kitchen gadgets

9 Halloween Treats You Can Make in an Instant Pot

Carrie Kirby — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:00:06 +0000

Like virtually every other home cook in America, I recently got an Instant Pot, a brand of electric pressure cooker and slow cooker combo that has become a word-of-mouth hit. While I use it for everyday meals, the electric pressure cooker has a feature that makes it particularly indispensable for holiday use: You can set it and forget it. On past Halloweens, whether I'm cooking the pre-trick-or-treat supper or heating up apple cider, I have found myself running between the stovetop, the front door, or my kids' bedrooms where they are getting into their costumes. This year, I know I will set up whatever I'm making in the instant pot and then walk away to deal with everything else.

The only question is, what to make? Fortunately, every food blogger and her sister has an idea for spooky Halloween treats to make this year. (See also: 11 Instant Pot Meals That Prove Autumn Is the Best Season)

1. Apple cinnamon pull-apart bread

Start the sugar overload first thing in the morning of October 31 with this gooey, fragrant version of apple cinnamon rolls. Hey, at least the kids will have some fruit before school!

2. One-trick chili

Especially if the weather is blustery, I like to fortify my trick-or-treaters before they go out. Chili is a favorite for me anyway, and since there are jack-o'-lanterns everywhere, why not throw some healthy squash into the caldron tonight with this squash and turkey chili recipe? I serve mine with a side of mummy dogs, made in the oven.

3. Hot apple cider

You can always pour store-bought cider or apple juice into the instant pot and set it for a few minutes to get it piping hot, but since it can work unsupervised, why not get more ambitious and set up an amazing pot of fresh apple cider just as your trick-or-treaters are heading out? A few hours later, they'll come home to a house that smells amazing. I'll be adding bourbon to my mug. (See also: 9 Delicious Reasons Cider Is Our Favorite Fall Treat)

4. Hot cocoa

If you were out escorting trick-or-treaters and didn't have time to prepare anything to warm them up on their return, you can use the pot to produce creamy, not-too-sugary hot cocoa in just six minutes, by following this YouTube tutorial.

5. Spider web or pumpkin cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of the dishes that made the instant pot famous. To impress at any Halloween gathering, try this adorable cheesecake decorated with a dulce de leche spider web design.

If that's not Halloween-y enough, instead of following that plain cheesecake recipe, you could also make a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake to top with the same dulce de leche web. You can even make the dulce de leche in the instant pot. Or if the spider web looks too fussy for you, just chop up some candy bars for a trick-or-treat-themed topping. Perhaps best of all for parties, you can make the same recipes into individual cheesecakes by placing them inside Mason jars in the instant pot. But beware! Cheesecakes need 12 hours to set in the refrigerator, so start this recipe the day before you want to serve it.

6. Pumpkin pudding

Need a gluten-free dessert option? This elegant dessert is only a pudding in the sense of an English Christmas pudding, meaning that it's more of a cake. It's also not terribly sweet, making it a nice option for pre-trick-or-treat potlucks when everyone's about to eat a bunch of candy.

7. Oreo pops

If you have some kids in your life who you like to give a special treat to on Halloween, this fits the bill. Use the instant pot to melt chocolate, then dip Oreos on lollipop sticks to create spiders, monsters, or skeleton treats.

8. Apple crisp in a pot

Pies are nice and all, but they tend to take awhile to bake, and this apple crisp recipe cooks in just eight minutes. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for dessert, and save some to have with a dollop of yogurt for a morning-after breakfast. With Halloween falling on a school night again, you'll be grateful you saved something to put on the breakfast table.

9. Pumpkin Bundt cake

With pureed pumpkin, a banana, and Greek yogurt on the ingredient list, I'm gonna add this pumpkin Bundt cake recipe to the healthy morning-after breakfast category. Just pretend those chocolate chips are spiders and the calories from them won't count. Or, if that thought terrifies you to your very core, embrace the chocolate chips, because those are always better than spiders.

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Make the Most Out of These 6 Kitchen Gadgets

Ashley Marcin — Tue, 02 May 2017 08:30:11 +0000

If you're running a more minimalist kitchen — or even if you aren't — you may be wondering which small appliances are worth keeping around. Or maybe you're planning your wedding registry and want to know what should you include on your list. You've seen everything from bread makers to ice cream machines to margarita blenders on the shelves at your local shop. Single-task appliances may not seem like a smart buy, but you need to consider that not all all of them perform only one task.

Here's the lowdown on kitchen appliances that every kitchen should include, and how to make the most of each one.

1. Blender

We took the plunge last fall and bought a NutriBullet blender. I sincerely believe that a blender is an appliance no kitchen should be without. Beyond smoothies, you can blend together soups, sauces, condiments, and even baby food. And you can also make milkshakes, banana ice cream, and even peanut butter.

Yes! You can make peanut butter in a blender. It's best if you use a heavy duty blender that can grind up the peanuts. Simply pour in your desired amount of dry-roasted peanuts, salt, and sugar. Then blend on the highest setting until smooth. (See also: 15 Creative, Delicious Things You Can Make in a Blender)

2. Waffle maker

We use our waffle maker almost every single day. First, we like waffles. I even make my own mix so we can easily whisk it with water and get it cooking in just a few minutes flat. We also use our waffle maker as a panini press to make delicious sandwiches. I mean, this little appliance cost us just $17.00 and we use it often enough to keep it out on the counter.

What else can you make with a waffle maker? Pizza, cake, brownies, quesadillas, and the list goes on. (See also: 15 Delicious Foods to Try in Your Waffle Maker)

3. Slow cooker

I own a slow cooker that also cooks rice and steams veggies. Still, I don't think I need to elaborate much on the merits of owning a crock pot. It can be your best friend in the kitchen. It can be your tool to making dinners a breeze. It may even be your key to keeping your grocery budget low.

How? There are countless recipes online for vegetarians and carnivores alike. If you can dream it, you can likely make it in a slow cooker. Toss the ingredients in the pot, set the timer, and sit back. The rest of the work is done for you. (See also: 7 Tricks to Get More Out of Your Slow Cooker)

4. Instant Pot

If you want to go an extra step, you can get an Instant Pot. This multifunctional pressure cooker is extremely popular with my meat-eating friends. It can cook up a pot roast in as little as 20 minutes. Not only that, it also does the work of seven — yes seven — appliances. It functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute/browning device, yogurt maker, steamer, and a warmer.

The Instant Pot basically cooks everything — and fast. Trying to decide between a slow cooker and this device? Consider what you'll be cooking. If you don't need the 7-in-1 functionality, you may be able to get away with a traditional crock pot. If you do a variety of cooking — especially things like meats, dry beans, and other tough stuff — the instant pot may be the kitchen tool of your dreams. (See also: 12 Instant Pot Recipes That Will Save You Money)

5. Mixer

You don't need a large stand mixer, even if you bake a lot. I have one, but I don't use it much since I got a hand mixer for a fraction of the price last year. You can do a lot with this handy appliance. My favorite is creaming together butter and sugar for cookie-baking marathons. You can also blend fluffy mashed potatoes, whip up salad dressings, and whisk together eggs for a quiche.

If you want to get even more use out of a hand mixer, consider buying a dough hooks attachment. They'll help knead together anything from dinner rolls to delicate pastas in a flash.

6. Bread machine

Did you know that bread machines make more than just loaves? You can mix and rise dough to bake pretzels, naan, pizza dough, and rolls. You just have to stop the machine before the bake cycle and continue the process in your standard oven. You can even make jam. No, really. This Strawberry Jam comes together in the bread machine. Simply combine chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice, and hit that jam setting you probably hadn't noticed before. (See also: A Beginners Guide to Homemade Bread)

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Your Kitchen: Splurge on This, Save on That

Ashley Marcin — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 11:30:07 +0000

Do you like spending most of your time in the kitchen? Whether you cook or bake, you know there are a ton of gadgets and gizmos out there to help you in the process. The thing is, you don't need them all. Here are just a few items you might consider splurging on, and others that aren't necessarily worth the money.

Note: Your own list will have a lot to do with your favorite cooking or baking activities, so we'd love to hear your picks in the comments!

1. Mixer

Splurge: If you're anything like me, you're concocting something baked on the daily. I use my KitchenAid stand mixer ($150 to $250+) almost exclusively. It comes with beater, whisk, and dough hook attachments that work wonderfully for most tasks. I've been known to bake brownies, pizza dough, and a double batch of bagels all in the same day, so help with the heavy lifting is important. Bakers over at ChowHound share that this stand mixer does indeed make baking faster and more efficient, definitely earning its value a million times over.

Save: If you'd rather simmer soup than bake a cake, you might want to skip any type of mixer and just stick with standard whisks and spoons. You can get most basic, occasional baking done this way, from chocolate chip cookies to no-knead breads. If you'd like something motorized, I've also fallen in love with my KitchenAid hand mixer — it whips up frosting in seconds, creams together sugar and butter like a dream, and costs less than $40.

2. Knives

Splurge: Cooks rely heavily on knives to slice and dice. Though you don't need all the many options you'll get in a big set, it's worth investing in a few quality pieces for your collection. Start with a quality chef's knife ($100+). Consumer Reports shares that knives that are forged versus stamped may cost more, but they'll hold up better over time. They are created from a single piece of steel and won't bend as much with use.

3. Mixing and Prep Bowls

Save: The sky's the limit with the prices you'll see on bowls. I use a vintage Pyrex set handed down to me by my husband's grandmother. My mom, on the other hand, has used the same set of stainless steel mixing bowls ($15+) since her wedding shower back in 1980. You really don't need to go expensive on this item. Same goes with prep bowls. You can skip them entirely (I do) or pick up a set of four for under $6.

4. Cast Iron

Splurge: You've probably heard of the many merits of a cast iron Dutch oven (perfectly even cook with roasting, braising, frying, baking, etc.) and wondered about the top-notch brands. When asked, readers of Serious Eats weighed in on the matter. Their overwhelming response? Le Creuset ($170+) is worth the price, especially if you plan to use it often. Check local shops (and hunt around online) for the best sales and deals. That way, you can build your lifetime collection slowly. (See also: How to Pick the Best Cookware for Your Needs)

Save: You'll also find a ton of cast iron cookware at a fraction of the price, which might work well if you're only going to use it every now and again. Read reviews before you buy and look for notes on chipping and cracking (a common complaint with enamel on cheaper coated cast iron). Another good budget option might be Lodge ($40+). Though a good number of their pans are not coated and need to be seasoned before use, they still offer the benefits of cast iron.

5. Digital Scale

Save: I've learned the importance of weighing ingredients versus measuring with my baking. My digital scale has been a big help with preventing bread-related mishaps. My kitchen scale only cost me around $10. You don't need one with lots of bells and whistles. A simple weight will do in a pinch.

6. Food Processor

Splurge: I use my food processor almost every day. It blends together a perfect hummus, makes an amazing pesto, whips up delicious pasta dough, and even gifts me with crazy-good homemade peanut butter, among many other things. It's not hard to spend well over $100 on one (I've have this Cuisinart 11-Cup Pro model for the last eight years) — but the cheaper options, in my experience, don't hold up to frequent use. I've burned out many motors in my time.

Yes, you can get by without a food processor — but with its versatility, you won't want to. In fact, you may end up saving money by making things you usually buy at the grocery store from scratch. (See also: 35 Grocery Items You Should Make at Home — And 5 to Buy)

7. Grater

Save: Though I use a grater frequently, I wouldn't say it's an item you need to buy at a premium. The most important feature, in my opinion, is that it's easy to clean. Beyond that, you will probably want a couple different size options, course to fine. You can get away with spending less than $7 for a simple grater that works well.

8. Veggie Peeler

Save: Same goes with a vegetable peeler. We had a fancier model that recently bit the dust. I replaced it with a $6 basic peeler, and I couldn't be happier. When you're looking at peelers, try to find information on rust. The one I bought guarantees not to rust for 10 years!

9. Thermometer

Splurge: I'm a vegetarian, so I didn't know how important it is to have a good thermometer until a friend clued me in. You don't want to over- or under-cook an expensive piece of meat, for example. And you can buy a cheap thermometer that will record an accurate temperature and serve you well.

Why is this one a splurge? A quick-read thermometer will give you that reading in a blink (four seconds), which might mean the difference between delight and disaster.

Save or splurge: What's on your list?

This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

15 Things in Your Kitchen You Should Throw Out Today

Laurel Randolph — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:00:12 +0000

Kitchens can easily become cluttered with less-than-useful gadgets, tools, and food items, but it's important to keep your kitchen tidy and organized for the health of your family and for your sanity. Stop fighting rarely used kitchen items for counter space. Get rid of the following things and cook with newfound peace of mind. (See also: 25 Things to Throw Out Today)

1. Sponge

Your sponge is where kitchen germs live and thrive. The moist nooks and crannies are a perfect breeding ground, so switch your sponge out often. Even with a new sponge, microwave it daily in an inch of water for a minute to disinfect. You'll keep from spreading lots of germs all around your kitchen and will help keep your family healthier.

2. Meat Mallet

Tell the truth: how often do you use a meat mallet? Most people use one once in a blue moon, and a number of tools can take its place. Putting the meat between plastic wrap and using a heavy skillet is a good alternative. An unopened canned good and rolling pin are other options.

3. Old Plastic Storage Containers

Studies have shown that plastic food storage containers with recycle codes 3 or 7 and many made before 2010 may contain BPA, a harmful chemical that can leach into food. If you own some of these containers, toss them. You can often end up with bottoms and tops that don't match or missing pieces, so throw out or donate any without partners.

4. Panini Press

Make paninis on a daily basis? Then ignore this one. But for most of us, this common wedding registry pick isn't a necessity. You can easily imitate this kitchen gadget using a regular skillet and a heavy skillet or pan (a cast iron skillet works great) to press your sandwich on top.

5. Old Dried Spices

Spices can accumulate, get pushed to the back of the cabinet, and crowd your storage space. But spices don't last forever, and can lose a lot of their flavor after a year or two passes. According to McCormick, ground spices last three to four years, leafy herbs for one to two years, and whole spices for four years. Dried herbs and spices should smell and taste potent, and should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat (including your stove).

6. Bread Maker

Unless you are living the dream and making bread on a weekly basis, you probably don't need this clunky appliance. It's awkward to store and isn't required for making homemade bread. Flex those muscles and do a little kneading, get a dough attachment for your mixer or food processor, or try no-knead breads.

7. Jigger

Unless you're an amateur bartender, you don't need this awkward tool crowding your junk drawer. You can use regular measuring spoons, with two tablespoons equaling the small end of a jigger (one ounce) and ¼ cup equaling the large end of a jigger (two ounces). Or you can just relax. You're at home — just eyeball it and enjoy.

8. Expired Canned Food

It may seem like canned food lasts forever, but they can actually go bad. Canned fruits and tomatoes last 18 months, while other items can last up to five years. Be sure to check your emergency kit and replace those, too.

9. Open Canned Food

Leftover canned foods are easy to store by just leaving them in the can and shoving them in the fridge, but the metal can leach into the food and create a metallic taste. This is especially common with acidic foods like fruit or tomatoes. Take the time to transfer your leftovers into a storage container and you'll be rewarded with better tasting food.

10. Toaster Oven

This appliance takes up a lot of valuable counter space without making up for it. If you're a frequent toaster, get a more compact and easily storable toaster. Everything else can be done in the oven, and if you only make toast now and again, you can do that in the oven, too.

11. Rice Cooker

Most people don't cook enough rice to make this large appliance worth the storage space. Although you can make a few other things with it, it's largely a unitasker. Rice can easily be made on the stovetop or even in the oven, so donating your rice maker is likely the right move.

12. Mandoline

This is another unitasker, and rarely used by most households. Most recipes don't require fruit or vegetables sliced paper thin, making a regular knife more than adequate. Most food processors also offer a mandoline attachment.

13. Pastry Bag

Unless you are making cakes and fancy desserts left and right (and if you are… can I come over?), you can easily create your own pastry bag with a plastic freezer bag. Just cut a hole in one of the bottom corners, attach the tip, spoon in your filling, and close the top. You can also use a cone of parchment paper wrapped closed and folded down at the top.

14. Electric Kettle

If you're a heavy tea drinker, then ignore this tip. Otherwise, a stovetop kettle doesn't take that much longer and doesn't take up space on your counter. Donate this one.

15. Leftovers

Leftovers always start with good intentions, but can often end up pushed to the back of your refrigerator. Periodically clean out your fridge, and get rid of leftovers that are more than a few days old. They can contain bacteria and cause illness, and simply aren't worth the risk. Always throw out food that has become moldy.

What's cluttering up your kitchen?

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This article is from Laurel Randolph of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Stuff We Love: Pasta Made With an Imperia Pasta Machine

Elizabeth Lang — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 10:00:06 +0000

There's almost nothing that you can make with two cups of flour and a few eggs that tastes as good as homemade pasta. There's something about the smooth and silky taste and texture of thin, homemade fettuccine that just can't be replicated in store-bought pasta. For something as easy to make as homemade pasta, you shouldn't be going to a gourmet grocery store to overpay when it's simple and fun to make at home. But, to make the best pasta you should get a homemade pasta maker like my CucinaPro Imperia Pasta Machine.

Why I Own an Imperia Homemade Pasta Maker

Growing up, about once a year my mom would make homemade noodles for soup. She would hand-knead and hand-cut them, which took a lot of work. They were amazing, and I always looked forward to her homemade noodle soup.

As an adult, I would occasionally splurge on the fresh pasta in the refrigerator aisle of the grocery store. Then one day, when we were eating at a chef's table at a fancy restaurant, we watched the chef use a pasta maker to make homemade pasta. It looked far easier than I had imagined, so I started looking for a pasta machine and found the Imperia Pasta Maker.

What's Great About It

The best thing about the CucinaPro Imperia Pasta Machine is that you can make homemade pasta with it! It's easy to set up and you can use the machine within seconds of getting it out of the box. Here are some of its features:

It cuts dough about 6" wide into spaghetti or fettuccine strips.
The grip is made of beechwood and is very solid and easy to turn.
It comes with a recipe (and directions) book.

Simple, 3-Step Process

Making homemade pasta with the Imperia pasta machine is a three-step process. First, you make the dough. There are different recipes you can try ranging from basic flour and egg pasta to adding spinach or tomato (for color and a hint of flavor). This past weekend I made homemade wheat pasta with flax seed in it. (Note, if you try this, it takes a few more cranks through the rolling part of the machine for the thicker dough to come together properly.)

After you mix the dough (some say to knead it, but I never do), you take a small piece and run it through the rolling/flattening piece of the pasta machine. Then you fold it in half and roll it through the same size again. You roll the dough (folding in half each time) through the thickest setting on the roller about 5-7 times. This acts to knead the dough and helps give the pasta that great texture.

After the sheet of pasta seems to be pretty smooth (there's no magic here; it's personal preference), you start adjusting the dial on your pasta maker, making the thickness of the pasta thinner and thinner each time. Adjust the dial from 1 to 2 and run the sheet of pasta through the machine. Then adjust from 2 to 3 and so on. The Imperia has 7 setting and the 7 is extremely thin. Sometimes I just make pasta that's at the 2 or 3 thickness level, sometimes I go all the way up to 7. Again, it's personal preference.

Finally, you cut the pasta. This involves running the sheet of pasta (ideally slightly dried first) through the cutting piece of the maker. The Imperia comes with a fettuccine and a spaghetti cutter with additional attachments available as accessories.

What It Compares To

There is only one similar product to the CucinaPro Imperia 150 and that's the Marcato Wellness 150. When I was in the market for a pasta maker the Imperia came with an extra attachment and a bonus ravioli maker, which is why I opted for it over the Marcato. That isn't offered anymore. The only differences between the machines today is that the Marcato is made from aluminum rather than chrome-plated steel and the Marcato has 9 thickness settings instead of 7. I can't imagine having a thinner pasta than is made at the 7 thickness.The Imperia is about $10 cheaper.

Who It Is Best For

The Imperia pasta maker is great for anyone who likes pasta and likes cooking. It's fun to use for dinner parties — there's nothing like standing around drinking wine while taking turns cranking the pasta machine. And it would make a great wedding present.

How It Could Be Better

I honestly cannot think of anything I would change about the pasta maker. The one thing to know is that it's a hand crank machine as opposed to an electric machine. An electric pasta maker would be less work — but it would also be half the fun and about twice as expensive.

What They Don't Tell You in the Manual

A key thing to know about the machine is that to clean it, you should run a damp paper towel through the machine.

Also, make sure you buy a pasta drying rack with the machine. For $11 you'll be glad you're not trying to lay pasta all over your kitchen to dry.

Bottom Line Recommendation

The CucinaPro Imperia 150 is a great homemade pasta machine for silky smooth, delicious pasta.

Where to Get Yours

You can buy the CucinaPro Imperia on Amazon for $61. Imperia sells its pasta maker under different brands, and it's also available at Williams-Sonoma (for a premium) and elsewhere,

Get yours today!

What's your favorite homemade pasta maker?

This article is from Elizabeth Lang of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: