5/24/2012

KitchenAid Hand Mixer Dough Hooks Review

KitchenAid Hand Mixer Dough Hooks
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They work great and do not over beat the dough as we were doing with our food processor. Has made the KithchenAid hand mixer the most used of our processing tools.

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KitchenAid's Hand Mixer Dough Hooks are sold in sets of two. Now you can handle bread dough without the hassle of hand kneading. You won't believe how quickly you'll have the job done and ready for the oven.

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5/23/2012

Kalorik BL-16911 500-Watt 2-Speed Countertop Blender with 50-Ounce Glass Jar, Metallic Red Spray Review

Kalorik BL-16911 500-Watt 2-Speed Countertop Blender with 50-Ounce Glass Jar, Metallic Red Spray
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There are plenty of other good options out there for blenders at this price point. The only reason I bought this one was because it was recommended by Cook's Illustrated some time ago. But from the beginning, it was a really loud blender, and didn't cut through chunks of frozen fruit and ice smoothly like they said it would. We still endured it, until last week I tried to grind some rice for my infant son's cereal. Now, you might say, "Well. Of course it's not supposed to grind rice" but actually most blenders do this task just fine. Our previous blender, a flimsy little Oster w/a plastic jar, had no problem with the two minute grind. But the Kalorik started to smell within a minute or so, and when I looked at the rice, it had flecks of grease in it - the grease had pushed up from beneath the motor through the blade attachment and was all over the base of the blade. Gross, and even though it still runs, I am afraid to use it anymore for any of our drinks or blending task. Bummer. It really does look nice, but that's about all it is, plus a wasted $50.

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Equipped with a powerful 500-watt motor, this professional-grade countertop blender works great for parties or everyday use in the kitchen. The appliance provides six stainless-steel blades, two of which are serrated, for chopping, crushing, and blending. So whether it's liquefying frozen fruit, whipping up creamy smoothies, or making pureed soups, the blender can handle the toughest blending chores, even crushing ice. In addition, its simple control dial makes it easy to choose from four settings that include, low, high, pulse, and off. The blender also comes with a large 50-ounce glass jar, which offers a generous handle, a drip-free spout, and a tight-fitting plastic cover with a removable filter cap for adding ingredients during operation. Other highlights include a brushed stainless-steel base, a safety lock, non-slip feet, and an embossed Kalorik logo. The jar washes up quickly by hand, and the base can be wiped clean as needed. The blender measures 7-1/4 by 7-1/4 by 15-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Tom Douglas by Pinzon Ceramic Mortar and Pestle Set Review

Tom Douglas by Pinzon Ceramic Mortar and Pestle Set
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Having purchased a horrid Pinzon knife block in the past, I didn't have very high hopes of this mortar and pestle set and it definitely delivered on those low expectations.
The first thing you have to assume about ceramic mortars is that you will have dust where the pestle grinds against the mortar. Ideally the dust is simply the final finish on the product grinding off and with a liberal seasoning with a salt grind; the ceramic dust will stop hopping in your basil pesto recipes. This mortar set was no different except for the sheer amount of dust - the finish was pretty rough and created quite a bit of excess dust even after several grindings using kosher salt. The item description says that the mortar is "ribbed," and I thought that might have been contributing to the dust, but I'm not really sure what "ribbed" might mean in this case. The only "ribbing" that's visible are the ceramic finish lines (such as when you wipe wet clay with a wet paper towel to smooth it out before finishing it in the kiln). I'm not sure if you can truly call those lines "ribbing" (when I think "ribbing" I'm more thinking along the lines of a Helen's Asian Kitchen 5-1/2-Inch Ceramic Suribachi Set).
The second problem with ceramic is that when it's not glazed, it's rather porous so it has this habit of absorbing discoloring agents, such as chlorophyll from herbs. My first grinding was a mix of basil and peppermint fresh from the garden. After the grind, I hand-washed the mortar and pestle with dish soap. Afterwards the inside of the mortar was very discolored - even after following up with a second wash with a dish sponge the discoloration did not dissipate.
An additional problem with this particular mortar and pestle set is the joint where the head of the pestle meets the wooden handle - the connection is not flush. Therefore food, bacteria, and in my case, extra glue which was not properly cleaned off during manufacturing, can accumulate, making sanitation a concern.
My suggestion would be to skip this particular mortar and pestle set unless you're a collector and just need another piece to look good in your kitchen. The only good thing that I can say about this set is that it was pretty solid while being used on a countertop, which actually surprised me because compared to a marble set, there wasn't very much heft. Unfortunately being a ceramic set, I "pinged" my mortar and pestle against each other quite a bit and I was really expecting chips and cracks to start appearing - but I will say that it hasn't happened yet!

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5/22/2012

Black & Decker D1700 Digital Edge 1500-Watt Iron with Ceramic Soleplate Review

Black and Decker D1700 Digital Edge 1500-Watt Iron with Ceramic Soleplate
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I have owned this iron for almost a year. Really like it. It heats up fast and the temps for each of the fabrics actually work well for those fabrics. Good steam output and the opening to fill it with water actually lets you pour w/o it gurgling air bubles back up - something my old iron did.

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The new D1700 Digital Advantage Iron features spray mist, a multi-position auto-off for peace of mind.The smart steam, surge of steam and vertical steam features handle a variety of steaming need while the ceramic soleplate glides across fabrics.The iron features anti-drip which eliminates water spots by preventing water from entering the steam chamber before the iron reaches the optimal temperature and auto-clean along with a soft grip handle for comfort.The multi-lingual LCD display (English, French and Spanish) is easy to read and the iron features an extra long 10-foot cord.

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Giada De Laurentiis™ for Target® Ceramic Loaf Pan - 9x5" Review

Giada De Laurentiisand#153; for Targetandreg; Ceramic Loaf Pan - 9x5
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There is nothing not to like here. The bisque exterior and white interior makes a very stylish appearance on the table and the pricing is quite economical. I am surprised never to heard Giada De Laurentiis had a line of cookware, as I never saw commericals even though I watch all the Cooking and Food Channels. By comparison of Celebrity ware which has certainly disappointed me in the past, this is one of the best lines I have accidently stumbled across. I bought this after searching online because I normally do not shop at Target but I am now giving this store a second chance now if only to see the rest of the Giada De Laurentiis line.

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Known for her warm personality and creative approach to everyday cuisine, Giada De Laurentiis brings her signature style to Target, offering a unique and integrated approach to the table. Her exclusive Target line features this Ceramic Loaf Pan with a beautiful design that can go from the oven to the table with ease. Sweet or savory, breads or loafs, it all looks great in this versatile pan. Mocha Semifreddo 4 oz. amaretti cookies (about 20) 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 3/4 cup sugar, divided 8 large egg yolks 1/3 cup brewed espresso 2 tablespoons dry Marsala wine 1 cup heavy cream Spray loaf pan with nonstick spray; line with plastic wrap, allowing excess to hang over ends and sides. Finely grind cookies in food processor. Add melted butter and process until crumbs are moistened. Press crumb mixture onto bottom of pan. Refrigerate. Whisk 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, espresso, Marsala, and a pinch of salt in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water). Whisk mixture until thick and creamy and an instant–read thermometer inserted into the mixture registers 165 F, about 5 minutes. Set bowl over another bowl of ice to cool completely. Using an electric mixer, beat cream and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another large bowl until firm peaks form. Using a large rubber spatula, fold whipped cream into the custard. Spoon mixture into prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until frozen, at least 8 hours. To serve, unfold plastic wrap; invert semifreddo onto platter. Remove plastic wrap and cut into 1–inch slices. Makes 8 servings Total Cooking Time: 15 minutes + freezing time Giada De Laurentiis 2006

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5/21/2012

Kuvings Multi-Purpose Masticating Juicer Review

Kuvings Multi-Purpose Masticating Juicer
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I must say, I thought I was stepping out on a limb buying this machine, but I liked the look :) I have had many juicers - centrifugal and single auger.My last juicer, a Champion - the motor burned out when I juiced kale. This machine processes the kale easily, with no foam. I have not tried wheat grass yet, but I'm sure the results will be just as good. I was vasilating between this one and the Omega, and I'm glad I chose this one! The parts are SO easy to clean and assemble. It is quiet, so I won't wake anybody up in the morning! It literally grabs the fruit/vegetable - no need to push down with all your strength! I am so impressed by this machine - I highly recommend it!

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Equipped with microscopic extraction technology, this versatile juicer produces fresh juice from a variety of fruits and vegetables--anything from apples and pears to carrots, beets, celery, and peppers, even leafy greens like wheatgrass, cabbage, and kale. But that's just the start. In addition to juicing fruits and vegetables, the multi-purpose machine can also be used, just as effectively, for mincing food, making ice cream, grinding various grains, and extruding homemade pasta. Eight different nozzles come included for fool-proof results. And unlike masticating high-speed juicers, the unit's spiral-screw method operates at low speeds to preserve the taste and full nutritional value of processed foods. Plus, its spiral screw, made of melamine with ceramic powder that emits infrared rays, naturally protects food from bacterial and viral contamination. The unit's low-speed gear also means reduced noise and vibration during operation--no need to wake up the whole family when getting an early start on the day. Other highlights include a powerful heavy-duty motor for long-lasting dependable performance, an easy-to-clean design, wrap-around cord storage under the base, and a dust cover for keeping the unit clean and free from dust when not in use. Made with durable non-toxic materials in a compact and colorful design, the 170-watt masticating juicer measures 14-3/5 by 12-8/9 by 12 inches.

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Hamilton Beach 50200 10-Speed BlendMaster Blender, White Review

Hamilton Beach 50200 10-Speed BlendMaster Blender, White
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This blender died after 4 months of light use. I never asked it to crush ice or do anything really strenuous. I only used it to blend smoothies and tofu desserts - so the toughest thing it ever had to handle was a couple of half-frozen berries. After two months the motor started to have that burned smell when I used it. After three months the plastic bottom part of the canister started to crack. At four months, the motor started making funny noises, it smelled terrible, and the crack on the canister widened so that liquid started to spill out when in use. All in all, this blender was a total waste of money and ended up in the trash. I will NEVER buy a Hamilton Beach product again.

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Blenders are a must-have for smoothies and cocktails, but they are also adept at making baby foods, crumbs, grinding coffee beans, blending batters or soups, chopping veggies or nuts and even smoothing out lumpy gravy. This one offers 10 speeds and a powerful motor as well as a sturdy glass jar and stainless steel blades. A removable blade assembly makes cleaning very simple.

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