Help! I need Kitchen Aid 101!

[Wendy w]

My boyfriend, bless his heart, just gave me my Christmas present(s) early because he figured that I could use it before the holidays, and he does not have room to store it at home-a 30 ft. sailboat. He also gave me the 3 pack of attachments that one of my friends calls the s-x toys.

After telling him that it is as good as jewelry and swooning every time I saw one in the store, he got the hint and got me one.

After reading the instructions, which at 1st glance seems like one needs an engineering degree or a special driver's license to operate one, I must admit that I am a bit intimidated. This is like getting a Mercedes or a date with Mel Gibson! I know that the 1st few times I use it, I will have to be extra careful.

This is weird because I have been cooking for over 20 years, and although baking isn't my strongest area, I can turn out some decent cookies and cakes once in a while.

So, all of you ever so wise bb'ers, I am turning to those of you who have these mixers for advice. Do you have any valuable pointers, recipes, etc. to share? Also, I would like to know if you actually use the attachments like the meat grinder? Any advice that you may have will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Wendy

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 11-27-2000).]

[kwormann]

I got mine from MIL 7 years ago..dont use it very often, but when I need it, it is a godsend! I love to put it on then go on to the mext part of the recipe. I have never used any of the attachments. I also dont use the wire whisk very much because it is so hard to clean...I usually use the paddle for everything except dough!

Have a blast with your new toy!!!

Kim

[Gail]

Kitchenaid? Mel Gibson? Kitchenaid? Mel Gibson? No contest there, baby-- I'd go for the Kitchenaid. (Sorry Mel fans)

You really don't need special recipes for it. Anything and everything becomes infinitely easier. After slaving with a prehistoric GE handheld which was starting to kvetch every time I turned it on, my Kitchenaid immediately attained the status of a god. I have erected an altar on my kitchen counter and come to worship regularly. I can't tell you how much more pleasant my Christmas baking has become!

No, I don't have attachments. Don't know if I'd use them if I did (like my famous still-virginal Cusinart pasta maker attachment.) But since you've got 'em-- what the heck. Take 'em out for a test drive, I say!

Enjoy!

[LGBurns]

I lived in a house with one of these for two years, but, alas, they wouldn't let me take it with me when I left... Just wanted to add that the wisk attachment is perfect for whipping egg whites. You get much more air into the eggs with it than with beaters. I've heard they're great for making bread, but I've never used one myself.

[kentgirl]

Wendy--based on the first sentence of your note--I thought your boyfriend gave you a 30-ft. sailboat!

Boy--did I laugh when I realized my mistake. Try reading the rest of your note (and the other posts) with that thought in mind!!

Anyway---I don't have a Kitchen Aid, so I can't help you!

[lindrusso]

I love my Kitchen Aid and use it several times a week, depending on how much baking I'm doing. It's a whiz at all those stiff cookie batters that used to make my arm ache when I used a wooden spoon.

One big tip - it will take about half the time to mix that most recipes call for - it is every efficient and can overmix if you're not careful. So, for instance, if a bread or cake recipe says to beat or knead for 10 minutes, I reduce it to 5 and then go from there.

What kind did you get? 4-quart or the 5-quart with the "arms"? Or, gasp, the new 6-quart behemoth?? I noticed that since they released the 6-quart, the 5-quarts have been going down in price - oh well.

If you didn't bake much before, you just might now! I started baking more just so I could use it! I was a bit befuddled at first, but am now quite comfortable with it - it's really not too hard to figure out - although I don't have any of the attachments, so I can't comment on those.

Happy Baking!

[Kimba]

I've had my KitchenAid for years and years. When I first got it, I couldn't believe the difference it made, compared to my old handheld mixer.

It's great for stiff cookie doughs and for kneading bread dough.

It mixes up cake batter in a flash, and I even use it to whip potatoes.

I don't have any of the attachments, but based on some of the chatter I've seen on another list I subscribe to, the results with the attachments are so-so.

[Mamasue]

I echo lindrusso and Kimba. You will find that mixing doughs and batters to take less time and on a lesser speed. Mixing bread dough is a snap because of the heavy duty motor. Whipping potatoes and egg whites are quick and easy. I also love throwing all my meatloaf ingredients in the bowl and putting the speed on "stir"....mixes the ingredients nicely without using your hands. I have the pasta disks (had to have them) and tried them once. Once was enough for me. The disks were put back in the box and stored away taking up space...waste of money.

I have a boring almond colored one and wish I had one of those nice blue, green or maybe red ones. But, that won't be possible because this machine will last a lifetime. I also have the KA hand held one which is also a good investment.

[lorilei]

Oh, yes. My 5qt KitchenAid has been a lifesaver.

It has saved my arms from the burden of whipping potatoes by hand -- and saved the potatoes from lumps.

It has saved my fingers from the cramps of kneading pounds of Christmas bread.

And it has caused my husband to gain 10lbs, as I can bake up a storm in a flurry of effort. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

I own the grater attachment, which I have found indispensable for grating both carrots and cheese (I'm dangerous with a grater; my fingers are grateful). It can be a trick to get apart when you're finished - but worth the practice to learn how.

Be careful (as mentioned above) not to overmix -- this machine blends brilliantly with a few short strokes. Try pulsing the beater on/off for very delicate batters.

I've also indulged in an extra mixing bowl, which comes in very handy!! I need not worry about washing the cake batter bowl when I whip up the frosting.

Otherwise -- just enjoy. It's a beautiful piece of equipment. My favorite kitchen must-have http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 11-28-2000).]

[Gina O]

I have had mine for 4 or 5 years and, like every one else, I love it. One thing not mentioned so far is its ability to whip cream. I will never by already whipped cream from the store again.

As far as the attachments go, I would have to dig through the bottom of my pantry to tell you which ones I have. Guess that is a pretty clear indication of how much I use them. I do remember using the pasta maker for a while after I first got it, but it is time consuming, and I can buy pretty high quality pasta in the store. I am sure I would use the graters and slicers more if I did not have a Cuisinart. Gina

[BarbaraL]

I'm with kentgirl; I thought your boyfriend had given you a 30 foot sailboat! I don't have a KitchenAid, but I hear they're great -- have fun playing with your new toy!

[Susan]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Beth:
[B]I bought a refurbished 5qt a few years ago, and it has been used for a lot more than just the couple of recipes I had to have it for (divinity, Italian Batter bread, Crocodile bread) and pasta. [B]

Okay, I'll bite ;-)...what is crocodile bread???

[Vanessa]

Hi. I think once you start using your K Aid you will feel more at ease and learn to enjoy it. My husband gave me a 5qt 350 watt one. At first it seemed I was not using it much but slowly I started using it specially for creaming its great...and it frees you to do other things while the machine is running.
About attachments I only have the ones that came with the KA. At Thanksgiving we could not find ground pork so for a minute we were going to get the grinder at the store but then we found the ground pork after all. I do have a an idea that some attatchments might be under my tree this Xmas.
My advice to you is start using your KAid and the more you use it the more you will like it. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Beth]

Originally posted by Susan:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Beth:
[B]I bought a refurbished 5qt a few years ago, and it has been used for a lot more than just the couple of recipes I had to have it for (divinity, Italian Batter bread, Crocodile bread) and pasta. [B]

Okay, I'll bite ;-)...what is crocodile bread???


I should have explained, but nice pun. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gifBoth of the breads are Italian breads that have to be beaten 30 minutes or so. The Italian Batter bread (Bernard Clayton's Complete Book of Bread) is a nice rustic Italian bread, pretty standard. The Crocodile bread (The Italian Baker, Carol Field, named for its shape) is a bit salty and chewy. It's texture is open and bubbly with a hard crust. It is a most unusual bread.

Anyway as the gluten develops, it is not easy to stir or beat, and DH and I wore ourselves out the first time we made one of them We swore not to make it again until we either owned or could borrow a Kitchen Aid.

[Natasha]

I understood the sailboat part all right, but got stuck on the part about the 3 attachments! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif

[CathyS]

WendyW

So have you ever been on any long distance races with that 30 foot boat??? I'm going to do the Chicago to Mackinac Island race next summer, (also on a 30 foot boat) and was looking for some good healthy food suggestions which will work on a boat with limited space. We figure for a 30 foot boat, it will take 2-3 days to get there!
Just curious????
CathyS

[Beth]

I bought a refurbished 5qt a few years ago, and it has been used for a lot more than just the couple of recipes I had to have it for (divinity, Italian Batter bread, Crocodile bread) and pasta. I would not recommend the pasta attachment unless you have at least the heavy duty model (325 watts), but preferably the professional (350) or the new 6qt.

I froze up a cobalt blue heavy duty on pasta, but KitchenAid replaced it. When I told them the recipes I was using it for, they sent me the professional when it was made only in white. If this one ever dies, I'm going for the 6qt in a color. Does any one know if the standard attachements work on the new 6qt?

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 11-28-2000).]

[lorilei]

Oh wait! And one can never be too grateful for the beautiful meringue this machine creates! Bake a lemon meringue pie immediately just to enjoy the results!!

[Wendy w]

Thanks everyone for your tips. To those of you who initially thought that I got a sailboat, I apologize for the confusion. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif Natasha, you are very, very, naughty! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif Gail, you never cease to crack me up! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Most of my bb use is from work (I know, I'm bad) and whenever I post I try to do it quickly because I get interrupted frequently - even when I am out to lunch or on a break with my door closed. So on occasion, I will type 12 t. pepper when I mean 1/2 t. When I posted the other day, it was at 5 pm (as it is right now) and when I reread my post, I realized that I failed to mention what I got. Excuse my faux pas.

Anyway... back to the KitchenAid. It is interesting to know that most of you that have the pasta attachments don't use them. Gina and Mamasue, I agree with you that you can buy good quality pastas at the store and do not need to struggle w/pasta dough.

I have the 4 1/2 quart in green. He ordered it in white and they sent green and offered to send it back and I said no way!

CathyS, I have not been on a race on that sailboat, but he did with his ex girlfriend. We will have to do something about that. I have some ideas for your trip but will need to do a post in the near future. I also want to hear more about it-would love to go to Macinac Island.

Lorelei, can't wait to make meringue!

Wendy

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 11-29-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Wendy w (edited 11-29-2000).]

[RobinC]

I own a Kenwood with a 7.5 quart bowl. I love this big bad boy. It is similar to the Kitchen Aid with the whisk, paddle, and dough hook attachments. I bought my mixer at a cake decorating supply store. They gave me some very good advise on when to use the paddle vs the whisk attachment. The paddle should be used when mixing anything with fat/butter/etc (like decorating icing or cookie dough) The solid fats will eventually cause the whisk to bend. At first I kept wanting to use the whisk attachment for everything, because it looks more like the beaters I was used to using. Now I use the paddle attachment for most mixing and save the whisk for volumous egg whites and whipped cream.

[kendra]

I have had a kitchenaid for just over a year. It is great for batters and can't be beat for meringue. Also dips. Another thing I use it for is meatballs or meatloaf. Sometimes the meat is just SO cold when you put your hands in to mix it. This makes a very well mixed meatball and has a different texture than hand mixed, but it depends on what mood I'm in as to what kind I prefer. Try it for meatballs just once to see. Happy mixing!

[Wendy w]

Thanks Kendra, I will. My Mom and I used to make some really good cocktail meatballs w/ a rose sauce. I should make a batch for the holidays since they freeze well.

Wendy