Posts Tagged ‘Kitchen Gadgets’
Salad From A Blender
It can cut, chop and puree. It can mix and blend. It’s an electric blender – and a home should never be without one. Electric blenders are popular kitchen gadgets that are commonly used to fix food for the baby, or even to concoct a delicious beverage for the older members in the family. You want a salad for lunch? The blender will do that for you, too. Or you can fix a sandwich filling using this very useful gadget.
It stands on the counter proud of its body in transparent glass standing on a pedestal of vibrant color. Consider the shine of its ever sharp blade. It is a beautiful addition to your kitchen but one that do not require a lot of care. It will be appreciated for many years to come.
Can’t Do Without Kitchen Gadgets
Nowadays whether you are in a department store, grocery store, or online shopping, you will always see an area of the store that reflects all different types of kitchen gadgets. They could be anything from small appliances, all different types of baking tools, cooking tools and other types of gadgets. Depending on what I am planning to bake or cook determines what I need to use.
If you are like me, I have a drawer that I call my “junk drawer” that holds all kinds of small kitchen gadgets which I use frequently including spatulas, turners, measuring spoons and other small gadgets.
Get Dependable Blades
A good ceramic blade is about 50% harder than stainless steel. Thus, ceramic knives have started gaining popularity. The ceramic material is made of heated zirconium oxide. The process is called sintering where ceramic powder particles are bonded together.
High quality ceramic knives won’t need to be re-sharpened for years. Since they’re made of very hard materials, the blades won’t yield to the wear and tear of daily use unlike stainless steel. Ceramic also has no effect on the flavor or appearance of food. Moreover, there will be no transfer of taste or smell between different types of foods.
Baking Pans – What Should We Use
Anyone who bakes or cooks in the kitchen knows how critical it is to have the proper baking pans on hand. We have a variety of kitchen gadgets which include baking pans that come in all different sizes & shapes. Since I bake a lot, I have a variety of different sizes & types of pans which includes round cake pans, 9 X 13 glass or metal rectangular pans, pie pans and other baking pans. Depending on what I plan to bake will determine what type of baking pan I will use.
I have a lot of the old cookware that Tupperware had sold years ago that you can microwave or use in the oven. I don’t remember the name of the type of cookware but I’m sure there are many of you know what I’m talking about. To this day, I use the various pieces to bake cakes, pies, brownies & any other sweets that I want to fix. If I plan to take a sweet dish to a family function, I usually take it in this type of pan since I have the cover that goes along with the pan.
Chocolate Cheese Cake
CRUST:
1 c. Flour
1 1/2 c. Chopped Pecans
1 Stick Butter or Margarine (Melted)
Combine & mix together. Press in bottom of a 9 X 13 glass pan or metal pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
1st LAYER:
1 8 ounce package of Cream Cheese
1 1/2 c. Cool Whip
1 c. Powdered Sugar
Using handheld mixers, mix cream cheese & powdered sugar together; add cool whip & mix together. Spread over cooled baked crust.
2nd LAYER:
1 large & 1 Small box of Jello Instant Chocolate Pudding
4 c. Milk
Mix until thick. Spread over cheese layer. Spread cool whip on top & grate Hersey Bar over top of cool whip if desired. Refrigerate.
Note: I used an 8 ounce & 12 ounce container of Cool Whip
Salad Spinner – How does it work?
Have you had to throw away your Green Salad after 2 – 3 days because it looks unpleasant to eat? Guess What! I’ve done that a bunch of times until I figured out the trick that helps make your salad stay fresh longer without wilting & going bad. When I make a green salad, I make a large bowl full so it will last for 4 – 5 days. Before I put the salad in the refrigerator, I would take a couple of paper towel sheets & place them flat directly on top of the salad before putting the lid on. By doing this, the paper towels will absorb the moisture from the salad & keeps it staying fresh & crisp.
Another great tip that helps – After washing the lettuce, I put it in one of my kitchen gadgets, a salad spinner, to remove the excess moisture before cutting it up when making the salad.