Batter up! These bowls are playersA cook...

Batter up! These bowls are players

A cook whipping up batter may find there’s nothing more reliable than a batter bowl. You just mix your ingredients in the bowl and pour. Make batter for muffins, crepes, pancakes -- these bowls can handle it all. Both are dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

White 2-quart batter bowl, $14.95, and Jade-ite 2 1/2-quart batter bowl, $15.95, from Crate & Barrel stores and crateandbarrel.com.

Sweet and salty, this unusual

jam plays well with others

Olive jam? We tried it and said, “Wow.” Made of black and green olives, the jam is sweetened with honey and apples and makes for an unusual sweet-salty blend. It is especially good served with cheese, such as goat’s, Brie or Camembert, and a baguette. Or, serve it alongside grilled pork, chicken or veal.

Black and green olive jam, 4.6-ounce jar, $12, from Oliviers & Co., the Grove at the Farmer’s Market, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, (323) 965-8817.

-- Donna Deane