I’ve always preferred homemade salad dressing. It’s SO much tastier than the majority of commercial brands. I honestly can’t tell you why I don’t make it more often. If I owned the Emulstir Emulsifier and Salad Dressing Maker, I probably would.

(This in turn means I would eat more salad, something I’ve needed to do for a LONG time. If you are in the same boat, I suggest you add this to your ‘must buy’ list.)

This handy gadget looks like it’s very easy to use. You simply remove the lid and add whatever ingredients you will be utilizing… oil, vinegar, your favorite herbs. Next, you replace the lid and squeeze the handle a few times to blend.

Thanks to the nifty stir stick, your recipe will be mixed to perfection. What could be simpler than that?

The acrylic container is dishwasher safe. It is suitable for refrigerating any leftover dressing, if it isn’t gobbled up immediately.

There are countless salad dressing recipes, on the Internet. I’m going to order an Emulstir and start making a list of all of the yummy dressings I want to make. If you have a recipe you’d like to throw my way… remember, there’s no time like the present.

My ex-hubby received a GT Xpress 101 as a gift and has already called me to tell me how much he loves it. So, of course, I’ve added it to my ever growing wish list.

(Honestly, I’ve wanted one for awhile, but have never made the purchase. Bad Merry!)

Reviews are mixed on this product, but I’m going to take the plunge anyway. There are complaints about the non-stick coating chipping off, from some. However, I just read on one of the cooking forums  I frequent that this is due to spraying the wells with cooking spray. It is suggested that you use cooking oil, instead.

I feel the GT Xpress 101 is a step up from my beloved sandwich maker. Why? Because it can handle SO much more than just sandwiches, omelets and mini cakes.

Performing a quick Google search, I was able to locate scads of delicious sounding recipes for the product. A few of these dishes include: Teriyaki Salmon with Wasabi Mayonnaise, Mexican Pizza Roll-Ups, Chicken with Corn and Tomato Salsa and Spicy B-B-Q ‘Fried’ Boneless Pork Chops. YUM!

If you have one of these at home, PLEASE take a couple of minutes and share your thoughts and experiences with all of us. What types of recipes have you found the most success with? Inquiring (and hungry) minds want to know.

If you do a lot of baking, have I got an oven rack for you… the Nifty Oven Rack, that is! It’s actually a 3-tier rack that can withstand the weight of three heavy casserole dishes with ease. I can already envision it in my oven, next Thanksgiving.

As you can see in the photo, you still have room for a large size roasting pan when using the Nifty Rack. That means… turkey, green bean casserole, candied yams, my hubby’s delicious stuffed peppers and homemade rolls. Ok, everybody say ‘YUM’!

It seems to me that this rack could also be used to bake cookies, provided that your baking sheets are the right size. This could end up to be a huge time saver if you have been recruited to bake a zillion cookies, for your child’s next school-sponsored bake sale.

I think the Nifty Rack would also work as a plate warmer, if you happen to be entertaining. Martha Stewart would be proud and your guests will be appreciative.

It folds flat, for easy and convenient storage. It’s easy to assemble as well as dishwasher safe. Since this rack is constructed of nickel chrome plated steel, it is durable enough to last a lifetime.

Several months ago, I used and reviewed a popular crock pot liner on my personal cooking blog Merry’s kitchen.

Since it continues to be one of the most popular posts, I decided to do a bit of research to locate a similar (less-expensive) product.

Imagine my delight, when I found EZPANS Crock Pot Liners. They are much more affordable than the name brand I tried and look as though they will do the job just as well.

(Considering, today’s economy we need to save money whenever we can, right?)

Whether you use your slow cooker all the time or occasionally these EZPANS liners will save you tons of cleanup time, not to mention elbow grease. The best news is that they can be used in other size pans, as well.

The bags are constructed from nylon and can withstand temperatures up to 400°. They are available for, both, restaurant and in-home use.

It stands to reason that large restaurants could easily use fifty to a hundred EZPANS liners per day. This could be a real water saver, because there would obviously be fewer pans to wash.

I gave the name brand crock pot liners a five-star recommendation. The only reason I have not used them more is because of the price.

I’ve already placed my order for the EZPANS brand and suggest that you do the same. You’ll be surprised by the economical price. I sure was!

Happy slow cooking!

Since Valentine’s Day is almost here, I wanted to mention one of my favorite treats, Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Telling you that I love this confection is a HUGE understatement.

It all started when the Terry family opened their chocolate factory in Clementhorpe, York England in 1886. At the time, they saw real potential in regard to the popularity of chocolate.

To tell the truth, this Chocolate Orange and I go way back. Receiving one in my stocking was a holiday tradition, all through my growing up years. Whenever I eat one, it transports me back to those glorious times.

For those who have never had the pleasure of eating a Terry’s Chocolate Orange, it is truly a FUN candy. To eat it properly you ‘whack’ it on a hard surface (such as a table) and it magically separates in 20 orange-like sections. How cool is that?

This chocolate treat was introduced in 1949. It was actually produced after the chocolate apple, which came to be in 1926 and was discontinued in 1954.

Terry’s Chocolate Orange is available in, both, milk and dark chocolate varieties. The same creamy chocolate and orange goodness is available in bar and single segment form, as well.

Last but not least… Terry’s White Chocolate ‘Snowball’ is a much anticipated holiday treat.