Miele Capricorn Vacuum - the last vacuum you will ever own...

This vacuum is without a doubt an investment into your home. I compare it to the people that finally buy a decent set of knives or cookware after they have gone through two or three sets and decide that if they would have purchased the better ones initially, they would still have it.  This is exactly how I feel about the Miele Capricorn Vacuum.  What's strange though is that for all the power and work this amazing piece of equipment provides, I wonder sometimes if it is actually on.  It is so extremely quiet, which means your family won't mind when you vacuum while they are on the phone or watching television.  I literally can have a normal conversation with someone in the room while I am using it.  It is also lightweight, doing your stairs with this machine doesn't require you having a gym membership and all of the attachments make cleaning a breeze.

This is wonderful for people who suffer from allergies, or if you have animals.  Did you know that with the Miele filter that the air coming out of the vacuum is cleaner than the air around you?  I also like how I can use it on rugs, long-piled carpet or even hardwood.  It takes care of my whole house!  If you are serious about keeping your home clean, the you cannot go wrong with this vacuum, it offers tremendous value.  I would consider it the 'strong, silent type' of vacuum - only the baggage involved in this relationship is easily disposed of....

Tivoli Songbook

Music is a big part of my world.  I love to have it going on in the background, playing one of my various favorite lounge compilations, holiday playlists or shuffling my entire catalog.  I couldn't hear a thing if it wasn't for my Tivoli Songbook, with it's portability and rugged exterior.  It travels with me from the kitchen to the bathroom to the park.  The rubber exterior makes it perfect for my lifestyle as I can wipe it clean from spills and I don't have to baby it outside since the casing is durable.  It comes in fve great colors, I chose the red as it has an orange-y hue which is one of my favorite colors. 

Not only can you play your iPod through Aux, but you can also play the radio and it gives you five pre-set stations to set - but it also serves as an alarm clock as well.  Put batteries inserted in the back, and you can travel the world with it where you go, on the go.  I would easily compare the sound quality that comes from this to that of Bose.  Let the music of your world come through with the beauty and quality of the Tivoli SongBook.

Breville Convection Oven

As soon as Autumn rolls around, my oven seems to go into overdrive and I never seem to have enough room, which is why I decided after months of research to take the plunge and purchase the Breville Convection Oven.  My reasoning came down to the value of what the product can do for the amount of money spent.  I have with experience found most countertop oven to be insufficiently designed to bake bread, pizza, pies, cookies, even meatloaf AND broil a steak or breakfast hash.  They can often do one, but not all - this oven CAN do it all effortlessly.  It also can act as a toaster or warming drawer, so you can have warm apple pie or keep your side dish warm, even warm plates if you care to without needed to remove a wall to add in another major appliance.  The ease of having an additional oven during the Holidays removes my stress level of having to time everything out exact and enjoy my guests. 

It is also nice as I have found myself using it for more than just that, I no longer heat up my full-sized oven when making a pizza or a pie as this heats up to the desired temperature in roughly five minutes and allows me to cook small things in a flash.  The convection bake assures even browning so I don't have to babysit it either.  I highly recommend the Breville convection oven for those of you pressed for time and space, or if you are looking to relax and let the oven do the work.

Cuisinart Pressure Cooker

I can't imagine my kitchen without the Cuisinart Pressure Cooker, it just simplifies my world.  From making potatoes in six minutes (even sweet potatoes for my Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie), to browning a roast and cooking it in 45 minutes or making home-made stock in an hour - this is definitely the appliance for the person on the go.  The inner cooking bowl is dishwasher safe making cleanup a breeze.  Since it is electric, once your dish has finished the cooking time it automatically switches to warm giving you the ability to live your life and come back when you are ready.  An amazing value, priced at $99 you will wonder how YOU ever lived without it as well - be good to you and get one.

Make your own soda for $.25 a litre with SodaStream Pure

If you love bubbly water just as much as I do, then you have to stop and listen to what I am about to say.  I saw the SodaStream about a year ago in the form of The Penguin and thought this was one of those items I could do without - I did not even give it a second thought.  My problem was that I didn't delve deeper into it and find out more about SodaStream and their brand.  Fast forward to almost a year later when I see what I thought was a newer model called the SodaStream Pure - I was almost instantly hooked.  I think my inner impulse shopper was not too keen on the Penguin because it did not allow me to see the carbonation in action.  I like knowing what is going on - being present in my culinary experiences.  The Pure model also has a full, 1-liter bottle which makes for less refilling as opposed to 2/3 of a liter.  I of course also enjoy the $50 reduced price tag - I admit it, I can be cheap.  AND I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT NONE OF SODASTREAM'S SYRUPS USE HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP!!

Speaking of reducing, this model reduces more than just output on your wallet at the time of purchase it also reduces output of your wallet at the grocery or convenience store.  Imagine how much money one spends on carbonated beverages throughout the year.  I readily admit that I probably spend $700 a year on soda, and that includes my affinity for the pricey Energy drinks.  Do you wonder like I do why they cost $2-$3 a bottle?  On top of all this wonderfulness, you also get to reduce your carbon footprint and be green because you are limiting how much waste you put back into the world.  Not only are the BPA-free bottles reusable, but the CO2 cartridge that makes the bubbly is also recycleable!

Forgive me for being ridiculous, but let's break down what the actual costs are in general.  I figure if you buy a 12-pack of 12-oz. canned soda from the store AND have a coupon it will run you around $3.50, which is $.29 per can.  A bottle of soda from the convenience store is going to run you $1 for a half-liter.  The SodaStream Pure is going to cost you around $150 and it comes with a CO2 cartridge and two bottles.  One bottle of their syrup averages $6 and you can get 8 liters out of that one bottle of syrup.  One liter ends up costing you $.75 which in canned soda would cost you $.90, bottled soda $2 and $4 in a typical energy drink.  Let's use the bottled soda calculator as our medium and we can easily say that it would take us using the SodaStream 120 times to pay off the original investment which is generally 2 liters a week, that's it.  I personally am making 2 liters a day on average which means it will take me two months to pay off my original investment.  You can easily see if you are an energy drink hound that it really will only take one month to get your investment back! 

I will be doing  follow up reviews of the flavors.  Yes, I cannot forget the most important savings of all -saving our planet is priceless!  Do your part and invest in SodaStream

Appliances - Rowenta Expert Iron

No job is too much for this powerhouse. I knew I was making a solid investment when I purchased this iron. Continuous steam generation for ironing shirts, pants and other linens beyond your imagination.

This iron is even more slick because it allows you to add water while you are ironing if you see you have used up the massive 33 oz. water reservoir. This newer model allows you to see the water level. There is even an area to store your power cord of the way.

Who knew Rowenta could make one of my favorite things even more fun? I guess the real question is - should I admit that I enjoy ironing? Oh well, there goes my social life....

Appliances 101 - Kitchen Scale

I purchased my kitchen scale over ten years ago thinking it was a silly purchase and I would rarely ever use it. To the contrary it has become an integral part of my kitchen. I do not care for digital scales for two reasons. One, I do not have to worry about changing/replacing batteries (I am not good at that) and I also do not do any type of dietary cooking where it needs to be THAT exact. Two, I like the way a manual scale looks - slightly nostalgic and timeless.
I constantly run acros recipes that ask for 1/2 lb. of this or 4 lbs. of that, and even the 4 ounces of chocolate or 11 ounces of rice. I would not even attempt these recipes without a scale.
I was thrilled to see that the same scale that I purchased that many years ago is still the same price. Dualit is a great company, and I have not had one problem with this scale. The glass comes out to keep the entire unit clean. Wash by hand please.

Aluminum Cookware & Bakeware

I have had a lot of questions recently about the health concerns surrounding aluminum cookware. After doing research and talking with some scientists, I have come to the personal observation that I find not enough supportive evidence linking the use of aluminum cookware with Alzheimer's Disease. I hope my thoughts below help to give you some perspective on the issue.

I have to mention a few components about my experience in cooking with aluminum. First off, the aluminum cookware that I use is all lined with stainless steel. It is a clad-type of cookware which differs considerably from the cookware our grandparents used. I think it bears noting that serious chefs cook with copper due to its' responsiveness to heat, and yet there is no mention of a health scare of cooking with copper. Most copper cookware these days is lined with stainless steel, but tin-lined or un-lined pieces are still readily available. In fact, up until recent years, copper cookware was always normally lined with tin and you would have to pay a hefty fee to get it re-lined as it does come off over time. You can get tin and copper poisoning, yet I was unable to find any substantial, reliable information regarding that. To note, I will use my tin-line and un-line copper pieces as I do not see any notable health risks to using it.

We need to realize that each one of us is different, and unless you live in a cave - it is without a doubt obvious that we are individually susceptible to various types of diseases, regardless of what we cook with. My grandmother who died at 93 used unlined aluminum cookware her whole life. Her cause of death is old age, she had diabetes - but her body, as with all of our bodies, began to function less effectively. I recall how every morning she would brew a pot of coffee in her aluminum teapot that seemed to weigh as much as a sheet of paper, it was mishapen and worn - but she used it nonetheless.

There are other types of cookware out there that is available, such as cast iron which has a ceramic lining and even solid, stainless cookware - but you need to remember that even those will have tiny particles that over time will scratch off during cooking and possible come into contact with your food. The majority of my cookware is lined with stainless-steel and I have no question that it is safe for my family.

I also know that there are concerns regarding non-stick surfaces and how safe those are. Most non-stick surfaces are made via some form of plastic, although there are some new non-stick surfaces that are made from a ceramic product. My experience with non-stick is that regardless of how expensive the pan is, most of the surfaces scratch over time and some even peel which means it is making contact with food and therefore going into our bodies. The ONLY respite I have is that my cookware has a lifetime guarantee, so I just send the non-stick surfaced pan back and they send me a new one free of charge.

With respect to baking with aluminum, 95% of my bakeware collection is aluminum. I have unfinished, the dark-grey non-stick and even the new gold-touch non-stick surfaces. Hands down without a question in my mind I prefer unfinished due to it being to least to maintain. The dark-grey non-stick finish requires me to lower my oven temperature 25 degrees as it browns baked goods quicker than an unfinished pan, although this is not the case with the new gold-touch non-stick. But experience has also taught me that regardless of the non-stick finish, I still have to prep the pan because some baked goods DO stick in non-stick pans. With that said, it is just easier for me to prep every time then to worry about which recipe IS going to stick and then dealing with the hassle it sticking and the product being ruined. Now the one things I do have to say is that clean-up with non-stick is much easier than an unfinished pan. I think non-stick is great for any kind of baking pan with a design where unmolding your masterpiece is essential. It is without question that you need to prep these pans though with a spray or butter & flour in order to assure success.

I think when it comes to the issue of food safety, it is an individual decision what you choose to cook in. I personally believe that before anyone gets wrapped up into this issue, they should first consider what type of food you are cooking - are you eating any prepackaged foods or frozen foods with preservatives? These are much more of a health risk for you to be concerned with in my eyes. My perspective for people would be to tackle avoiding this by preparing the least pre-made food for your family before you move onto what you are cooking your food in.

As with anything we hear on the news regarding health concerns, researching any given subject, requires the willingness to search for genuine and authentic facts and tediously sift through the disinformation that we sometimes accept as factual evidence. I hope this article helps give you get a handle on where you choose to stand on this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments.

Appliances 101 - KitchenAid Waffle Iron

If you have a passion for waffles as I do, then this is an investment worth it's weight. The KitchenAid Waffle Iron is one mean waffle baking machine. It creates two Belgian waffles simultaneously. The concept of using the gravity when flipping with waffles around helps to assure that your batter spreads evenly inside the iron and not oozing out the side onto your counter. Yes, this appliance has a hefty price tag and it also requires some dedicated cupboard space, but I guarantee to you that you will never regret it.

I usually bake my waffles at the 4 minute setting, but that is because I prefer a crispy waffle. I photographed the iron when I used it this past weekend so you can see the steam escaping while it baked eggnog waffles. I also love the aroma that fills my home when waffles are on the menu...

Pressure Cooker Turkey Stock

The thought of making homemade stock sends most people into orbit. The hours of simmering meat and vegetables, chilling it to remove the solids and then straining it seems like an unending, thankless chore. I have news for all you nay sayers - I have your solution...

The Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker yet again comes to the rescue by making this task effortless. This past weekend was Thankgiving so I divided my turkey into three managable amounts, added them to the pot with the vegetables and herbs I stuffed the turkey with - filled it to the top level indicator with water, closed it, set it for an hour and walked away. After an hour I had beautiful, rich stock that I would have had to slave over my stove for hours with.

Yes, I did have to do this three times due to the size of my turkey - but, it is well worth it. No sodium added and home-made. The added benefit was the aroma it left in the house all day long. If I am not going to use all the stock to make soup, then I preportion it out by freezing it in mammoth muffin tins as they are roughly 1 cup portions - pop them out and keep them in a large, ziploc bag in my freezer for when I need it.

I drained each batch with a colander, let it cool until I could handle it and then removed all the meat from the bones. This is kon-tent anyone can incorporate into their lives. This pressure cooker is a great value at $99, and as you know - anything by Cuisinart is made to last. As added benefits to the pressure cooker - can you say potatoes done in 6 minutes.

When your life is under pressure, pull out your Cuisinart Pressure Cooker to relieve yours...

KitchenAid Pro-line Burr Grinder

This barista-quality grinder produces consistent, uniform results. The low-RPM operation reduces noise and minimizes frictional heat to preserve coffee flavor and aroma. Sometimes the beans get caught up in the upper hopper, so you have to jiggle it to get them to drop. I may be the only one that has this issue, but that would be due to the fact that I only put the beans I am using for that brew in the hopper and keep my other beans in a light-proof, sealed container.

As with all KitchenAid Pro-Line products, it is built like a Mack truck, you can be certain you will be using this grinder 10 years from now and it will still look great on your countertop. It's compact design allows it to be stored easily on your countertop or in a cabinet. I love the large, grind control dial. It lets you select the right consistency for espresso, automatic drip or French Press brewing. There is a special gear that controls the delivery of coffee to the burrs for better grind consistency. A bin seal plate helps position the coffee bin under grinding spout and prevents coffee grounds from escaping. The cutting burrs turn at just 450 rpm, minimizing frictional heating of the grinds and preserving coffee flavor - I love this feature. The glass grind container minimizes static 'cling' of coffee grinds, so you don't have to pound the coffee out into your filter or press, it slides right out effortlessly. The exterior housing is made from die-cast metal and comes in several color choices.

I have owned this grinder for seven years and it still performs just like it did the day I brought it home. Value and quality - a double win from KitchenAid!

Countertop Appliances - Cuisinart Slow Cooker

I recently obtained the Cuisinart Slow Cooker after debating about it for a long time. I have a tendency to mull appliances over, read reviews and price shop. This kitchen staple is a must have for anyone that longs to have slow, simmered soups and stews paired with the wonderful aroma's they provide your home. Slow cooker season is upon me here in the Midwest - seems like winter is right around the corner.

I not only love the ease of use with this appliance, but the rugged construction. I think the ceramic insert is perfect - you can easily remove it and bring it to the table, making a beautiful presentation. The glass lid lets you view your meal, so you don't have to remove it to check on your preparation. I consider this a solid investment, well worth what I considered to be a modest price tag. Cuisinart is an amazing company that stands behind their products.

As an aside, in case you were wondering - I slow cooked a pork roast and made pulled pork out of it. I used the pulled pork to make nacho's for the game - instant success!

Appliances - Dacor 30" Dishwasher

Did you know that Dacor has a 30" dishwasher? This is the largest dishwasher you can find for your home on the market. Your standard dishwasher is 24", and with the extra 6" you gain 40% more capacity! That extra capacity will allow you to do less loads, saving you energy costs, soap, etc.- much less those holiday dinner dishes will be taken care of in no time. It can accomodate up to 20 place settings in one load.

This machine is so quiet, they installed a light that reflects onto your floor so you know it IS working and when the dishes are done. The beam will blink while the load is going and be solid when done - this is kon-tent I can live with.

Dacor is synonymous with quality, so you can rest assured you have a reliable brand in your kitchen for years to come. Dacor is a family-owned company, so they take great pride in their appliances and service. I highly recommend this dishwasher without any reservations to anyone in the market for one.

Find your local retailer at http://www.dacor.com/ - they are the life of the kitchen...

Appliances 101 - Food Processor

I know a lot of people scoff at the thought of owning a food processor. Most often times I hear 'what do you do with it?', or people with one say 'I don't make pie dough.' I will readily admit that a food processor is not an appliance for the casual cook, unless you are a baker. I use my food processor almost daily and have found great uses outside of the normal functions.
I purchased the KitchenAid Pro-Line Food Processor after having their small model and loving its' functionality and ease of cleaning. I have used the Cuisinart and still do not care for its' top cap functionality. The KitchenAid also has the largest work bowl on the market - 16 cups, compared to Cuisinart's 14 cup. The larger work bowl has an inner bowl (outside of the smaller work bowl/blade) so when you are done shredding or slicing, you slide out the inner bowl and do not need to clean the larger work bowl. I find that convenient.
I recognize that a food processor is not a small investment, especially this model, but if you are in the market for one then I would highly suggest it. I have had no problems with it. Remember, do not put the bowl in the dishwasher though, I learned that lesson hard as food particles will attach themselves in the handle and you will not be able to get them out.
To start out with though, let me cover some other common uses outside of pie dough. Scones are a breeze and mincing a large amount of celery or mushrooms. If I am ever making some type of dish with ground pork, I put the cooked pork in and pulse it to break up the meat more as I do not care for the large chunks and it is hard to break them up with a wooden spoon or spatula. I also use the blade attachment for chocolate recipes as I buy my chocolate in 10 lb. bars and it is easier to chop it in the food processor.
I use my food processor with the grate attachment to grate up carrots for carrot cake or to shred zucchini for muffins or savory pancakes. My food processor came with a smaller work bowl which I use for pestos or dressings that need emulsification.

Appliances - Electrolux Washer & Dryer

Leave it to Electrolux to come up with an excuse to actually do laundry. Their front-loading washer and dryer with IQ Touch Controls are absolutely astounding. It even has a setting that will do a small load for you in 18 minutes. Keep that in mind the next time your child forgets to wash their sports uniform or black pants they need for the school concert.

Steam generation in the dryer makes de-wrinkling those trousers or shirt you need for that important meeting a snap - or if you just want to freshen up your outfit so you do not have to change clothes before you hit a night out on the town.

The largest capacity you can find out there and in great color combinations too.

This pair is a true investment in your household and lifestyle. I can tell you that your life WILL be made easier and laundry is effortless when you own these. Now in my fantasy world I see two of each so it gets done twice as fast!

Appliances - Miele Mangle Iron

If you own table linens like I do, then the Miele Mangle Iron is a must-have. Ironing tablecloths, runners and napkins becomes an effortless task with this machine. How can you complain when you get to sit down, feed the linens and it automatically irons it for you. I sit down and watch CNN while I keep my tablecloths and cloth napkins in like, new condition with this fantastic rotary iron. How about slipping into bed with perfectly, ironed sheets and pillowcases? All a snap with this!

When you are done, it folds down so you can store it away. Miele has designed a solid machine for the home and it truly is an investment for your collection of linens.

Appliances - KitchenAid Pro-Line Coffee Maker

I instantly fell in love with this coffee maker by KitchenAid the moment I saw it, little did I know that it would become the best one I have ever owned. I purchased this machine six years ago and have used it every day since. This thing is like a mack truck, virtually indistructable. I love the large carafe and how it looks (and can function as) commercial.

What is also great is that you can get this model with a satellite warming plate and additional carafe - another great selling point for me. When it comes to holidays or weekends where I have a few guests around I can always have enough coffee around. I have also used this warmer in instances where I want my coffee in a separate room, but readily available. And.. in years past I have used the warmer/carafe to make mulled cider and mulled wine kept hot at the ready.

Yes, this machine is not cheap - but I can speak from personal experience that it IS a fantastic investment and will bring you years of pleasurable coffee experiences.

Appliances - Dacor Epicure Dual-Fuel Range

I have long been a fan of Dacor and its' ranges. I know that people now prefer cooktops, but I would say I am a traditionalist at heart and like to have a range. The abilty to sear something and throw it directly into the oven to finish or pull something out of the oven and place it on the range top to make a quick sauce is invaluable.

Dual-fuel is a must have for the serious cook. Gas top delivers instant reaction to your pots and pans and the electric oven providing consistent baking results as well as even broiling. Most high-end appliance manufacturers have similar features, but where I think Dacor stands out is particular to my style of cooking.

First, I enjoy the fact that the knobs turn flame blue as soon as they are activated. As someone who has walked away from the stove when I have finished cooking only to realize later that the flame is still on due to the fact it was on a low flame - this is a nice feature.

I also like the fact that Dacor does not force you to commit two burners exclusively to a griddle or grill. I have lived in homes where this was the case and I found this limiting. The griddle was more a pain to clean than anything and the grill cleanup was ten times worse. With Dacor, you can get a griddle or grill to place directly on top of your grate that is made of cast aluminum. After using them, you can bring them to the sink to wash them up and then store them away. Convenient and functional - how innovative!

Yes, these ranges are an investment - I am not blind to that, but I do see them as a lifetime investment as to the value Dacor builds into every piece they manufacture. In my ultimate kitchen, two 30" dual-fuel ranges, side-by-side with enough room to crank out the biggest brunch ever, or even a fajita party!

Dacor deserves a standing round of applause for coming up with such an amazing range.

Appliances - Miele 36" All-Refrigerator/All-Freezer

Not all refrigerators are created equal, Miele can attest to that. When I was shown this refrigeration I was in complete awe and amazement. First off, I was blown away with the sheer size of these pieces. One would think you could fit the entire grocery store into these, but alas this is not possible. When you open the door you are immediately hit with the fantastic lighting and scale of the interior. When I moved from having a refrigerator/freezer combo to all-refrigerator/all-freezer I was surprised with how organized I was able to keep things. I did not realize how much more room it provided. Although I love glass-front refrigerators, I am always in fear of not having the inside of mine looking organized enough - but one can always fantasize.

Miele has also mastered the art of compartment-specific cooling with their Mastercool settings. This touch-glass technology allows you to determine how cold you want certain areas/drawers at the touch of your finger. Select the section of the refrigerator and then another set of icons light up giving you the option of meat, dairy, etc and the Miele technology goes into action cooling that area to the best temperature suited to that produce/meat. But what if you have two or three different tyeps? Well, Miele's innovative team came up with the idea of selecting a median temperature between them and sets it automatically for you.

Miele supervision 24/7. If a family member accidentally left the door ajar to your refrigerator, freezer or wine cooler before leaving for a weekend getaway or if a critical cooling component was to malfunction without detection, the loss and inconvenience could be extensive, especially if you were storing a valued wine collection or a volume of high-quality meats and seafood. With Miele’s innovative RemoteVision™, you will enjoy complete peace of mind, eliminating this anxiety. Using proprietary wireless local area network technology and application software developed by Miele for its enabled products, you will be connected to Miele’s monitoring center. A ‘virtual link’ is established, which allows a secured transmission of vital temperature and performance data. If a significant fault occurs, Miele’s client service center will be notified and contact you or another trusted individual you've identified on your call roster in order to gain access to your home and fix the problem.

Miele, worth every penny!

Appliances - Dacor Epicure Discovery Dual Wall Ovens

The wall oven. I think whoever invented this in its' dual format should be sainted. How can you do a large dinner or holiday gathering without one and keep your sanity in tact. To me, it does not matter how many photo's appliance manufacturers take of an oven with three or four racks, loaded with food and all looking gloriously browned and done - this has never happened in my life. Overcrowding does not make for even baking, even with convection.

This is why I think the Dacor Epicure Discovery Dual Wall Ovens are a must have if you are a serious cook or baker. When I need to do a batch of my famous giant cut-out cookies, it would take me eight hours to do in one oven what can be done in two here.

These ovens also have a probe so you can insert into both ovens your main course, i.e. turkey, ham, beef tenderloin - set the oven for the desired temperature and walk away. Now this is worth celebrating. You can actually cook AND enjoy time with your guests. Full-extension glide racks allow you to pull out your food and not have to reach your head inside to get leverage. It even has a Sabbath setting to conserve energy. A true investment in your kitchen's future!