Anonymous wrote:Does anyone use a mandoline slicer? I have been thinking about it- I thought it would be fun to have. Is it worth it?

I have one, and use it for big batches when I need it, and if anything has to be sliced paper thin. But I have found for smaller batches, a good knife is just as easy, just as effective, and less overall time.

I have this immersion blender and love it. Agree with pp, can’t believe people put hot soups in a blender!

https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-179-Smart-Blender-Stainless/dp/B079NJTL29/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?adgrpid=58882529427&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgomBBhDXARIsAFNyUqOjPMew_ptt5uDhBZdl0ufPUqXtapRQ5rj8mGbKWYaJax4v1Kd9_bsaAvGsEALw_wcB&hvadid=274687367457&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1014895&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6756278140763869604&hvtargid=kwd-299759832452&hydadcr=14889_10218911&keywords=immersion+blender&qid=1612885343&sr=8-13&tag=hydsma-20

My 20yo basic rice cooker just croaked so I’d love recs for a new one!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone use a mandoline slicer? I have been thinking about it- I thought it would be fun to have. Is it worth it?

I have one. I use it about twice a year. Mainly because it's a pain to pull out of the back corner of the cupboard, wash, and put back away, so I only use it when I'm slicing a big batch of something: lots of potatoes for potatoes au gratin, huge batch of onions to caramelize, etc. Not worth it to julienne a couple of carrots for stir fry. I might feel differently if I had a big enough of a kitchen that it could be more easily accessible and not take up half my counter while it's in use.

I've actually been debating getting rid of it, but it's not doing any harm hanging out in the back corner of a cabinet, so I keep it for those couple of uses each year. I wouldn't buy it again, though.

I use it more frequently than this, but agree that it often feels like a hassle to get it out and then wash it up afterwards. But I have a few things I like to make that really need it and it works very well - e.g. if you like to make "shaved" salads. I have the Oxo one which is pretty big, but there are smaller ones which would take up less space

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone use a mandoline slicer? I have been thinking about it- I thought it would be fun to have. Is it worth it?

I have one. I use it about twice a year. Mainly because it's a pain to pull out of the back corner of the cupboard, wash, and put back away, so I only use it when I'm slicing a big batch of something: lots of potatoes for potatoes au gratin, huge batch of onions to caramelize, etc. Not worth it to julienne a couple of carrots for stir fry. I might feel differently if I had a big enough of a kitchen that it could be more easily accessible and not take up half my counter while it's in use.

I've actually been debating getting rid of it, but it's not doing any harm hanging out in the back corner of a cabinet, so I keep it for those couple of uses each year. I wouldn't buy it again, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had a rice cooker. Is it worth it? WhIch one should I get?
On the stove cooking is fine, but sometimes it spilles over and it is hard to clean the burner.

I got a Zojurishi from Costco. I like it because it’s set and forget about it. I can also cook lentils or quinoa in it. It’s worth it to me because I eat a lot of rice (Asian family).

I love mine too for this reason. Set it to go. Run out to pick kids up from practice. Get home, throw some meat & veggies in a pan for 15 minutes and dinner is done.

Does anyone use a mandoline slicer? I have been thinking about it- I thought it would be fun to have. Is it worth it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a 5" chef's knife a few months ago kind of on a whim but I have been reaching for that now more than my regular chef's knife. I still use the larger one but not nearly as often. Had I known how much I would reach for it I would have bought it sooner.

My most oft-used otherwise are old stand-by's. Electric kettle, favorite little whisk, a ceramic citrus juicer I bought on a trip in Paris, and particular wooden spoon. These are the things that get a regular workout in my kitchen.

How is it that I have come to have a favorite cutting board, too? I have a few, but there is just this one that is the right size (not too big, not too small) for most daily tasks. It used to be a bright cheery color, but has faded and is still sort of cheery especially if you didn't know it used to be much brighter.

Link please for the knife, I am looking to buy a sharp knife

I’m the quoted PP and bought this one. I’m sure there are nicer and a knife snob may pooh-pooh it but it is fine for me.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000QCLEFC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Anonymous wrote:I bought a 5" chef's knife a few months ago kind of on a whim but I have been reaching for that now more than my regular chef's knife. I still use the larger one but not nearly as often. Had I known how much I would reach for it I would have bought it sooner.

My most oft-used otherwise are old stand-by's. Electric kettle, favorite little whisk, a ceramic citrus juicer I bought on a trip in Paris, and particular wooden spoon. These are the things that get a regular workout in my kitchen.

How is it that I have come to have a favorite cutting board, too? I have a few, but there is just this one that is the right size (not too big, not too small) for most daily tasks. It used to be a bright cheery color, but has faded and is still sort of cheery especially if you didn't know it used to be much brighter.

Link please for the knife, I am looking to buy a sharp knife

I too love my immersion blender! I can’t believe people put hot soups in the blender in batches.

I bought a 5" chef's knife a few months ago kind of on a whim but I have been reaching for that now more than my regular chef's knife. I still use the larger one but not nearly as often. Had I known how much I would reach for it I would have bought it sooner.

My most oft-used otherwise are old stand-by's. Electric kettle, favorite little whisk, a ceramic citrus juicer I bought on a trip in Paris, and particular wooden spoon. These are the things that get a regular workout in my kitchen.

How is it that I have come to have a favorite cutting board, too? I have a few, but there is just this one that is the right size (not too big, not too small) for most daily tasks. It used to be a bright cheery color, but has faded and is still sort of cheery especially if you didn't know it used to be much brighter.

An herb stripper/catcher -- great for putting little kids to work!

https://www.worldmarket.com/product/chefn-zipstrip-herb-stripper-and-catcher.do?sortby=ourPicksAscend&from=fn

I just bought a wire basket so my kid can make single servings of pasta for himself. He had all the steps down, but pouring the pan of boiling water in the sink through a strainer was too big/heavy for him to do safely.

What I have my eye on -- poultry cutting scissors.

Anonymous wrote:Vitamix! what's yours OP??

Side note two different problems. If you own one, you may want to check:

Vitamix Blender Containers Recalled Due to Laceration Risk
https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/vitamix-blender-containers-recalled-due-to-laceration-risk/


In January, the company settled a class-action lawsuit after some blender owners alleged that tiny pieces of plastic were getting ground into their food from the top seals of the blade unit.
https://www.today.com/food/nationwide-vitamix-recall-over-100k-blending-containers-are-affected-t135600

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hand held frother for coffee and cocoa. $15 and each morning feels a tad more special. Just a tad...but it’s not a bad investment

Ooooh...what frothed did you get? My kids are campaigning for one so they can make fancy hot chocolate and steamers at home.

+1 for the immersion blender.

I bought a dough whisk and digital scale - both are life changing.

I was wondering that, too. Kids love the hot chocolate frothed and I love it for chai latte. I need a new immersion blender, so would love recs for that. Or a magic took that can both froth and blend!

I recommend the Breville frother. So worth the expense. I drink a matcha latte (sometimes coffee latte) everyday and my kids use it for hot chocolate.

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had a rice cooker. Is it worth it? WhIch one should I get?
On the stove cooking is fine, but sometimes it spilles over and it is hard to clean the burner.

I got a Zojurishi from Costco. I like it because it’s set and forget about it. I can also cook lentils or quinoa in it. It’s worth it to me because I eat a lot of rice (Asian family).