Kitchen Gear Recommendations

[Bethers]

I have a Hamilton Beach one person blender that I love. I probably got it at Walmart, but who knows? Use it to make my smoothies and margaritas - guess which I make more of ???

[sharon]

I have a Hamilton Beach one person blender that I love. I probably got it at Walmart, but who knows? Use it to make my smoothies and margaritas - guess which I make more of ???

SMOOTHIES!!!

Got one of those, too. Don't think I've ever used it.

[AlmostThere]

Magic Bullet: Comes with two blades for chopping or blending.
I haven't made any smoothies from frozen fruit in my Bullet so I can't comment on that. I would think fresh fruit would be good. I have always make my smoothies from frozen fruit in my big blender but it broke last month so one of these days I'll have to give it a go. I think Beth said she makes smoothies in hers.
I did use it to grind coffee beans for over a year and it worked wonderfully.
I like using it to chop any small amounts of leftover chicken or any other meats. (I do not add the mayo etc. in with the meat as I find it just gets liquifies the center and the outside stays in hunks.
You need to keep in mind that it's a single serving size blender. Anything big you want to do would have to be done in small batches.

[Bethers]

I bought a little tiny chopper at HEB a few years ago - that I use for chopping up vegies, etc - don't use my blender for that - strictly use it for ice, smoothies, fruit, etc. Not sure why - but I separate out the tasks I think it has to do with I always feel the smell from some things I chop stay with it (onions, for example) - and I don't want onions in my smoothies or margaritas! But that's just me - I do have many quirks - of which that is one.

[JudyJB]

Good point about choppers and onions.

Right now I have a 30+ year old huge, heavy blender, so it will be time to get rid of it soon and get something smaller and lighter. Even now it takes up too much space in my cupboard.

The main thing use a blender for is for blending bananas for banana nut bread, chopping nuts for a couple of other recipes, and making an occasional milk shake. Problem is that it is so hard to get out and clean afterwards, it is just not worth it. The newer ones, even the ones that are not one-serving, look a lot lighter and smaller.

One lucky thing--I don't drink coffee. I do have a small two-cup coffee pot, but do I really have to provide coffee for visitors?????????? (Coffee drinkers please respond as to how insulted you would be if I did not offer you coffee.)

Oh, last point. At my house, if I do offer you coffee, you have to measure the coffee yourself because I tend to do a lousy job of that!

[longdog2]

We drink lots of coffee but on a cold day, a nice cup of hot chocolate would not be insulting! You might want something warm too.

[BarbaraRose]

I don't want onions in my smoothies or margaritas! But that's just me - I do have many quirks - of which that is one.

I don't blame you! I wouldn't like onion flavored smoothies either!

I don't drink coffee and don't have a coffee maker. Wouldn't even begin to know how to make it anyways! Otherwise I have cappuccino to offer.

I love the little choppers! I just bought one the other day so I can chop up stewed tomatoes for goulash.

[khenrie]

I am a coffee lover. I would never expect anyone to serve me coffee. I also love tea, hot chocolate, ice cold water or a glass of wine.

I would not be offended at all. Another option would be to keep a small stash of instant coffee.

[Bethers]

I don't drink coffee, don't own coffee, don't own a coffee maker. All that said - most of the time you'll be socializing with other campers/rver's - and they'll bring their own drinks. If you fix a meal, usually they bring their own plates and silverware. It's something that we are all used to - as none of us have a lot of space. The only time you'd need coffee is if you had someone traveling with you who drinks it. Then they can bring their own stash.

[AlmostThere]

I've only drunk a cup or two for breakfast (x husband never drank coffee), so only owned a 4 cup maker. One evening I hosted the dessert portion of a progressive dinner for our church and people were amazed that I didn't have a big o pot of coffee at the ready. My little 4 cupper got a workout that night!

[BirdbyBird]

What Beth said. I find that if someone brings wine....there is never a problem finding something to drink out of. I will carry my own glass over as will most people. Same with coffee or tea......we get used to providing our won because few of us carry bunches of anything.....

[sharon]

Beth, can you please share more about the hardboiled egg cooker?
What it looks like and how it's used in the microwave?

Here you go, Lenora: http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-64802 ... 361&sr=8-1

This egg cooker is WONDERFUL. Everyone who has borrowed mine has bought one. You fill the bottom to the line in it with water. You place 4 eggs in the appropriate places, put on the lid and place in the microwave. In my microwave, 8 minutes makes perfect hard-boiled eggs. It comes with instructions so you can do soft, med, hard-boiled. Of course, each microwave varies a tad. When I remove them - it's HOT - so don't try to remove this from the microwave without pads. I set it in the sink for a few minutes. These eggs will peel easier than any hard-boiled egg you've ever done! Guaranteed. Ha, they should pay me Old or new eggs.

Needless to say - I'm sold on this thing. I think it was Barbzeee who first told me about it. Anyway - I wouldn't want to be without it.

Ok, just ordered one from Amazon. Pricey after the S&H etc. Came to just over $16. So you and Karen had better be right!!
Thanks!

Just saw them in Walmart yesterday....a lot cheaper than that, Lenora! LOL!

[sharon]

I usually carry my coffee cup with me as I visit around the CG...Then I wander back to Hope, fill up and wander back around again...I have trouble sitting for long periods, I get to antsy.

But if you insist on having coffee for me Judy, get a box of the Folgers coffee bags. They look just like tea bags and taste like fresh brewed..just pour boiling water over them....de-caf, please!

[retiredhappy]

I'm with Beth; have a small (about 1 cup) little electric chopper I use for onions, celery, etc. I just bought (Walmart) a little blender. You actually drink out of the cup you blend things in, fits in the car cup holder. I've been making smoothies from frozen berries, frozen bananas, peaches. I'm adding some fresh spinach, chopped squash and bought some childrens juice that is low calorie but has fruit AND vegetables in it. Add a couple of ice cubes and have a great smoothie/slushy. Also bought a small watermelon, cubed it and froze the cubes. I have a hard time getting enough veggies as the only ones I like are cauliflower and broccoli steamed together in the microwave.

[mitch5252]

guess which I make more of ???

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Smoothies? (with rum, I'm guessing...)

Does it work well on frozen fruit and ice cubes? I see it's on Amazon for under twenty bucks.

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