Banning Vuvuzelas

Here's something not related to food, but rather to soccer.

I'm not a soccer fan, so when I watch a world cup game, the incessant buzzing of the vuvuzelas makes me hate the sport even more. Luckily, if you're streaming the game on your computer, some kindred spirit has created an open source tool to block out the demonic wailing of the vuvuzelas without affecting the quality of any other sounds in the game.

Are you interested? Check it out.

Cook Ware to Dream About

This could be construed to be a list of my favorite cookware, but if you look at the prices, you'll see that I'm far from being able to afford anything I've listed, apart from a storage jar or two, and maybe the Delonghi toaster oven. Unlike most girls who dream about marrying prince charming, I dream about my registry and all of the awesome things that will go on it. Call me selfish, but I love kitchen tools. So, here are some of what will definitely be in the running for a place on the list. 

Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Steel 13 piece set - $599.99

Le Creuset 5.5 quart Round Oven - $335

KitchenAid Limited Edition 90th Anniversary Mixer in Candy Red - $440 (though I'd settle for the "Artisan" 5 Quart Stand Mixer, Empire Red by KitchenAid - $375)

KitchenAid Pasta Roller Set - $130

Waring Deep Fryer - $165

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker - $100

Cuisinart Rice Cooker and Steamer - $100

Breville "The Smart Oven" Convection Toaster with Element IQ™ - $315 (The more economically sound decision would be to purchase the Delonghi Esclusivo Brushed Stainless Steel Toaster Oven - $99)

Pillivuyt Square Shallow Roasters - $23-$49

Bodum Yohki Storage Jars with Stainless Steel Lids - $16-$30

Henkels International Classic 20 Piece Cutlery Block Set - $300

See anything you like or anything that should be on the list? Let me know.

New Kitchen Toy: Oster 12 Speed Blender

While my ultimate goal would be a Blendtec blender, which would probably outlive me, I just purchased a 12-speed Oster blender from Target. It's reasonably priced ($29.99), reliable, and it could perform the role of 4 different kitchen appliances (blender, smoothie maker, soup puree-er, ice cream maker, margarita maker, etc). There are also unending possibilities for what you can make in a blender (beverages, salsa, guacamole, hummus, butternut squash bacon and apple soup, etc.

Perhaps there will be a blender series on all of my blender creations in the future. For now, some eye candy.

Update: I forgot to mention one of my favorite aspects of the blender. It can be a food processor!!! I used it to make a butternut squash-sweet potato-carrot-apple-bacon soup. I'll share that with you later. For now, here is a little guide to using a blender as a food processor (and coffee grinder!!!).

Food -- Processed Quantity -- Unprocessed Quantity -- Special Instructions

Breadcrumbs -- 1/2 cup -- 1 slice, torn in 8 pieces -- Pulse 1-4 times

Celery -- 3/4 cup -- 1 cup of 1in pieces -- Pulse 2-3 times

Cheddar Cheese -- 1 cup -- 1 cup of 1in pieces -- Pulse 2-3 times

Swiss Cheese -- 1 cup -- 1 cup of 1in pieces -- Pulse 5 times

(Semi-)Hard Cheese -- 1 cup of 1 cup of 1in pieces -- Chop continuously

Coffee Beans -- 1 cup -- 1 cup -- Grind 45 seconds for percolators/french press; 60 seconds for drip

Wafer Cookies -- 1/2 cup -- 10 wafers -- Pulse 3 times

Graham Crackers -- 1/2 cup -- 8 crackers -- Pulse 3 times

Peppers -- 2/3 cup -- 1 cup -- Pulse 1 time

Boneless Meat, Cooked -- 1 cup -- 1 cup of 1in pieces -- Chop continuously

Nuts -- 1 cup (250 ml) -- 1 cup (250 ml) -- Pulse 2-4 times