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.
Ingredients I use often include Amazon Affiliate Links that may benefit me should you purchase thru Amazon.
Using Drogeheri and Alimentari Organic Tuscan Herb Seasoning in any recipe calling for Italian Seasoning. Is only the beginning of how it earns it place in the Pantry InMySmallKitchen. I have tried at least three other brands and was not pleased with the final flavour. Still, if there is another you prefer – of course – substitute as needed.
The D&A Tuscan Herb Seasoning contains: Marjoram, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Savory, Oregano and Sage. (edited to add) This mix with perhaps one or two other ingredients is found in many recipes – including some of my favorite Eastern European recipes – Ukrainian, Polish, Russian and yes even several German.
For most Italian dishes, it does need Garlic (especially InMySmallKitchen where Garlic is a food group), I keep a container with a 3 parts Tuscan to 1 part Garlic granuals handy to sprinkle anywhere I would use a more garlic forward blend.
When a Greek or Mediterranean Seasoning is needed (like my Gyro Meat) 1/4 tsp each of lemon Zest along with 1/8th tsp of mint is pleasing to most
To make an excellent Sicilian Dipping Sauce Add 1 Tbl Tuscan Blend plus 1 tsp Garlic and 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes and 1/8th tsp Coarse Ground Black Pepper to a pint of an Olive Oil Vinaigrette (2/3 cup Olive Oil to 1/4 cup Wine Vinegar of your choices) It is also our daily go to for Salad dressing or Subs/Wedges too.
Swap the Oil for Mayo of your choice and you have a creamy dressing or dip
Thus far, the Amazon Price has been consistently the best (I check when reordering this size about every 3-4 months.
As an important element of my “10-20-30 Minute” Life Style Mise-En-Place is not only worth the effort but it makes many things possible
So do you Mise-En-Place in the Kitchen or anywhere else?
For How to in the kitchen, a nice summary of the steps
Minute 1-5: Read Recipe TWICE or More – the only way to avoid unpleasant realities, like you don’t have the necessary ingredients, so may need to plan a substitute. (like mixing Heavy Cream with Ricotta to make a Marscapone alternative.
Minute 6-10: READ RECIPE AGAIN and then GATHER Tools and needed pots, pans, ice bath, whatever – Because no one wants to stop fail just because the sheet pan is still waiting in the dishwasher and your sauce is about to burn
Minutes 11-18: Prep Each Ingredient, measure or cut those veggies as need for a proper or custom mirepoix once all your ingredients are prepped and ready leave nothing in your space but what you will need. If you are not cooking now, get all the ingredients into the fridge or freezer as needed.
Miunutes19-20 : Clearing the debris – Rinse and add dirty stuff to the dishwasher –
take a nap, read a book, enjoy afternoon snack or tea, answer email, happily knowing that getting dinner going is only a matter of minutes whenever you want to start.
Minutes 20-21: Set Up Work Area This is usually even less than a minute – mostly just grabbing the tray from the fridge to the work area that already has tools and such ready and waiting.
InMySmallKitchen Minute 22-30 is final prep/assembly Using recipe, lay out the ingredients in the order needed
Most of the time much of this can be done in advance and in some cases I freeze the “ready for the oven” or the Ninja Foodi so dinner can be freezer to table in as little as 30 minutes, but usually averaging under an hour.
Admittedly, the 30 minute part may be longer, because of longer unattended cooking time (like 45 minutes in Pressure Cooker or Air Fryer
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
