New Year, New Kitchen Gadgets!

Some things really tickle me!  I just love kitchen gadgets and when some kind person sends you some unexpectedly in the mail, it really makes your day.  In this case it was my sister.  She is so generous and kind. And thoughtful/thinking beyond anything I could ever pull off, but then, comparing oneself to others is not a good use of mental energy.  One almost always comes out the loser in one's own mind when comparing.  So I will just be grateful for the gifts, and knowing my sister.

The first thing she sent was a Cuisinart stick blender.  She had read this blog some time ago and "heard" me noting that my stick blender was at home in Vermont and that I used a fork to mush up some soup vegetables.  Which did work, but now I can have really really smooth soups!  Thank you!

Notice the lovely growing green onions in the background and the not-so-lovely drag ends of a toll house pie I made on  New Year's Day. And the washed-out tin can I use for a cookie and biscuit cutter.

Yesterday another box came to the office.  Totally out of the blue.  I do order things from Amazon but had not done so in some time so I was surprised.  In the package was a Ninja Express Chop.  After our phone conversation this evening  with my sister I immediately opened the box.  Since I am doing "the garlic cure",  I smashed five cloves of garlic, removed the paper, put them in the Express Chop and pressed the button about three times.  Instantly there was wonderful finely chopped garlic.  Yay!  So easy and no garlic smell on my hands.

Since we are trying to eat up everything in the refrigerator before buying more, we are down to a head of romaine lettuce and a few mini carrots.  I remembered the wonderful carrot salad Rudi Sordes used to make with I was living with him and his family in Toulouse, France while studying abroad back in the 90's.  I thought I would see if I could chop carrots.  Rudi had grated them but I almost always grate my fingers because I go too far or too fast when grating.  WELL...I put in four small carrots, pressed the button about five times and voilá, instant carrot salad carrots!  I did not stop to make the vinaigrette Rudi used to make but put on a dab of mayonnaise and ate up a lovely fresh salad.  I see a lot of that in the future!

Thank you, dear Sister, for the new gadget!  It works like a charm and is my new favorite kitchen tool!