Fine Old Recipes

Kitchen appliances are more than a lifesaver, they are nearly a necessity. Today’s hectic lifestyles and on the go eating have made the idea of convenient cooking into one of a necessity. Often overlooked though, kitchen appliances should be evaluated and upgraded often.

Kitchen appliances are a matter of personal taste. Some people can live without a dishwasher or the convenience of a food processor. Others on the other hand, would struggle without a microwave. Here are a few offered suggestions that might help you pick the appliances that are best for you.

A double oven is a great tool to have around the kitchen if you entertain a lot or have a large family. These are often stacked one on top of the other and allow for you to cook in two ovens at the same time at different temperatures. You have to love that! These, along with a separate stove range will provide extra space for cabinetry as well. And who doesn’t need more cabinet space?

Dishwashers are another appliance people often think about. But there are more than the standard under the cabinet dishwashers to content with. There are also smaller countertop models, and for those of you who do not have a lot of floor space but a little closet room, there are the roll-away types.

One of the most versatile kitchen appliances has to be a food processor. These are great for saving time when prepping food for cooking. Sometimes they can save you hours. Just remember to buy one that is easy to clean and easy to operate. If you do not, then you run the risk of spending the time you save using the processor on cleaning it properly.

A radio or flat screen TV could be considered a kitchen appliance in a way. It really depends on where you mount it. Making a little room for this sort of extra entertainment will help you pass the time away while you are cooking, or just having a cup of coffee in the kitchen. For the news and entertainment junkie, these are kitchen necessities.

Whatever appliances you purchase, think convenience and ease of cleaning. You should be able to keep whatever comes in contact with food sanitary. Often we buy complicated pieces of equipment that can chop up onions and a whole cow in 30 seconds but takes an hour to disassemble and sanitize, and seldom gets put back together. They end up not being utilized.  So keep this in mind when purchasing any type of appliance.

Finally have some fun with your appliances. Usually most appliances will come with a few recipes. Try them out. Live a little, experiment some and have a good time. Kitchen appliances can do a little more than save us time, they can broaden horizons as well.

Whether it is Thanksgiving, a different holiday, or just a big family gathering, when the meal is over, there are plenty of leftovers. And the thing you always seem to have the most of is the mashed potatoes. Sure, everyone loved them, but there are just so many. Rather than let them go bad and having to throw them out, maybe you should consider a good potato pancake recipe.

[I:http://www.fine-old-recipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/AndrewCook0.jpg] As delicious as your mashed potatoes are, eventually even the most avid fan of your cooking will grow weary of them. By turning them into pancakes, you give them new life and spark a brand new interest in them. People might end up looking forward to leftover mashed potatoes.

Before you get started, check to see that you have all the necessary ingredients. Of course you have the potatoes. You also need flour, milk, an egg, onion, vegetable oil (canola, corn or a vegetable blend) and a little salt and pepper. You may substitute bacon drippings for the oil.

To yield 4 pancakes, you will use 2 cups of your mashed potatoes. Combine them with 1/2 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of milk and 3 tablespoons of diced onion. Depending on how your family feels about onion flavor in their food, more can be used. Thoroughly mix all this together and then form it into 4 patties. Forming them on tin foil or waxed paper may make it easier since the mixture may be sticky.

Fry the pancakes in hot (not smoking) oil or bacon drippings that generously covers an electric or traditional skillet. Fry for approximately three minutes on each side or until each side is golden brown. Be sure the patties are hot throughout and the minced onion is tender. To avoid the mixture sticking to your spatula as you press down the pancake in the pan, try spraying it with cooking spray.

Top them off with salt and pepper to taste. You may also get creative by topping them with ketchup, butter, sour cream, gravy, hot sauce or melted cheese. You may also want to try experimenting by adding your favorites to the mixture, such as shredded cheese and crumpled bacon. These pancakes will make great side dishes to serve with chicken, beef, fish or pork. They also make nice appetizers.

This is the mashed potato variety of pancakes. You may also want to someday try making the German style potato pancake recipe which calls for grated potatoes. With these, you will get a pancake similar in texture to hashed browns.

Find lots and lots of recipes like this potato pancake recipe on Andrews pancake website. If you like your pancakes made with vegetables and salty you can also try ham and cheese pancake recipe. It’s delicious and none of the recipes are hard to make!

I have always wanted a vertical rotisserie. There is something about walking past a restaurant where meats are stacked on a vertical rotisserie, slowly turning around, dripping off all the fat, but retaining its succulence and flavor. A rotisserie offers the perfect answer for those who like to stick as close to a low fat diet as possible, while enjoying tasty foods.

For the home, you can purchase a family sized rotisserie that is just big enough to roast a turkey or you could get a large one that can service a restaurant by roasting up to 10 pounds of meat at the same time.

Simply take a look at some of the recipe books available to see the amazing dishes that you can create using a rotisserie. You can cook meats, fish, poultry and even vegetables. Why not try making your own shwarmas or shish kebabs? You will take your taste buds places they have never been before!

When cooked on a vertical rotisserie, your meat is self-basted, which means it cooks in its own juices. This method seals in flavor and drains away excess fat into the drip tray. All that is left is a succulent, tasty piece of meat with low calories.

Various companies manufacture rotisseries. Different rotisseries offer different features and the type you purchase will depend on your needs. Size will obviously be the first consideration. Rotisseries are driven with different heat sources that include gas, coal and electricity.

Modern rotisseries offer a range of preset over temperatures. Most have a touch pad and LCD display which you can use to select the type of meat and the weight, and a countdown timer then cooks the meat for the right amount of time. These rotisseries also have an auto shut off feature. An interior light helps you to keep a close eye on the progress of your meat.

New modern rotisseries are designed to fit into the most elegant of kitchens. With brushed stainless steel casings, nonstick interiors and a range of accessories, cleaning will be an absolute breeze.

Bigger rotisseries could be quite messy in a kitchen, which is the reason for outside cooking. Your rotisserie should be installed in a clean, open and airy spot where the mess from drippings and splatter can easily be cleaned.

The place in which you set up your vertical rotisserie is as important as its features. Choose an airy, open spot to install your new appliance in. Most people choose a covered area on their patio as a vertical rotisserie could be quite messy, especially  the larger machines.

Find out more details and information about the benefits of adding a vertical rotisserie to your kitchen. When you cook foods that require a strong rotisserie motor, you will be able to find the perfect machine to meet your requirements fast and easy!