New kitchen, new toys!

10 years ago

Hopefully we will be able to move into our new house in the next couple of weeks. And since I've got lots more room for fun stuff I'd like your opinions.

What 3 things are on your must-have list for your kitchen?
What 3 things would you love to have?

or if you want to give me 5 things or 20 ! :)

What I've got so far.....
several Goldtouch pans, 2 cookie sheets, jelly roll pan, 12 muffin pan, 2 9" round
12" Scanpan to try out
new measuring cups and spoons, mine are orange Tupperware from 1979! Still good but I want new and shiny
I'm working on color selections for new Fiestaware to replace my 15yo Corelle (or maybe 20?)

Would love to hear your suggestions! Thanks!

Comments (9)

mustangs81
10 years ago
What fun!
Here are 3, but like most here who spend an inordinate amount of time in the kitchen, there are easily a dozen must-haves.
Breville Smart Oven
Pullout shelves
P-Touch labeler
John Liu
10 years ago
I would like some safe way to keep a pot simmering all day unattended. Like a countertop induction hob.
Related Discussions
I'm Getting A New Gardening Toy!
Q
Comments (9)
YEA! I just bought Chamomile tea - so that item is checked off the list for now, I pretty much have everything but the Thermometer and a marking pen. I'll be putting the set up together myself, so figure it will at least be an all day project. Dawn, yeah, I usually put my seed trays on top of the fridge until they germinate. Right after I see a few pop up, I move it to the lights and let the rest follow suit. I have grown African Violets before, and they are also easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Regular AVs are small plants (can get pretty wide), but there are also some very small, tiny even, AVs that are super cute. As a former avid Begonia grower, I also used to grow a lot of them under lights, growing from seed (very tiny, dust-like seeds), and some will root via leaf cuttings like the AVs, pieces of rhizome for the Rhizomatous varieties, and stem cuttings from the canes, shrubs, semps, Rex (which I don't grow because they are just more finicky than I care to deal with), thick-stemmed, a few tuberous (not the large-flowering ones that like to grow in the cooler Northern climes). I used to show my begonias at the local, regional, and national show levels. But that is a very long time ago. I recall one of the entries was a fish tank in which I put plants I had grown from seed - about 10 different ones, that were meant for a high humidity environment, and it was gorgeous. I may get back into some begonias in a very small way. Begonias of this category really do like light gardens because they are shade loving plants and lights don't emit anything close to the intensity of outdoor sunlight. There is a local begonia show around March or April here in the city, of the Barkley Branch of the American Begonia Society, and they always have a plant sale along with it. If I can remember, I may go and p/u some there. The small Rhizomatous are better suited to light gardening. The fluorescent tubes that come with the garden are T-5s. Apparently this is a good blend of the red and blue spectrums for good growth. Mmmmmmmm, a Mesclun or microgreens mix sounds very, very good. Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I am thrilled - I always put everyone else in the family first - I don't buy clothes or shoes, except when I have to, or anything special, other than my coffee beans, so it's kind of a guilty pleasure I'm indulging in. But, life is short, and it only took be approx. 30 years to make the decision to go for it. I'm sure I have tons of seed in my "seed box" that will be suited for growing this time of year. I'm attaching a link to an image of several different rhizomatous begonia leaves just to show that there are so many more types of them than what we see used as bedding plats. Susan Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
Three new kitchen toys (photo)
Q
Comments (16)
Glad to answer--I thought the brownie pan would come in handy, but when I actually got down to using it, it's very inconvenient! In fact, when I purchased it, I asked if I could return it after use if it wasn't "all that" and the store manager (who was on the cash register) said no problem. Now that I've baked a batch of brownies in the pan, I'm not happy with the way they release from their little squares, and while I did NOT fill each square to the top, I did fill them a little bit over 1/2 full. That was apparently too much, as some of the brownie batter poofed up over the pan itself. The brownie squares didn't pop out easily, but the silicone made it easier to push them out from the bottom--but some of the brownie "corners" remained in some of the squares. On the good side, the pan cleaned up really well--but that could be because I didn't use any Pam spray on it. All in all, to me, it's more trouble than it's worth!
...See More
New kitchen toy, a long slow cook on the grill and mushrooms
Q
Comments (7)
Agmss - This is a good beginner smoothie and the first one I started with I found it on a recipe runner. 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice) 1/4 cup plain non fat Greek yogurt 2 cups fresh baby spinach 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries 1 frozen banana, broken into chunks 1/2 T. honey 1/4 t. vanilla extract 1/2 cup of ice Then my new current favorite smoothie that my SIL introduced me to. I don't have a recipe so I just kind of wing it but its - 1/2 frozen banana approx 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk 1/4 of an avocado two good size handfuls of spinach a tsp of peanut butter cinnamon approx 1/4 tsp and sweetener of choice honey, stevia, a date, sugar, whatever you like to use best. Adjust sweetener amount to your own taste. I usually just give a good size squeeze of the honey and its enough especially with the banana. You can also adjust the amount of liquid if you like a thinner or thicker smoothie. Just always add the liquid first in the blender than the rest of the ingredients. I generally like to eat my greens too but I have to say as a quick breakfast I can drink on my way to work I really enjoy them. I sometimes make them as a sweet treat at night too.
...See More
Another New Kitchen Toy
Q
Comments (35)
writersblock, I will be happy to, thank you for asking me, but I won't order it until after this first phase on our renovations, which may take up to a year. I worry all the dust might hurt it. Meanwhile, I'm using our old one, which if if bites the dust (pun intended) is more than fine with me : ) Been meaning to do a review on another kitchen appliance I love (Ankersrum mixer) but haven't had time to do all the testing and comparisons I want to try. Now that I've got only folding tables to work on, that also won't be forthcoming for some time : ( It was a very special gift from DH, which he loves now that I've made him cinnamon rolls (never did those before it). Ann_t, I laughed a good minute! I saw a youtube on beer can chicken the other day and thought it a hoot - kinda looks like the chicken is standing up! But I do thank you for the input, seriously. I've only given our Weber a bit of time to heat up (3 burner with a side burner for pans) and it gets to 600 F that I know of -with all 3 burners on high. Probably doesn't get much hotter, but 500 is good enough for me. It's got one of those phone apps for a temp gauge which I've read is awful. I don't intend to bother with it. When I've more time, I want to try several things with indirect heat on the grill. Chicken would be the first, aside from bread and pizza already done... reminds me, I need to make more dough. I'd love to try a roast as well.
...See More
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
10 years ago
Two appliances will add immense diversity to you cooking:

1. Sous vide cooker. Now there are a few that are around $200.

2. Smoker.

John, a sous vide cooker will allow you to simmer unattended longer than 72 hours, or get a router speed controller to control your crock pot or an electric cook top (not induction). You can set the cooking power from 0 to full.

dcarch

This post was edited by dcarch on Sun, Oct 27, 13 at 20:59
annie1992
10 years ago
So many things....

Must have?

A good cutting board, I have several wooden ones in various styles, a plastic one that goes into the dishwasher and is dedicated to cutting poultry and some of those thin disposable plastic ones.

Good knives. I used lousy knives for years, the difference is amazing. Good doesn't mean the most expensive, necessarily, but they have to be sturdy, feel good, be sharp or able to be sharpened.

Appliances? My favorite would be a toss up between the 6 quart Nesco roaster and the Zojirushi bread machine, with the KitchenAid mixer coming in there somewhere. Elery's would be the smoker and the new pizza oven that fits his grill/outdoor kitchen.

Annie
iris_gal
10 years ago
Small stuff that I endorse:

9 or 10" springform pan, with flat bottom insert and the 'tunnel' insert (like an angel food pan insert but with scalloped bottom) (found my replacement at thrift store) My favorite holiday baking pan -- ease of removal, pretty result, love it.

tartlet pan

gravy separator cup (why did I wait so long)

plastic strainer (lightweight, can be bleached)

Snapware rectangular storage containers
triciae
10 years ago
My "must-haves" would include...

1. 10" cast iron skillet
2. Thermapen thermometer
3. Good quality knives (at minimum an 8" chefs, 3" paring, serrated bread knife)
4. Dutch oven (preferably enameled cast iron)
5. A large set of nested SS mixing bowls
6. At least one piece of hand-painted pottery that makes your heart sing with its beauty!

Within the past year, I have resupplied my kitchen after being flooded out by Sandy. Some things I owned before have been replaced and others not. I replaced my gold WS bake ware. It's fabulous stuff. I can't imagine you'll regret those choices!

Have fun!
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
10 years ago
When we moved 7, 8years ago, i took the opportunity to thin out the toys. The original owner, a single mother, put in a downstairs back room baking kitchen for extra income. We use it as a project room and pantry so i still have all the toys but none of it is upstairs in the main kitchen.
It has been nice to just have the basics and my favorites. No appliances like a toaster, microwave, or any counter clutter. Wanted to go back to the basics of chopping by hand, cooking fresh and rustic. No plastics, glass fridge storage pyrex, etc. Oh, sure, it all finds its way back up every once in a while but i do a 'sweep' once a month or so and back it goes.
My drawers are no longer junky and stuffed.

My favorite things i remember when i moved...
-all fresh new spices, one set was a gift
-treated myself to good cooking oils and vinegars
-2 new big cutting boards,(even though i have a dozen misc ones)
-restaurant quality water kettle and coffee grinder
-fresh new pot holders and kitchen towels.

I've always had good knives and cookware, cast iron all sizes and enameled cast iron, all sizes. No longer use non-stick anything.

2 appliances most used and loved that have easy accessed under counter storage...
Breville juicer and Blendtec blender. So worth the high cost for quality.
I never wanted a kitchen aid since i don't bake but found one at a yard sale last year for 15$. Finding many uses for it now that i have one. (it had a loose screw in the housing that made it run with a gruff rumble, brand new and fixed with-in minutes of bringing it home)
-yard sales are still a favorite way to add something 'new' without the sticker shock.

Like triciae, i always have something collected from years of traveling like a pot or bowl with something fresh from the garden or a vase with flowers from the yard. A few weeks ago it was sunflowers...last week it was a leggy purple cabbage and chives, this past weekend i treated myself to a small rosemary tree.
Terri
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you guys for the input!

And sleevendog new potholders and kitchen towels are something so simple yet so overlooked. We go on year after year with the same ones getting grungier each year (or at least mine do lol). That is definitely on my list!

dcarch I never knew what a sous vide cooker was. Sounds very interesting and something I will definitely look into further. Maybe I'll start a thread in a couple of weeks for sous vide recipes and tips :)

After all the talk over on the Kitchen forum I caved and bought a VitaMix for the new kitchen. Took it out and have used it twice and wow. Glad I did that.

Looking forward to more favs.
mabeldingeldine_gw
10 years ago
A few things I can't live without:
**silicone pot holders -- my fave is Casabella they work great for REALLY HOT baking pan/sheets
http://www.amazon.com/Casabella-Red-Pot-Holder-Trivet/dp/B0032AM7PQ/ref=sr_1_19?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1382980773&sr=1-19&keywords=silicone+pot+holder

**Lee Valley stainless microplane zester and holder -- love the holder which collects all the scrapings and goes in the DW
http://www.leevalley.com/US/garden/page.aspx?p=32458

**good knives. I've purchased mine over many years, different brands for different things based on how they fell to me. Love my Wusthoff classic paring and utility knives, and my Mac Santoku

That's my top three, #4 would be good stainless cookware (I've been really happy with Calphalon multi-ply)

All this is assuming I have a good gas cooktop/range and convection oven. Have fun in your new kitchen!

New kitchen, new toys!

Comments (9)

mustangs81

John Liu

Related Discussions

dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m

annie1992

iris_gal

triciae

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

Terri
Original Author

mabeldingeldine_gw

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

New kitchen, new toys!

Comments (9)

Related Discussions

TerriOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Terri
Original Author