I think if I was getting married again I would do a couple things differently.
No, I wouldn’t change the guy (Hi Carl!).
And I wouldn’t change the minister (Hi Dad!)
But the gift situation. Don’t get me wrong, we got some fabulous gifts and I loved everything, and I plan to use my toaster and knives forever and always, but this time around, this is all I’d put on the list.
Isn’t that a beauty? The clear bowl is what convinced me I need to break down and buy one of these things. I love my clear mixing bowls, and this one has measurement markings and a pour spout! What more could a girl ask for?
I bake a lot, and believe me, those hand mixers are not designed for daily use. I think I’m on my third or fourth one, and I’m only on my third or fourth year of marriage (No, maybe fifth? Anyways, however many there have been, they’ve been fabulous.)
Back to the issue at hand, my mom’s Most Amazing Shortbread recipe, my favorite Christmas cookie of all time (possibly my VERY favorite cookie of all time), requires 10 minutes of beating butter on high, and I just have not yet bothered to stand holding my hand mixer for that long. It makes the carpal-tunnel-in-training flare up.
So I try other shortbreads whenever I see them. I made an acceptable Cranberry White Chocolate one this Christmas, but it was not the same. None ever is. None ever will be.
Maybe I will work in into my mortgage.
One day when I get a mortgage.
Like I said, I have a dream.
As badly as I feel for bragging about having one while you so obviously want one, I must tell you that having a KitchenAid mixer brings baking to a whole new level. My mom bought me a used one through kijiji.ca for my birthday. But it doesn’t have a clear bowl, nor does the bowl have a pouring spout. Hmmm… maybe I’ll have to get a mortgage too so that I can get a nicer bowl :)
A KitchenAid mixer is worth every penny, in my opinion. I started baking my own bread last year, and I definitely wouldn’t have started if it wasn’t for my KitchenAid. Even for baking, it’s worth it!
Hand mixer? Anna.
My KitchenAid is going strong after four (right?) years of aggressive baking. One time I dropped it.
I now make a most amazing Scottish shortbread that I press into a shortbread form (my Christmas present from Dad bought at Lee Valley…they have such cool stuff). It comes out perfectly, already with lines to cut it into 8 perfect triangles, each decorated with the Scottish thistle. How’s that for impressive and it only takes a few minutes to get ready…no long beating:) If I can ever have it around long enough to take a picture of it, I will send you the recipe. But you will have to get the special mold…something else to dream for :)
But is the shortbread as soft and crumbly as the original?
I got one as a gift last year, and I love it soo much!!!
okay…this post is halarious! And I agree, the clear bowl is awesome!