Monday night is not traditionally turkey night in my house, but after a recent trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond, where once more I was unable to resist my silicone fetish, dropping into Ralph's for a fresh bird on the way home was de rigueur...
Now, I've eaten Turkey all over the world, and wherever I go there's always someone who swears that their regional flavor is the best. Smoked, glazed, whatever, there's a plethora of recipes, but what I've learnt is, without a good industrial-strength baster, you might as well leave the bird on the wire.
Basting a bird in a blazing hot oven is not a laughing matter. That's why we're so impressed by the Silicone Standing Baster. Designed by Lucas Bignon (from the Luka design studio he founded with Mathieu Lion), It's made of Lexan polycarbonate and features an insulating silicone bulb. This revolutionary kitchen tool does more than just baste. Get this, the silicon bulb is flat on the end, its freestanding, that right, it stands upright on its base to separate fat from lean juices, That kept our counter top, relatively spill-free. A cook under control might scratch relative part of that.
It can easily be used with one hand, making it ideal for the Galloping Gourmets among us. The baster in one hand and a glass of Charles Shaw in the other.
Do I need to tell you that the bird was basted to perfection? But it's not just for Turkeys, this baster will work safely and sagely on all types of meat.
The Silicon Standing Baster is conveniently marked with ounces and millimeters. When you're (well) done, it can be dismantled for easy cleaning with the included cleaning brush and its totally dishwasher safe.
Standing 11.5 inches tall makes it a giant, and its the only turkey baster we know that you'll find in New York's MOMA.
Of course no turkey baster story would be complete without a reference to Melissa Etheridge... And Dave Crosby. Although I hasten to add they don't officially endorse this model... You can get yours for around $10 at Amazon.com. Indispensible and belonging in any aspirants of the Essential Kitchen's Kitchen. (Buy the Bible if you don't own it already - The Essential Kitchen : Basic Tools, Recipes, and Tips for a Complete Kitchen).
The Silicon Standing Baster, designed by Lucas Bignon and Mathieu Lion and available in the US from ISI can be found at Amazon.com Silicone Standing Baster
