So, to give my mom, and the rest of you, something to read I have come up with some of the things I love. They are not in any particular order so number one is not my most favorite thing, etc. Just a few items for this first "things I love" posting.
1. Fiesta Bakeware
A couple of years ago, I was looking in my cabinet at my choices for an 8 X 8 inch pan. I realized that my pans were in bad shape and the best one I had was one I inherited from my grandmother's kitchen that had a pin hole in the bottom. It had that pin hole in it when it was in her kitchen so I wasn't afraid to use it or anything, I just had to be careful that the batter wasn't too thin and might leak out. I started looking around at my bakeware and realized my choices were limited and not in the best condition. So I decided to splurge on some Fiestaware and purchase an 8 inch square pan (in tangerine)
and a 9 X 13 pan (in turquoise)
(pictures taken from dinnerwareusa)
I had been wanting to get one of these for awhile, but just didn't want to spend the money. (about $40-$60 dollars, depending on where you purchase your dishwares) I highly recommend these pans. Not only do they do a great job of cooking evenly, but clean up is a breeze! I made a blackberry dump cake in my 9 X 13 pan on Wednesday. I cleaned out the pan today thinking I would just put it in the sink to soak for a bit since that blackberry pie filling is uber sticky, but I didn't have to do that. I just ran some water (wasn't even hot) and lightly brushed at the blackberry and voila! it was all cleaned in less than a minute! This is a totally awesome bakeware and worth every little extra penny. So, save up and get you some.
2. Bubble and Brown
Here is another stoneware that I just happened to run across and since it was on clearance at QVC, I thought I would order it and try it. One good thing about QVC is that if you don't like it, you can return it. Not that I have ever had to return anything. I have liked everything I have gotten from there. Anyway, we all love Rachel for her made up words (Yum-O and Sammies) and bubbly personality, but now you can love her for her bubble and brown cookware. I purchased her bakeware set of an oval covered baker (picture taken from Amazon), an oval open baker and 4 gratin bakers in green (wished they had this purple then and I would have gotten it!!) I was worried about things coming out the sides of the handles, but the pan is deep enough that you don't have to worry about that and the handles really help get things in and out of the oven. (or fridge)
I baked a roast in mine on Wednesday with some potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic. Clean up, just like on the Fiestaware, was a breeze. Just run a little water, swipe it with the scrub brush and done! Ready for the dishwasher. I love the fact that these first two items can go in the oven, fridge, freezer, microwave and they are all dishwasher safe!! You can find these products at QVC, Amazon and even at Target. Just google it, there might be a store near you - but I really like when it comes to my front door : )
3. Pampered Chef Stoneware
I love Pampered Chef products. I even sold these several years ago, but didn't like having to schedule the shows or feeling like I had to get in a certain amount of shows each month. I just wanted to sell the products because I truly believe in the quality you are getting when you purchase a pampered chef product. Needless to say, I have a LOT of items in my kitchen that are pampered chef. None get used as much as my stoneware. Yes, you read that right. I have more than one piece of stoneware. My pizza stone gets used the most, but I also like my small bar pan for re-heating leftover items that might get lost on that large of a pan or for making one or two chocolate cookies from store bought cookie dough.
Now, you are asking why didn't I get the rectangular baker and the square baker instead of the Fiestaware and that is a good question. I could have gotten those, but when you really use and season your stoneware, it turns brown and is not as pretty to look at as my Fiestaware. And besides, I just don't like the cranberry color they now have on the outside. I have a couple of older pieces that have white or blue on the outside, but they are smaller bakeware. (I love them, also!!) So, what do I recommend in the stoneware? If you can only afford one piece, get the round stone. Mine is old and doesn't have those handles on it, so if you don't like the look of the handles, get the rectangle stone. (I have that one, also) If you really like to cook and can afford it, I can highly recommend: the muffin stone, the fluted pan, the mini loaf pan and if you make pies or quiche, the pie plate.(mine is blue) I use my muffin stone all the time for making my pumpkin muffns.
One thing you need to remember about these pans - DO NOT EVER wash them with soap. These are a natural product and they will just absorb the soap and your food will end up tasting like your soap. I just use hot water and the plastic scrubber it comes with to wash it off. The more you use it, the more it seasons and the darker it turns. The darker it turns, the better it is. -Sorry, couldn't get a picture to post. Click on the title and it will take you to the site.
4. Kuhn Rikon Can Opener
Once again, thanks to QVC I have a can opener that I love. These were also clearance priced so I grabbed up a couple and I am really glad that I did. I keep one of these in my desk drawer at school and it has come in handy when we need to open those smaller cans or when someone needs to borrow an opener.
These are the Auto Safety Master Openers. I borrowed the picture from the Kuhn Rikon website. Mine is in turquoise and I also have one in the lime green. As you can see, it will open almost any bottle or can. I have taken it up to summer league this past week because we were having such a hard time using the can opener up there and after breaking a pair of scissors (don't ask) I brought up my handy dandy Kuhn and everyone has loved it and asked where to get one. I have linked to their website, but if you google, you might be able to find it in the states. I am not sure if QVC has them in stock now or not. These open the can from the side (like the pampered chef one - yes, I have a pampered chef one at my house, but this one does more) 5. Keurig Coffee Machine
I love my coffee maker!! I have this exact same Keurig Elite machine (picture taken from Keurig website). Did I say I loved it? I do, I really do. Whenever I want a cup of coffee or hot chocolate or even a fresh brewed glass of iced tea - yes, it does that, too - I can have one in just a minute! I can have a cup of Gingerbread and then a cup of Golden French Toast. I love being able to try all the different flavors or just being able to use my own coffee (that I get at Eggemeyer's in San Angelo) in a special K-cup container. It is perfect for me since I may only want one cup in the morning. I don't have to dump and clean the coffee pot out and no coffee is wasted. I got mine after seeing my sister use just the hot water to make instant oatmeal for one of the boys. They could even do it themselves, if they were old enough or awake enough. It was one of those - "no, I am not getting one of those, we have one at school" - items that I had a complete change of heart about and now, I don't think I can do without it. I even take my k-cups up to school and use the one up there for a morning pick me up coffee in my own flavor. I might have to break down and purchase another one for my classroom so I don't have to go all the way to the break room. Maybe a mini one in red? Cute, isn't it?
Well, that is it for now. Hope you enjoyed these 5 items I love from my kitchen. I am not a sales person and these companies do not know me or have anything to do with me. I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite things. Okay, do you find it weird that spell check clicked on sammies, but not on Yum-o? Oh, well, until next time.
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