Last week I shared with you my six favorite kitchen tools. This week, I'd like to tell you about my kitchen wish list. Tools that I absolutelyhavetohaverightnow need would really like to have, pretty please, at some point.
Note to my husband: PSST! Pay attention! Oh, and Mother's Day is coming up, in case you hadn't noticed. :)
I am one of those people who think of books as tools... not necessarily as pleasure reading. I am a researcher. When I find a topic that I have questions about, I will read anything to gain knowledge about it. So when I think of kitchen tools that I'd like to have, the first things that come to my mind are several books that I have learned about recently.
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
I was introduced to this book by a review done by Elise at Simply Recipes. I want to strive to be creative in my cooking and I want to stretch myself to not be tied to "recipes." I think a book like this would help.
Bakewise by Shirley O. Corriher
If you know me at all, you know that I love to bake. I have heard from several sources that this book is an incredible resource for all things baking. It seems that it is a must-have in my kitchen.
The Bread Baker's Apprentice by Peter Reinhart
You know how you learn how much you don't know once you try to learn something new. Well, that's where I am in my adventures in bread baking. This book was suggested to me by @thefoodgeek on Twitter. Again, it seems as though this is a must-have for my break baking skills.
See a video of Peter Reinhart talking about the stages of and transformation in bread baking here.
On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee. (Also found on Amazon.com.)
My man makes fun of me that the reason I like to watch Alton Brown on the Food Network is that I get all "geeked up" on the science of food. It's true. I couldn't have cared less about science in school, but when you put it in terms of food... it's fascinating. I really think I'd like this book in a geeky sort of way.
Visit Harold McGee's website here.
Every kitchen wish list probably has some new pots or pans on it. The essentials kind of stuff. Here are some that I'd really like to have...
Pampered Chef Stoneware Large Bar Pan : I have many stoneware pieces from PC, but you know, those darn frozen corn dogs just like to roll right off my flat rectangle stone. I'd like one of
Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven 5 1/2 Qt (in Azure Blue, please) : My dear old stock pot just doesn't always cut it for some oven recipes. And, with my whole bread baking adventure, I'm reading in my research (see above) that a Dutch Oven works better for the no-knead breads.
And then there are the toys that I can totally live without, but would totally get used a LOT in my kitchen....
Oxo Food Scale : I have been in denial for the longest time that I needed or even wanted a scale. My man has even offered to buy one for me and I never thought I'd need or use it. However, I have found that with my baking, a scale is almost necessary. And the Oxo one is what Cook's Illustrated Magazine rated the highest.
Silicone Tipped Tongs : You might think, "How many pair of tongs does one girl need?" Who knows. But I'd love these silicone tipped ones for using in my non-stick skillets. I hate the thought of metal rubbing against that non-stick surface.
Fat Separator : I can't tell you how many times recently I have said, "Grrr. I need a fat separator."
And there are usually some items you have, but would love to upgrade...
Kitchen Aid Professional 620 Stand Mixer : They don't have it in blue like I would prefer, but the brushed nickle will do quite nicely.
And then, as you're looking around at things for your list, you come across items that you didn't even know belonged on your list...
Ebelskiver Filled-Pancake Pan : OKay. I don't know about you, but we make pancakes all the time. So the idea of filled pancakes just makes my heart skip a beat. My kids would get a huge kick out of these. And mama wouldn't mind them either.
Pancake Waffle Pan : When I was looking for a waffle iron a couple of years ago, I was hoping to find one that would make waffles small enough to fit in the toaster. I was unsuccessful. But this pan might do the trick. I'm all about making a bunch of pancakes or waffles at a time then freezing them for breakfast on busy school mornings.
And no wish list is complete without the one ridiculously expensive item that you will only ever wish for....
A 48 inch Viking Dual Fuel 6 burner with a griddle range.
It almost felt like I was just giving the description of the Red Rider BB gun in A Christmas Story. Someone should be telling me, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."
So what about you? What's on your wish list? Anything fun? Or just boring stuff like I feel like I've mentioned?
still kickin'
2 years ago
4 Comments:
you'll burn your hand off, kid!
I want a dutch oven too! Alton Brown made me want one! : )
Hmmmmm, I like the idea of making a list. I'm a list person. I especially like lists of things I want. LOL
I did sorta do this before we moved to Argentina, but my budget didn't allow me to get much. I DID, however, buy a good enamel coated cast iron Dutch oven which I'm learning how to use.
The one thing I'd really like would be a bigger stove. Stoves here are typically small (what we think of as apartment size in the U.S.) and my really big pizza pan won't even fit in my oven. But even if I bought a bigger stove, it wouldn't fit in the spot where the stove has to go.
My pots and pans are a mish-mash as I've had to replace pieces over the years (we've been married almost 30 years). I absolutely LOVE my 2 quart Calphalon stainless steel sauce pan with glass lid which I bought with a 40% off coupon at a chef's store. Now I'm keeping my eye on Amazon because every once in a while they have a good deal on cookware. I'm waiting for a good deal on the Calphalon stainless steel :-)
I have a Lodge enamel cast iron dutch oven. Much less expensive and it works so well. $70 at Kroger in N.Texas.
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