Favourite gadget

[Marzoli]

I loved my new KitchenAid mixer! And then I was trying to get ready for the big day . . . yesterday, I was all set to mix up cakes and do other assorted Christmas dinner related things--my mixer just died! I have a problem with my hands and wrists that sort of rules out hand mixing, so there I was--no mixer. Fortunately, I had some pumpkin pie makings on hand and I can use a whisk. Now the full-year guarantee office is closed so I can't even rant about it and get a replacement (I hope they honor that!).
Does this classify as a "poor me" post, or what!?!

[Kimmie]

Nope...that's Murphy's law!

[chiffonade]

At Christmas, I like to make tiny tartlets filled with cranberry or pecan pie filling, etc. To make the indent into the mini-muffin tin, I have a wooden tamper which fits snugly into each muffin cup, allowing a thin crust on each tartlet. Until I got this wooden stick with the bulbous end, I used my thumb which always yielded tartlets with thick sides.

I've also come to appreciate my citrus zester. I used to zest a lemon or an orange with a veggie peeler and julienne the strips. A zester cuts out that second step.