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Globe and Mail
13 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
These outdoor cooking tools can turn you into a grill master
For many Canadians, there are only two seasons: winter and barbecue. Making the most of the warmer months, therefore, means having the right tools for the grill. That sounds simple enough – until you're standing in front of a wall of tongs, skewers, brushes and gadgets at the local hardware store. Three of Canada's top grill masters agree that one must-have is a digital thermometer. Chef Robert Rainford, host of the Food Network's Licence to Grill and author of the cookbook Born to Grill, likes Milwaukee's point-and-click Infrared Temp-Gun. 'They are my absolute favourite things,' he says. 'Knowing the accurate temperature is imperative for proper doneness.' The ThermoWorks Thermapen One is the go-to for Steph Foster, who documents her grilling adventures on her popular blog Foster Feasts. 'It lets you check the temp in one second of insertion,' she says. 'It's compact and comes in a number of colours. I always pick pink – then it stands out in my drawer.' The Thermapen is also No. 1 for Maddie Longo, who hosts weekly barbecue tutorials with her sister, Kiki, on YouTube and Instagram, reaching more than 100,000 followers. Because of their accuracy, 'meat thermometers can make a grill master out of anyone,' she says. And a thermometer can be used both outdoors seasonally and year-round in the kitchen. That kind of practicality appeals to Foster. 'I'm about flexibility. Barbecue tools that pull double duty are important to me.' Make the most of summer with fried chicken (or mushroom) sandwiches on the barbecue Cast-iron cookware offers similar versatility, she says. 'The same Dutch oven that bakes my sourdough in my convection oven can head straight to the grill for a smoky brisket chili.' Kiki Longo swears by a removable griddle – a steel or cast-iron sheet that turns a barbecue or indoor cooktop into a flat frying surface. 'They are great for making smash burgers,' she says. 'The cleanup is so easy because you just bring it inside and give it a deep clean.' (And for the perfect smash, try a burger press.) Rainford, on the other hand, prefers to keep his tools separate. 'I like to use specific items for my outside barbecuing, and my inside stuff stays inside,' he says. For spatulas and tongs to be used in alfresco cooking, size matters. The longer the tongs, he says, the lower the risk of singed fingers when reaching into the flaming heat of the barbecue. The Longo sisters agree, both suggesting that 43 centimetres or longer is the ideal length for safety. All the experts also agree that while non-stick tools are nice to have, knowing how to use your equipment matters more. 'You can cook the best eggs – or any food – on a pan with the right temperature and oil,' Foster says. Simply preheating the barbecue helps. 'If the grill and grates are hot enough and oiled down, you won't have a sticking issue,' Rainford says, adding that 425 F to 450 F is the perfect temp for this. When it comes to adding new gear to the grilling tool box, Rainford always checks online reviews, while the Longos prefer to test-drive gear themselves. 'We've gotten excited about new products, tested them in the heat of the grill, only to find out they didn't live up to our expectations,' Maddie says. 'The heat of the grill never lies.'
National Post
2 days ago
- National Post
Makeover: A fresh haircut to elevate personal style
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content Frances Peet, 64, is a writer and creative who wanted to level up her style with a more vibrant, fresh and elevated haircut. Article content Frances has medium-density and naturally silver hair, and was struggling with the style. It was previously layered, and she was finding that the hair around the face was looking fly-away, wispy and frizzy. She was also finding the length and style to be shapeless and flat. Article content Article content During our consultation, I provided options and suggestions what would work well for her lifestyle, face shape and hair density. My suggestion was to crop her length to expose her neckline and define her bone structure, offering an uplifting and youthful silhouette. Article content Article content I cleansed her hair with Oribe Silverati Shampoo and Conditioner, then layered the mid-lengths and ends with Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer as a leave-in. I started by cutting the back of her hair into a graduated shape, then cut the front in a diagonal back shape for a soft flowing line and to build more volume and weight to the hair. Article content Before styling, I applied Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray for thermal-protective bodybuilding volume, then blow dried the hair using a round brush. To complete the style, I sprayed Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray throughout her hair and finished with Oribe Flash Form Spray Wax. Article content Makeup Article content
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Micro-fruit nails are this summer's sweetest manicure — here's how to get the look
Pro tips from nail experts for DIYing these mini motifs at home One of the most delightful warm-weather pairings is basking in the sun with a bowl of refreshing fruit salad. But an even sweeter combo for nail art lovers might be micro-fruit motifs and manicures, a look that's currently trending online and IRL. Over the past few years, we've witnessed the rise of food-driven fashion and beauty trends, like glazed-doughnut nails, butter-yellow fashion and this season's Guava Girl Summer. Micro-fruit manis follow suit, but experts have seen this nail art look coming for a while. Nargis Khan, a nail artist at Toronto's Tips Nail Bar, has noticed an uptick in fruit-inspired manis over the last three years or so, with requests ranging from bold prints to 3D styles. "There's always a spike in fruity manis during spring and summer," she told CBC Life. Content creator Alison Nguyen, known for her DIY manicures and nail art, also noticed these designs picking up in 2023 and 2024. She even created a bold, 3D-fruit mani tutorial for CBC Life last June. But this summer, we're seeing the trend reach new heights, with Pinterest searches in Canada for "fruit nails" more than doubling from this time last year. And on social media, some of the most popular designs feature itty-bitty produce, like strawberries, cherries and peaches. Khan credits this to trendsetting queen Hailey Bieber, who debuted a farmers' market–inspired mani by celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt last summer. "Since then, people can't get enough!" she said. Nguyen — who recreated Bieber's look last August using decals — believes practicality is another factor behind the trend. "I think the dainty, minimal elements make it easier to wear versus larger nail art," she said. A scroll through social media shows most of these patterns painted on a basic nude base or a simple French tip. "It's a subtle, chic way of taking part in a trend without being super bold or out there," Khan agreed. Micro-fruit nails have a way of sparking joy, too. "People gravitate towards this style because of its fun '90s nostalgia," said Khan. She added that all things micro — not just fruit — are currently everywhere in the nail-art world, and that she thinks this trend will be sticking around for a while. Nguyen also believes in the manicure's longevity. "There will always be someone keeping the trend alive, and it's such a fun little element to spice up your nails," she said. Ready to try it out yourself? Scroll on for some fun ways to incorporate micro-fruits into your manicure, whether you're DIY-ing your own tips or looking for inspo to take to the salon. To achieve this look at home, opt for nail stickers or decals, which both pros said will help you achieve a flawless result. If you're feeling creative, Khan said you can use a dotting tool to make the fruit and a short liner brush to add fine details. Then, to make the fruit look juicy and realistic, you can add highlights using a bit of white polish or another lighter shade. Nguyen said you can also use a toothpick to recreate the look. Fruits that have rounder shapes — like blueberries, strawberries and cherries — tend to be easier to paint, said Khan. A charming addition to micro-fruit nails? Gemstones! For a picnic-themed look, try incorporating gingham, like Khan did in this summery set. Switch things up with French tips in different colours. Embed | Other To view this embedded content, please visit the full version of this story. Open full story in new tab For a set that really shines, ask for 3D shapes topped with cat eye polish. Not sure this look is right for you? Test it out with an accent nail.
