Kitchen Gadgets & Tools

I hit the kitchen tool jackpot over the weekend when the UPS man brought me a box filled with all these goodies from OXO as part of my relationship with FoodBuzz as a Featured Publisher.

It was all delivered on a Saturday no less.  It must have been a sign from The Universe that I was supposed to spend time in the kitchen cooking over the weekend.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen because I was too busy with life, work, errands, and other chores to create any new recipes (well except these and they don’t even need a mixer, just a bowl and a spoon), but I will put it all to use, soon.

The OXO Egg Beater would be a perfect way to mix up light batters such as Fudgy Nutella Brownie batter or White Chocolate Blondie batter if you don’t want to dirty up another type of mixer.

And I know I will put these other gadgets they sent me to use, too.  Rest assured I never met a gadget or kitchen tool I didn’t love.

food scale with pull out display

2 cup angled measuring cup

batter bowl

fine zester/grater

All of the tools will be fun to play and experiment with.  You can never have too many kitchen toys or gadgets, ever.  Trust me.

Just take a look at my kitchen drawers if you don’t believe me

And another drawer

Ironically, though, I don’t use 98% of what I own on any regular basis.  It’s the same couple things that I seem to use over and over and over.

But it’s fun to have gadget options.  Options are always good.  From sweaters to spatulas, I like options.

And the two POP storage containers are perfect

I always have so many odds and ends that need airtight containers

Like bread

Or homemade raw vegan GF crackers, i.e. homemade Mary’s Crackers

Things like that always need a good airtight container so they don’t get all soggy and stale.

And the OXO containers are perfect.

In other matters, the two winners of the Bella Bars Giveaway are

Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance

“I facebook like you:) “

And

Brooke September 30, 2011

“Fan & a Follower :)”

Congrats, Brittany and Brooke

And from my last recipe post for the Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars, thanks for the compliments on those and I hope all you crazed pumpkin fiends and nut butter addicts make them.

And they were accepted.  Which is all I really care about anymore.   Which makes me happy and gives me hope for my photography aspirations.

Questions:

1. Do you have a favorite kitchen tool?  Any tools, gadgets, or appliances you’re pining away for or wish you had?

I’ve said in my Favorite Kitchen Appliances & Items post that although I love my Vita, what I really love are good knives and a cutting board.  I use my Henckles Santoku knife and cutting boardmany, many times per day.  It seems I am always slicing up fruit or veggies for snacks, salads, meals, lunches.  You name it.  If I had a dollar for every time I took out my knife and a cutting board multiple times per day, I’d be a rich woman.

As a footnote, I use the same beatup old cutting board I’ve had for years.  Like 10 years maybe.   It’s the perfect size and I just always reach for it rather than any of the 5 newer, nicer, prettier ones I own.  And it’s plastic.  I don’t actually cut on wood boards.  I save those for food photo shoots.  Makes perfect sense, right?  I feel like a grandma who never wants to “use her good China” except it’s with wooden cutting boards.

And I am pining away for this slicer, this rolling slicer, and this food processor

And one appliance I have but personally rarely use is my hot box.  I find the oven to be faster and easier but I know some people love theirs.   Just not really practical for me, but it’s fun to have for a blue moon and turn on and listen to the white noise every once in awhile.  White noise for 17 long hours to make most anything, though.   Ahem.  Which is why I use the oven.

2. Best thing you ate or did over the weekend?

Being with Skylar was wonderful.

And so were the Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

And so was the weather.

A hot snap hit San Diego and it was in the low 80s all weekend.  Score.

P.S. If you’re just catching up on posts from over the weekend, here are mine since Friday:

• Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
• October Goals – big thank you to everyone who commented about commenting.  And for understanding.
• Spotted & Mistakes
• Peppers & Pumpkins
• Cake, Bread & Gluten

Have a great week!