Cutting-edge kitchen critter
Pigs make regular kitchen appearances as knickknacks, cutting boards and serving pieces. So imagine serving salumi or chopping vegetables on this slate-colored critter from Epicurean, a Minnesota-based maker of eco-friendly cutting boards. Made from a wood-based product and food-safe resin, this porcine creation (roughly 11 by 16 inches) is dishwasher safe, knife friendly and certified by the National Sanitary Foundation and the Forest Stewardship Council. It’s $34.95 at Crate & Barrel. A store locator is at crateandbarrel.com.
Cool off with cocktail pops
A solution for those immersed in the sultry dog days of summer might be Laura Fyfe’s new book, “Poptails: Over 40 Alcohol-Infused Popsicles, Ices and Slushes” (Spruce, $12.99). Fyfe offers some poptail prep coaching, from making a sugar syrup to turning the mixtures into slushes or pops. There are 40 recipes, including a rum-flavored melon daiquiri, a vodka-spiked gazpacho and a bourbon-and-mint blueberry pop, all designed to inspire your own creativity. At amazon.com.
Going for the hearty grains
Those looking for more protein in a morning bowl of flakes might try two new additions to Post’s Great Grains line of cereals. The Protein Blend Cinnamon Hazelnut (our favorite) and Protein Blend Honey, Oats & Seeds each have 8 grams of protein per 1 cup - a few grams more than other Great Grains cereals. Amping up protein in the cinnamon hazelnut are almonds and pea protein. The honey version includes almonds, pea protein plus pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds. Suggested retail price for a 14.75-ounce box: $4.99. A store locator is at greatgrains.com.
