October 8 is National Pierogi Day. While we really like the little crescent of delicious dough filled with savory, sweet or something in between – making them can be annoying. We found the Hunky Bill’s Big Pierogi Makers about 10 years ago and they are well worth the cabinet shelf space.

If I could only have one, it would be the larger size. Just enough larger to make the stuffing as much the hero as the crispy dough outside. We do have both sizes, but the smaller has only been out of the box a few times. The larger is my go two since it make enough for (two adults) as a hearty side dish for two meals and one meal if it is the entree.

For a lazy “dessert”, use either a pie dough or puff pastry – with any fruit pie filling of your choice, brush with butter and bake or air fry.

The first part of the story was posted some weeks ago at:
https://wheatcarr.com/2021/03/11/kitchenaid-blade-grinder/
Since then, I have been putting this baby thru its paces and the KitchenAid Blade Grinder is exactly what I hoped it would be

.

I have a similar blade grinder that we use exclusively for coffee but it is a PIA to clean. The bowl is not able to be removed, so was not useful for other kitchen needs.

I wanted one I could use for Herbs and spices to make my custom seasoning blends. Making my own blends is a necessity both for flavor and allergy reasons.

The KitchenAid blade grinder worked perfectly, because the bowl/blade assembly is removable, it was easy breezy to clean between each set of ingredients.

Did everything from making a seasoning blend for Gyro to a paste of fresh ginger and garlic.

Oh, and did I mention it was RED – very happy to have this InMySmallKitchen.

A few days ago I mentioned in my GAB Food Craft Making and Methods group, I recently came across a “new to me” on line seller who has made it easy to shop “Made In the USA”. Politically speaking, I live in the USA so want to support US Jobs. Personally, I do believe you should, when possible support goods and services produced in your home country.

EverythingKitchen com as a new to me source for “Made/Assembled in USA” I wanted an easier to clean grinder for coffee and herbs and spices. I had sort of set my mind on KitchenAid Set, which included the Stainless Grinder and Accessory Bowls –

The grinder comes with a 4oz bowl, great for our daily pot of coffee. The accessor set of two smaller bowls and three lids (two to seal and store, one shaker top) to be used one for sweet and the second for savory as soon as I find a way to mark them.

I found the “set” both on Amazon.com and KitchenAid.com BUT only in the Silver and I wanted EMPIRE RED. Well turns out, by purchasing the Grinder separately I had a choice of Silver, Onyx (Black) or Empire (Red) at EverythingKitchen and the accessory set (sold out in other places) separately for the same total price total price.

Incidentally, I placed my EverythingKitchen order using the “made in USA” (and of course found more to add) Late in the morning on March 5 and was a bit concerned because of FedEx Ground track record around here, but is did arrive as promised in 3 business day – well packed and as soon as I have a moment to get it washed and set up will be replacing the rather old and likely soon to die one on my counter. It will get its first serious workout next week when I do my monthly “blends” making. so update to come.

Just one more way for me to
EnjoyTheMaking
InMySmallKitchen

p.s. Amazon is affiliate link for your convenience, but politically speaking, you can purchase thru KitchenAid or EverythingKitchen with out benefit to me or Jeff Bozos. (pun intended)

Recently I gifted a Ninja Foodi to a family member and she agrees with me the Crisper Basket is no fun at all to clean.  It was disappointing when I went searching for one for her that seemed to have disappeared from Amazon (thus never publishing this post until now)  So imagine how pleased I was to find that the Farberware Mini Wok  was an exact match and even a bit less expensive (how often does that happen).
Almost immediately it was no longer offered on Amazon, I originally bought this version, the Outset QD78 Non-Stick Mini Grill WokMini Works as Crisper Baskets and as a steam basket for “serial cooking” and MUCH easier to clean than the included crisper basket. Reason enough to become a favorite in my small kitchen.

So it was really pleasing when I stumbled across the Farberware Mini Wok offering recently and order TWO one for a gift and one to “back up” the one I had been using for several years. After a serious “stare and compare” session – they are identical. I know it looks like it would be too wide, but the loop handles hang nicely on the reversible rack (or sit on it if you prefer).

When I first wrote this product review, we had the 6.5 qt, now we have an 8 qt. This Farberware Mini Wok fits in either the 6.5 or 8 quart Ninja Foodi. This has become one of my favorite “Foodi” accessories. It sits nicely on the Reversible Rack – holds more than enough for two generous servings of “sides” (veggies, fries, frozen snacks like hush puppies etc.) It is easy to use a silicone utensil to toss the food without having to remove the hot basket.  The only possible drawback is that it may not hold enough if you are cooking for more than 2-3 adults.  99% per of the time the Farberware Mini Wok  is just right for our needs.

When this blog started a few years ago, I was using the Mini Wok 3-5 times a week in my 6.5qt that is still typical. The Mini-Wok is much easier to clean than the official crisper basket, and has been thru the Dishwasher many times without incident. Great for 6.5 or 8 qt, too tall for 5qt. I have also used it to hold small roasts & hams. it can, according to the description, be used on your outdoor grill

Bottom line is that although my original Mini Wok “is still good” except for a bit of rust around the handle rivets; I still use it at least 3-5 times a week usually tossing in the dishwasher after each use (but now when serial cooking) – not only did I buy one Farberware Mini Wok for a gift, but a “back up” for me.  Your experience may vary, especially if you use it on an outdoor grill, so maybe “buy two”

note: the amazon links are my affiliate link and so if followed I might make a few cents – but truthfully, they just save me having to answer the “where to buy” questions. 

• Revised 15-Feb-2023
• Original draft prepared 26-Feb-2021.
• Reminder – the Amazon Links are affiliate so if you buy something I may earn a few pennies

There are many days the arthritis in my hands make safe slicing and dicing dangerous and impossible. Recently I added a Hasselbach Potato tool to the gadgetry InMySmallKitchen

Apropos of GAB member: @Germantownrunner shared a cut, slice, dice how to link in our GAB group: Food Craft – Making and Methods
The RSVP International Hasselbach Potato Guide it is great for the potato recipes. I frequently use it to make slices evenly sliced vegetables for sheet pan meals using a cutting board instead of the Hasselbach base. It neatly slices of onion, tomato and even sliced some leftover protein for use in sandwiches and stir fry using a small cutting board so the sliced would go all the way thru. I diced an onion by turning the cutting board to hold the onion slices in place and then sliced thru again to make some nice dices without endangering my fingertips.

One of the features I particularly liked is that the tong part clicks into the back of the base so when not in use they stay together.

Hasselbach product links are affiliate links, that means if choose to purchase thru those links I am receive a small commission without additional cost to you.