What is This?

I bought this years ago based on its artistic appeal.  I hung it on the wall in my kitchen and enjoyed it very much.

But what is it?  I have thought it might be a pan for individual creme caramel.  It seems rather delicate to balance if full of liquid.

The pieces are bonded together with these metal strips.  The pans are about 3 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches deep.  The volume is just under 1/4 cup.

Would you place this in a pan of water and bake your flans?  Would love to hear what you think.

Butter in a hot climate

Remember my earlier comments about shopping in Knoxville.  I bought a Le Creuset butter bell.  My conundrum was keeping butter ready for use.  It is so warm and humid that I was not comfortable leaving it in the cupboard, which is what I do at home.  If I leave it in the refrigerator, it is always too hard.

I love my butter bell.  If you can see the little black marking at the bottom of the bottom part, that is how much water you add.  Then the 'bell' is placed so the water excludes all air from the butter.

It has been working very well.  I think I am a convert and will be using this even after returning to the 'north'.

Kid in a Cooking Shop

I had another day of shopping in Knoxville. I was only going into town to buy a new battery for my cell phone. Yeah, yeah, you know the rest of the story! I had to check out a natural foods store in Turkey Creek. Turkey Creek is an upscale neighbourhood with a large shopping mall that has some lovely stores.

Well, the lovely store I found was The Cook’s Corner. It was very innocuous from the curb but upon opening the door I knew I was going to be awhile.

I found so many wonderful things but I have to remember that my car is already maxed out when I pack up. So I held back. But I needed rolling pin covers. I don’t even have a rolling pin right now. I should have been checking them out first.

Then I saw the Le Creuset butter crock. I have been looking at them but never felt I really needed one. In this hot and humid climate, I don’t like leaving my butter in the cupboard and it is always too hard when left in the refrigerator. Perhaps this would be the answer.

So I added it to the shopping cart. Then they had those cute little gauze wraps for lemon halves and wedges. Kaching. Then I found a nice, simple black apron. I wanted one to take to my cooking class in Orlando. Kaching, kaching.

But the pièce de résistance was the Sauce Master Food Strainer by Northpro. I have been looking for this for years! I can’t believe I found it! Without any preparation I can peel and seed tomatoes in a flash with this piece of equipment. It is like a food mill but it separates the pulp from the skin and seeds. I bought two additional screens, one with a larger sieve size and one that is smaller. I thought it was a bargain at $66.95. The additional sieves were $17.95 each. Tomato sauce will be a breeze! I can hardly wait to try it.

Mini Appliances

Mini appliances are the way to go!  I am beginning to learn that furnished rentals and house sitting gigs do not usually provide me with a very well equipped kitchen.  I have only one bowl!  I have are a slow cooker and toaster oven and no other appliances.

I picked up this little food processor today from Williams Sonoma in Knoxville.  It arrived in their store this week.  It cost $39.95 and is a 3-cup size.  They also told me that Cuisinart has a new model in the works that has 3 different bowl sizes with one motor.  That is great for the home kitchen, but the little mini is great for traveling.  At home, you can use it for making pesto, guacamole, marinades, herb butters and sauces.

I cheated with the margarita.  No freshly squeezed limes!  W-S has a great mix.  Just add ice and tequila.  This little food processor made shaved ice in seconds.  It had lots of power, has 2 settings, has an auto-reversing blade and the safety feature that it cannot be turned on when the top is not properly in place.  

Now I can have my smoothies at last!