Headhunter wrote:So Indy, get any attachments with the Mixer?
Didn't get any new ones, but all the attachments I had for my previous Kitchen Aid mixer are compatible. I would have stuck with my old mixer until it croaked had the attachments not worked with the new one.
Food grinder. If you don't already have a stand alone, this is a MUST! Specifically if you make dumplings with that dumpling maker. I make a pretty mean pork & shrimp dumpling. it takes about 5 minutes to run a few pounds of pork and shrimp with all the garlic, basil, cilantro, Green onions, and Viola. Instant dumpling mix.
I already got that one. It does work great. I make turkey burgers all the time. Gind up the turkey as well as some bacon and add all the spices and make the patties. Great tool to have.
Pasta rollers. Makes fettuccine and Lasagna noodles so freaking easy. Great for Ravioli. Homemade pasta is the bomb! Also pretty fly for making your own dumpling wrappers.
I have this already too. I have only used it once and just not taken the time to go back to it. I really want to, but I can't get the dough "right". I used the suggested recipe for the dough with the manual but it came out the suck. Any suggestions on a pasta dough? I'm dying to make some homemade pasta, but am a little disheartened by my previous failure.
The Pasta Makers (an add-on to the food grinder) this is great for making angel hair, macaroni, etc that the pasta rollers will not.
I have this too. See above for lack of use. Any suggestions here would be good too, but I assume you probably use the same kind of dough for both.
Fruit and veggie strainer. (an add-on to the food grinder - This is why you buy the food grinder first) Great for making tomato pastes, jellies. Makes de-seeding raspberries (a thankless, Arduous manual task) effortless. If you're into baking, this one will make the fruit portions almost effortless.
I do not have this. I do love baking so this may be my next purchase.
I also bough the Ice Cream attachment, But I wound up taking it back. The Ice Cream would never set up properly. not sure if that was a bad unit, or a result of Houston's humidity. I'm going to buy one that has a refrigeration unit built in someday, but those are kind of pricey. I wasn't happy with this at all.
I have this as well. I actually use it a lot and it works great. As you said, it never sets up quite right in the ice cream bowl. However, I throw it in the freezer overnight and it is perfect the next morning. I always do two different kinds. I mix in Oreos for the wife's and I put in Heath for mine. Infinity% better than a DQ Blizzard because you are using very rich vanilla ice cream made with actual cream as opposed to that soft serve shit. Give it another try with my suggestions. To me, it's worth the $.
Also, if you don't have the pouring shield, make that high on the list. Keeps flour from covering your kitchen, and makes adding ingredients a lot easier.
I did not have a pouring shield with my old mixer, but my new one came with it. I have seen a world of difference. Wish I would have bought one a long time ago for the old one for the reasons you have mentioned.
They have a lot of other little things like slicers, juicers, etc. But I have those capabilities elsewhere (food processor/Stand alone appliances), but the ones I listed above, I would not live without.
Same here. I have the Cuisinart for slicing and such. Other appliances as well for other things.
One thing I bought and have not used yet is the sausage maker. It is an attachment for the grinder. I plan to get on this soon as I would love to make my own brats. I buy these garlic sausage brats from the local meat packing company. They are great, but I know I could make some better. Just never think to buy the casings for it at the store.
Look forward to trying out your pasta dough recipe if you're willing to part with it. Let me know the specifics on the types and brands of ingredients, especially the flour.
