Kitchen gadget love

My fellow food blogger Tricia over at Jonski Blogski proposed that we write about the kitchen gadgets during the month of February.   Given that tomorrow is Valentine's Day, I thought I'd use the occasion to blog about my love affairs with kitchen gadgets.   I have relationships with many gadgets at the same time - I "get around", if you know what I mean.   The thing is, I have trouble picking just one to love....and guess you could say that I am "easy" when it comes to buying gadgets.   I am somewhat of a kitchen gadget "playa" as the gangsters might say.   You know my type - I'll go for just about anything once, but most of the time I break up with a gadget the next morning, and then I don't see them again.   I try to let them down easy as I place them in the kitchen drawer for the seldom used implements (or for the really ugly ones, they go straight to the garage sale box in the storage room downstairs).   I stare at them tenderly and tell them..."It's not you, it's me....I love you but I am not in love with you".  Or sometimes I look to song lyrics for some words to help me break it to them.    How about a little REO Speedwagon?




I just love the hair in this video - the funny thing is that in the 80's, I wanted my hair to look just like their hair.   I was getting perms every couple months and had a hair pick.  Not being a fan of REO, I didn't realize that their lead singer played the guitar.   I remembered him as a piano player.   Evidently, he's pretty talented!   But back to kitchen gadgets.... let's just say I've "had a few".   Here are my top gadgets:

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

I hooked up with one at my bridal shower, can you believe it?   Almost 20 years later, there's not a week that goes by that I don't spend some time with him - wink wink, nudge nudge.    He just stands there right on my counter top, waiting until I need him.   And I never get bored with him because he's got plenty of attachments to keep me satisfied.  

Citrus Reamer

This fellow is relatively a newcomer to my kitchen - I found him on the clearance rack with some other kitchen gadgets that were passed over by other cooks.   He looked so sad and forlorn I felt sorry for him, and I brought him home for only a dollar.   I figured I could send him right to the garage sale box if things didn't work out.    However,  I find myself turning to him at least once a week and he is always ready for me to quickly juice a lemon or lime for a recipe without getting the citrus juicer attachment out for the Kitchen Aid.   (shhhh...don't tell KA about this, he'll be jealous).  The best thing about him is that after I have used him, I just rinse him off and throw him back in the drawer.   No one needs to know....

Zyliss Food Chopper

I guess you could say I have a thing for the Swiss...because I have many Zyliss gadgets in my kitchen.   I've got a Zyliss salad spinner, a cheese grater, my aforementioned citrus reamer, etc.   I know some women go for tall dark and handsome Italians, I guess my type is the Swiss.   If I have lots of garlic to chop, or nuts, or cilantro,  I go for the chopper instead of doing it by hand.   It's much quicker.   However, note that when it comes to washing, the Zyliss Food Chopper is a little "high maintenance".  I am onto my 3rd one now because the tend to distort if placed in the bottom rack of the dishwasher.  So, I have to wash him by hand just to be careful.  And these guys aren't cheap either, but still I will reach into my wallet and buy one every time.   He's well worth the money.

Many women rely on battery powered appliances to get their needs met - I am not ashamed to say I am one of them.  Ever since I have found how good things can be with my electric pepper mill, I will never go back to a manual one.   The first one I found was at a garage sale for $2 - it was still in it's gift box from some long ago celebration, and it's owner wasn't even sure how it worked, so I gave it a shot.   LOVED IT!  It's quick and easy and I don't get tired grinding enough fresh pepper for a recipes that call for lots of it.   The first one got used so much I burnt it out.    I have this Trudeau one that is only about $50 (some of these can cost a lot more) and it is working out even better.  Instead of pushing a button to turn it on, all a girl has to do is turn it upside down like a pepper shaker.    And the grind on this one is adjustable - from coarse to very fine.   Now, if there is such a thing as an electric nutmeg grinder....I may have to take that one for a spin. 

So, for now, these guys are what I really go for in the kitchen.   Someday soon, I will write about the gadgets I had to dump.   But for now, happy Valentines Day, and treat yourself to a kitchen gadget to celebrate.