Culinary Colossus

on

When I was trying to decide the topic of my first post, I tossed around a variety of ideas, but none of them really seemed to be laudable enough to bear the honor of the first post. They didn’t pop. Then it hit me. Why not write about the quintessential kitchen tool. The one appliance that I tell every aspiring cook is a must-have: KitchenAid’s Stand Mixer.

KitchenAid offers a variety of models for this multifaceted tool. When I bought myself a stand mixer for Christmas in 2006, I chose the Artisan Series. This model in particular comes in 26 different colors, so you can go as neutral or flashy as you desire (or like Food Network star, Sandra Lee, you can change your mixer daily to match your wardrobe). I chose Cobalt Blue. I was in a minute minority of college students that owned a stand mixer (I knew of only one other), but it made my time in the kitchen just that much easier.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer, Cobalt Blue

I never really knew how much time and energy this machine saved until I was living on my own in college. Growing up it was something I took for granted in our kitchen. Baking cookies with my mom and Nani, I never fathomed the idea of making cookies or cakes with anything else. But this powerhouse does so much more than improve the ease of making baked goods. With the multiple attachments that can be purchased separately, you can do anything from grind meats and grains, freeze ice cream and even roll and cut pasta. I won’t delve further into the versatility of these attachments, as each deserves a future post of their own.

Each mixer comes with a flat beater, wire whip, dough hook and pouring shield. The flat beater is perfect for making cookies and cakes. The wire whip is useful for whipping cream, egg whites or frosting. And although I’m usually partial to the culinary therapy of kneading dough by hand, the dough hook is a quick and effective alternative for those occasions when you’re in need of a quick knead. The pour guard comes in handy when a cloud of flour is imminent, especially when making a double-batch of chocolate chip cookies. A unique 67-point planetary mixing action ensures KitchenAid’s stand mixer incorporates your ingredients completely and the 10-speed, 325-Watt motor is powerful enough to knead the toughest dough and whip at top speeds.

Although this stand mixer’s MSRP of $349.99 is a little steep, many stores discount this price as low as $200 throughout the year, especially around the holidays. This machine is well worth the price tag. I highly recommend the KitchenAid stand mixer. Buy one and you will not be disappointed.

9 Comments Add yours

  1. Sallie says:

    Totally agree with you Brian. Can’t live without my mixer. I am looking to upgrade mine with an 90th anniversary edition of the mixer in Candy Apple Red. It looks like a car paint job , totally awesome. Like having a hot rod in my Kitchen!
    Looking forward to your Blog site and some upcoming recipe’s you might share. Need to get that Spring roll or Lympia recipe and equally good sauces. Also the Pad Thai recipe you said you had was great. I’ll be willing to send you My Lemon/Poppy seed dressing recipe for that Apple /Pear/ CRanberry salad. Love ya!

  2. Ann says:

    As your mom, I know just how much you use your mixer. God knows, mine still works like a charm after 20 years–Originally had a Sunbeam and that was completely substandard-especially when I quadrupled cookie batches for all of you!!! With the good deals on the internet you certainly get more that what you pay for! Look forward to your next kitchen find

  3. Leah says:

    I LOVE IT! You were/still are the only other college student I know who has had a mixer in a college apartment.

    Perfect first post, this is my go to for nearly everything I bake in the kitchen. Trying to fold chocolate chips into a double batch of cookies…no fun at all!

    Also, do you have a crock pot? I got one for Christmas last year an was skeptical, but they are quite versatile. Although I use it a lot less frequently than my mixer, it can be used from anything to your traditional stew to muffins to candles (candles? yes, candles).

    Anyway, great post, can’t wait til the next!!

  4. Val Mahoney says:

    Hey Brian – Leah hooked me up with your blog! What a great idea! I look forward to many more interesting articles from you! My first great memory of you, that I will NEVER forget is you coming to our house for MahoneyPalooza & Thanksgiving, and as you were in my kitchen, all of a sudden I hear – “Oh my God!” I’m like what? Then you – “You have a KitchenAid”! And I just laughed, you were so enamored by it, and that’s all you wanted for Christmas was a Kitchenaid! And now you have one, and life is great isn’t it? I just love mine, and I use it all the time! I hope you will also be sharing some of your favorite recipes on here too! Maybe Martha will try some too! 🙂 Take care buddy & keep postin!

  5. TeenieCakes says:

    Found your blog from a tweet on Twitter! Great post and congrats on your new blog!

    I love my KitchenAid Mixer…although I must admit that when I first received it (9 years ago!) I was intimidated with it and didn’t use it right away. It’s my best friend in the kitchen. 🙂

  6. Jennifer says:

    Congrats on your first blog post! I’ll be following you. 🙂

  7. Kerry says:

    My daughter had a KitchenAid in her college apt also! Love my pink Breast Cancer model!

  8. The King says:

    Thanks, everyone, for your great responses! I look forward to sharing more with you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *