It seemed an indulgence, so it was never a must-buy item. But when it arrived as a gift, my Misto started saving my household money immediately.
Misto is likely the best-known brand of refillable cooking-oil misters. Users fill it with extra-virgin olive oil, pump it up to build air pressure and then use a mist of oil, rather than a swirl, to cook food, spritz salads, grease baking pans and more.
No chemical propellants are used, just user-generated air pressure, which controls the velocity of the spray.
Since this Misto has gone into regular use, commercial cooking sprays have become a thing of the past at my house, an unnecessary expense.
Mine has only ever been used for “EVOO,” but others use theirs for other oils, such as canola. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines for best results.
Widely available at retail stores and online, misters range from under $7 to $25, depending on model and seller.
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Erika Engle, Star-Advertiser
Shiso adds a tasty twist to local-style gelato flavors
If shiso is one of your all-time favorite flavors, look past mochi and savory Japanese dishes and think Italian ice cream.
Via Gelato offers flavors of li hing shiso, guava shiso and strawberry shiso at its Kaimuki shop.
The guava and strawberry pairings sell out fast, so it’s best to call ahead if that’s what you’re jonesing for, but the li hing flavor was available during a couple of my recent visits.
The shiso flavor dominated the li hing taste to produce a light and sweet dessert with a nice tang. The pretty pink color made it delicious for the eyes, too.
Via Gelato is at 1142 12th Ave., open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays; and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The shop is closed Mondays. Call 732-2800.
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Michelle Ramos, Star-Advertiser
Stamp card earns early risers a market item
At the Pearlridge Farmers’ Market Saturday — and every third Saturday of the month — 100 customers can make the most of their shopping dollars through the “Buy Local, Get Local” promotion.
Be among the first 100 shoppers to receive a stamp card from 8 to 10 a.m., then make purchases from five vendors, get a stamp from each and turn in the card for a free, local item. This month, that’s one freshly baked pastry from Baker Dude. On June 18, get a Mochi Lab cupcake; on July 16, a bag of seasoned Hawaiian salt from Salty Wahine.
The Pearlridge market, which runs 8 a.m. to noon in the corner of the Sears parking lot, is part of the FarmLovers Farmers’ Market lineup owned and operated by Pamela Boyar and Annie Suite.
Other markets: Waimea Valley (2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays), Ward Warehouse (8 a.m. to noon Saturdays) and Kailua Elementary School (8:30 a.m. to noon Sundays).
All markets sell exclusively local items. Visit farmloversmarkets.com.
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Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser
Product label competition honors Sea Salts of Hawai‘i
Honolulu-based Sea Salts of Hawai‘i has won a national award for its whimsical, colorful labels.
The product was among three top winners of the Avery Products Corp. “Celebrating Great Labels” contest.
Sea Salts of Hawai‘i’s prizes in the “Goodness, It’s Gorgeous” category included a Fujifilm X-T10 digital camera with accessories. Company owner Sandra Gibson said she gave the items to label designer Oren Schlieman, whose company, Info Grafik, helps launch Hawaii brands. “He feels it’s important that Hawaii products try to hold their own on the global stage,” she said.
Among Schlieman’s other success stories are Maui Style Potato Chips, Hawaiian Host and Island Slipper, she said.
Gibson’s salts are flavored with mostly Hawaii-grown ingredients. In April the company launched a 2-ounce miniature size, which Gibson says is becoming popular as a wedding favor.
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Erika Engle, Star-Advertiser
