What's In Your Carry-On?

Recently there was a matter involving my hand luggage at LaGuardia security.

"Is this your bag? Please step over here." I had already prepared myself mentally that no one - certainly not a TSA agent (who it turns out loves to bake) - could resist looking through my hunter/gatherer bag. Here then is the first installment of "What's In Your Carry-On?" or what I carry with great care.

First up? Fox Run's 6 bowl covers set. Why? Assorted sizes fit everything from 3-9 inches. They're washable, portable, colorful and remind me of shower caps for picnic foods - a vague nod to Kramer making salad in his shower.

Seen it in Dallas? No

Found It: Brown and Roberts Hardware, 182 Main St, Brattleboro, Vermont
(802) 257-4566
acehardware.com

I Heard: This folksy hardware store is so good, it beat Home Depot, which pulled out of Brattleboro.

Almost made it out of Vermont Kitchen Supply before spotting this gem at the register. The store says it's the No. 1 product they sell. Called the Lily Pad Silicone Lid, you have to see it in action. The lid seals tight on all smooth rims - from stainless bowls to ceramics and plastics. You can lift the lid by its pink stem and it will not release the bowl, but it peels off easily after use. Think of it as a splatter guard in the microwave, for food storage in the fridge or freezer, and as a way to keep food warm on the table. An alternate to plastic wrap. Like the shower caps for bowls, it works for a picnic, too. The maker is Charles Viancin Group. A little extra: A simple design on the back of the package shows how the lily pad shape inspired the lid. Good touch.

Seen it in Dallas? Nope

Found It: Vermont Kitchen Supply
4712 Main St. Manchester Center, Vermont
(802) 362-0111
http://vermontkitchensupply.com

I heard: Tongue-clucking from friends, who couldn't believe I didn't show them the lid until we got to their house in Newfane. They wanted the lid, too.

I wasn't in the market for a new scale but my Escali is nearing its end and I WILL be in the market soon. I found this high-precision mini Escali version at King Arthur Flour. It only measures up to 18 ounces so I waffled on it. It did make my shopping basket for a once-around the store, then I set it back down in the section where they highlight the products they love to use in the classes taught there. I paid for my other must-haves, had a coffee outside, then sidled back in and grabbed it. You know that feeling of regret even before you've left the premises - that you'll fly home several states away and never see this product again? I couldn't risk it. I imagined myself using two scales at a time - the bigger one for the flours and the smaller one for the spices. The mini stole my heart. After all, this mini can also weigh postage!

Seen it in Dallas? Never

Found It: King Arthur Flour
135 US Route 5 South
Norwich, Vermont
(802) 649-3361
http://www.kingarthurflour.com

I've seen a chocolate thermometer in use but never knew where it came from. Why did I want it? Because it's out there! It helps you temper chocolate (the process of warming, cooling and rewarming couverture chocolate). Although a digital thermometer can do that, I like the idea of being able to see at a glance what range the chocolate's in - whether it's getting hotter or cooler. The thermometer is made of durable laboratory glass and has a non-mercuric column, whew! It comes with a yellow carrying case to keep it safe. Not a big investment, it was on sale, too.

Seen it in Dallas? Not anywhere

Found It: King Arthur Flour

Also at King Arthur and blissfully marked down was the 9-piece Fondant Punch Set from Fox Run. I had looked all over Vermont for anything that could make small, attractive holes and designs in pie dough, having succumbed to the lure of the book "Pie Pops" and its excellent cover photography (but this is for another story). Honestly, it irks my craw when something looks adorable and doable and you buy the book and then wham! It tells you they've used "a variety of novelty cookie cutters to achieve fun and interesting shapes," and if you'll just go on some British website for ideas and so on and so on. I fell for it and found nothing in the realm of outstanding online, but just to show there's no hard feelings, the author of Pie Pops is Carol Hilker and her food blog is YeastConfection.com, if you'd like to read on. The fondant punch set solves my problem. See this is what I love about King
Arthur.

In a ditch or in a pinch, they can pull you through.

Seen it in Dallas? I wish

Found it: King Arthur Flour