Less Common Cookware

There are some less common cooking items I want. Even if there are "one trick ponies". I know we try to keep a rule of multi-taskers in our kitchen, but sometimes you can't really get around it. 

Now not all on the list are one way devises. This list is just items we will eventually need. Or just want ;)

Aebleskiver pan

Silver dollar waffle pan

Crepe pans

Popover pans

Food mills

Flour mill

Meat grinder

Spice grinder

Coffee grinder

Ice cream pop molds

Ice cream machine

Food dehydrater

Yogurt maker

Pasta extruder/maker

Ravioli stamps

Pasta dryer

Pizza stone

Pizza peel

Calzone mold

Hand pie mold

Tortilla press

Tart pans

Mini tart pans

bundt pan

Mini bundt pans

Dough bands

Pie beads

waterbath canner

Set of jars, multi sized

Kitchen torch

Mandoline

Deli slicer

Flat and offset icing spatulas

Meat cleaver

Poultry shears

Tiered oven rack

Flour sifter

Sugar shaker

Bread machine

Deep fryer

Rotisserie 

Belgian waffle iron

Vacuum sealer

Immersion circulator 

All Clad or fancy Crockpot slow cooker

Small slow cooker

Waffle tongs

Popcorn maker

Juicer

Food processor

Kitchen aid mixer (copper)

Bialetti hot cocoa maker

Chefs choice electric kettle

Braun or Krups coffee maker

Rice cooker

Milk frother

Tea kettle

Tea  ball

Long slot toaster, proof glass

Cuisanart elite grill/griddle

Food scale

Meat thermometer

Oven thermometer

Whimsical mechanical kitchen timer

And more.

Like seafood tools, fruit and vegetable tools. I know I have missed some. But that's a pretty decent list ;)

Almost any of these can be found at our fave store : http://www.williams-sonoma.com/

Random Cooking Tips 2

There is a "part one" to this from the long long ago. 

So after thinking, reading, and trying new things, figuring out short cuts, tricks or switches, I decided to "part two" the tips post. In no particular order...

Gluten Free and Healthified Tricks

Ideal (xylitol) can be substituted for sugar in almost any recipe with good results. See the website for more info.  It helps control my candida actually. Plus its good for your teeth and (for those with constipation) it helps you "go". 

Honey can successfully be used to make whipped cream. I just did it. As can agave nectar. Don't buy the crap that has corn syrup if you do not have to. 

Oat flour (certified gluten free) hides well in most recipes. I have not gotten to where I prefer it. Also, it helps you "go", and lowers cholesterol. They say people who eat it regularly have a leaner body than those who do not.

Try Micro-plane grating certain veggies (carrots, zucchini, etc), or liquefying spinach, or adding avocado to certain recipes. Examples? I do this in my fish cakes (healthified off take of my mothers salmon patties) and in my chocolate muffins. Chocolate hides a lot of them very well. If your like me, and not fond of certain vegetables, you should try it!

Try cottage cheese or ricotta as an ice cream or cheesecake!

Fat content is not as bad as sugar or simple carb content. Simply to to limit over processed fats. Watch out for trans and saturated fats.

Baking Tips

Adding HOT water to recipes containing alkalized cocoa helps to activate the powdered chocolates flavors.

Room temperature ingredients make great cheesecakes! Also, try using you chopper/food processor instead of your mixer, as mixers are created to add air in. Refrigerate well, but after it cools down for a while in the oven. Never refrigerate a hot cheesecake. Never cook it until it "looks" done.

Try using higher grade flours, and "proper" flours when baking. Cake flours, pastry flours, etc. They are not all the same. They very in protein levels, which effects gluten production.

Grow your own yeast! Well, yeast stater for baking. Try.

To keep chocolate or other chips from falling in batter, coat them in flour before adding.

Did you know that roses, tulips, gardinas and daylilies are edible? You should look at all the edible flower options you have! and try out "sugared flowers" for decoration on cakes and baked goods!

Other Tips

Make sure your cooking (stove top) with the right temperatures, oils and pans. Know your oils "smoke point" and try to stay in that area! Also, I hear that the "hot pan, cold oil" chef mantra is actually NOT a myth. So try that out.

Store tomato sauce in glass containers if you can, the acidic nature of the tomato eats away at most plastic containers. Or try oiling it first, but not guaranteed to stop the staining.

Fresh herbs are fantastic. Fresh spices too. Try cooking with fresh when you can!

Melt Chocolate slowly, with liquids in at first melting. Adding water based or cold ingredients after can cause seizing.

Adding a bit of heavy whipping cream to hot chocolate makes it richer. Also try melting marshmallows in while its on the stove top also.

You can make butter with ultra pasteurized heavy cream. I've done it.

From my friend Luisa, use orange juice with jalapenos in your salsa for wonderful flavors!

Try adding lemoned butter to your steak after for "restaurant" like results.

I have quite a few more tips, but alas, I do not wish to make this longer than what people are willing to read. I'll do another later on. 

Wrevhn's Top Ten Kitchen Faves!

10 Kitchen Item Favorites:

This is a list of Jacob (hubby) and my TOP TEN FAVES in the kitchen....

At number one --- #1

We have MAUVIEL COPPER COOKWARE

At number two -- #2

We have SWISS DIAMOND HD PRO

At number three -- #3

We have Kitchenaid....of coarse!

At number four -- #4

We have Le Creuset enameled cookware

at number five -- #5

We have ALL CLAD copper core cookware

at number six -- #6

We have the NINJA chopper and blender (PRO)

at number seven -- #7

We have ZWILLING cutlery

at number eight -- #8

We have J.A Henckels flatware! 18/10!

at number nine -- #9

we have our olive wood obsession (boards, spoons, etc)

and finally at number ten -- #10

we have a lovely LA CORNUE stove, carried by Williams Sonoma (our fave store)

MOST of these items we have, others we intend to get. The stove? Its a dream, but not likely for awhile I think. If at all. But we adore them! We adore them all!

:)