I was over at Mizfit's the other day and they were talking about this blender.  Pah!  I commented, that's a silly thing that would be a pain to wash.   This got me thinking about my Kitchen Aid Immersion Blender, a/k/a stick blender, and all the love it gives me.  Everyone should have this tool.  Shakes?  Smoothies?  Mashed potatoes?  This thing handles them with ease, and then there is one simple part to clean. 

Yesterday I wanted cornflake crumbs, but did not want to pull out the blender or food processor (and was not in the mood to do the zip top/rolling pin thing).  So, I put cornflakes in a deep measuring cup and got...cornflake rain!  Amusing, but not what I had in mind.  So, I tried covering the top of the cup with plastic wrap, but turned on the blender without holding the handle of the measuring cup, so, again, cornflakes everywhere.  I must mention that the dog was enjoying this very much.  SO, on the counter was a stadium cup.  You know the one that you get at sporting events that holds more soda than anyone needs?  And you really really wish your spouse would NOT buy the children or at least bring home the evidence?  As if bouncing children weren't enough?  Well, I took that, cut a slit in the lid and then enlarged a hole for the blender stick.  Voilà, crumbs and no (more) clean up!  Oh, as for that that cannister in the picture, mine got turned into a firefly catcher.  Complete with holes in the lid.  So I can't comment on it, except to say that it is way smaller than the measuring cup I was using.

If I can find a way for the stick blender to grind meat or make dough...the big appliances are going to be banished to the basement pantry.   

I recently tore apart the kitchen and went through all of my toys.  The drawers were getting too full, and Purple Heart was scheduled to come by, which spurred on my cleaning efforts.

Here is a partial list of items to be donated/foisted upon others.

The Ronco Veg-a-Matic.   My Grandmother gave this to me, which I found odd, considering she hated to cook, had basically nothing in her kitchen, and mashed potatoes with a fork.  It was hard to part with, but also harder to clean than a food processor.  Why is there a link?  It’s to the old Ronco commercials - scary flashbacks? 

A plastic tube thing for peeling garlic.  This was a stocking stuffer.  Not as satisfying as smashing garlic cloves with the side of a knife.  Also annoying to wash.

6 sets of measuring spoons.  Why?  I do not know.

A dumpling press.  Another gift.  Nice thought, but I prefer to sit around the table and make pierogi by hand.  My 12 year old son and I cranked out over 100 for Easter.  That’s quality time you can’t get with a plastic appliance!

A ricer.  I used it once.  The one time I canned tomato sauce.  Wait, I think I’ll throw in the canning supplies, too...  I can press stuff through a sieve faster anyhow.

Silicon muffin pan.   Another gift.   I’m starting to think people don’t like me. 

Microwave egg cooker.  At the very least it was entertainment for the dog when the molten, rubberized egg escaped and bounced around the kitchen…

There are gadgets I love…but that’s another post!  What’s in your kitchen?

My husband finally tired of my complaining about the state of our cutlery, and went out and bought 2 Calphalon Santoku knives.   They sat in the box for a few weeks while I decided whether or not to use them.   It’s not easy to buy knives.  There are very few stores that will haul out a cutting board and some fruit and let you have at it.   Staring at a knife strapped to a board behind locked Plexiglas is not helpful.  You really need to test drive knives.   So, because I couldn’t choose, I had nothing.

 My favorite knife has been retired.  There is a lot of debate on whether or not knives are really dishwasher safe.  I am now on the NOT side.  The once shiny handle is dull due to the temperature and the harshness of the detergent (a non-stick pan put in by mistake has also been let go, as well as some gold rimmed glasses), and the blade is rusty in spots.  But perhaps the worst damage is from being banged up against things and getting pitted and nicked.  It just won’t hold an edge, which makes it dangerous instead of useful.

It’s really tough to make 3 meals a day and test recipes with no knife.  So, I grudgingly opened the box and looked at the replacements.  I have paid more for one knife (which disappeared after a party).   But I had chopping to do, and no old faithful knife.   After about 10 minutes I found that I like these new knives very much.   They are sharp, handle well, and fit nicely in my hand.  I’m going to go out and buy them a special brush for hand-washing, and put up a sign so that no one puts them in the dishwasher.