If you enjoy baking and cooking, a stand mixer is an essential appliance. You can mix cookies and cakes with a spoon the old fashioned way or whisk a sauce, but, it isn't easy. Hand mixers are a little better, and they are very handy for boxed cakes and other light jobs. When doing a more complex task, a stand mixer allows you to prepare other ingredients while it's doing all the work, saving time and effort.
If you want the best of both worlds, the Hamilton Beach Hand/Stand Mixer is perfect for you. Attached to it's base unit, it is a stand mixer with six powerful speeds. It comes with a glass bowl, beater blades and dough hooks. You can detach the mixer and use it as a hand held unit for complete versatility. The cord is rounded for easy cleaning.
For those who want a high performance machine, I would recommend an Eclectrics All-Metal Stand Mixer. They have a powerful 400-Watt motor and twelve speeds for control and versatility. Great features include a locking bowl, tilt-up head, and a pouring shield for adding dry ingredients. They come with a flat beater, dough hook and whisk attachment and are available in black, red and white.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Keeping Staples Fresh
With the unease in the Middle East, the price of gas is going up again. One way of cutting corners is eating at home a little more often and relying a little less on pre-packaged foods. It's important when doing so to have a well stocked kitchen so that you can make a variety of wholesome foods. This means having the good old supplies of flour, sugar, rice, cornstarch, coffee, teabags, etc. on hand.
One way to keep your drygoods safe from moisture and bugs is with a good set of kitchen canisters. Canisters will keep everything at hand and can be a very attractive addition to your countertops. A nice basic set that we have at Village Kitchenware is our Stainless Steel Cannister Set. It is relatively inexpensive, attractive and extremely functional.
If you want something that can be very decorative as well as useful, we have some beautiful canister sets from Old Dutch. Their Hammered Copper Canister Set is a classic, it has a clear finish that helps prevent tarnishing and will provide many years of faithful service. An elegant way to store your staples is the Versailles Cannister Set. These metal cannisters have an antique bronze finish and a band of Fleur de Lis around them giving them and old country French look.
One way to keep your drygoods safe from moisture and bugs is with a good set of kitchen canisters. Canisters will keep everything at hand and can be a very attractive addition to your countertops. A nice basic set that we have at Village Kitchenware is our Stainless Steel Cannister Set. It is relatively inexpensive, attractive and extremely functional.
If you want something that can be very decorative as well as useful, we have some beautiful canister sets from Old Dutch. Their Hammered Copper Canister Set is a classic, it has a clear finish that helps prevent tarnishing and will provide many years of faithful service. An elegant way to store your staples is the Versailles Cannister Set. These metal cannisters have an antique bronze finish and a band of Fleur de Lis around them giving them and old country French look.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
On the Cutting Edge
There is a huge range of cutlery available for kitchen's today. There can be a lot of confusion about what kind to buy and how much you should spend on it. Fortunately, you don't have to break the bank to get a nice set of cutlery. At Village Kitchenware, we have a large selection of knife sets for you to choose from. All of our knife sets, inexpensive or not, are made from stainless steel.
If you are just a casual cook, you may want to invest in just a basic set. The Klug 4-Pc. Gourmet Kitchen Knife Set is very nice quality for the price and the knives are versatile enough to handle most kitchen chores with ease. The soft touch handles with steel bolsters give a nice grip. A nice set if you do a lot of cooking, but, don't want to spend a lot is the Maxam 20 Pc. Cutlery Set. It has almost every type of kitchen knife you can imagine, including steak knives. These knives are surgical stainless steel, never need sharpening and are dishwasher safe.
If you whip up a lot of gourmet meals and are in the mood to splurge a little, Ginsu has come up with a fantastic series of knives. The Shoku series is very high quality and meant to be shown off. A nice contemporary design, these knives are very sharp and made from Japanese stainless steel that is extremely hard and durable. They come with a powerful and attractive magnetic strip for hanging on your wall, it frees up drawer space and keeps them handy. They have colorful handles that come in Eggplant, Ebony, Frost and Spiced Pear.
If you are just a casual cook, you may want to invest in just a basic set. The Klug 4-Pc. Gourmet Kitchen Knife Set is very nice quality for the price and the knives are versatile enough to handle most kitchen chores with ease. The soft touch handles with steel bolsters give a nice grip. A nice set if you do a lot of cooking, but, don't want to spend a lot is the Maxam 20 Pc. Cutlery Set. It has almost every type of kitchen knife you can imagine, including steak knives. These knives are surgical stainless steel, never need sharpening and are dishwasher safe.
If you whip up a lot of gourmet meals and are in the mood to splurge a little, Ginsu has come up with a fantastic series of knives. The Shoku series is very high quality and meant to be shown off. A nice contemporary design, these knives are very sharp and made from Japanese stainless steel that is extremely hard and durable. They come with a powerful and attractive magnetic strip for hanging on your wall, it frees up drawer space and keeps them handy. They have colorful handles that come in Eggplant, Ebony, Frost and Spiced Pear.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Old Fashioned Homemade Ice Cream
Most of us have gotten too used to going to the grocery store for everything that we need or want. We've forgotten how to make things that don't come out of a box, can or the freezer. If you've never tasted fresh, homemade ice cream you are missing a real treat. What comes from the grocers is good, but, it can't beat the old fashioned method of making ice cream.
When you make your own ice cream, you control the ingredients. You can make it a sinfully rich and creamy experience, or, a low-fat treat - the choice is yours. Add fresh seasonal fruits, nuts, or both for a taste treat that can't be beat. At Village Kitchenware, we have a selection of ice cream makers that are so easy to use that you'll wonder why you didn't try this sooner. Some make a lot, some make a little, the choice is yours.
The Back to Basics 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker is very easy to use. Just freeze the metal container, add the ingredients, turn on the motor and in about 30 minutes you have ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt or sorbet. If you get the whim while watching tv, Hamilton Beach has an ice cream maker for you. Their line of Soft Ice Cream Makers make ice cream in 6-12 minutes depending on ingredients and come in pretty pastel colors. The ice cream is made in a bowl that you can eat from as well, two bowls are included. So, come visit our selection of ice cream makers that are sure to please you and your family.
When you make your own ice cream, you control the ingredients. You can make it a sinfully rich and creamy experience, or, a low-fat treat - the choice is yours. Add fresh seasonal fruits, nuts, or both for a taste treat that can't be beat. At Village Kitchenware, we have a selection of ice cream makers that are so easy to use that you'll wonder why you didn't try this sooner. Some make a lot, some make a little, the choice is yours.
The Back to Basics 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker is very easy to use. Just freeze the metal container, add the ingredients, turn on the motor and in about 30 minutes you have ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt or sorbet. If you get the whim while watching tv, Hamilton Beach has an ice cream maker for you. Their line of Soft Ice Cream Makers make ice cream in 6-12 minutes depending on ingredients and come in pretty pastel colors. The ice cream is made in a bowl that you can eat from as well, two bowls are included. So, come visit our selection of ice cream makers that are sure to please you and your family.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Farberware - A Tradition of Quality
Farberware has been a trusted name in cookware and other household appliances and accessories for many years. It all started in 1900 with S. W. Farber, a hardworking tinsmith who fashioned bowls and other household good from plates of copper and brass. He did this from a small basement shop on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. As the years went by, he introduced more household goods and gifts, then in 1930 he began a line of innovative appliances.
Farberware has continued to be a leader by combining tradition with modern technology. They have some of the best performing, affordable and beautiful cookware on the market today. Farberware has quality features that will provide you with lasting value from your purchase. One of my favorite cookware sets is the Farberware Premium 10 Pc. Cookware Set in Platinum. It has a stunning platinum colored exterior and non-stick interior for easy cleaning. This cookware is ovensafe up to 500F and has tight fitting lids that help keep moisture and nutrients in food.
One of the best inventions by Farberware for people who love non-stick cookware is SilverStone. This non-stick coating is extremely durable and scratch-resistant, and food won't stick. One example of this is Farberware's SilverStone 13-Piece Non-Stick Cookware in Red. It includes tight-fitting lids for moist and nutritious foods along with riveted silicone rubber handles for a comfortable, sure grip. We invite you to visit Village Kitchenware for a large selection of fine cookware, cutlery, appliances and much more.
Farberware has continued to be a leader by combining tradition with modern technology. They have some of the best performing, affordable and beautiful cookware on the market today. Farberware has quality features that will provide you with lasting value from your purchase. One of my favorite cookware sets is the Farberware Premium 10 Pc. Cookware Set in Platinum. It has a stunning platinum colored exterior and non-stick interior for easy cleaning. This cookware is ovensafe up to 500F and has tight fitting lids that help keep moisture and nutrients in food.
One of the best inventions by Farberware for people who love non-stick cookware is SilverStone. This non-stick coating is extremely durable and scratch-resistant, and food won't stick. One example of this is Farberware's SilverStone 13-Piece Non-Stick Cookware in Red. It includes tight-fitting lids for moist and nutritious foods along with riveted silicone rubber handles for a comfortable, sure grip. We invite you to visit Village Kitchenware for a large selection of fine cookware, cutlery, appliances and much more.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Country Kitchen Charm
There's nothing quite so charming and comforting as a kitchen with country decor. It can make you feel sunny on a cloudy day. Perhaps it's quaintness stirs our longing for a simpler time when families gathered together for a hearty breakfast. Nothing says country and makes for a good morning quite like roosters and chickens, a wonderful way to add a touch of country to any room.
At Village Kitchenware we have quite a selection of rooster and chicken themed serving pieces and decorative items that are sure to bring a smile to your face. Both fun and functional, our Farmhouse Rooster Serving Platter and Country Rooster Serving Bowl are a great way to bring a meal to the table. They make great decorative items as well. Add the Country Hen Salt & Pepper Shakers to your table and you have the start of a beautiful thing.
If you want decorative items that can serve a practical purpose as well, we have even more rooster/hen collectibles. The Hen Basket is a beautiful handpainted metallic hen whose basket body will hold eggs, fruit or anything else you can imagine. Our Rooster Paper Towel Holder looks great on a kitchen counter and keeps your paper towels tidy and handy. We welcome your visit to our website where you will find many other decorative and serving pieces to enjoy.
At Village Kitchenware we have quite a selection of rooster and chicken themed serving pieces and decorative items that are sure to bring a smile to your face. Both fun and functional, our Farmhouse Rooster Serving Platter and Country Rooster Serving Bowl are a great way to bring a meal to the table. They make great decorative items as well. Add the Country Hen Salt & Pepper Shakers to your table and you have the start of a beautiful thing.
If you want decorative items that can serve a practical purpose as well, we have even more rooster/hen collectibles. The Hen Basket is a beautiful handpainted metallic hen whose basket body will hold eggs, fruit or anything else you can imagine. Our Rooster Paper Towel Holder looks great on a kitchen counter and keeps your paper towels tidy and handy. We welcome your visit to our website where you will find many other decorative and serving pieces to enjoy.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Entertaining In Style
If you love to entertain family and friends, there are so many ways that you can make any occasion more "special". At Village Kitchenware, we have a large selection of serving suggestions that will make a beautiful addition to your home, be of lasting quality, and provide value for your pocketbook.
For parties that you are serving buffet style, or, if you just like to linger with guests while enjoying dinner, chafing dishes and food warmers are a must. For old world charm that will keep food warm without drying out, our Antiqued Copper Chafing Dish or Round Copper Chafing Dish can't be beat. Both of these dishes have oven-safe to 350F stainless steel inserts and a water compartment that gently keeps the food warm and moist.
If you enjoy wine and cheese, we have a selection of cheese boards that come with stainless steel cheese tools that are stored right inside for safe-keeping. Made from natural woods, they come in a variety of shapes and styles, some even include wine tools for the ultimate entertainment experience.
For parties that you are serving buffet style, or, if you just like to linger with guests while enjoying dinner, chafing dishes and food warmers are a must. For old world charm that will keep food warm without drying out, our Antiqued Copper Chafing Dish or Round Copper Chafing Dish can't be beat. Both of these dishes have oven-safe to 350F stainless steel inserts and a water compartment that gently keeps the food warm and moist.
If you enjoy wine and cheese, we have a selection of cheese boards that come with stainless steel cheese tools that are stored right inside for safe-keeping. Made from natural woods, they come in a variety of shapes and styles, some even include wine tools for the ultimate entertainment experience.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Drink to Your Health
Health experts and diet gurus have extolled the virtues of drinking fresh juice for many decades. Today, you can find a wide variety of bottled and frozen juice at your local grocery store. But, there is no substitute for drinking freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. Not only do they taste better, but, you know what you are drinking. You don't have to settle for juices made from concentrates with added sugars, sodium or preservatives.
At Village Kitchenware, we have several juicers that are easy to use, not too hard on the pocketbook, and each one will provide many glasses of delicious, healthful juice. One of my favorites is the Big Mouth 800 Watt Juice Extractor which can swallow up many whole fruits and vegetables without cutting them up first. It has an extra-large pulp bin and all removable parts are dishwasher safe. It comes with delicious recipes, too!
The Omega 2 Juicer is a little pricier machine, but, extremely efficient. It is a centrifugal juicer which means it also uses spinning action to extract as much juice as possible. It too will accomodate generous sized fruits and has a large pulp receptacle that is easy to clean.
At Village Kitchenware, we have several juicers that are easy to use, not too hard on the pocketbook, and each one will provide many glasses of delicious, healthful juice. One of my favorites is the Big Mouth 800 Watt Juice Extractor which can swallow up many whole fruits and vegetables without cutting them up first. It has an extra-large pulp bin and all removable parts are dishwasher safe. It comes with delicious recipes, too!
The Omega 2 Juicer is a little pricier machine, but, extremely efficient. It is a centrifugal juicer which means it also uses spinning action to extract as much juice as possible. It too will accomodate generous sized fruits and has a large pulp receptacle that is easy to clean.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Food Safety
Every now and then on the news you hear of e-coli outbreaks. While rare, one of the things that you can do to keep you and your family safe is to make sure that food is cooked to the proper temperature. Cooking food to 165F is usually enough to kill most bacteria. You will notice on many of todays microwaveable frozen foods that they recommend cooking to a specific temperature.
Poultry and pork are two meats that it is very important to make sure they are thoroughly cooked. Never serve underdone chicken or turkey. Make sure that you disinfect any areas where juices from the raw birds may have spilled. Wash your hands thoroughly, never use a utensil that you used when preparing them on another food item without washing it first.
At Village Kitchenware, we are always looking for items that will help famillies have good nutrious meals and provide lasting quality at a fair price. That's why we included the Maverick 2-in1 Digital Food Thermometer. This thermometer comes with a probe for testing any type of food. The fork attachment is perfect for grilling and will also make it easy to achieve the desired level of doneness. Both attachments are copper tipped for quick results.
Poultry and pork are two meats that it is very important to make sure they are thoroughly cooked. Never serve underdone chicken or turkey. Make sure that you disinfect any areas where juices from the raw birds may have spilled. Wash your hands thoroughly, never use a utensil that you used when preparing them on another food item without washing it first.
At Village Kitchenware, we are always looking for items that will help famillies have good nutrious meals and provide lasting quality at a fair price. That's why we included the Maverick 2-in1 Digital Food Thermometer. This thermometer comes with a probe for testing any type of food. The fork attachment is perfect for grilling and will also make it easy to achieve the desired level of doneness. Both attachments are copper tipped for quick results.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Catch the Wave
Blenders are an essential part of any kitchen if you enjoy smoothies, frozen cocktails, or creamy soups and sauces. One of the best blender lines on the market today is made by Hamilton Beach, with their exclusive Wave Action technology.
Wave Action doesn't just whirl the mixture around the jar, it continuously pulls the mixture down for extra smooth and creamy blending. These Hamilton Beach blenders also have stainless steel Ice Sabre blades which do an exceptional job of breaking up ice, no more ice chunks in drinks.
At Village Kitchenware we have some of their most popular models. The Hamilton Beach Express Dispensing Blender has a toggle dispenser built into the blending jar. No more messy pouring, just dispense your liquid directly into a glass. The Hamilton Beach Dual Wave Blender comes with an extra large dispensing blender jar and two single serving jars that can be blended at the same time for ultimate versatility.
Wave Action doesn't just whirl the mixture around the jar, it continuously pulls the mixture down for extra smooth and creamy blending. These Hamilton Beach blenders also have stainless steel Ice Sabre blades which do an exceptional job of breaking up ice, no more ice chunks in drinks.
At Village Kitchenware we have some of their most popular models. The Hamilton Beach Express Dispensing Blender has a toggle dispenser built into the blending jar. No more messy pouring, just dispense your liquid directly into a glass. The Hamilton Beach Dual Wave Blender comes with an extra large dispensing blender jar and two single serving jars that can be blended at the same time for ultimate versatility.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Stainless Steel Cookware - Lasting Quality
What is the best cookware to buy? There are so many factors involved in your decision. Some people prefer to use non-stick cookware because it's easy to clean and comes in a variety of colors. But, if you want something that will last (in many cases, it will outlast the user), stainless steel cookware may be the right choice for you.
Quality stainless steel cookware usually comes with a highly polished mirror finish exterior and satin finish interior. It can take some getting used to for people who have always used non-stick cookware. When cooking certain foods, even with cooking spray applied, the food may stick. In most cases, learning to preheat the pan, then put in some butter, oil or spray after it comes to temperature will avoid most of that. If not, a little soaking and it should clean easily.
Another advantage to stainless is that it not only lasts, but, there is no non-stick surface to worry about. You don't need nylon utensils, and none of the coating will ever get in your food. This cookware usually comes with heavy, encapsulated bottoms which create an even cooking surface with no hot spots. The one drawback to stainless is it's weight. It can be very heavy to use and could give some trouble to people with arthritis or weak wrists.
At Village Kitchenware, we have some very affordable, quality sets that will provide you with years of reliable service. While all of them are good, I would recommend Chef's Secret 18 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware as an excellent value for what is included. For those who want the durability of stainless, but, can't give up non-stick, Range Kleen 10 Piece Preferred Stainless is a nice combination of both.
Quality stainless steel cookware usually comes with a highly polished mirror finish exterior and satin finish interior. It can take some getting used to for people who have always used non-stick cookware. When cooking certain foods, even with cooking spray applied, the food may stick. In most cases, learning to preheat the pan, then put in some butter, oil or spray after it comes to temperature will avoid most of that. If not, a little soaking and it should clean easily.
Another advantage to stainless is that it not only lasts, but, there is no non-stick surface to worry about. You don't need nylon utensils, and none of the coating will ever get in your food. This cookware usually comes with heavy, encapsulated bottoms which create an even cooking surface with no hot spots. The one drawback to stainless is it's weight. It can be very heavy to use and could give some trouble to people with arthritis or weak wrists.
At Village Kitchenware, we have some very affordable, quality sets that will provide you with years of reliable service. While all of them are good, I would recommend Chef's Secret 18 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware as an excellent value for what is included. For those who want the durability of stainless, but, can't give up non-stick, Range Kleen 10 Piece Preferred Stainless is a nice combination of both.