tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post8623744537658873448..comments2024-03-18T15:02:43.329-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: The basics of kitchen equipmentPatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-89181611142046316782016-06-30T03:07:35.069-07:002016-06-30T03:07:35.069-07:00I love my Griswold cast iron skillets, griddle and...I love my Griswold cast iron skillets, griddle and muffin pan. Have to have very large stainless bowls (even use them for serving), measuring cups and spoons,wooden spoons, good chef's knife and paring knife, 9X13 baking pan, 8X8 baking pan (both pans preferably Pyrex), stainless stock pot and sauce pan,three-pronged stainless cooking fork, and tongs. <br />Charlotte<br /><a href="http://thekitchen.site/" rel="nofollow">http://thekitchen.site/</a><br />Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01336754208195346264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-72664617668859516452016-03-15T22:57:41.402-07:002016-03-15T22:57:41.402-07:00Finally I have found something which helped me.App...Finally I have found something which helped me.Appreciate it!<br /> <a href="https://findmyrice.com/" rel="nofollow">kitchen equipment</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03502717437783586312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-55918807271482366062016-03-15T22:52:54.219-07:002016-03-15T22:52:54.219-07:00Finally I have found something which helped me.App...Finally I have found something which helped me.Appreciate it!<br /> <a href="https://findmyrice.com/" rel="nofollow">kitchen equipment</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03502717437783586312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-4575813079355538952013-12-23T19:51:26.260-08:002013-12-23T19:51:26.260-08:00I had the opportunity to participate in a "mo...I had the opportunity to participate in a "modern" traditional holiday dinner at an in-laws and what I've done for years. Starting at the store, I went around the outer edge getting produce, dairy product, meat, and a few things from the baking isle (flour and canned pumpkin as the sugar pumpkins we only good for decorations. I watched my in law and other middle aged women in "power suits" (she was my ride) combing up and down the isles getting canned pumpkin pie MIX and refrigerated pie dough so they could make a "scratch pie", boxes of "seasoned bread cubes" and other canned or pre-made stuff for the homemade stuffing. Pre-seasoned hams and turkeys with plastic timers were other "time saving" things in carts for home made family dinners. For the same amount of people, she spent 3 times as much time in the store and 5 times the money than I getting through the crowds in a manual wheelchair.<br />When I got to her house on Thursday, the kitchen was piled with packaged stuff, she'd been in the kitchen for hours (and sent people to the store for poultry seasoning and canned whipped cream0 frantic with all the things she needed to do with all the packaging to open and dispose for this homemade dinner for 12.<br />The next day, she joined my clan at my house, remarking on the terrific smell of the cranberries, and pies just coming off the stove. The rolls were rising, the turkey heading in the oven, and people casually peeling the potatoes and vegi's as we drank coffee. The giblets stock simmered on the back of the stove, vegi's were prepped for their final cooking. Everyone was relaxed and the kitchen was clean. An hour before the bird was finished, the stock was strained and set to reduce, rolls were set to proof, and the stock pot of potatoes set to boil. Once the turkey leg wiggled freely (ie done) it came out, covered with a towel, and the pan deglazed so the juices could be added to the stock. The rolls went in, and the vegi's as they finished cooking went right in with them to stay warm. Kids mashed the mountain of potatoes, while I made the roux based gravy, and the oven's contents went out to the table.<br />She was amazed at how much easier it was for me to make a dinner for 16 in a wheelchair from scratch ending with just a few pots to clean verses her 6 hour stress festival ending with a destroyed kitchen and almost all of the food room temperature when dinner was served.<br />People ate "politely" at her's and with gusto at mine. My house smelled like the holidays, and people were relaxed. At her's the tension could be cut with a knife. These are her words before she asked me how I did it, without all the conveniences of a modern kitchen. Good tools and real food make a good dinner, so now I'm teaching her how to do this for Christmas, from the shopping through the clean up, just as my mother and grands taught me and I have taught my kids.<br />BTW, my adolescent kids are teaching their friends how to cook since many don't have the skills to even make boxed mac and cheese.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-36209021414100313662013-05-18T17:53:58.635-07:002013-05-18T17:53:58.635-07:00I could live without a lot of things... but I'...I could live without a lot of things... but I'm learning to use weight instead of volume for baking recipes, so a balance with a graduated bottle for water volume as the weight might be useful.<br /><br />I also learned to bake with gem-shaped measuring spoons, so I can come close by comparing hand-measurements.<br /><br />I'm jealous of your pastry mixer. Mine is cheap and bends to the point of unconsciously using the bowl to re-bend it.<br /><br />Without my pasta roller, I would give up on rolled doughs, especially trying my own pasta. Spatzle is a pressed pasta, and I have yet to determine if I can do that. Orzo and Gnocchi, I've done gnocchi.Kelekonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10524014584292274201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-72842293431742042722013-05-18T17:53:23.188-07:002013-05-18T17:53:23.188-07:00I could live without a lot of things... but I'...I could live without a lot of things... but I'm learning to use weight instead of volume for baking recipes, so a balance with a graduated bottle for water volume as the weight might be useful.<br /><br />I also learned to bake with gem-shaped measuring spoons, so I can come close by comparing hand-measurements.<br /><br />I'm jealous of your pastry mixer. Mine is cheap and bends to the point of unconsciously using the bowl to re-bend it.<br /><br />Without my pasta roller, I would give up on rolled doughs, especially trying my own pasta. Spatzle is a pressed pasta, and I have yet to determine if I can do that. Orzo and Gnocchi, I've done gnocchi.Kelekonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10524014584292274201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-25779002461863571632013-05-17T17:43:22.163-07:002013-05-17T17:43:22.163-07:00I restarted housekeeping last year. I brought a s...I restarted housekeeping last year. I brought a stock pot with lid, a cast iron skillet and mixing bowls with me. The first things I bought were measuring cups and spoons,large and small cookie sheets, 9x13 metal pan, whisk, mixing spoons and spatulas, chef knives, 2 & 3 qt saucepans with lids, cake and pie tins,and that pastry blender. I've always used one to make biscuits and it works great. Even at Wal-Mart they're only 3 dollars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-15058047540473950322013-05-17T16:19:55.544-07:002013-05-17T16:19:55.544-07:00The first purchase my wife and I amde together was...The first purchase my wife and I amde together was a stainless steel colander 22 years ago. It gets used almost every day for everything; from pasta, strawberries, and draining hamburger to lettuce. It still looks new today. So don't buy cheap junk, spend a little more and get quality that lasts a lifetime.<br /><br />I must confess a weakness for kitchen gadgets, and my guilty pleasure is a garlic press, as I hate to clean and mince garlic by hand. My wifes favorite is her marble mortar and pestle I bought her as a birthday gift years ago. Nothing beats gringing your spices fresh.<br /><br />JoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-85057477885705107852013-05-17T10:07:50.760-07:002013-05-17T10:07:50.760-07:00Wooden spoons, cast iron skillets, dutch ovens tha...Wooden spoons, cast iron skillets, dutch ovens that can hang over the fire, and a couple of good whisks. I also purchased a Pampered Chef utensil for "chopping" ground beef in the skillet while browning. I use this tool all the time when browning ground beef, sausage or turkey. I don't know what it's called but it's awesome!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-18473543284929464092013-05-17T09:57:29.429-07:002013-05-17T09:57:29.429-07:00Same here. Stick with the manual.Same here. Stick with the manual.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-27474341957717352942013-05-16T22:02:21.072-07:002013-05-16T22:02:21.072-07:00Other people have said it, I'll just add my vo...Other people have said it, I'll just add my voice in support. Good knives, and a way to keep them sharp.Ragin' Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04421198497767878287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-27366390804869409482013-05-16T21:10:03.450-07:002013-05-16T21:10:03.450-07:00My Griswold frying pans and Dutch ovens. Those pa...My Griswold frying pans and Dutch ovens. Those pans not only fry, I bake pies and biscuits in them and the Dutch ovens are used to bake my rolls. One of the Dutch ovens has a trivet in it that I also use as a bacon press. I love to fill my largest oven up with a hearty stew. My brother gave them all to me, along with a fabulous set of knives. I have an All Clad stainless pot for boiling and such, also a gift from brother, and I have the use of his largest pots (he's a good neighbor!) because I can store them easier than he can in his small kitchen.<br /><br />sidetracksusie<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-53034172530858859312013-05-16T21:06:32.301-07:002013-05-16T21:06:32.301-07:00Cast iron something. We have both regular cast ir...Cast iron something. We have both regular cast iron, and some enameled Le Creuset pots/skillets/braisers. I like kitchen/cooking stuff - in fact an LC pot was one of my Christmas gifts this year. Cast iron can go from stovetop to the oven (just need to be careful with or replace bakelite knobs), to even fire.<br /><br />A good, hefty mixing bowl is also a must. If they're not weighted right (like no outer lip at the edge if that makes sense), it's not near as easy/fun to mix things up. I've got one particular stoneware bowl I use all the time, and then my variety of stainless mixing bowls that have been through the wringer. At 11 years old they're starting to be all full of character with dents here and there, adds to their charm.LannaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14072980040369333704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-19702571776402383392013-05-16T16:01:32.747-07:002013-05-16T16:01:32.747-07:00I am 62 and grew up with a mom and grandmothers wh...I am 62 and grew up with a mom and grandmothers who cooked everything from scratch. The only thing I remember them buying at the store was jelly -which served a dual purpose -jelly jars for drinking iced tea. I have always cooked from scratch as well, although I sometimes buy packaged foods. <br /><br />My daughter-in-law to be is not a cook at all, and her idea of dinner is a pre-packaged meal or a bowl of cereal on the run. ARGHG! Hoping she will learn by my example as she loves to come to our house for dinner. Don't want my son and future grandchildren not to eat well and healthily!<br /><br />Tricks of the trade: Cast iron and enamel-covered cast iron Dutch ovens and all my mother's colorful and useful Pyrex mixing/serving bowls.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-15805609024867855612013-05-16T14:11:50.144-07:002013-05-16T14:11:50.144-07:00Yes ! I don't think that I could get along wit...Yes ! I don't think that I could get along without my old fashion Potato masher .. too much bother to get out the beaters.<br /><br /> Dee in ArizonaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-55968024090580610302013-05-16T07:59:46.703-07:002013-05-16T07:59:46.703-07:00Cast iron pans and pots, rada knives especially th...Cast iron pans and pots, rada knives especially the tomato knife and my marble cutting board used for baking purposes only. Here is a different use for your pastry blender, deviled eggs. We like a little texture so I always used a fork and did not mash the yolks up very fine. Then one day I got the idea to use my pastry blender and it worked perfect, just the right consistency for us and it was easier on my hands than a fork. Roslyn Phippshttp://aplowandamule.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-84298591821517610002013-05-16T07:15:06.581-07:002013-05-16T07:15:06.581-07:00Besides all the useful basics already mentioned, m...Besides all the useful basics already mentioned, my particular need was for something to mechanically grate cabbage, for coleslaw, which I love. (The extra protein in the salad when you use a grater is disgusting!) I found something called a Mouli shredder at a thrift store for seven bucks, from the 1940s or 50s, and it's an ingenious and eco-friendly tool: a rotating grater blade with a levered handle to hold food in a well against the cutter. (No more pink cabbage and nummy little chewy bits.) The other thing I use regularly and haven't seen mentioned is a cast iron muffin pan. It builds up a beautiful finish with use so that you don't need paper cups, the muffins just fall out -- and it bakes incomparable muffins. I won't even bake in a pinch with a metal muffin tin any more. Also I'm of one mind with the person who bought a hand-crank meat-grinder. I found a really old one in a junk store for fifteen bucks, to use not so much for grinding meat, as because it had a 'peanut butter' blade included. Eureka! I didn't want to buy an oil press because they're so expensive (and hard to clean), but I want to be capable of self-sufficiency should that necessity be realized -- so a 'peanut butter' blade can easily double for a sunflower seed mill, so that I can make cooking oil, fresh, as I need it, which I don't use a lot of anyway. Even if social order doesn't break down, which I earnestly hope it doesn't, while preparing for the time it does, this is just a way of life I prefer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-33397866149094709082013-05-16T07:04:56.593-07:002013-05-16T07:04:56.593-07:00Good knives, garlic press and citrus press(of all ...Good knives, garlic press and citrus press(of all things). I use them just about every day it seems.<br />But the most important reasons for cooking from scratch at home--since I'm not a prepper--taste (I have no interest in eating out as what we eat at home tastes far better than just about anything we can buy) and nutrition. Whole, real food, without a lot of added fat, sugar and salt.rlewiskanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09952875048134993555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-21828804369412493712013-05-16T06:55:35.886-07:002013-05-16T06:55:35.886-07:00I love my Griswold cast iron skillets, griddle and...I love my Griswold cast iron skillets, griddle and muffin pan. Have to have very large stainless bowls (even use them for serving), measuring cups and spoons,wooden spoons, good chef's knife and paring knife, 9X13 baking pan, 8X8 baking pan (both pans preferably Pyrex), stainless stock pot and sauce pan,three-pronged stainless cooking fork, and tongs. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-74611844430654487252013-05-16T06:49:17.308-07:002013-05-16T06:49:17.308-07:00I use my zig-zag potato masher for guacamole as we...I use my zig-zag potato masher for guacamole as well as mashing potatoes and mixing meat load.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-64822964906657788582013-05-16T06:46:55.484-07:002013-05-16T06:46:55.484-07:00I have many old fashioned utensils that I love and...I have many old fashioned utensils that I love and use all the time, but my new favorite is the Swing-Away can opener I bought at a local hardware store! It is mounted beside the door of my pantry, and works great! It has a handle for turning and is not tedious like my other non-electric can openers that always hurt my hand. I remember that my grandmother had one like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-59305818320290210222013-05-16T06:08:12.868-07:002013-05-16T06:08:12.868-07:00A large cast iron skillet (preferably vintage to a...A large cast iron skillet (preferably vintage to a newer one) and a good quality chefs knife (I have Wustof brand and I love it). I really don't know if I could function well without these two tools in my kitchen!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15829131322960256603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-45656160964514636812013-05-16T06:05:36.713-07:002013-05-16T06:05:36.713-07:00Looking through the list you folks have posted.......Looking through the list you folks have posted....I have soo many favorites! Rada peeler, cast iron dutch oven, wisks, you name it. And I do have a pastry blender....that's all I ever used. I do really enjoy my Rapala knives -- yup the hunting/fishing ones. They do a wonderful job for me. I have three sizes. (http://www.amazon.com/Rapala6-Fillet-Single-Sharpener-Sheath/dp/B001NXC89O/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1368709437&sr=8-9&keywords=Rapala+knife)<br /><br />Probably my latest edition is a manual egg beater. Eh, its okay.<br /><br />I received a stick blender many, many years ago as a Christmas gift and never took it out of the box. I was going to attempt soap making and thought I should haul it out for that. Haven't gotten to the soap, but it IS a handy little electric gadget. If it broke tomorrow, I wouldn't spend the money to replace it. <br /><br />You're right we've bred the ability to scratch cook out of our children. Grandma used to make pies - crust and filling from scratch. My mother would use refrigerated pie crusts and canned filling. My generation (not me!) buys frozen to bake. And today's clan just goes to the bakery section to get one all baked. Its just too much work to turn on an oven anymore. Geesh!mdoe37https://www.blogger.com/profile/03019276985594142350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-62212582310176182852013-05-16T03:44:53.699-07:002013-05-16T03:44:53.699-07:00My grandmothers old cast iron pans, my big metal m...My grandmothers old cast iron pans, my big metal mixing bowl, a good rubber spatula, and my whisks(1 small, 1 large). My family bought the little whisk for me for christmas as a joke. It is great on mixing items in a pyrex 2 cup measure. I also have my grandmothers pressure canner. It's 72 years old and still going strong.frugalmavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02840240116119398892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-14531207769201280452013-05-16T02:56:37.264-07:002013-05-16T02:56:37.264-07:00My Rada Vegetable Peeler. Oh. My. Gosh. It is the ...My Rada Vegetable Peeler. Oh. My. Gosh. It is the best peeler I have ever used. I have a mesh strainer I use at least 4 times a week; it doubles a a flour sifter, colander, and strainer of liquids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com