what fun cooking things should I buy with my tax refund?
OK, so most of my tax refund will be going directly into grad school. But. I did decide to treat myself to something new and fun for my cooking pleasure.
Mostly my kitchen is an eclectic collection of stuff people have given me or I have found at thrift stores. The only thing I've ever bought new is my mini food processor and my knives.
Here are some things I have been thinking about:
-bamboo steamer
-blender
-tortilla press (mexican food is my number one favorite and I suck at rolling tortillas)
-nice cupcake pans (mine are reallllly old and only hold 6 cupcakes at a time)
-mandolin (sp?)
-bamboo cutting boards
-another (bigger) cast iron skillet (I use my small one constantly)
-sushi mats
-comal (I think I spelled that right - the flat round pan you cook tortillas on)
If I get the blender I probably would not get anything else, but if I go w/o the blender, I might get a combination of things depending on price. I have about 80 bucks here to play with here.
I was lusting after that mini doghnut baking pan....thats what i planned on getting. Only to find out I was 130 bucks in the hole with the IRS!!! >:( bummer. No refund for me!
Ohh a cast iron skillit is a good idea, and one can never go wrong with a blender!
mmm I have the kitchen aid 12 cup(?) food processor. Its a beast, I should use it today to make a gallon of hummus...
I think a mandolin would be really handy. I wish I had me one of those. And larger cupcake/muffin tins would be super handy--I have two 6-holed ones and I have to do so many pans of them if I want a big batch of something. I think unless you really want to make smoothies, you should pass on the blender and get a few smaller things. We rarely use our blender, though it is nice to have if you get a hankerin' for a smoothie or milkshake. Or get an immersion blender. I want one of those, too. Too bad my tax return needs to go to student loans :P Maybe in 5 years I can use it buy something fun :-\
Oooooh! An immersion blender...I never thought of that!
Anyone have a mandolin and can vouch for its usefullness or know a good model/brand?
honestly, i would get a blender.
everything else seems like it would just help in terms of convenience, a blender (IMO) is essential. immersion blenders kind of suck.
an immersion blender is really helpful. they have ones now that have an immersion attachment, w/ a small food processor and whisk attachments. i have a cuisinart brand one, and its pretty good. the processor doesnt make the creamiest of pestos, for example, but i manage. the immersion part of it works quite well, so i can do creamy stuff w/ it (hmmm i should try the pesto w/ it... ::))...i use it for soups mostly, but i bet smoothies would work too.
for mandolins...check discount stores like marshalls, homegoods, etc. i got one for 30 bucks, i think its OXO. it was supposed to be 50 bucks, so a good deal.
i got a bamboo steamer from someone, and have used it once. i dont make summer rolls so...anything else can pretty much be used w/ a metal basket steamer or strainer in a pot.
it seems like you like the mexican style stuff...so i say go for something fun and get the tortilla press. if you use it often, it will be the most helpful and make life easier.
:o what on earth is a tax REFUND????? I paid mine about 10 days ago...all $6973 of it.
I don't ever want to be self-employed again.
:o what on earth is a tax REFUND????? I paid mine about 10 days ago...all $6973 of it.
I don't ever want to be self-employed again.
UHHHHHHH. :o
I think a good-quality food processor beats a blender. I have an ooooold Cuisinart that will kick any new blender's ass. ... but one would cost you all of your eighty bucks, plus some.
For a mandolin, I'd get a Japanese mandolin; apparently they're better quality (plus they're the only kind I've ever been able to find!)
I'd look around for a used Excalibur dehydrator - if my money wasn't already slated for the dentist.
I would get the tortilla press..It's so hard to roll them out thin enough.
I would buy a food processor. I use mine almost every day.
I buy lots of kitchen stuff at TJ Maxx, you can find name brand stuff for alot less(you probably already know this). I just bought some high quality knives there and saved alot
I had to share because I know y'all will appreciate this . . . I'm super excited!
I got an immersion blender, with processor and whipping attachment for $3 at an estate sale yesterday - it was still in the box too!
I also got a small 3 cup rice cooker for my mom for $3 at a garage sale yesterday . . . . I bargained her down from $5 ;)b
I had to share because I know y'all will appreciate this . . . I'm super excited!
I got an immersion blender, with processor and whipping attachment for $3 at an estate sale yesterday - it was still in the box too!
I also got a small 3 cup rice cooker for my mom for $3 at a garage sale yesterday . . . . I bargained her down from $5 ;)b
:w00t!: Yay for saving money!! Wanna go shopping for me? ;D
I had to share because I know y'all will appreciate this . . . I'm super excited!
I got an immersion blender, with processor and whipping attachment for $3 at an estate sale yesterday - it was still in the box too!
I also got a small 3 cup rice cooker for my mom for $3 at a garage sale yesterday . . . . I bargained her down from $5 ;)b
Wow! Good job! ^-^
I got an immersion blender, with processor and whipping attachment for $3 at an estate sale yesterday - it was still in the box too!
I got a Kitchen Aid immersion blender as a gift years back, because I broke all of my other stick blenders making smoothies in the summer. I love it. I use it to make applesauce and blend things in soup, too.
What stays on my countertop is a $15. probably Hamilton Beach (it was from Target), food chopper that's a small version of a processor. It chops my nuts, onions, makes smoothies, and more. Because what I make is only for one person, the size is perfect. It'd probably work well for two people, but not for a family-sized meal. The food chopper is my most often used appliance (other than my refrigerator).