Christmas Wish Lists

It seems that so many bloggers are making holiday wish lists this year, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity!  The holidays are, to me, more about giving than receiving, but hey – if you are determined to buy me something? Look no further!  Here’s what I want!  But, to keep it from being ALL ABOUT ME I have set up a couple of Wish Lists, designed for the different types of Foodies I seem to know.  So, whether you are a seasoned Food Blogger with all of the staples on hand already, or you are a newbie just setting up your kitchen – here’s a Wish List for you that you can hand deliver to everyone who wants to know “What do YOU want this year?”!!  Today I will wish for the new guys, and tomorrow…the more seasoned foodies.  Enjoy!

 

For the Newbie

(or, things I wish someone had told me I needed before I learned the hard way.)

The KitchenAid Stand Mixer

I have the 5 quart Professional Lift Bowl Mixer.  I love it.  Most of the mixers you see on special (like on Black Friday, etc) are the smaller Artisan Series, around 3 1/2 quarts.  They are fine if you don’t intend to use them for everything.  The 5 quart is a great size for me, as it makes larger amounts of buttercream, it’s heavier duty and will tackle full amounts of dough.  The other night I made a dozen giant cinnamon buns in mine, and it was just the right size for the recipe.  The smaller Artisan would not have been able to handle it.  So, what to do?  The choice is really up to you.  Many times you can find a special on Amazon or KitchenAid that will land you the higher capacity model for a price not too far off of the smaller model.  And, if you are lucky enough to have a “price is no object” mentality – the 90th Edition Model with Glass Bowl is gorgeous, or, I also LOVE the Copper finish.  It’s pretty in pictures, but in person – a real knock out.  I wish I could justify having a 3rd mixer in the house!!  By the way, there are REBATES to be had on these mixers, so buy now and save!

 

The KitchenAid Hand Mixer

On Monday, KitchenAid had a special on their 9 speed hand mixers. Now, you may be asking – why do you need a Stand Mixer AND a Hand Mixer?  For me, it’s about convenience.  I use the hand mixer for whipping up small amount of whipped cream, mousse, fillings, etc. And I ALWAYS use it for whipping egg whites for my macarons.  I just feel like I have more control over it.  So, this particular mixer.  I ordered mine on Monday, and can you believe it got here Wednesday?  And you’ll be glad to know that it is not only heavy duty, it’s light weight, and comes with both beaters AND a whisk attachment.  And get this – major quiet.  My old cheapy got the job done, but it was loud and heavy. This mixer is like an angel compared to that old dinosaur.  Oh yeah, it’s pink, too.  But that’s beside the point. It comes in a ton of colors!  While it isn’t as cheap as it was on Monday, it’s still a STEAL at $49, as it is regularly $89. Check it out here!

 

The SilPat

If you ever intend to bake a single thing in your oven – you want this.  Cookies, macarons, you name it – the SilPat assures NO STICKING.  It’s like magic.  I have the cookie sheet size and LOVE it. It may seem a little steep for a piece of silicon to line a pan with, but think of all the money you will save on buying parchment paper!  Like, 4 boxes of parchment PAYS for this piece of genius!

 

Ateco 14 Piece Cake Decorating Set with Cake Pan

Now, you may not be into cakes like I am, but hold up.  This set will get used for way more things than just cake.  For example, using piping bags and star tips will get you that fancy looking cupcake icing that you see on all the blogs.  Or, using a piping bag with a plain tip will pipe you some perfect macarons.  Those Pumpkin Bits that everyone raves about? Yep, use a small star tip and pipe out the little cookies, then fill them cleanly with a plain bag.  Cream Puffs and Eclairs? Forget trying to make them without a piping bag.  You’ll get a ton of use out of this set, and who knows? You may even take up cake decorating after all. (And, it’s on a big sale, plus it’s part of the Amazon 4 for 3 Promo I love so much.)

 

A Digital Scale

Having a digital scale in the kitchen was never something I thought I’d need.

I was wrong.  If you troll as many food blogs as I do, you come across a lot of bloggers who use the metric system.  So, having a digital scale that converts for you is a godsend.  But it’s more than that…when you get right down to it, a scale measures out ingredients accurately, versus the ol’ scoop and level method.  If you are trying to make a tricky recipe, it’s best to have the exact amount you need – and a scale will do that for you. I can’t tell you how often I use mine – daily?  Really, I use it a lot.  And hey, it’s half price right now.  You can’t beat that!

Cookbooks

Most of my Foodie Friends already have this one, but Dorie Greenspan’s Baking:From My Home to Yours is like the Bible.  Every recipe (save for the things I find disgusting no matter who makes them) is spot on.  World Peace Cookies? Tall and Creamy Cheesecake? Heaven. You need this book.  Plus, Dorie is the kindest person!  I can’t tell you how many times I have had to email or Twitter her to ask for advice and she always delivers!

Karen Demasco’s The Craft of Baking is right up there with Dorie’s book. I was lucky enough to have been given a copy when I went to the Martha Show, and although I have only made one recipe out of the book, I can’t even tell you how many I WANT to make.  I rarely find a cookbook that lures me in like that…this one is a real keeper!

Artisan Bread in 5 as well as Healthy Bread in 5 are both fantastic and would be excellent gifts for any Foodie or Non-Foodie.  Failproof bread?  And it’s easy?  Oh yeah, gimme some of that.  Zoe Francois, one of the authors, is also very helpful and has talked me through some bread issues along the way…so support her!  Its rare to find such good people out there!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond. If you are a food blogger, you know who Ree is.  Snarky, cute, silly.  I don’t have this book yet, but oooh, I want it.  Even though I am so jealous of her it makes me crazy.  You know the cookbook has to be good – she feeds hungry ranchers with those recipes! I’ll leave it at that.

 

In a day or two I will post the things that I think every seasoned Foodie will want this year…so stay tuned! In the meantime, what is YOUR favorite kitchen Must-have??  Maybe I don’t know about it! Maybe I NEED it! :0)