I want this one to be helpful to all who stop by...
1. What is your favorite "go to" kitchen appliance?
2. What is the best dish you make with this device(s), and how do you use it?
I believe this will help us all understand the kitchen gadgets we have, but don't use much- better!
Me first, to show you the nature of the questions...
1. Knives. I have a full set of Wusthof cutlery (22 knives!) two hardwood knife holders, three stage electric sharpener, ceramic sharpener, hone stones, and Butcher's steel.. anyone interested in cooking should buy, and continue to add to a good quality set of knives. I chose this brand because I sold specialty steels for over 30 years..It is a stainless blend, with lower carbon content than 440C- more easily sharpened to a better edge.
2. As I picked knives, I think they do their best work coarse chopping what a blender or food processor can do quicker and easier.. Sometimes less is more..my pesto is hand chopped for definition of ingredients, and for a unique flavor and texture.
I have many devices in my kitchen, and use most of them often, but a good set of knives are great to have, and a wonderful gift for Christmas- to your favorite cook!
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49 comments:
I have a set of J.A. Henckels? Are those good?
The only thing in my kitchen that I replace the same day it dies...is my microwave.
Having years of crazy schedules with kids, sports, work overtime, etc, it saves me from having to cook over and over again in one night. Cook once-refrigerate-and each guy is on his own.
I enjoy cooking, but don't want my entire life to revolve around having to cook more than once in a day.
Though I do love a good knife. When my in-laws passed away, each one of us daughters-in-law took one of their good knives. (Cutco..do you know them?)
I have a ton of knives - at least 30 - a couple are custom made a couple are so valuable I dont touch them and most are just good old utilitarian knives but they are not my go to "appliance" my go to guy in this case is the immersion blender - you name it I have used the immersion blender on it - I must use it as often as I use a knife.
The one thing that I would like to have in my kitchen is a cook! haha!
Thanks so much for the info on the knives. That's knowledge we needed as we've been thinking of investing in some decent knives. Our love for cooking is not a temporary fad. Therefore I think it is totally worth the investment...
Stand Mixer. Without a doubt this is my favorite thing. What don't I make with it is easier to answer, but whipped cream is most memorable. One Thanksgiving years ago, when hubster's sis moved back from Peoria, her then 10 year old daughter refused whipped cream, because cool whip is just nasty. I told her to try mine, and, after doing so, she turned to her mother and demanded to know why they always had that terrible cool whip at home. Good times.
Seasoned wooden spoons. I use them for everything.
You will be disappointed in me...
my nonstick capholon cookware. I couldn't cook without it from grilled cheese on the non stick skillet to the fisherman's stew in the big non stick pot. I love not having my soup cook to the bottom of the pot in cheap revere wear.
...and your chicken soup and pork chops look divine :-)
OH I cant wait to learn more and more comfort in the kitchen ideas from you and yours! I am a struggling cook ~ tired? Lazy? uncreative? but give me a recipe book and I will plan a week
So my first go to item would be knife (nothing too special but it fits in my hand nicely and it was a gift) I love to chop stuff like onions, celery and or carrots.
The best thing I make with this is something new out of a cook book LOVE The Pioneer Woman (on line~ worth your time to google) with pictures!
help me love to cook!
I do have an 'opinion' on this one. I admit that Knives are THE most essential things in a kitchen. Except maybe one. Lovely pots and skillets and maybe spatulas and ladles. Knife to me comes after these :)
Knives are the thing... But since you took the good one first...
My kitchenaid blender... Not many things you can't do with it
I don't think I have anything specialty in the kitchen...although over the years I have Known a good set of knives used at my friends' house are way better than the sad ones I have
I would have to say the authentic Alaskan cutting thingie my ex bestfriend brought me from Alaska. It's curved instead of straight, and has a holding thing. I use it for cutting fruit, veggies and meat. I LOVE it!
Maybe you know what it's called??? I can't remember!
I just read this post to Clint--he's been buying Wusthoff knives one at a time, as he finishes building the new kitchen. He loves your point of view.
This is still a hard one meme. As cooler weather sets in, I've been in love with my crockpot, an appliance I've always owned, but only used for italian beef or BBQ. I'm finding that it's really nice to have the kitchen smelling good and dinner almost ready after a 10-hour day.
I just perfected a creamy tomato soup in that crockpot, using tomatoes I roasted this summer. Simmer tomatoes, onion, garlic, beef bouillon paste, chicken broth, and brown sugar, and a shot or two of worcestershire. Use the immersion blender just before dinner, then drop in 4 oz. (or 8, if you're feeling crazy!) cream cheese, to "cream" it up. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich.
You'll never eat campbells again!
Eenie meenie miney moe
Which knife is the best to whack a ho?
MWM has a thing about kitchen knives. He quite often used to come home saying "I've bought you a present" handing me a new carving knife with a glint in his eye. Scary! LOL
My Food Processor is my favourite piece of kitchen equipment - I used it all the time. :)
I use knives too for everything. I have some really good ones too. Hub taught me e'thing bout them, including how to sharpen them.
I use a cleaver for just about e'thing. I don't use any big gadgets (at least not for cooking...ahahaha)
Peace
My favorite has to be my kettle to ake the tea!!
My old gas range...Not fancy at all, but faithfully working now for 24 years!
Never did like electric....
I have the Wustof knives too, not as many as you do, but they are the best in my book. Since you covered knives, I would have to say my favorite is my Kitchenaide mixer. I love to make homemade French bread.
BlueV- The ones made in Germany are as good as mine- nearly same metal chemistry! The ones made in Spain are OK, but much cheaper..
OHN- Cutco is good, but micro serrated, and very over-priced..hard to sharpen!
DogB- My stand mixer is finding more uses weekly..
otin- Pretty funny!
Nat- A lot of good ones.. I'll try to post a photo of mine..
Marjie- I use mine more all the time..
Kate- I've got a few large spoons made from everything!
Hit40- Mine are non-stick pots and pans, round at the bottom, and square at the top! Left handed people love them- easier pouring!
boots- I'll do my best!
J.W.- Let's face it, we need both!
Griller- Most of my plug in gizmos are Cuisinart or Kitchen-Aid..
Darngirl- Sometimes they just need to be sharpened..
Bina- I have one, and use it occasionally as a pizza cutter..
Gnightgirl- I have two slow cookers, and use both frequently! Soup sounds perfect!
Shelly- Ho's need love too- and usually $50... :)
Ake- Before my set of knives, I had a mish mash of knives that worked quite well- still use them for cook offs- the good ones don't leave the house!
Odat- The most expensive cutlery in my set is the cleaver- and I hardly ever use it!
Casdok- You Brits and your tea!
G-man- I much prefer gas, and the new stoves are incredible!
Katherine- Great minds think alike- we have the same knives and mixer- but I bought the 6 quart..5 would have been plenty!
Good knives are hard to find...
Some good comments here! I too am no cook.
I'm not a real big appliance person, but I love my kitchen aid mixer.
I made everything in it - cookies, pizza dough, whatever.
What a great post! I'm ashamed that I didn't think of it. Of course knives are one of the most important kitchen tools - at least for me, but since I have to pick a different tool I'll say my ALL CLAD pots and pans. High quality pots and pans can and do make a difference.
And number 2 is the workhorse of the kitchen - my food processor. I make the best Hummus in it. Nothing like it in any store. Garlic, lemon, Tahini and chick peas... a sprinkle of good olive oil and I'm in heaven.
well my kitchen Aid stand mixer comes in a close second to the immersion blender - just sayin!
T.G.C.- All Clad is the Cadillac of pots and pans- so well thought out and executed! A metals guy like me really appreciates the quality and technology they used!
BlondeD- Not hard to find- hard to pay for!
Gene- Pack of foodies over here- got any questions, ask!
K- Best on the market!
DogB- Food processor and blenders are used here, but not a lot..
You know my answer already, don't ya?
My Big Green Egg. It is in my outdoor kitchen and I use it as much as my gas range/oven.
My best dish on it? Now THAT is difficult. I'd say smoked chicken is the most consistent thing I produce on it with excellent results but it's hard to top steaks grilled at 600f, or burgers, or ribs, then again, maybe pork butt. I give up ;)
These questions make me laugh since I come from a family who not only DOES NOT use gadgets, they don't believe in dish washers (too bulky and too much trouble).
The only thing I use that I love is my garlic press from Pampered Chef. I can't live without it! I use it daily for sauces and to make clam dip.
i am no cook, so i always reach for my wife in the kitchen...as for the second...any thing she is fixing
Trust me these are goodwill knifes...I went through a stage what can I say...there is no sharpening them....but they will suffice...and I can always live thought you!!!
I am so naive/gullible. I took a second to realize your square pots joke. DAH!!!
Id have to agree with Doggy, immersion blender, but my use for it is in the bedroom, great vibrations.
Kidding, smile!
Chris- you use it very well, too!
Scarlet- My cooking will be ramping up as the holidays approach, and I will use more of my gadgets than normal..
Brian- At least you appreciate a good cook!
Darngirl- I gave both my sons starter sets of Wusthof knives when they bought their own houses!
Hit40- I'm not kidding! That was their design breakthrough.. the stainless lids were a disappointment- too thin too handle much heat..
Donna- Only you... :)
My favorite "go to" kitchen appliance is my mac daddy food processor. I would be lost without it!
I agree with having good knives, no matter how good a cook you are without a good set of knives it would be like missing your hands.
Velva- I'm the gizmo guy from hell, but a lifetime metals guy, with engineering background- knives!
I agree with everyone, knives are important and used most in my kitchen, however, I do find my well seasoned cast iron skillet to be so valuable. Nothing browns like it does. Plus those wooden spoons - love them.
Finally! Someone who understands the need to have a good set of knives - and lots of them! I have two wooden blocks full of high-quality knives, as well as some 'specialty' ones stashed in a drawer. People give me a hard time about how many knives I have, but I do use them all at some point! :)
Ok so I LOVE my Vitamix! And I make peanut butter banana chocolate smoothies with vanilla soy milk. DELICIOUS!
Hmmm...that's TOO hard. i love my food processor. and creamed tomato soup is my best dish.
but i'd love to have really good knives (seems to be the theme) and a 25 year old gas stove too.
I use my knife a lot (I have 5 knives, but the big chef one is what I always use) but I'd have to say that I use my kitchen scissors almost as much. Everything from opening a packet of coffee to snipping the fat off a chicken. Plus all needed art projects, cutting tags off clothing, etc. Those are the only scissors that always stay in their spot :)
1. Food processor
2. Quickie pie crusts and pizza dough.
Someone stole my comment!
I asked if these balls could be used in soups and spaghetti.
Highlander- I have a cast iron Dutch oven, so well- seasoned I have been offered big bucks for it!
Stacy- me too!
Rachel- Love to try one!
Tanya- I had an old stove, owed it nothing.. Got a new one..what a difference!
Lini- I have the Wusthof scissors, and use them more and more..
Urban- I must learn morep, but be careful..
Ah, my husband would answer exactly as you did: his precious set of Wusthof knives! Mine is my little hand electric mixer to make cakes and cookies, of course! It also has attachments to purée soup and chop nuts and things. Everything else (except chopping with those knives of course) I do by hand.
I have three. Is that allowed? I'd have to say my Kitchen Aid mixer, my mandoline, and my cast-iron skillet. The Kitchen Aid is great for everything from making cookies to bread. I love my mandoline for slicing potatoes paper thin. And, who doesn't love a good, seasoned cast-iron skillet? They make the best eggs and stuff like hash browns and french toast.
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