Disappointing Kitchen Accessories

[galanie]

That's all I used my bread machine for too. Then I gave it to a friend and yep, it's just to mix the dough. Because they bake it terrible.

 Now I'm going to try the one we have just to mix! Because the bread was gawd awful and we didn't use it again, but i'm a wuss and afraid to mix dough! This has opened up all sorrts of possibilities...

Try this and you'll be hooked.  I mix the dough in the bread maker.  This bread is so good - it's in my regular dinner menu now.
http://www.bucknrunranch.com/blog/2011/04/17/herbed-focaccia-bread/

Really and truly, I'm so proud of being able finally after all these years to be able to knead bread correctly to get the right results, that I won't subject my bread dough to a machine now. Though I should. After carpal tunnel surgery, I really really should. But hey I after all these years, I know how to get a loaf just exactly the way I want it now! Without measurements and stuff. A soft one or a hard loaf as in french bread. By hand. I treasure that.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Galanie, Congrats on perfecting the bread dough kneading.

I have tried so many times and just can't seem to get it right. It always ends up with seperating layers and monster air bubbles. My sis worked for a couple of months for a small artesian bakery and she can knead 2 one-pound loaves at a time, one in each hand. Me, I gotta let the Kitchenaid do the kneading. I have perfected it to the right consistancy of dough and 8 minutes of kneading with the Kitchenaid, so I can live with that.

 

[galanie]

Galanie,  Congrats on perfecting the bread dough kneading. 

I have tried so many times and just can't seem to get it right.  It always ends up with seperating layers and monster air bubbles.  My sis worked for a couple of months for a small artesian bakery and she can knead 2 one-pound loaves at a time, one in each hand.  Me, I gotta let the Kitchenaid do the kneading.  I have perfected it to the right consistancy of dough and 8 minutes of kneading with the Kitchenaid, so I can live with that.

LOL. I hear ya. I found out by accident actually. I have been making bread by hand for years and years. But only in the last few years since I've been retired for a disability have I really been paying attention. I'd love to be able to afford a Kitchenaid, by the way!

 

[mandelyn]

I have this chopper/slicer/dicer thing that drives me crazy. I only pull it out for big jobs. It's manual, nothing fancy about it. Has a different blade for each task. Feels like 500 pieces when I'm washing it, using a tooth brush to get between the "pusher" parts that force the food through the blades. Each blade has it's own matching pusher. But for a big dish of scalloped potatoes, it's nice to cut the ends off, set the potato on the blade, smash the handle down, and have a perfectly sliced potato in one motion. Then I lose all the time I saved by cleaning the machine. LOL

Tried the simple "magic" slicer/dicer... the red one with the cup on the bottom, 3 blades that spiral down when you push the top down. Used it once. Great for when you're mad and want to beat on something. Slam that handle down! The more the better! Because it won't do it in one push if you're going for diced.

Now the best thing I have, is a pampered chef Garlic press. Pick a clove off, drop it in skin and all, squeeze, and you've got fresh minced garlic. Peeling garlic just sucks. And this tool is quick, easy to clean. Use a knife to get the bits left on the bottom. I'll run 3-4 cloves through it, "wipe" the end with a knife, and I'm done.

 

[Milky Whey]

I really don't like bread machines, they take too long and the noise is irritating. Cheap knives irritate me as well. Slowly bought stuff for my kitchen that I knew I would like and use, I now have what I call a happy kitchen.

I invested in a Bosch Kitchen Center about three years ago and I love it. Also bought the flour mill. I bought some attachments for the kitchen center this summer. I use this machine just about every day for something. It has been well worth the money.

 

[galanie]

Best thing I have is still a good cooks knife. And lately a $10 japanese vegetable cleaver. Garlic? Not a problem. Mash/Slice/dice/whatever. Easy. Then rinse off the knife and dry it and wash the cutting board. Nearly all of those gadgets feel like 100 parts to individually clean to me. I especially hate cleaning a Juicer. And I love fresh good carrot juice. But I can't stand cleaning the silly thing.

Having a good knife, learning how to use it properly, how to sharpen it properly, and even select a really good one (NOT stainless steel!) has taken me many years though. Someone without all that time and experience, I can really see where a gadget and dishwasher would seem simpler.

I think I know what garlic press you're all talking about and it does look like a good one. And some day? I will have a VitaMix. I want smooth good juice from a blender. Many of the lower priced ones do OK with that but I want soothe as "butta." LOL.

 

[Carols Clucks]

I love my Kitchenaid stand mixer and all the attachments! I used the food strainer a lot this summer and the meat grinder some. I want to get the juicer attachment next.

I just got the Ninja...still have to really try it. My old blender sat in the cabinet for decades before I got rid of it. I like my food processor too, bad wrists so I hate grating cheese.

That county fair chopper.... it would be at the thrift store if my guy did not buy it and like it so much.


Oh I should add, I have an excellent set of steak knives that are thin and sharp sharp sharp. I bought an expensive set and they have been great for over 20 years.

 

[OldGuy43]

I can really see where a dishwasher would seem simpler.

Oh, don't get me started on dishwashers. Put in dirty dishes and they give you back hot dirt!

 

[duckinnut]

My DW!!!!!!

Just kidding, just kidding. While she is not a bad cook just plain. Though no fault of her own as she comes from a long of culinary challenged family. Versus myself who spent most of his childhood in the kitchen with his Italian grandmother and worked in the food industry as a teen where a love of food prep. expanded. But the worst thing in my kitchen is the toaster oven, works great as an oven awful as a toaster. Toasting toasting burnt.

 

[Marty1876]

I just don't like the hand held blenders! Their goal is to evening coat their surroundings, not mix.

Also, not a big fan of electric knifes. Some folks (like my mom) manage to get ones that work for awhile, but after 3 that die the 2nd or 3rd use, I'm done with them.

Love my kitchen aid, and good regular knifes. Oh, also like the useful multipurpose of good canning/freezing jars. Storage-good. Freezing-good. Canning-good. AND, doesn't hold scents and flavors like plastic storage, and my dog doesn't chew them up. (We've got a mastiff cross who has no trouble reaching the sink).