Gear-Stand Mixer

The Post did a great job of listing basic items for a kitchen. But, if you want to turbo charge your kitchen. Here is the most essential non-essential item I have. I use almost every day. Like Tivo you don't know you need it until you have one and try to do without. I have a Kitchen Aid because they seemed to be the brand everyone seemed to copy. But, I'm sure there are other makes just as good and possibly less expensive.


Stand Mixer:
I try to bake at least once a week this makes baking fun. I also have an attachment that grates. I've not bought grated cheese since and potato pancakes are back in the menu rotation.



Whether you go with the Kitchen Aid or another brand there are certain features you want to look for when buying a mixer.

1. Versatile: The mixer should come with a whipping, dough hook and flat mixer attachment.
2. Sturdy: The mixer should stay in place while mixing batter or dough while on high.
   
3. Reach: Beaters should be able to reach all areas of the mixing bowl. If it leaves the sides or bottom untouched it's not mixing.
4. Speed: You should have several at least six speed settings to accommodate everything you want to mix.
   

And once you get a stand mixer the first receipe you should try is whipped cream. Just put it atop some pound cake and some garnish with some thawed fruit. (Our favorite is blueberries.)

Whipped Cream

• 1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
  

1. Chill the mixer bowl and whipping attachment.
   
2. Combine the cream, sugar, sour cream and vanilla in the mixers bowl.
   
3. Use mixer to whip to stiff (but not grainy) peaks.
4. Enjoy.

Banana Honey Nut Bread

I love bananas and I love cake. This recipe takes care of both. Plus it's easy to make and comes our great every time. Variations of this recipe add 1/2 cups of blueberries or currents or frost the loaves and serve as dessert.

Banana Honey Nut Bread

• 1/3 cups shortening, butter flavored if available
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
  
• 4 eggs
• 3.5 cups flour, all-purpose
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 6 (3 cups) bananas, over ripe and mashed (Little known fact, children love to mash)
  
• 1 cup pecans, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two bread pans or six mini-bread pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine shortening and sugar and mix completely. (Children can add the ingredients)
   
3. Add eggs to bowl and mix until combined.
4. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
   
5. Stir half of the flour mixture and half of the bananas into the sugar mixture mix until combined. Add remaining flour and bananas and mix until combined. (Let the sous chef mix this time)
   
6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans. (Kids work the spatula here)
   
7. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes rotate pans and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 5 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Enjoy.
   

Makes approximately six mini-loafs with six servings per loaf.
Prep Time 15 min
Cook Time 40-45 min
Total Time 1 hour