It's the day of the big party, and you're rushing around trying to cook, clean, and tidy up loose ends. Then you remember — you forgot to make ice last night. It's 2 p.m.; guests will start arriving ...

Boiling pasta can be a bit of a chore — having to wait for the water to come up to temp, constantly hovering over the pot, giving it an occasional stir to make sure the noodles don't stick together, ...