What is the simplest way to interact with an I2C peripheral?
In my experience the easiest way is the Bus Pirate, which is also a cheap alternative: http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/bus-pirate-v3-assembled-p-609.html?cPath=61_68

You can find a good tutorial for it: http://dangerousprototypes.com/bus-pirate-manual/i2c-guide/ 

And people in forums such as this is are familiar with it. For hobbyists, bus pirate is the way to go.