Fridays Five Favorites: Williams Sonoma Catalogue

There are few things I enjoy more than getting off of work at four on Fridays and heading straight home to read People magazine on our couch.  One of those things is coming home a bit early on a Friday to find the latest Williams Sonoma catalogue in our mailbox.  I don't know about you, but browsing through that catalogue makes me feel a bit more Martha-like even if I haven't actually done anything to improve my domestic godessness.  It's as though just knowing there are products out there than can do things like core mangos and create waffle shaped French fries, I am a better cook. 

Here's a look at my five favorite things from the most recent catalogue we receieved!

All-Clad Ultimate Chicken Roaster

"The pan is designed with a detachable suspension arm that can be filled with flavor infusers and inserted into the chicken to hold it a few inches above the pan's surface. The result is uniform browning, leaner cooking and plenty of spare room in the pan for roasting vegetables."

Wow!  This makes roasting a whole chicken alot less intimidating.  I usually just skip the roasting step and pick up a rotisserie chicken from Publix, but this makes it seem like a kitchen test I can pass!

Buttermilk Ranch Rub

"Our country-style rub celebrates the rich, tangy flavors of ranch dressing, a uniquely American condiment that originated at a California dude ranch in the 1950s"

And if I'm going to start roasting my own chickens, I think I'd like to start by basting them in this ranch rub.  I am a firm believer that Ranch dressing makes everything better.

Panama Weave Washable Baskets

"Our baskets look like natural wicker but are conveniently washable in the dishwasher or by hand. Strong and food-safe, they're handy for storing pantry items and other staples."

We have absolutely no need for these right now, but I like to think that one day when we make the step from condo to house, we'll have a real butler's pantry that I can fill with baskets of apples. 

Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Pancake & Waffle Mix

Inspired by the European affinity for chocolate at breakfast, our chocolate–chocolate chip mix takes traditional American pancakes and waffles to a new level of indulgence – and makes them a chocolaty treat any time of day.

My friend Beth (whose wedding we're going to tomorrow) and her family went to Maine when we were little girls.  The B&B where they stayed made chocolate chip pancakes.  I spent the night right after they returned from their trip and her mom told me the story of the B&B and made some chocolate chip pancakes for us.  Until then, I had never heard of such a thing.  For years, I have wanted to visit Maine, and I think it's because in my mind if you go to Maine you eat chocolate chip pancakes everyday for breakfast!

Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker

"From the French company renowned throughout Europe for baby food–related products, this compact countertop appliance makes it easy to prepare fresh, healthy meals for baby – from start to finish.

This is not a hint, I am not in the market for one of these guys, but every time I see this product I think of Baby Boom (one of my all-time favorite movies).  Remember how Diane Keaton moved to an apple orchard in Vermont after she had her baby and made homemade applesauce?  I always thought that was the coolest thing, and as such, I have decided when the time comes that I want to make all of our baby's food from scratch.  Now, I have been told that there's no way I'll find time for this, but in my imaginary new mom world I will have plenty of time and energy to make homemade baby food.  Please let that bubble burst on it's own.

Do you love WS too?  What's your favorite WS gadget or product?