10 Questions for . . . Guy Fieri, Food Network Host

In this installment of 10 Questions for . . . , Michael DiLauro, a product-information specialist for Consumer Reports, speaks with Guy Fieri, the tattooed, indefatigable restaurateur and host of the Food Network's Guy's Big Bite, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (a.k.a. "Triple-D"), and Guy Off the Hook. From the floor of the recent 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Fieri talks about diner classics, his favorite kitchen tools, eating on a budget, and hangovers.

You travel around the country a lot. What does America like to eat?
Comfort food. Everyone you ask says comfort food.

What would you suggest for a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives-themed party?
Go full-blown burger joint . . . burgalicious. Burgers are great because you can dress them up so many different ways, which is lots of fun. The other great thing about burgers is that they can be cooked so many different ways. Throw them on a grill or a flat-top, or bake them in foil. I was just at a joint where they steam the burgers.

What tips can you give for preparing diner classics at home?
Use quality products and ingredients. A diner classic like chicken-fried steak is basically just fresh meat and breadcrumbs, and if you go quality with the ingredients, you can't go wrong. Also, keep it simple.

What is the one kitchen tool you couldn't live without, and what is your favorite small appliance?
I couldn't live without a knife, because it is the root of it all. You have to be able to manipulate the product. My favorite tool is an immersion blender.

Any tips or techniques for using a small appliance that most people have at home?
Blenders are great because you can roast up some tomatoes, onions, and garlic, blend it up with some chicken stock, and you got a great tomato soup. (Here is Fieri's slightly more involved recipe for tomato soup.)

How is the economy affecting dining out?
I think it's not as bad as you might believe, and there are a bunch of reasons. People eat out because they don't cook or they don't cook well. dining out is also entertaining, comforting, and something people appreciate.

Are the places you feature on Triple-D more or less affected by a slow economy?
Those joints are middle market, which is doing better than the high end right now.

What food goes the furthest toward stretching a family food budget?
Whole-grain pasta, because it is healthy, ethnically diverse, can be prepared multiple ways, and can be eaten hot or cold.

One member of your entourage just handed me a beer. What is your favorite food for a hangover?
Anything greasy. I like chicken wings and stromboli.

How many miles have you driven on Triple-D, and how many pounds have you put on since the show began?
We put 125,000 on the bus last year. As for my weight, I haven't put on a single pound; I'm the same trim 215 pounds.

Essential information: Check out Fieri's new book, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip . . . with Recipes!

Tip of the day: Use your small appliances during the holidays

While your dishwasher, refrigerator, and oven and cooktop (or range) are likely to be the workhorses in your kitchen this holiday season, your countertop appliances can be real work savers. To get the most from this gear, follow these tips from Katherine Alford, test kitchen director for Food Network Kitchens.

Note: If you’re in the market for new countertop appliances, use our free buying advice for each product (listed below). Ratings are available to subscribers.—Kimberly Janeway

Coffeemaker
• To make a great cup of brewed coffee, buy high-quality beans and grind them right before you make the coffee.
• Don’t make too much coffee at a time. After about 15 to 20 minutes, coffee can lose flavor and become bitter.
• If your coffeemaker has a thermal carafe, warm the vessel before you brew by pouring hot water into it. (Pour out the water before you make the coffee.)

Learn how to choose a coffeemaker. Then check our Ratings to find the model that’s right for you. Also read our review of espresso makers.

Food processor and blender
• Use the feed tube on your food processor to make emulsified sauces, such as salad dressing or mayonnaise.
• If you’re making a pie from scratch, use the processor to make the crust—the blade is ideal for this task. Note that the sealed container of a food processor means this appliance isn’t good for whipping cream.
• Chop whole fruits and vegetables into chunks before you place them in the processor.
• When chopping nuts in a food processor, use the pulse button; otherwise, the nuts might get oily.
• When using a blender, put the liquids in first, then add the solids. The mixture will move around the blades more easily.
• Before you turn on a blender when pureeing hot foods, hold down the lid. Heat and pressure could build inside the carafe and explode—onto you and all over your kitchen.

Learn how to choose a food processor and blender. Then check our Ratings of food processors and blenders to find the models that are right for you. Try our tasty recipes you can make with a food processor, which were created by a Culinary Institute of America graduate. They’re ideal for the holidays.

Kitchen knives
High-quality knives are expensive but can last a lifetime if you take care of them.
• Store knives in a knife roll or block or on a wall magnet.
• Wash knives by hand in warm, soapy water. The water pressure of a dishwasher can dull the blade and he high temperatures can damages a wood handle.

Learn how to choose kitchen knives. Then check our Ratings to find the knives that are right for you.

Microwave
• Use the microwave to melt butter or chocolate when baking. Cover butter so it doesn’t spatter. Put chocolate in a medium-size bowl. Melt it at 50 percent power until soft—about one minute. Stir the chocolate,  then continue microwaving until it’s completely melted, about one to two minutes.
• Instead of roasting garlic in the oven, do the job in your microwave—you’ll get the same soft texture in a small fraction of the time. Break the head of garlic into individual cloves. Pierce the skin with a knife but leave intact. Place the garlic in a bowl, cover, and microwave until soft, about 30 seconds.

Learn how to choose a microwave oven. Then check our Ratings to find the model that’s right for you.

Toaster oven
• Don’t overfill your oven when using it to cook. Moisture can build up in the oven if you place too much food in it. That might be good for keeping fish moist or warming bread and rolls, but not if you want your roast chicken to be crisp, for example.
• Use your toaster oven to bake a small batch of frozen cookies—perhaps your own homemade dough—for an afternoon snack or dessert or when guests come by unannounced during the holidays.

Learn how to choose a toaster. Then check our Ratings to find the model that’s right for you.

Black Friday sales for the home

Sales the day after Thanksgiving—Black Friday—can mean big savings on home items both big and small. Whether you’re talking tools, appliances, or home furnishings, deals are available at the major retail stores as the end-of-year holidays approach.

While Consumer Reports has not tested many of the products listed here, our free buying advice (listed with each section) can help you make wise shopping decisions. Also check out our all-star appliances and kitchen gear, and be a smart shopper when you’re looking for new kitchen and laundry appliances.

Check local store locations for product availability, and note that prices and models are subject to change. (Prices have been rounded up to the nearest dollar.)

For more information on Black Friday deals, visit Black Friday 2007.—Helen A.S. Popkin

• Blenders & Mixers
• Coffeemakers
• Cookware & Cutlery
• Dishwashers
• Food Processors
• Gas & Electric Grills
• Heating, Cooling & Air
• Mattresses & Mattress Toppers
• Microwaves
• Ranges, Cooktops & Ovens
• Refrigerators
• Sewing Machines
• Steam Irons
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Tools & Power Equipment
• Vacuum Cleaners, Wet/Dry Vacs
• Washers & Dryers
• Wine Chillers