I just discovered that the KitchenAid company has the absolute best customer service I've ever encountered.

Elery bought me that KitchenAid food processor a year ago in May for my birthday. I've used it for a few things, he uses it a lot. Last weekend he threw a handful of pork cubes into it to grind for sausage and the "all purpose" blade broke. On-line a new blade cost $34, but I wasn't sure it was what I wanted so I called KitchenAid.

The rep said that because the blade broke in the food, it was a safety issue, they would send me a new food processor. The new one year warranty would apply to the new machine, beginning the day I received the new processor. They would Fed Ex it and put a rush on it for the holiday season.

Saturday my new food processor arrived and as instructed, I put the old one in the box that they new one came in and it's ready to send back.

When telling Elery's DIL this she said she had a KitchenAid toaster oven and broke the knob, they sent her a new one at no charge and when the hand mixer got dropped on the floor and stopped working, that was also replaced at no charge and with no complaints.

Plus, I got a representative that spoke English clearly and was pleasant and polite. The entire experience was nearly painless and very professionally conducted.

Now THAT'S customer service.

Annie

I learned to freeze the fruit (raspberries, blueberries, etc) before incorporating them into scones or muffins or breads. That way they stay whole, not squished, and they look nicer. I learned this from Ann T's Scones recipe.

Just recently, within the last week or so, I learned here to roll up slices of bacon, put on cookie sheet to freeze, then put the frozen rolled up bacon into a zip lock bag and store in freezer. Then when you need a slice or two of bacon, just take out what you need.

I love this idea!

Also, concerning bacon, I learned here to use a rubber spatula to separate the pieces.

I've learned that good chicken broth is supposed to be gel like when it gets cold.

I learned to make yeast bread (still learning..)and then learned that once you begin baking your own bread you can't go back to store bought LOL.

I finally learned (she's probably so tired of reading about this...)how to cook a great turkey by following the instructions Ann T posted.

My summer project was to become so competent making my own pie crusts that I would never be tempted to buy the rolled up ones from the refrigerator case. Managed that, and in the process family and friends ate and were gifted with more fresh fruit pies than in any previous year.

Used my LC Dutch oven sporadically in previous years but since I want it handy for coffeehaus's No Knead Bread, these days I have something simmering in it several times a week. Would love to get more T&T recipes for it.

Learned about the Thermapen cooking thermometer from this forum. Researched reviews and now want one...

Since DS graduated HS in '98 I had put on a couple pounds each year. Doesn't sound too bad, but over the course of 10 yrs. that became 20 extra pounds that didn't look or feel good on my 5'2" frame. I made an effort to become more physically active and became conscious of everything I was eating and dropped that 20 by June and have maintained the loss over 1/2 a year. FINALLY learned that "eat what you love, and love what you eat" works for me - not eliminating whole groups of food. Also learned (kind of knew it, but it really sunk in this year)that cooking and eating at home is so much more soul satisfying than eating out & on the run that it's easier to be fully satisfied with smaller portions of great food.

Last, not least, I learned about this forum which is full of really talented, knowlegeable, fun people who inspire me every day to try new recipes and methods.

I've learned so much from these forums, I don't remember exactly when I've learned what I've learned, if that makes any sense.

DH taught me a trick recently, though, that I'll share. I was blind baking a crust, and as usual, the recipe called for putting the beans or the little baking weight things in the crust before baking. I don't have those little weight things, and am always worried about what baking will do to the beans, and was voicing my concern. DH said he uses rock salt. It worked perfectly. The rock salt can go back in the box to be used for the ice cream maker, or another pie, or whatever.

Sally

I've learned that appliances work better when they are plugged in. If the radio is plugged in, the stand mixer will not start no matter how many time I toggle the lever or say bad words to it! Strangely enough, that same rule applies to all electric kitchen gadgets!

If you put the probe thermometer housing on top of the stove where the oven vents, IT WILL MELT beyond recognition.

On a more serious note, it's definitely better to buy quality products the first time around! If you try to get off cheap, you'll spend more in the long run when you eventually buy things that work and/or last.

New kitchen gadget I can't live without--my mini-food processor. My husband gave me a mini Cuisinart--it has saved me so much time and frustration! I adore it.