Pouch-a-riffic

Pouch-a-riffic
Lunch gets a sense of whimsy -- and practicality -- with Kangaroo Bags from Reynolds. The two-bags-in-one include an 8-by-9-inch plastic sandwich bag with an attached 8-by-5-inch bag that can hold snacks or condiments. A pouch between the two adds more storage space for plasticware, napkins, whatever. Each box includes stickers that let kids (or young-at-heart grown-ups) dress the kangaroo on each bag. A box of 18 costs $2.40-$3 at grocers.
Wine with your dinner?
Vino de Milo sauces from Milo's Whole World Gourmet utilize different wines in an assortment of creative flavors. Portobello shiraz, North African pinot noir and Bombay cabernet are three of the varieties that we loved. Designed to complement meat and seafood as well as pasta, they're sugar-free and low in sodium, with a rich flavor from assorted herbs and vegetables. The wines add a tangy, rich layer of flavor to each distinctive sauce. A 13- to 25-ounce jar costs $5-$8 at wine and spirits shops.
Honing at home
The ease and efficiency of the Knife-Life Sharpener from respected cutlery firm Wusthof impressed testers in Chicago. It has two pre-set sharpening angles: Run any straight-edged knife through a coarse carbide head to set the edge, then through a finer ceramic sharpener to finish it. There's also a scissor sharpener that adjusts to varying sizes. The sharpener costs $20 by mail, surlatable.com or (800) 243-0852.
Be a kitchen barrista
Mukka Express, a stovetop cappuccino-maker from Italy-based Bialetti, won over skeptical coffee lovers at the . It works like a tr frothalicious cappuccino or caffe latte. The cast-aluminum pot is not dishwasher-safe and comes in a cow-pattern or stainless steel. It's $90 at Crate & amp; Barrel (stainless steel only) or Sur La Table (cow only); by mail, visit the Web site of either store, or go to amazon.com, which carries both patterns.
Saucy support
CT tasters enjoyed Annie's Naturals Hot Chipotle BBQ sauce. We cooked it with ribs, which benefited when they brushed additional sauce on top of the cooked meat. It has a nicely complex flavor with no artificial ingredients. However, if you're looking for a sharp kick in the palate, look elsewhere; the heat level is more along the lines of a nudge. A 12-ounce bottle costs $3 at amazon.com/gourmet.
Recipe for rhyming
If you desire inspiration in the kitchen but aren't sure where to look, try food and wine lover magnetic poetry kits. Each kit contains more than 240 word magnets about food and wine that can be stuck to your refrigerator and rearranged as you please. The kits are available for $9.95 at Borders and Barnes and Noble bookstores.