One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is entertain our family and friends. Spending time in the kitchen is fun. When the kids were younger and more of the family lived close by, we had cookie bakes and an annual Christmas Eve party. Nowadays, I host Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, depending on everyone's schedules.
Here are some of the kitchen appliances I use to help me prepare to entertain family and friends.
When we moved into our new home in December 1999, I quickly learned that working a full-time job required me to be more efficient in the kitchen. My Cuisinart food processor helps me slice, chop, mince, etc. Even though my 25-year-old unit was still operational, I bought a new version of my original last year. Not as heavy and slightly more compact, I like how they redesigned how the cover attaches, and the handy holder for the extra blades is a lot safer than loose blades sitting in a drawer.
This was a Christmas gift to replace a corded hand mixer from another manufacturer that I didn't like. Honestly, I never thought of buying a cordless hand mixer, but I love this one. It's lightweight, easy to clean, and has multiple speeds. The charge lasts a long time.
My stand mixer is at least 20 years old. Received as a gift, I've used this mixer so many times that I've lost count. Mixing cookie dough is a lot easier in this mixer than using the hand mixer. Though it is heavy, I'll bring it out during the holidays when I have multiple cookie batches to make. It also comes with other attachments, but I don't use those as often.
Often known as an immersion blender, this variable speed hand blender will blend, puree, and crush. This makes the best butternut squash. I bought it last year and use it at least once a week.
This is now considered a vintage product, but I bought a new one before they stopped manufacturing the Sunbeam Hot Shot. This 16 oz. capacity unit heats up water faster than if you used a microwave or the stovetop. I'm a huge tea drinker, but I never like to use the coffeemaker for tea because of the after taste. In addition, when I need hot water to dissolve gelatin or bouillon cubes, this does the trick quickly. I've had a Hot Shot since before we moved into our house 25 years ago. The one challenge is that the plastic hinges holding the cover on can wear out, but these units were affordable to replace.
I guess I never realized what a KitchenAid fan I was until I put together this list. What are some kitchen appliances that help you out during the holidays?
