Kitchen Tools - Weighing In & Weeding The Clutter

Wow! Some of the articles I ran into these last few weeks. People love lists! Today I cover 3 different lists that will help you find your tools in the kitchen.

This first list "15 Awesome Kitchen Tools You Didn't Know You Needed" should change to "2 or 3...".
https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartmentliving/tips-tricks-renters/15-kitchen-tools-you-didnt-know-you-needed/

These are my top 3 picks out of that list:

1. FreshForce Orange Juicer - Not worth $45 but I like the concept. I use tongs to squeeze the fruit and my hand to catch the seeds. Cheaper products: https://amzn.to/3s8fyWA

2. Silicone Universal Lid - I can see the usefulness of this product. But again, not worth the estimated $54 for that particular lid. Cheaper glass see-through options are available. https://amzn.to/3LNHhE2

3. Cherry and Olive Pitter/Obsessive Chef Cutting Board - This is a tie. A cherry/olive pitter can be useful but I buy them pitted. But a good quick smash with the back of a knife and you can remove the pit. The cutting board may be useful for those still working on their knife skills. The pitter is OXO: https://amzn.to/3v6fCIG The Chef Board: https://amzn.to/3JLeDkS

Most of these items on the list are drawer stuffers. One-hit wonders. But if you're into having the newest gadgets, feel free to disagree.

The next list "9 Kitchen Tools For Clumsy People" I can get behind and endorse. Depends on your level of clumsy. Check it out: https://thepracticalkitchen.com/kitchen-tools-for-clumsy-people/

If you haven't figured it out by now, I am a bit of a minimalist in the home kitchen. This article "The Only Pieces of Kitchen Equipment You Actually Need" is a good start. https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-06-04/the-only-pieces-of-kitchen-equipment-you-actually-need

I wouldn't go so far to say it's the ONLY pieces you need. But it's a great understanding of getting started.

Is that a frywall on his head?

There is a method in this article. The way I presented the lists. Check out all the articles in order. You
start to see they start overlapping each other. I want you to pick up on what will actually help you. For example, the first article lists a "frywall". A funny heat-resistant "plastic" cone that looks like they put on animals so they don't scratch. In the second article, we find a splatter guard. In the third, we find a great non-stick pan that the splatter guard will work great on. You now have no need for that "one-hit-wonder flea cone". Either that or buy a wok or flat-bottom wok! Definitely more uses than a "frywall". https://amzn.to/3sW8mMB

Check out my kitchen lists of suggested equipment! You can save yourself some time on finding affordable high rated items to complete your kitchen! http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

Spaghetti and Meatballs - A Very Simple Guide

Tytus helps me make spaghetti and meatballs for supper. You'll probably be surprised at how easy it is. We have had many compliments over our meatballs BUT it's about as simple as it gets. And watch for the secret ingredients with a tip for parents.

 
Also some bonus family footage of Tytus new birthday gift. It was delivered while we were cooking...so then Tytus bailed on me! HAHAHA

Do you need recommendations for your kitchen? Here are my top picks... Kitchen Best Buys http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls are the greatest snacks, desserts, and breakfast food! In this video, I make them from scratch using my own technique and the recipe for bread dough. https://www.tyronebcookin.com/2009/05/easy-bread-dough.html 

If you would rather not make the dough, buy pizza dough balls from your local grocer.

I do not use a sweetened dough for Cinnamon Rolls because there is enough added sweetness in the filling and glaze.

My cameraman is Tytus today!

Do you need recommendations for your kitchen? Here are my top picks... Kitchen Best Buys http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

Peanut Brittle! (and the secret to not breaking your teeth!)

 

We're making peanut brittle with the boys. Steph goes through the steps. The addition of the baking soda at the end creates air bubbles in the brittle. This maintains the crackly goodness of the brittle BUT keeps you from breaking your TEETH! It's DELICIOUS!

  

Do you need recommendations for your kitchen? Here are my top picks... Kitchen Best Buys http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

Caramel Candy!

Stephanie and the boys take on making caramel candies. Tytus and Ezra clearly have fun BUT I am sure the end result is the motivation for helping out!

Do you need recommendations for your kitchen? Here are my top picks... Kitchen Best Buys http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

Turkey! Injected and Smoked

We did an injected and smoked turkey for Thanksgiving! Short video. A few tips and thought process on how I do it. Hope you continue to find things to be thankful for each day! ❤️ Take advantage of the categories and lists that I have assembled and reviewed for top recommendations in the kitchen. Kitchen Best Buys http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

The Perfect Cheesecake!

 

 
Looking for the perfect cheesecake recipe? This is a classic New York style cheesecake with a cookie crust and high sides. We also add some leftover "Halloween" candy! It is dense, rich, and light at the same time. But we can't take credit for the recipe we just bumbled through it for some excellent results! 

Simply Recipes - The Perfect Cheesecake | I got to say, it is for my tastes, I love it! (and our whole family as well)  https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_cheesecake/ 

If you need help picking great tools for your kitchen, see my reviews for top picks! 

Kitchen Best Buys https://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

GRILLING! Metal skewers for the WIN!

PRO TIP wood skewers ALWAYS burn. I don't care if you soak them all day. 

Use metal skewers even when cooking sausage, hot dogs, chicken satay, vegetables, fruit...because the metal heats up and cooks it inside as well. Which also reduces the time it takes to cook.

Tytus and I are just "chillin' and relaxin'" throwing some food on the grill for Sunday supper. I am teaching him why I do things the way I do them and enjoy spending time with my son. He loves cooking as well as the filming aspect of making these videos.

Take advantage of the categories and lists that I have assembled and reviewed for top recommendations in My Kitchen Best Buys.

OXO vs Zoodler | Veggie Noodles

Tytus and I review the OXO julienne peeler and the Zoodler. Do you remember the veggie noodle craze and why it's STILL making a lot of great dishes? Stick around after the review to see 2 quick dishes you can make to take advantage of these kitchen tools. AND speaking of kitchen tools... 

Take advantage of the categories and lists that I have assembled (below) for top recommendations in the kitchen. Each with my own personal comments. 

 

My Kitchen Best Buys

http://bit.ly/KitchenBestBuys

*Credit to Tytus my main cameraman today!

Smartpower Duet...not a good Idea!

Since I am just like many of you and feel the tight crunch of getting the most out of every penny I went to Costco to get some items for the kitchen.  While I was there I found this combi blender mini-processor unit by Cuisinart and I thought, "I'll buy this to get by for a while plus it makes sense since I have such a small kitchen right now...".

Nope, never got around to trying out the mini processor because I could never get the blender to even make a frozen coffee drink.  The glass pitcher is too wide with little to NO taper, and once it does QUICKLY narrow into a smaller bowl the blades seem to sit halfway in this small 'bowl' area that the oversize plastic piece screws on to the bottom.  The blades just kicked the ice around like it was a never-ending game of dice.  If you ask me, terrible design.

Do you have one of these, does it work well for you?  It seemed like a good idea and price at the time...I took it back and just used the money to buy my favorite blender, the food processor will have to wait!  (I gave away everything I had in 2007-again!- before I went back to West Africa to work in 2008)

Restocking the 'choice' appliances has not been cheap.  But I expected as much and have the patience to wait for a 'sale' or two.