Prodigal Ponderings — cooking RSS



Cutting Boards.......What's Your Style?

It's a given that not everyone has the same taste, nor are our needs defined identically.  That applies in the kitchen too.   Some love to cook. some don't.  Some want a well equipped kitchen, others aren't that into it and just want the basics available when they venture into their cook space.   Some are aspiring "chefs", and some are microwave aficionados.  Among those who really appreciate fine culinary tools and equipment, there are still personal preferences that dictate choices or the details that matter most.  It's one reason we try to offer something for everyone..... from the minimalist home cook to the expert chef........we believe quality is still worth investing in . The Prodigal Carpenter product line includes...

Continue reading



What's New?

By now, if you've been following our blog or other social media, you know that we have transitioned from the interior marketplace we occupied and are taking a different approach. We continue to market our creations here on our online store, however we're now taking a different approach to "brick and mortar" venues.   In our ongoing "learning" process, we realized that our "niche" products (end grain cutting boards, cheese boards, pepper mills and sets, and other culinary tools) reach our target customers best when placed in venues where compatible products are found.   Hence, we recently were welcomed to show our wares in a local olive oil and balsamic vinegar store here in our hometown. ( Olive Tree and Vine........

Continue reading



Advantages of Using Wooden Kitchen Utensils

  For centuries wood has been a popular option for cooking utensils. These days a lot of people prefer wood over other options, for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the benefits of utilizing wooden cooking utensils as opposed to metal or plastic. Wooden Utensils Will Not Scratch Your CookwareWooden utensils are easy on your pots and pans, and won’t scratch nonstick surfaces.  They’re also much “quieter” than metal utensils. Wooden Utensils Don’t Conduct HeatWooden utensils, unlike metal, don’t conduct heat…. consequently, they don’t impact cooking temperature negatively or create “hot” handles to burn your hand while cooking.  Plastic can melt if left resting in a hot pan or pot, not to mention questionable chemicals “leaching” into your...

Continue reading



Artisan Kitchen Tools and Good Food........a Perfect Match

We love good food around our house, and as excited as we get about a new shop tool.... creating or finding the perfect, quality kitchen tool is something we appreciate.  In our day of hectic lifestyles ( and we get it, time is a precious commodity) it seems the inclination is to too often resort to convenience or processed foods or eating out.  However, nutrition and variety are often the first resulting sacrifices in our food prep and consumption. There's something deeply satisfying about the feel of a well implemented saute spoon or spatula in your hand.........or dusting flour on an oversized pastry board in preparation for rolling out dough.......or the weight of a  finely crafted, wood Peppermill in your hand as...

Continue reading



How Safe is Your Cutting Board?

It’s pretty clear that we woodworkers love our wood and for me in particular I get the most satisfaction out of making  end grain cutting boards. They are beautiful, functional, durable, forgiving to your knife edges and, perhaps more importantly, they are far more bacteria resistant than the more common (and less expensive) plastic cutting boards. Of course there are other surfaces that you can use to cut on, however materials like glass or stainless steel are completely unforgiving to your knife edges. If you value your knives, you will choose wood; if you value your health, you will certainly choose wood! **We’ve attached some research articles to back up our claims so don’t just go off my opinion, however...

Continue reading