WOW! I was away from the computer most of yesterday because of errands. I can't believe all the replies. Thanks everyone for your continuing input. So many great suggestions. I will check them all out and get back to you.
Clare

Christine, I don't have the Victorinox steak knives, but every other knife I have from them is excellent. I would have no hesitation ordering some to try.

The next order I place to Fantes, I'm gonna get some Charlotte molds. Not that I make Charlotte very often (no snide comments, jessy) but that's what Julia Child preferred when making souffles. I have baked souffles in regular pans and they've done okay, but I've never gone wrong when I listen to what Julia says.

Here is a link that might be useful: charlotte molds

I've been on Amazon researching crepe pans until I'm cross-eyed!

I think I will just try making them with a pan I already have to see if my "peeps" will eat them first. If they fall in love with them, then I will purchase a dedicated pan for them.

What I really want is a place I can order some great tasting lingonberry jam from. IHOP has me hooked on that stuff!

I will be ordering the polder kitchen timer. What a great
help that will be. I get side-tracked so easily and this will really help with the old-age focus problem!

What I forgot to ask for opinions on is an immersion blender. My Food Network one had a detachable blender head for easier cleanup. The motor part still works, but the little thingy that holds the blender head on broke.

I really miss it.

I did order the Oster blender that won the opinion poll here and I LOVE it! I use it everyday to make my vitamin shake (until I can replace my immersion blender).
Thanks for that.

Thanks Clair, for starting this thread. It's fun and it helped me find the timer I needed.

Betty

Thanks, Arley, maybe I'll try their steak knives.

The Polder timer/stopwatch looks good. I'm trying to decide if I need it. I just read a lot of Amazon reviews, and they disagree about how loud it is. If it's too loud I won't use it. Anybody have one?

That timer is louder than a digital watch alarm but less loud than a cell phone on medium. It doesn't have to be that loud since it's around your neck. I've never had trouble hearing it, and I don't find it so loud that it's unnerving. Hey- it's right in front of you at all times. You can shut it down pretty quickly.

One nice aspect of it is that as soon as the time expires, it starts counting UP. Say you set it for 3 minutes. When you start it, it goes 3:00, 2:59, 2:58 etc. When it gets near zero, 0:02, 0:01, 0:00 (starts beeping), then 0:01, 0:02, 0:03 and so forth until you shut it off. Advantage is that if the timing is critical, you can see how much more time you have 'gone over'.

I love that Joseph Joseph Garlic Masher that I learned about on this site. It was about $15 and definitely worth it. I use to have one of those braided ceramic bread baskets but it went to my Salvation Army box -- beware -- it is really heavy and you dread it when someone asks you to 'pass the bread'. I have an old Longaberger basket with a rather light weight brick that is much much lighter.

ci_lantro - I will have to read more on the Thermoworks RT301WA Super Fast Pocket Digital Thermometer. I have one with a oven safe cord that you can leave in the meat and it will beep when done. You can set it for the different kinds of meats which makes it easy to use.
The Polder timer/stopwatch looks interesting. I have my son who lets me know when my cheap timer goes off. I could have used that Polder when I had a dark room.

jessicavanderhoff - I did ask for a new digital scale. Mine is over 30 years old and not the most accurate. I love my silicone spatulas too.

jasdip - I have lots of measuring cups but none that are easy to read. I will check out the OXO measuring cup. Notice how liquid looks different when you look at it from above, level with the cup and below. What way is right? How would you use the muffin brush? I usually use papers or really spray the heck of the pan so they don't stick.

magothyrivergirl - Please read all the reviews for the Yonanas Frozen Treat Maker before buying. I am on the fence because of what I read. It was loud when they demostrated it so not sure about that. You can also find it at Target, Walmart(?), and Bed Bath and Beyond for the same price and easier to take back if you don't like it.
Is the Zyliss 71372 Metal Ice-Cream Scoop really better than the standard scoop?

cloudy_christine - I have jumbo muffin pans and I love them. I use them for my blueberry muffins. I also have mini's muffins pans too. It depends on what I am making whether I use standard, jumbo or mini. When I make brownies, I use the mini's, so I don't eat as many. LOL

bettyd - You're welcome. I have always wanted a good crepe pan too. One Christmas DH and son looked everywhere but couldn't find one like I had in mind so I gave up. What kind of mini loaf pan do you have in mind? I have some small metal ones but I usually just use the throw away foil ones you can buy. I use to make all kinds of breads to give away at Christmas.

dancingqueen - I like that the William Sonoma apple core/slicer is adjustable. I have an old metal apple corer slicer and always forget to use it. I do that with a lot of kitchen gagets so don't know why I am asking for more. LOL

paprikash - That Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker looks interesting. I have a heavy stainless garlic press that I am too lazy to drag out and use because I hate to clean it. I learned a trick from a cooking show about garlic, cut it up in very small pieces and sprinkle salt on it. Then let it set for a few minutes and smash it with the flat edge of a knife. Really easy to mash that way. Those braided bread baskets look nice, DH and son don't care about looks though. LOL

Thanks everyone else, sorry if I didn't metion you but this reply is getting too long already.
Clare

Claire, the correct way to measure liquids is to bend down or place the cup on an eye-level surface, and look at it from the side.

I already told DH tonite that I want one of those angled measuring cups. He knew right away the ones I was talking about, and thinks they are a fantastic idea/invention.

jasdip - Are these the cups you are talking about? Do you know where you can get them other than online?
Clare

Here is a link that might be useful: 3 Piece Angled Measuring Cup Set

Yes, those are the cups. I live in Canada, and they are available here. I did a quick check at Target online, and they are in the stores. So definitely out there!

Aptosca,

Michael's have small stoneware type loaf pans for $1.00 each. They are really cute and microwave, dishwasher and oven safe.

Perfect size for a singe serving dessert and soooo cute!

I'm thinking of getting a bunch of them and making up some for little last minute gifts.

Perfect for bus drivers, teachers, neighbors, Sunday School teachers, etc.

Betty

The 'Metro Beater Blade' for my Kitchen Aid mixer was on my Christmas list last year. If you have a KA & don't have one of those scraping blades... I love mine for when I need to cream butter & sugar together. (Under $25)

Last year, I also asked for an Escali digital scale. No problems with it in the almost a year that I've owned it. Use it a lot, even more than I thought I would. One thing to watch for when buying a digital scale is the type of batteries it needs. I wanted one that used common AA's which I always have spares of on hand. (The Escali is still operating on the original batteries, BTW.) I got the 'Primo' Escali...under $25 at Amazon.

Betty - They only have this kind of mini loaf pan on their site. We don't have a Michael's store here where I live. Too bad. That would be a nice gift to give someone.

ci_lantro - I have gone back and forth about getting a 'Metro Beater Blade' for my Kitchen Aid mixer. But I don't use it as much as I use to. I use my little Kitchen Aid hand held mixer for most things. That is good advice about the batteries for a scale. I will have to point that out to DH.

Thanks.
Clare

Here is a link that might be useful: Michael's loaf pans

What about an apple peeler? A must if you bake pies, apple crisp, applesauce etc. - it peels, cores and slices an apple in seconds using a hand crank, I love mine! Lee Valley has a very durable, well-constructed one for $28.50 CAD: check it out at their online garden catalog for Sept./11, p. 17.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Valley

I love my apple peeler, too. It's a back to basics. I hate peeling apples, and this makes pies a snap, so fast!!

I would so love to have one of those Thermapens, the ones that read the temperature in 3 seconds and are so accurate. But, they're really pricey and I just got a new kitchen, so I shouldn't spend the money on one. But maybe Santa will! (Though he shouldn't either!)

Cj

I don't use my KA nearly as much as I used to either, Clare, not since I got a nice hand held. But I did haul the beast out the other day for making a lemon bundt cake that needed the butter & sugar creamed together and the task reminded me of how much that beater blade improves the performance of the KA. Just wish I'd had it years ago when the boys were small & we were making cookies at least once a week!

I need some decent under the cabinet lighting to read cookbooks on the counter. I have tried the LED ones that paste on via velcro, but they manage to fall off at odd times.

Betty,
If your immersion blender being broken is a long waited for reason to get a replacement, then you can ignore this, but when you go to Sears or somewhere, looking at replacements, you might want to wander to the appliance repair center and find out how much it would cost to replace that tiny part. It might all come out to much less than an equivalent replacement. (I'm guessing your warranty expired.)

As for Christmas goodies, they have those enameled cast iron dutch ovens that come in different colors to match your kitchen! And strainers that fit over your kitchen sink! Garlic Presses! and as mundane as it seems, I can't hold onto a good manual can opener to save my life, I'm always up for another of those, but maybe not for Christmas.

haha, have you seen those new toasters that have a little covered cup on one side for poaching an egg? Yes, as your bread is toasting, your egg is poaching. (then my toast would pop and I'd dump that egg right on top of the toast, my favorite breakfast ever) I must confess a case of the wants.

Here is a link that might be useful: examples

Another gem from woot! -'Kitchen Warfare' apron, $12 with shipping. It has pockets!

Here is a link that might be useful: Woot! apron

Cutlery and More is having a pretty good sale. I have purchased quite a number of items from them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cutlery and More

"---What I forgot to ask for opinions on is an immersion blender. My Food Network one had a detachable blender head for easier cleanup. The motor part still works, but the little thingy that holds the blender head on broke. ---"

Very often, it is just the detachable connection part got stripped.

Put a few drops of high strength epoxy (not 5-minute epoxy) into the connection hole, you will be able to use the unit again, except it will not be detachable anymore.

dcarch

I thought I got back to this thread earlier, but apparently not. Yes, I made a mistake. Guess the price of the thermal gun got me all excited. Of course it can't take temps inside of stuff. Duh. Heh. Jasdip that cracked me up about your husband checking if you're still alive. I'll have to try that. Hmm.. would be handy to check temps of the animals when they're sick. I figure now she can use it to check frying pans for one thing. She has a really hard time letting them get hot enough. Will also be great for checking frying oil temp and candy making. I hate trying to read those darn thermometers and cleaning them is a pain if you don't put in water right away. I think for the price we'll find enough uses for it. I have an idea of experimenting checking what outside temp of meat is compared to internal... hmmm..

I love those angled measuring cups. Christy bought me the two cup one a couple years ago and I bought her the four cup one for this Christmas. Sooo much easier.

You got lots of great suggestions.

I just happened to look into Walnutcreek's link and saw this set of knives.

Go get yourself a set soon.

Amazing knives at an incredible price!

Do a Google search and you will see. It's like a Ferrari vs. a Honda, when you compare performence with all the other knives.

dcarch

Here is a link that might be useful: Great knives

Is it just me? I can't purchase knives over the Internet. I have to hold it in person to see if it fits my hand, is weighted comfortably, is a weight I can manage, etc. There's a lot of variances with knives & I think they're more personal in nature than other kitchen tools.

/tricia

"---Is it just me? I can't purchase knives over the Internet. ---"

Yes, it's you. LOL!

What I find difficult to understand is, I know a lady who buys her shoes over the internet.

dcarch

Ha, I buy all my shoes over the internet. Sometimes I send a pair back but not that often.

Me, too. Shoes on the internet, that is. I buy ALL my shoes online. I know the free shipping both ways is factored into the prices, but I don't care. Order me as many as I want, send them all back if I want. Keep some, think about it for up to a year, then send them back if I want. It is shoe whore heaven.

OOps, guess this isn't a shoe thread...sorry.

Hahaa!

Buying shoes on the internet is like marrying your blind date before the first tryst.

Sorry OT. Can't help it. :-)

dcarch

Also OT. . . I did learn the hard way to make sure shoes come with free returns, and preferably let you send them back worn if you don't like them. It's terrible to realize after a day or two that you just bought a $60 paperweight because they hurt your feet. There are discount codes a lot of times for shoe sites.

On topic, I decided this week, after 5 years, that it was time I owned a toaster oven tray. I cook on a salad plate sometimes, but I can only fit two cookies that way. In the process, I found a little roasting pan that was $4 or $5 on Amazon and says it will fit in the toaster oven. If it does fit, I think I will get use out of that. They also have a muffin pan, but reviews said they didn't fit regular muffin papers and I'm not sure you couldn't fit a regular 6-muffin pan in the toaster oven. If you're often cooking for one or two, you can preheat the TO and use it for a lot.

If Santa really does see me when I'm sleeping, etc. etc., then he knows I want new Silpat mats for baking as mine are wrecked. Cut up and badly stained. Heck, they're 15 years old!

Santa brought the Yonanas early......and Santa is getting the Yonanas back early. We bought it hoping it would be a good heart healthy substitute for frozen yogurt, ice cream, etc. It is loud-just like the reviews state, but you only run it for a little while. Every recipe should use frozen-ripe bananas. We love bananas, and get alot of them, so banana flavor is okay with us. We found the result to be more like Banana-Goo with added flavor. It sat on the counter for 1 week and neither of us touched it, so it is packed up and going back to BB&Beyond.

The Yonanas does exactly what it is suppose to do - but it did not pass the Taste or Texture Test! (And, prep is key and too much extra work.)

Clare -"Is the Zyliss 71372 Metal Ice-Cream Scoop really better than the standard scoop?"
Absolutely! It will make a great stocking stuffer.

More about shoes, I do like Eddie Bauer for casual shoes as they will take them back after wearing if you don't like them. I sent a pair back last summer after wearing for a day 'cause they killed my feet. No questions asked.

I have bought everything online! Have bought shoes for years from many places online....and never a problem with free returns, either. Slap that label on the box and drop it off if you hate them or they don't fit. If I'm familiar with the quality of a brand or a store, I read all reviews of the product and then hit "give it to me now!" and here they are....love it. Bought several Wusthof knives from Chef's Catalog last year and have been more than happy with them...the Nikiri knife and a chef's knife...both at excellent prices and free shipping. And no tax. Gotta love it. Oh, and they sent a free knife sharpener with both of them (not ordered at the same time).

That beater blade for the large mixers is absolutely a must for cake batters....goodness, it makes the task much easier!! If you don't have one, you need one!

It has been interesting to read this thread. Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Small kitchen items on sale, often with a coupon in addition, makes them very inexpensive gifts.

My polder kitchen timer is one of my most used small items as I also use it to time my laundry dryer. The laundry room is in the basement and dryer timer is not very loud so even when I am in the TV room next to the laundry room I can't hear it buzz.

I wear it around my neck and don't find it too loud and it is easily turned off.

The best timer I've ever had as I don't forget to set it when I need it (right now as opposed to maybe remembering to set the one on the microwave when I get to the kitchen). I'm often out of range to hear the kitchen timers and forget all about them. Never out of range for this one.

On my list: new cutting board as mine is all cut up - yuck! Also, a new meat cleaver is on my must have list right below an off-set spatula for icing and spreading brownies, squares and cupcakes :)

Wow, can't believe this thread is still going strong. Maybe it will make it to 100! I did get some of the things I wanted for my birthday. Finally have a super thin kitchen scale that measures grams, lbs, ounces, fl ounces and ml. And got my crumpet rings. Now I will have to find a good recipe and make some. I hope I get the rest of my list for Christmas.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Clare

You better hurry up!
Great discount on this incredible cookbook:

dcarch

Here is a link that might be useful: Ultimate cookbook

I have stopped asking Santa for kitchen stuff. I literally have every tool and gadget I can think of wanting, assuming I don't get into baking anyway. I can't even get interested when browsing Sur La Table. Sure, I could start replacing things with nicer versions, but the current stuff does the job. At this point, the only thing I want - and gee do I want it - is a new kitchen. Santa says I've not been a good enough boy for that. I'm so grouchy, I'm gonna kneecap Rudolph.

dcarch - I should get that cookbook for my DH the electronics engineer. We are always having a debate of science vs creative art in regards to cooking. I don't see why you can't have both.
Clare

Posted by aptosca "dcarch - I should get that cookbook for my DH the electronics engineer. We are always having a debate of science vs creative art in regards to cooking. I don't see why you can't have both. Clare "

Just for your DH the electronic engineer, I am going to make something electronic, for the kitchen or the dinning table of course. Stay tuned.

dcarch

I love the microplane zester from Lee Valley Tools, because of the attaching tray to catch the zest. I give this frequently as a gift. It is perfect for citrus zest, nutmeg, even hard cheeses.

Here is a link that might be useful: microplane zester and tray

Okay, I've finally managed to read all this thread.

I love the idea of that portable timer, but of course, a lot of timers are portable. The stove in my Tahlequah house has a timer that only beeps once, so if I don't hear the one beep, I'm out of luck. Having a timer that goes with me wherever I am would be cool.

Early in this thread someone mentioned a bench scraper. I love mine.

I actually ordered my Christmas present, a dough rising bucket. Since I needed to order some ingredients from KA anyway, it made sense for me to go ahead and order what DH was going to give me anyway, to save shipping. :)

As for the above mentioned microplane with a tray - I learned an obvious trick from a Bobby Flay show once. I felt silly for not thinking of it myself. It's simply to turn the microplane so that the blades are at the bottom and the sides are pointing up, like a U. Then you can grate and catch the zest or whatever in the microplane. I've done it that way ever since.

I lucked out at an estate sale the other day and found a 8" Henckles chef's knife for $10. I missed out on the Le Creuset they had. As I walked into the kitchen, a woman was laying claim to the entire set they had for sale. Oh, well, she saved me a bunch of money!

Still on my list for Santa is one of those scraper paddles for my KA mixer.

Sally

Look at that! This thread has made it to the What's New on the Gardenweb list at the top of all the forums pages. (I saw it on another forum.) No thread of mine has ever had that honor before. LOL
Clare

I already ordered and received the kitchen timer. LOVE it!

I also ordered the manual chopper/shredder (I'm sure that's not the name of it) that someone had talked about in another thread. It cuts fruit and veggies into long ribbons.

My son and I have had fun with it already.

Decided to not keep the dutch oven because the interior of the top had chipped and I didn't want to take the chance of the stuff falling in my food. I'm also bad about banging my spoon against the top rim of my pots.

I think I need the scraper paddle for my KA. We make lots of sweets.

Betty

Hey Clare, I thought about this thread today as I was boxing up a Joseph Joseph garlic rocker to send to someone this Christmas. I think I was the first one to get one of these, as David gave it to me in my stocking last year. When I first saw it, I wasn't too impressed until I used it...which is when I came here to sing its praises! Every garlic mincer I've ever had has been hard to clean, and hard for me to use because of the hand strength it takes to squeeze a garlic press. I'm still in love with this thing, so I hope you find one in your stocking this year. It's easy, elegant, and not often does such a simple looking tool live up to the hype. You will love it.

I remember that last year Claire!!
You were definitely raving about it, as were others here who bought one.

Claire - Who knows what Santa will bring! I keep hoping for a lot of things, but won't know till Christmas morning. LOL
Clare

This is one of the best sites that I had visited. The kitchen tools for Santa for Christmas is very special and also very interesting. There are many new models of home appliances such as cooking ware, pool fence, coffee cups of various new varieties are now available in the market.

wooden rosary beads,prayer beads

HUH?

Kitchen Tools: Pool fence? Wooden rosary beads,prayer beads?
Double HUH?
Also Santa has left the building. Time to ask the Easter Bunny for gifts.
Clare