Well, I actually USED my stove-top last evening (3 of the 4 burners!) to cook dinner, and it was SWEET!! How awesome to NOT have the pots tilting this way and that due to uneven coils!! All my pots have flat bottoms so that is not a concern, thank God! If I remember correctly, one of the "problems" with cast iron that the salesman mentioned was, cast iron retains a LOT more heat than other types of pots/pans, and that added heat may end up cracking the glass of the cooktop. I don't know how true that is, but it's what he said.
Anyway... another thing that I found to be super cool... I don't need a large burner size for the dinner I made last night, and with this range, I don't have to use the large burner! The 2 "larger" burners up front are actually dual-sized, so I can pick which size I want to use. That is AWESOME to me!!
Bar Keeper's Friend, ... never heard of it but I'll sure give it a try! DH and I will be at Home Depot this coming weekend, so I'll write it down so we can remember to check it out. He's got to stop by HH Gregg on Thursday to swap out the incorrect microwave, and he plans to buy the cleaner stuff that they sell while he's there, but it will be nice to have a second option in case we don't like that stuff.
I had the "full vs empty" refrigerator/freezer energy efficiency discussion with DH the other night 'cause I had always tried to keep my freezer full.. of something. After much discussion about wattage/amperage/voltage, KWH etc, it turns out that the savings (both in electricity and time) with a full fridge/freezer is so miniscule that it nearly makes no difference at all. In one year, the 'savings' in the electric bill is probably about $20 or so, is what the calculations came out to. I'd never realized that before, I always thought it made a much bigger difference.
Hmm, after reading Judy's post, I think I'll either pass my cast iron along to someone or save it JUST for the oven. < =/
Getting Hot In Here- What's spicing up your Mid-At Kitchen?
wonderful speedy.
Save the cast iron- I've always felt deprived doing cornbread in simple cake pans.
Speedie--
I don't know if all HD's keep the same merchandise in the same numbered aisles.
I would think so--as "planograms" are sent to all stores and seem the same.
In that case--tell your DH to head for Aisle #3 where all the cleaning supplies are located.
I have also heard that a full freezer runs more efficiently. Makes sense--everything is already frozen--
so the freezer does not have to work so hard keeping just a few things frozen.
Gita
Thank you Gita, I know just where that aisle is at Home Despot. Been there LOTS! =) It is actually one of my favourite aisles, right after power tools and lumber... in that order. ;)
We will be heading over there this weekend for cabinets, so I'll be with DH for that. I'll grab his hand and drag him over there. < =D
Yeah, as it turns out, the full freezer will run more efficiently, but not by much. I always thought it made a huge difference, but if what DH tells me is right (and if his calculations are right), then it's just a teeny tiny difference. What the heck do I know, I just fill the things, I don't build 'em! < =D (oh yeah, and I raid them in the middle of the night too). ;)
Lol Speedie, I'm so relieved that my post didn't dampen your enthusiasm.
It is so cool to have brand new things, especially like new appliances! Sleek, smooth, clean, bright, big, every thing working...totally fitting for the domestic goddess in all of us. Enjoy! Seems there should be some special music or at least a ritual kind of launch or christening, maiden voyage sort of thing...I remember the old TV show where women cried when they were chosen "Queen For A Day" and their prize was a new washing machine. My first fridge ( a beautiful little coppertone model) was filled by me with a single vase of flowers for its first day of repeated door openings and pleased as punch sighs before I began to slowly fill it with those items that I rarely enjoyed in my days of liveaboard life with no fridge.
Hey, if new appliances and kitchen redos get us eating more at home and as a family, why that's a 'good thing'.
PS, I'm with sally, if I could have only one pot or pan it would be my cast iron fry pan 'cause I litterally can cook anything in it.
PPS My freezer has emergency ice bottles in it cause after last power outage was short, I've been too lazy to needlessly re prep.
Now- keeping extra water in the extra space in the frIdge or freezer- that is VERY smart. Water runs out fast at the store after a major event. Ice, too! And why pay a dollar for a gallon of water if you can pay 2 cents and its already there helping keep your unit cold?
We love cast iron. It never dies. I have pots I inherited from my mom, plus our own -- a huge stack.
Coleup -- I have one of those gizmos for measuring wattage, but the subzero is hardwired so I can't use it on the subzero.
I ended up giving all my cast iron to Jamie. They were just too heavy for me. They were all handed down from my Grandmother. They ranged from 5-6" up to 16 or 20", there was also a 14" griddle with a smoke ring. I'm not sure I've made really good homefries since. LOL
A good trick for filling up a lot of chest freezer space is to keep a number of the foam florist or pharmacy shipping boxes handy, easy to move and very effective, they also come in handy as emergency coolers and are nearly indestructible. Ric
...And bags of frozen peas. NOT for eating, mind you, but they're great as ice packs when you get boo-boos. (which I do, frequently). ;)
I had my first YIKES moment with the range today. I was thinking I could get 'smart' and store my skillets in the bottom drawer of it, like I did before. THEY DON'T ALL FIT!! I found that out the hard way, getting one handle stuck in there trying to re-open the drawer.. good Lord! Speaking of boo-boos, the backs of my hands are now swollen and bruised trying to get that sucker out of there. HA!! ...now where's that bag o' frozen peas??...
Premade burger patties from Weis market, chuknkedup sweet potatos cooked in skillet with butter salt squirt of maple syrup, coleslaw
I think another really big advantage to a full freezer is that it will hold its temperature longer in the event of a power outage.
Speedy, I can hear your delight and imagine your grin as you survey your new kitchen... empowering your inner domestic goddess!! Sorry about your bruised knuckles.
Speedie--
Frozen corn is cheaper than peas--and works just as good.
Probably they don't get as mushy. LOL Ric
If keeping a full freezer is that good, maybe I should just pop myself into it.... no wait, never mind, forget I said that! < =D (but, I could fit!!!)
Oh yes Gita, frozen corn is GREAT, but in this household, that is for eating, frozen peas are not. ;) Like Ric said, frozen peas get mushy, eewww!!! =)
Another really simple meal tonight - boneless pork chops smothered with stuffing, baked in the oven in a casserole dish.
Yum.
We were supposed to go to a dinner show tonight with neighbors. Don't think it's gonna happen. Taking out a leg of lamb and looking around for sides to go with it. Neighbors will walk here today and we'll cook, bake, get computer lessons, take care of the babies starting under lights and put out more winter sow. Haven't shopped in 2 weeks because of nagging sinus infection which is practically gone now. Shopping in the freezers is always fun. Can't find any usable salad greens in there though!
Roses, sounds like you are getting quite a bit of snow? Just a dusting here. Glad your sinus infection is almost gone. I'm still feeling the effects of the flue, but am much better today than yesterday. Not much motivation to cook, so Mike brought home Chinese take-out last night. Hot and Sour soup and steamed dumplings for me. He had kung pao chicken. If I feel better, I think I'll make jambalaya and cornbread for dinner tonight. I want to try a jalapeno cornbread recipe, the jambalaya is one of my reliable go to recipes.
Glad you're feeling better, Terri. Looks like we're still on for the dinner show, so I'll put my leg of lamb back into the freezer.
This flu crud that's going around is THE PITS! Terri, I'm so glad you're feeling better!! I bet that soup was a big help on a miserable throat too. =(
Today my kitchen wasn't heating up... 'cause I used my new convection/microwave to make sweet rolls for breakfast, and then had to test out how it does with 2 cookie sheets full of .. well... cookies! =) I'm gonna have to learn more about all that, 'cause the ones in the center of the sheets seemed less 'done' than the ones around the perimeter of the baking sheets.
Tonight we will be enjoying a recipe that Gita shared with me today, a Garlic Lime Chicken recipe originally shared (here?) by Marylyn__TX of DG. Marylyn, if you're still around, THANK YOU! =) Gonna doctor up some plain long-grain rice to go with it. This chicken recipe looks really yummy, I can't wait to try it. =)
We heated up somebody else's kitchen today , early dinner-
Los Portales on Aviation Blvd.
Yum.
And we have a designated driver too- tee hee. Mr Learners Permit had soda we got a Doz Equis and a margarita... now feeling too stuffed and lazy to tile...
Hahaha. Glad you enjoyed your dinner and driver.
Sally, how SWEET, to heat up (and MESS up) someone else's kitchen, **and** to get a dd for the ride home! < =D
We thoroughly enjoyed that chicken last night, and the rice came out pretty ok too. Finely diced up carrots, celery, garlic, onion, and a small handful of frozen corn, sauteed in olive oil and butter with salt, pepper, lemon pepper, and coriander, to which was added the rice and chicken broth (instead of water). A nice flavorful rice to go with that delectable chicken! :)
And Brookies for dessert, Yumm!! =)
Hi guys, Not entirely sure what Ric has going on in the kitchen. I can tell you that he is making me a Valentine Diner. I do know that there will be Asparagus Soup (very, very yummy) and one of my favs Brussels Sprouts, he asked baked or scolloped and I said scolloped (potatoes I think) there is some kind of desert on the front pouch and all I know about that is maraschino cherries are involved and maybe pineapple? No idea on the main course. In honor of all his hard work I actually took off my PJ's, took a shower, washed my hair, shaved my legs and put on a dress. Set the table with the good silver and all. There is a lovely Orchid centerpiece I received yesterday, appropriate love songs playing in the background. Going to look for candles now. I am sure that he will post his whole menu later.
Hope you all have a lovely Valentines Day Diner.
This message was edited Feb 14, 2013 7:34 PM
I made her Asparagus soup, broiled lobster tail, with scallops and shrimp scampi. Scalloped potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and cashews. For dessert I made a 2 layer yellow cake with fresh pineapple, stuffed with maraschino cherries, and butter cream icing with coconut. Ric
WOW!
I bet you had TWO deserts for Valentines D.......;o)
You are an amazing husband. Bet God broke the mold when he made YOU!
Please share how you prepare a Lobster tail. I have never made one--can't afford it.
The 4oz. ones are not worth it. 8-10oz? Now we're talking....
Happy Valentines Day to you both! Love--Gita
You go Ric and Holly!! Taking notes here for next year ...lol!
I think it'll be chili today...something slow cooker for sure. I'm working on kitchen tile and that will keep that area clear.
Gita, 8oz. It was my first try at the tail, I got it a little undercooked and had to pop it into the broiler an additional 5 min. The butter mix I used was awesome.
Sally, That tile job is looking great. Ric
This message was edited Feb 15, 2013 11:37 AM
Sounds wonderful!!
That tile job is looking great, Sally!! What color grout are you going to use? I've always liked subway tile.
DH is having leftovers tonight since I am babysitting til tomorrow evening.
THanks Ric and Jan.
THe grout is a taupe color. It went on today. Guess what= I think I waited too long to wipe off and spent two hours..wiping scraping rubbing... egads... I think I took the grout seems down too narrow too, but, hey, it is done now and when I step back it looks fine. I want to let it dry before the next 'reveal' LOL
Yikes!!
Sally, be glad it wasn't a textured tile, Josh did a bathroom floor for someone and bored to tears trying to get it clean and polished. Everytime he thought it was done it dried with a muddy haze. He does not have the patience of Job by any means, as a bridge builder his idea of finished concrete is with a coarse broom. When we did the greenhouse he was amazed that you can make it look like polished stone. LOL Ric
Oh my goodness Sally, your tile job looks Great!! Very professional! (heeheee, been married to an electrician for too long, while looking was wondering what your plates look like that will go on your plugs, LOL!)
Gosh Ric, you get an A+ for that beautiful dinner and dessert! ... now I'm hungry. < =/
White chili with Great Northern beans and corn muffins will be heating up this kitchen tonight. Nice warm comfort foods for a dreary snainy evening. ("Snainy": that's a new word. Snowy/rainy.) =)
Snainy. Love that word!!
Stopped at a Chik FIL a on the way home from babysitting.
According to todays Daves Article, tomorrow is National Banana Bread Day! Who knew. And me with only two ripe bananas and none in the store.
This message was edited Feb 22, 2013 1:26 PM
I prefer today--It is National Margarita Day today!!
I'll be right over--Robin! My favorite drink too....
OOH! we're on our way, me and 'Mark-arita' LOL he likes them too.
Shopped today, have a chicken to roast. I read a recipe that says, coat in greek yogurt and let marinate overnight.
Any particular flavor, or plain yogurt? I bet lemon would be really yummy! =)