It’s official: Summer is over and fall is here. The days are getting shorter, the wind is getting cooler, and the trees are turning bright oranges, reds and golds. There are many reasons why I love autumn. At the top of my list is enjoying all the warm, comforting meals that reach our tables this time of year.
I love fresh salads and freshly baked burgers more than anyone else. But there is something special about cold season food. Soups, stews, casseroles, roasts… Just thinking about them puts a smile on my face and brings me peace of mind. To create these amazing dishes, I’ve come to rely on some of the kitchen tools I’ve acquired over the years. Some have been proven.
Whenever I think of making a delicious fall meal, I automatically start turning pages of crockpot recipes. There’s nothing better than coming back from an autumn hike or an afternoon in the apple orchard and filling your home with the aroma of hearty soups and delicious roasts. is incredibly easy. Add your ingredients, turn on the crockpot, and let it sit for 6-8 hours. That’s my cooking!
Another great thing about fall is all the baking that happens in my house. Our family all love to bake cookies, pies, cakes and breads. Until a few years ago, I was convinced I didn’t need a stand mixer. I felt the hand mixer worked well. Then I got a stand mixer. Now I understand what all hoopla are about.A stand mixer makes it easy to create a variety of doughs, crusts, and batters. I was corrected and duly converted to stand his mixer.
A few years ago, everyone I spoke to seemed to be talking about this new kitchen tool, a healthy version of the deep fryer. I was intrigued and, with any luck, Christmas was just around the corner. I am now a proud owner of an air fryer. I love it and use it several times a week.
At about the same time that the air fryer became a hot topic, the Instant Pot also appeared. As with the air fryer, I’ve heard a lot of stories about friends making amazing meals with this new kitchen tool. It just so happens that my birthday is a few weeks after Christmas. What did I get for my birthday…Yeah, an Instant Pot!
Unfortunately, I had no success using this appliance. I am actually afraid of it. I have tried several recipes with only marginal success. Also, I find working with the pressure cooker portion of the device absolutely terrifying. I even had an embarrassing moment when I didn’t know how to close the lid properly.
I am 100% sure that my problem with the Instant Pot is user error and not the device itself. Also, I will eventually try another Instant Pot recipe (as long as the title includes the word “easy”). Meanwhile, this particular tool spends some time on the downstairs shelf next to my bread maker, onion chopper, and George Foreman grill.
I would be remiss if I didn’t give a special shout out to the unsung heroes of my kitchen: the toaster, rice cooker, and coffee maker. It’s not flashy, but my family can’t function without these kitchen essentials.
We are at the start of my favorite season and I couldn’t be more excited. I am by no means a master cook. But the tools in my kitchen have helped me master some of my family’s favorite dishes. Have a nice autumn everyone!
