over medium-high heat. Pour the pancake batter onto the hot griddle, aiming to make each pancake four to five inches in diameter. Cook until bubbles pop and stay open, about 2 minutes, then flip and cook until the under-side is just browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Spread a heaping teaspoon of jelly on half of the pancakes. Cover each with another pancake and serve sandwich-style. No syrup is required, and forks are optional!
Title: Gadgetology
Author: Pam Abrams
Publisher: Harvard Common Press, 90 pages, $14.95
ISBN: 978-1-55832-346-9
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