Playing With Our New Toys

I finally had an free evening to play with new baking toys and two hungry stomachs willing to eat whatever I concocted. Well since the pantry had limited supplies, we didn't have too many options. But I loving making scones when I get the chance, so that's what we decided upon. I also love any excuse to break out my strawberry jam. I tend to pour way to much on whatever I'm eating it on; I might as well grab a spoon. I don't feel as guilty though if I actually put it on something.




And look at all the things I got to play with! My new Bosch (thank you Nielsens and Sperrys!)!


My new measuring cups and spoons from Dottie's Kitchen. What a messy sink! I should clean those.


My new cookie cutters (thank you Haydee). My new Pyrex measuring cup and rolling pin from Bed, Bath & Beyond (thank you Needs for the gift card).



My new towels to clean up the mess (thank you Alan & Senia and family). Hm...let's pretend that every "my" above says "our". Even after 4 1/2 years I forget the all important "we" and "our".

But I just couldn't stop at scones. Dan was cracking me up because he called me once to say hello, and I happened to be cooking the scones. Then he called later that evening when he had more time to talk. He said, "You're still cooking?!" Well no, I did take a little break to enjoy the scones. But yes. I love cooking! My buddy Honora was coming over to hang out and snack. Well rather than snack I turned it into a full on dinner. I couldn't help myself! So I made spaghetti in vodka sauce with zucchini and yellow squash. I got to try out both Swiss Diamond pans (thank you Greg & Dottie and family).


And my new garlic and basil olive oils and collander from Dottie's Kitchen.

I think I use this collander on a daily basis now. It's fantastic! Ahh yes, and the brown rice in the collander. Some amazing friends of ours got us a killer rice cooker. I didn't eat the rice that night, but I made lots of brown rice to tide me over for the week for lunches and such.


I also got to use my alligator from Dottie's Kitchen that Doug and Jeanette got us (see I'm getting better) long ago and that I use ALL the time.


I was in cooking heaven. And it all tasted yummy too! The garlic olive oil puts off such a tantalizing aroma. I love the way it makes our little condo smell. If you love garlic you'd definitely agree. How delicious does this look?


A very fun evening! I'm anxious to continue to experiment with all these new gadgets.

On my list:
13 hour bread in our new Emile Henry.
Finding an awesome recipe and reason to cook in our casserole size Emile Henry. Suggestions?
I also want to barbecue using the Emile Henrys, although it's quite warm right now.
I want to make desserts and drinks for all the new glassware we received (who doesn't love a parfait in a martini glass? so much classier! who doesn't love parfait!).
I want to learn how to make sugar cookies that don't flatten out after cooking and look like blobs. This is especially important since I have 100 new cookie cutters to play with!
I want a reason to break out our new cheese cutter. Yum cheese is one of my favorite food groups (kidding! ...dessert is a way better food group).
I can't WAIT to cook a million recipes in our new Cadillac pressure cooker. I really want to make rice pudding, risotto, polenta, braised beef and vegatables, cheesecake, and so many others. I read the pressure cooker cookbook last night, so I'm very inspired.

Ya know, cooking at home is supposed to help you save money. But it's come such an addiction for me, I just can't resist buying new ingredients to make a new recipe I haven't tried yet. Am I the only person that reads cookbooks from cover to cover? As soon as I get them? Is that weird?