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Ki t c h e n wa re N e ws & H o u s e wa re s Re vi e w S h o w D a i l y S a t u rd a y, M a rc h 1 5 , 2 0 1 4 8 6 HERB MEZZALUNA FROM MICROPLANE Expanding its expertise in engineering extremely sharp and effective cutting tools for professional and home kitchens, Microplane ® launches its innovatively designed Herb Mezzaluna (model 48008) sporting a unique retractable blade. The new Herb Mezzaluna debuts at the 2014 International Home & Housewares Show. Microplane's booth number is S312. Also known as an herb chopper, the mezzaluna is a specialty tool made with either one or two crescent shaped blades typically attached to a top handle. The name "mezzaluna" comes from the Italian words, "half moon," in reference to the curved blades. Microplane's new Herb Mezzaluna re-energizes and mod- ernizes the traditional mezzaluna with a distinctively modern and smart design to make prepping a full array of herbs, as well as other commonly used ingredients, faster, easier, and more convenient. Ideal for chopping and mincing leafy herbs, such as basil, rosemary, cilantro and parsley, the Herb Mezzaluna can also be used with any other fresh or dried herb. In addition, the Herb Mezzaluna makes fast work out of prepping aromat- ics, such as onions and garlic, as well as chocolate and nuts. Engineered from surgical grade steel, the Herb Mezzuluna's extraordinar- ily sharp dual blades are cleverly designed to retract completely inside the tool for the ultimate in safety, blade pro- tection, and compact storage between uses. Though small in scale, the compact and versatile Herb Mezzaluna delivers superior results with minimal effort and absolutely no need for knife skills. When ready to chop herbs and other ingredients on cutting boards, the Herb Mezzaluna's enclosed dual blades come to the surface by simply pulling out and lifting the lever located at the base. The same lever can be pulled and lifted again to easily retract the blades when ready to store. Top rack dishwasher safe, the Herb Mezzaluna has an ergonomically designed soft grip handle, and is styled in crisp white with dill green accents. Available at retail nationwide in April 2014, the Microplane Herb Mezzaluna retails for $13.95. ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE CONNECTED COOK The Panasonic SB-ZB2502 Bread Maker with its Yeast and Raisin and Nut Dispenser will not be on the market until 2016, but it made its bow this year at the 2014 International CES. The bread maker includes a gluten-free mode and 27 pre-set menu options. It doesn't extract the gluten, so if you put gluten in, you're going to get gluten out, but if you're using gluten-free ingredients to start with, this breadmaker will bake the bread so that the gluten-free ingredients turn out their best. "This is the Rolls Royce of bread makers," says Panasonic's product manager Nick Monaco. Panasonic has bread makers that will dispense nuts and raisins or the yeast already on the market, but this will be the first to do both. The suggested retail price is expected to be $299, and it's expected to be ready for shipment in January 2016. Also introduced at CES was the NC- ZA1 Fully Automatic Coffee Maker, which has a color touch screen operation, six pre-set menu options and the space- saving rectangular styling that Panasonic does so beautifully. Its water tank, waste container and brewing unit are all front- loaded, and Panasonic promises easy cleaning. Suggested retail price will be $1,199, and it'll be on the market in 2015, with shipments available in the spring. The Netchef G2 is a handy counter- top device designed to hook the home cook up with every recipe, cooking video and kitchen tip list that the Internet ever dreamed of. The device, offered by Chino, Calif.-based Sungale Electronics, introduced a new model, the PF-810 at the 2014 International CES along with an array of other devices significantly less interesting for the kitchen-obsessed. This little device, though, is a home cook's dream. Not a tablet, it's a box about the size of a box of dried pasta, with a screen that's slanted at an angle that's convenient for viewing when you're standing at a countertop. Connected to the home's WiFi system, the Netchef provides instant access to a database of 2,000 preloaded recipes that can be searched by categories, including which meal the dish is for, whether it's gluten-free, the dish's protein component and more. It's also preloaded with links to many popular cooking websites. A fan of Jamie Oliver? His website is there. Count on Allrecipes.com to deliver crowd wis- dom? It's there. Need a video to show you how to chiffonade? Or some encouraging words from Julia Child, who could always make a kitchen disaster seem like nothing more serious than a merry little inconvenience. Somebody somewhere has put that on the Web, and Netchef can find it. "With two hi-fi speakers, the quality is very good," says Sungale spokesman Peter Gu. This new model, the PF-810 even has a camera, so the device can be used for chatting. "Is this how it's supposed to look, Mom?" And just to emphasize even more how much thought this product's designers have put into the conditions under which a kitchen device operates, it's even waterproof. If a little cake batter gets spattered on it or the pasta water splashes onto it, it can simply be wiped off with no damage done. The Netchef retails for $269.99 and is currently being sold on Amazon and SkyMall. For more information, contact Peter Gu at Sungale Electronics, 909.902.1807 X 114. For those who are comfortable tak- ing their iPads into the kitchen with them, CTA Digital is bringing out a line of accessories to help them stay out of the splashes while displaying their content at a convenient viewing angle and distance. The CTA Digital Bamboo Cutting Board with Stand for iPad and Knife Storage is made of naturally strong and antibacterial bamboo. This modern cut- ting board includes an easy-to-attach stand that raises the iPad to hold and pro- tect it from chopping debris. It can be re- configured to make a larger 18.75 inches wide block. Eight built-in storage slots hold various kitchen knives, and a match- ing bamboo stylus pen is included to help keep the screen clean. It is compati- ble with iPad (2nd – 4th Generation), iPad Air and iPad Mini. The CTA Digital Bamboo Adjustable Kitchen Stand for iPad with Knife Storage adjusts to three positions for optimal viewing angle, and can hold the tablet vertically or horizontally. It also has storage slots for up to four kitchen knives and the included matching bamboo stylus, and can lay flat or col- lapse for storage. It is also compatible with iPad (2nd – 4th Generation), iPad Air and iPad Mini. CTA Digital also offers a paper towel holder with a gooseneck stand for an iPad. A simple and elegant stainless steel vertical paper towel holder for the kitchen table or countertop features a removable 7.5-inch gooseneck tablet holder. The universal tablet holder is compatible with iPad Air, iPad (2nd-4th Gen) iPad mini and other tablets of simi- lar dimension. Each of the three iPad holders from CTA Digital are slated to be available for purchase during the first quarter of 2014. For more information, contact Amna Nadim (marketing@ctadigital.com) 512- 632-6058. On a rather larger scale, Samsung showed off its new Chef Collection appliances this year at 2014 International CES. The refrigerator is the first of the line, which will eventually also include a range, microwave oven and dishwasher, all of which were developed in partner- ship with chefs who contributed their ideas to the design process. For instance, in the refrigerator that's pioneering the line, there's a pan inside that can be used as a marinating basin. When the meat or seafood is ready to cook, the pan pulls out to be used in the oven. After the meal is on the table, the pan goes into the dish- washer. And because a home cook's stor- age needs may change depending on whether the refrigerator is being stocked with the extra ice for a party or the week's grocery shopping, the lower right compartment switches from fridge to freezer at the flip of a switch. The refrig- erator has a 34 cubic feet capacity. The suggested retail price is not yet available, but the model will be available to ship in spring 2014. Samsung also showed another new refrigerator (model RH22H9010SR) that includes a series of showcases that store frequently used items at the front of the refrigerator. The door-within-a-door at the back of the showcase compartments gives access to the more long-term stor- age items at the back. Capacity is 22 cubic feet. No retail price is available yet for this model either, and it will also be available for shipment in spring 2014. CAPRESSO FOR BARISTA TECHNIQUE AT HOME Featuring an advanced pump boiler sys- tem and two filter choices, the commer- cial-grade Capresso EC PRO Professional Espresso & Cappuccino Machine is an ideal choice for brewing cafe-quality espresso and cappuccino at home. The EC PRO is equipped with two filter options that allow coffee lovers at any skill level to prepare barista-quality espresso. The heavy-duty double spout espresso filter, designed for beginners, is convenient and easy to use, brewing one or two espressos at a time. The filter's sieve helps produce an ideal brew quick- ly and easily, by creating optimal pres- sure without having to perfect tamp or grind size. Ideal for expert home brewers and those looking to improve their barista skills, the EC PRO's bottomless espresso filter lets users brew barista style. Unlike the double spout filter sieve, the pressure in this sieve is built up based on grind size and tamp. The bottomless sieve pro- duces a richer, thicker crema and a hotter brew because the espresso has less con- tact with the surfaces of the portafilter. Letting users look and learn, the bot- tomless filter's brewing process is visi- ble, to allow the user to analyze tech- nique and make adjustments accordingly. The EC PRO features an advanced pump boiler system that maintains a reservoir of hot water at the perfect espresso brewing temperature for a faster, hotter and more consistent brew. Unlike Thermoblock brewing systems, which only heat two to three ounces of water at a time, this pump boiler system keeps six ounces of water at the ideal brewing temperature, for a consistent temperature in every shot with hotter and faster steaming of milk. Featuring heavy-duty stainless steel construction, the EC PRO comes with a 42-ounce removable water container, easy-to-read indicator lights for On/Off and Coffee/Steam, a handy coffee scoop/tamper, and a high-pressure com- mercial style power frother to create per- fect microfoam for cappuccinos and lattes. The stainless steel cup warming tray and drip tray add functionality and visual appeal. The drip tray removes easily for cleaning. The Capresso EC PRO Professional Espresso & Cappuccino Machine is available at specialty retailers, including- www.capresso.com, with an actual retail price of $249.99.