Clever gadgets can brighten cooking experience

By Teresa Farney

Even in this sagging economy, you can’t leave the foodies in your life high and dry when it comes time to give a gift. We looked around for some fun gadgets as well as pricier kitchen equipment for those special cooks.Here’s a peek at what we found in the $10 to $50 price range.
$10 AND LESS
Ÿ Le Creuset Silicone Pinch Bowls. Set of four flexible, 1/4-cup-capacity bowls that can be pinched to pour small amounts of herbs and seasonings. Use them to hold condiments or salad dressing. Great for organizing ingredients before starting to prepare recipes. $10 at Sparrow Hawk.
Ÿ Progressive Collapsible Silicone Measuring Cup. Expands instantly to help you accurately measure liquids. Features easy-grip handle and pouring spout. One-cup capacity. Collapses for storage to save space. $5.99 at Chefs.
Ÿ Bottle brush set. These long brushes have nylon bristles with soft polyester tips, which help prevent scratching, and stainless steel handles, which can be bent to reach awkward angles. Hang to dry on loop. The set of two brushes, one 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 10 inches long and the other 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 9 1/2 inches long, is $6.95 at Crate & Barrel (crateandbarrel.com).
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