Food TV

Today was my day off. These days are great, because Hubby is working, the folks are off gallavanting around, or sleeping, and it’s just me, my Little Dude and my TV. Of course, for the most part, that TV is on the Food Network. I sometimes wonder if I make that poor boy watch too many people cooking, but I don’t really think it’s possible to watch too much food… heehee… Anyway, somewhere between Sandra Lee, the Barefoot Contessa, Paula Deen, and Giada DiLaurentiis, I realized something. I would love to make all of the fabulous recipes I see them making, but there are a few things I’m missing.

You see, friends, I grew up in a household where “seasoning” consisted of salt and pepper, and I often ate the Mac&Cheese (boxed of course) out of the pot I made it in if I was the only one eating. Ah the joys of youth and not wanting to wash a bowl… Because of that, we didn’t have the fancy kitchen gadgets that others did. As a matter of fact the “fanciest” thing we had was a microwave, and I remember when we got our first one. This seems to be one of my major fascinations with the Food Network. They make things that I would love to eat, but could never really see myself making. I am this year though, I make a promise to you all right now that I am going to make every single recipe I post, and I will report to you how I liked it after I have eaten it. (By the way the Cupcakes were awesome!!!)

So looking into myself making that promise, I have to go shopping I think, because there are a bunch of things that they use in almost every show that I watch, that I just don’t have. A few that I didn’t even have a clue what they did until I saw them on the Food Network. Like the immersion blender. This is the handiest little thing in the world. Every time a Chef brings it out they say the exact same thing… “Well, you could do this with a regular blender, but this is so much easier.” And boy are they right. For the most part these immersion blenders are used in soups and other hot things that would not only be a huge pain in the butt to get into the blender, but they would also be very dangerous if spilled. The immersion blender gets you all the puree-ing goodness of a regular blender, with a lot less hassle. Yes I’ve definately got to get one of those.

And a food processor. I know, I know. Who, you ask, in this day and age doesn’t have a food processor? Well I don’t. I still grate my cheese by hand, and chop things with a knife. But I want one, badly. As well as a set of really nice knives. Hrm… what else do they have that I don’t? Well, pots and pans that go straight from stovetop to oven, those silicone pads that people bake and make hard candy on, a Silpat I think it’s called. A zester, a peppermill, and one of those funny little mesh colander type things that people sift powdered sugar and flour
through… Wow, looks like I have to hit the stores huh?

Well in the meantime I’m going to keep on with the tools that I do have, but I’d like for you to let me know something… What is the coolest little gadget that you have in your kitchen that you cannot do without? Maybe I’ll pick one of those up too!!!

By the way, one of our very own has been nominated for a Bloggers Choice Award! Stop by the Earthly Garden and see why…

And since that time of year is just around the corner, get some Pumpkin-y Tips here!!!