Get Terrific Turkey for a Poultry Sum...

Turkey is something that most of us cook once a year. Obviously, my slightly obsessive festive-mindedness brings turkey preparation to my thoughts around this time of the year, but the problem with a once-a-year dish is that you're not really getting any practise in. I have recipes that I make all year round, and am consequently completely proficient and familiar with the processes. But turkey? Apart from the bird being possibly twice the size of the more common chicken (sorry chickens), if you got it wrong last year, you probably can't remember why. So what will you do this year to get your bird on the button?

You will purchase a packet of Regency Pop-Up Timers, of course! This little device is designed to give you the perfectly cooked turkey, every time. All you have to do is insert the little spear into the breast of the turkey (being the densest part of the bird), and when the meat reaches the correct temperature for cooking perfection, the red insert will pop out of the holder and alert you to the fact you are now a successful turkey-cooker. The timers come in a pack of two, so in reality, you will only need to buy them biennially! Just don't forget where you put them between Christmases.

Of course, as you can use these with all your poultry, you need never have another chewy chook, or tough ol' turkey, again.

Welcome!

Well, as it says, welcome to the blog. Apart from the obvious advantage of being able to bring you Cookshop Plus information anytime, and from anywhere, now seems the perfect time to begin. Why? Because some nasty little gremlins did something anti-social to our website. So while we put together a spiffy new website for you, we can begin here with a more casual approach to becoming familiar with Cookshop Plus, one of Australia's premier kitchenware, and now homeware, boutiques.

We have so much exciting stock coming through the doors every day that we will never be short of something to say. The owners have just returned from a triumphant visit to trade shows in America, and have brought back some exclusive new products: some fabulously innovative, some deliciously retro. How have you ever lived without chop frills? The exclusive Regency Wraps brand has all the kitchen bits and pieces your grandmother used to use (and some she wished she had!). I have a stock-mad friend currently testing out the Soup Sock. We will bring you more in-depth reviews and product information from this brand over the coming weeks.

Ina Garten? You might recognise her more easily if I call her The Barefoot Contessa. Anyone who has watched her television show cannot help but be enticed by her fabulous creations (although, it can be hard to keep one's mind on the food with the Kitchenaid Stand Mixer wizzing about, and the flashing of All-Clad cookware everywhere...). Now, you too can be a Barefoot Contessa (or Count, perhaps?) with Ina's divine baking pre-mixes. We are in the process of testing them all (well...we need to be able to describe them) and we have plenty more info regarding these gorgeous products, and other Barefoot Contessa business, to come.

Phew! Who would've thought the first post would become so fullsome? We have so much in store (literally) for you. Of course, if there is anything you would like us to look at, or if you have any comments or suggestions, shoot us an email. Better yet, come in for a visit.

And if you happen to be a restaurateur, chef, providore or similar, let us know what's happening for you. We'd love to let our readers know what's going on in the Southern Highlands' food scene.