Random.org came up with Kelly Furlong-Rezac (FaceBook) and Tanya (blog.) Throw away that dental floss, ladies – you are the lucky winners of this great tool.

Thanks everyone for playing! More giveaways coming…

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My favorite smaller food-related news stories and products that made it in under the radar:

Very Culinary (that’s me!) now has a FaceBook Fan Page. Do you “Like” me? Stop on over and play.

If you’re into FourSquare…and eating, you’ll like this – Making Lunch a Social Networking Game.

Future in cooking? Check out The William – A touchscreen stove-top, with up to 21 cooking areas, and over 1,500 independently-heated touch-sensitive honeycombs.

Food words rejected by the Oxford English Dictionary.

Top 5 Culinary Absurditites at Comic-Con.

Food for Sex: Top 10 Foods to Help Get It On.

Highest-Calorie Beverages in America.

PaulaDeenisms – A daily soundbite and video from the woman who brought us deep-fried butter.

An age-reversing chocolate bar? I’ll take a carton, please.

Product Find: Shark Fin Tea Infuser.

Product Find: Chef’s pencil set. Clever, cute, and useful.

Product Find: The Cookie-Dunking Mug.

Product Find: Scoop Strainer/Colander .

Product Find: Gluttony Pants, with 3 waistband buttons per level of gluttony.

Product Find: Unique Ice Cube Trays.

Product Find: The Camera Lens Mug.

Product Find: The ToastE/R.

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A few weeks ago, I got a fat package from the lovely people at OXO. (And when I say lovely, I mean killer, fantastic, and all around sensational.) I don’t remember the day or time, what I was wearing…had I even showered yet? Don’t know. Don’t care. I just remember the box had an OXO sticker on it, which immediately triggered a squeal so loud that dogs could hear me from the next county over.

The box included a large amount of products to try out and review. Somebody pinch me.

There, right at the top, was this tool – a Corn Peeler. Since corn is at it’s peak right now, and our weekly trip to the Farmer’s Market includes a batch, I got right to it.

If you’re grilling corn to simply eat it right off the cob (dental floss stand by), clearly there’s no use for this. But, if you’re grilling corn because you want those pretty kernels in a bowl, or need them for a recipe, then this handy dandy tool is, well, handy. And dandy.

It felt sturdy, comfortable in my hand with it’s non-slip grip, and cut the kernels with ease. Also, they designed it so that the blade is positioned at the perfect angle, making sure you can’t cut to shallow or too deep. I like that it’s dishwasher safe, and an added bonus is the clear plastic cover that protects the blade.

Sure, you can just use a knife…and run the risk of cutting yourself. And having uneven kernels. Where’s the fun in that?

The Giveaway
Two lucky readers have a chance to win one. And there are two ways to enter: (1) leave a comment on this blog or (2) become a fan on Facebook by clicking the “like” button, then leave a comment on The Wall, so I know that you did.

The drawing closes on Friday, September 3rd at 8pm PST.

To get you in the mood, try this grilled corn with Feta and Lime. Oh me, oh my.

Print this recipe (cooking method adapted slightly, but ingredients unchanged, from Greg at Sippity Sup!)

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Meat Sauce Macaroni c/o Teczcape

Tigerfish reminds us that part of the fun in cooking is that there are few rules. By simply playing around with different ingredients, you can get a wonderful, flavorful meal like this one. Tigerfish is one smart lady (maybe that's why she also has a cookbook coming out in the Fall.)

Buckwheat Mischiglio with Pickled Radishes c/o Maybelles Mom

Maybelle's Mom describes this dish so beautifully that I was hanging on every detail of her story. Some people have such a way with the written word, that you get swept up in it, you know? It's also in the triple digits where I live, so a cold pasta dish like this would really hit the spot!

Penne Pasta with Pan Roasted Veggies (c/o Queen of my Kitchen)

Adapted from the Cooks Country magazine, Supriya brings us a quick and healthy meal that's perfect for during the week...after a long day at the office or chasing kids - Can I see a show of hands?

Pasta with Butter, Sage, and Parmesan c/o Sidewalkshoes

Butter, sage, and Parmesan. Do I really need to go on? Oh, okay...In Pam's own words, "Simple, creamy, and good." I believe her. I totally believe her. And p.s. - Pam not only makes food magic with her camera, but she's also part of Project 365, taking random snapshots, one day at a time. (For the record, I made it to day 11. Fail.)

Smoked Salmon Pasta alla Paola Boriosi c/o Think On It

I always have Salmon in the house, so I was delighted to find another recipe incorporating it. And there's also cream...my love for you knows no bounds. Judith points out that this is an extremely fast dish, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go!

Pennette with Summer Squash and Ricotta c/o Eats Well With Others

This has ricotta and Parmesan in it...like there's any chance it won't be wonderful. And it comes from a trusted source. Joanne is going to be a doctor some day, you know. And save the world. Or at least keep everyone's belly full. And p.s. Joanne, where did you get that plate? I want a set.

Creamy Tomato Pepper Sauce with Sausage over Penne c/o Pots and Plots

Lucky for us there was a crazy motorcycle rally, resulting in Kait not wanting to leave her house. She was able to create a simple dish in about 20 minutes. All from common pantry ingredients. And she's sharing the wonderful result with all of us. Can't wait for the next biker extravaganza to roll through town!

Fusilli with Potatoes, Tomatoes and Herbs c/o The Spamwise Chronicles

Here, Stash takes us on a little trip to Naples (okay, I'm in!), and explains that potatoes are actually considered a vegetable there. So before you get all judgmental about combining starches, remember the Italians. They are genius. And if that doesn't work, read the rest of the ingredients, which also include heirloom tomatoes, caramelized shallots, and fresh herbs. Yes, please.

Creamy Carrot, Leek and Sausage Pasta c/o Tamarind and Thyme

Nothing like a great, creamy pasta dish to kick that cooking mojo right back into our pants. Su-Lin knows all about that. And for the record, I love that she substituted leeks for the onion. Very good call.

Pesto Rosso Farfalle with Lemon c/o From Kirsten’s Kitchen to Yours

Kirsten reminded me of how much I miss my garden and fresh basil. Waaaa. BUT, she also reminded me that there are other pesto variations, and this one in particular calls for sun-dried tomatoes. Bonus, you can use this sauce during the winter months when fresh basil isn't available. Kirsten, where were you when I lived in Minnesota?!

Rotini Cilantro Pesto Pasta c/o Super Yummy Recipes

Looking for a quick meal that you and the kids will surely love? Look no further. Satya says this is creamy and not terribly spicy. And you can feel good about serving it because of the health benefits from cilantro, parsley, and nuts.

Improv Lasagna c/o Honey From Rock

Once you have freshly made pasta..well, your heart fills up and life is never the same again. Claudia knows what I'm talking about. She makes her own. From scratch. And with this recipe, she added wine to the dough. Claudia, anytime you want to have me over for dinner...

Pasta alla Formiana c/o Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

In this dish, Reeni explains that the pasta cooks right in the sauce while it bakes, encompassed in fresh tomatoes and seasoned with inordinate amounts of oregano. She said they lapped it up like hungry dogs. Now that's an endorsement hard to beat! Hop on over there and look at her pretty pictures. Drool.

Penne with Sausage and Leek Sauce c/o Little Bit of Everything

Julie brings us a simple pasta dish, packed with flavor and beautiful colors from leeks and peas. Yep, green is my favorite color.

In The Mood For Feta c/o Comfy Cook

Just because something is no fuss, doesn't mean it has to be boring. Case in point - this dish from Chaya. She made it for lunch, but no doubt it would be great for dinner also. Feta is so delish. I bet it makes all the other cheeses jealous.

Aaaaand….here’s mine again.

Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Artichokes, and Cream

Thanks for a fabulous round-up! I’m heading to the kitchen to try some of my new pasta recipes. Start preparing your entries for next week, which will actually be hosted by the mastermind, herself, Ruth of Once Upon A Feast. Send your entries to: ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.

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I like this pasta dish almost as much as this one. Ya ya, it has cream in it, too. Remember when I said that recipes with sesame oil get my attention? Well, pasta dishes with cream have the same effect. So sue me. Come on, people…live a little! It’s not like it’s high fructose corn syrup or aspartame. It comes from a cow. Mooooo. Let’s clog up those arteries with something that’s natural and makes us feel good.

Ah, I kid.

Not really.

I stole this one from Joanne. I have a Joanne folder. I really do. If you hung out at her place as much as I do, you would too. Although she was silly and used almond milk and half n half, instead of cream. But she’s an M.D. in training, and a marathon runner. So I cut her a little slack.

Seriously, don’t miss out. It’s a my-belly-is-so-full-but-my-mouth-wants-more type of pasta extravaganza.

Next week we will discuss my love for Cool Whip.

Ah, I kid.

Not really.

Print this recipe (adapted from the fabulous Joanne at Eats Well With Others)

**This Friday I have the honor of hosting the popular Presto Pasta Nights, created by Ruth of Once Upon A Feast. Check out the submission rules and come join in the fun. Send me your entries by Thursday night, the 26th, at: amy (at) veryculinary (dot) com.

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