foodperson.com

The new Williams-Sonoma catalog arrived yesterday. (Hadn’t gotten one in ages, but I suspect a recent Pottery Barn purchase got heated up the mailing list.) I love the W-S catalog for its beautiful presentation and its plethora of gorgeous and even useful tools and accessories. There are plenty of ridiculous items in it, of course, but what cook wouldn’t covet some of its offerings? Here’s a list of the things I’d order, if it weren’t for troublesome life demands like paying my taxes:

• Le Creuset oval oven. I have a couple of round Le Creuset Dutch ovens, and they are marvelous cooking implements. Just as the ad copy says, they cook evenly and lovely enough to serve from. My smallish Dutch oven (I’m guessing 3-4 quarts) unfortunately has a nonstick coating. It was a gift, and I’m not complaining, exactly, but (a) you don’t need nonstick with the enamel finish of these pots and (b) it’s beginning to wear off after all these years. Although I’m relieved to know that the resulting black flecks are inert and unlikely to kill me, they nevertheless are an unappealing addition to, say a risotto. They just don’t look quite like pepper. Anyway, I’d love to have the 5 quart oval baker (perfect for a chicken or roast) to replace it, just in case anybody has a spare $200 to spend on me. Don’t tell my daughter, though, that WS claims these enameled iron pots are dishwasher safe since I’ve made her hand wash them for years.
• Double-walled glasses. Could glasses get much better than these? They’re pretty in a minimalist sort of way. They’re stackable in the cabinet (note the flared shape) and their double wall composition means they aren’t going to sweat (as we indelicately say here in the Midwest). And I believe them when they say they’re dishwasher safe.
• Mini vegetable chopper. I can’t believe this thing really works, but I’d like to find out. It’s sort of a Veg-a-matic for garlic, ginger and the like. Or maybe the little rolling chopper on the same page would be a better choice. Hmm.
• Dishwashing brush, now labeled “nonstick cookware pan brush.” Whatever. I need a new one. They’re very handy for loosening goopy stuff off your pans and dishes. And only $3.50!
• I don’t want the Miele rotary iron. I want someone I know to buy one (a mere $1999) and let me borrow it. I really like nicely pressed tablecloths and napkins; I just want someone else to iron them-or to let me do it on their fancy German rotary iron.

That’s a good start. If I were spending freely, I’d probably also get some new flatware (what happened to all the knives??), a couple of pans, and some new hot pads (although, come to think of it, I’m not sure I saw any in the catalog). I wonder what you’d buy…