Stacey Ballis's Profile

Good knives are a must, and when you go Kitchenaid mixer, try the seven quart, its a game changer, especially around the holidays.

But my one total splurge item? A Thermomix. It has changed the way I cook. It is ridonculously expensive, around $1500, and you have to figure out a way to smuggle one in from Canada since they don't sell them here, but this appliance does the work of eleven others, and will completely revolutionize your culinary endeavors. I don't know how I ever survived without mine.

I have to defend both Michael Ruhlman and his Badass spoon. (we are not friends, I don't know him, and yes, I have this spoon)

While yes, there are plenty of perforated spoons out on the market for much less cash, this one I found to be different. First off, it is made of very heavy steel, with a nice long handle. The heft makes it comfortable, and also helps to keep it cool while in use. The length makes it a very useful tool especially for those of us who like to cook large quantities in deep pots.

But in terms of egg poaching, what makes it different from your usual slotted spoon are two very distinct features. One, the bowl is much more rounded and has a deeper profile, which truly cradles the egg, and prevents it from slipping off the way eggs can do in a flatter profile spoon. And the perforations are slightly smaller, and more well-spaced than I have found in other spoons, meaning that you don't accidentally end up with just an egg yolk in your spoon.

$27 is an investment for any kitchen tool. But this is not some cheap item stamped out by the millions. This is a high quality tool of exceptional design, being produced in limited quantities and promoted by the man who helped create it.

I paid full price happily for mine because my fiance is a major poached-egg guy, and I know that this tool will be in our arsenal getting good use in a variety of ways for the rest of our lives. Would I recommend it for everyone? Of course not. If you don't make a lot of poached eggs, for which this was designed, then a much less expensive tool will serve you fine.

I am glad that people like Michael Ruhlman are putting quality products out in the world for home cooks like me. He sees a problem in his own kitchen or cooking and works with designers to see if he can fix it or make it better. And he isn't some celebrity hack slapping their name on cheaply made and mostly useless stuff all over the stores and magazines. Unless you read blogs like this, or Michael's or follow people like me on Twitter, you are unlikely to even know about this product.

I think we should get back to the age of buying high quality items that last a lifetime, instead of the cheap versions that have to be replaced every couple of years. And if you totally disagree and want to tell me so, pop over to my blog www.thepolymathchronicles.blogspot.com or follow me on twitter @staceyballis and tell me so....always up to hear the other side of the story!