Resources

Resources for a Happy Cook from Recipe Idea Shop: You can find  tools, cookbooks, baking products, and links to some of our favorite recipe blogs. As we discover new, cool tools or cooking blogs, we will update this list for you.

Resources for Happy Cooks

Hi. This is Lois, but I’m not in the kitchen right now, because I’m telling you about our Resources for Happy Cooks. On this page, I share my favorite resources for a happy cook. I’m also giving you a little glimpse into what makes me happy.

Everything I include here is something I own, have used, or would love to own. Since I review products, books and cookbooks, public relations people often send me free books and products, hoping that I will review them. I am not obligated to write a review and they don’t pay me for my reviews. If I review them, I like them. Since I’m a happy person (and like to live a fairytale life), I rarely write a negative review. I believe in the philosophy, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” So I don’t review books and products I don’t like.

Note: Many of the links included throughout Recipe Idea Shop are affiliate links, which means if you follow them and you buy something, we will get a small commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, and you can still use your Amazon Prime (Shop Amazon – Give the Gift of Amazon Prime) account to buy. This posting includes affiliate links. 

Don and I love our Amazon Prime account.

Here are a few of my favorite things…

Food Products

This is my all-time favorite coffee. Mayorga Cafe Cubano, is a dark, robust roasted coffee. No matter how strong I make it, it is never bitter. Read about why I call Recipe Idea Shop’s email newsletter “Smell the Coffee” here. And if you haven’t subscribed to Smell the Coffee, please sign up to receive your free gifts.

 I think Bob’s Red Mill makes the best gluten-free flour. I prefer Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour or Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Baking Flour because they both measure the same as wheat flour and have the best flavor and texture after baking. The second one has a little bitter flavor before baking, but when it’s baked, it’s terrific. Both flours are excellent for baking gluten free because they provide a fantastic texture. (Can you tell texture is the biggest concern for me when I bake gluten-free?). These flours, especially the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour, are super for cookies. Try my Chewy Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. You won’t be able to tell they are gluten free.

The Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour has a little lighter flavor than the Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour, but I find the texture is a tad grainy. If you are making a lightly flavored cake, like the yellow cake in a Pineapple Upside Down Cake, you might want to use this one instead of the Baking Flour. Separate the eggs, and add the yokes first. Whip the egg whites until stiff and gently fold them in to the batter to get the best results.

Tools

A good set of knives is essential for any kitchen. My favorite is a chef’s knife. I like this Cuisinart Wooden Kitchen Knife Block Set set because they are sleek, the set comes with a storage block, a lot of knives, scissors and a sharpening steel. Plus, the knives are forged as “all in one” knives and don’t have handles that can come off. Unfortunately, this happens to some knife sets. Remember, NEVER put your knives in the dishwasher (even if they don’t have wooden handles—you do know wood can’t go in the dishwasher, right?)

I absolutely love our Double Belgian Waffle Maker. It is so easy to use. Just like at a hotel. Pour in the batter, turn the waffle maker over. Pour in the batter for another waffle, and turn it over. It times the waffle so it is perfectly done. My Light and Fluffy Gluten Free Waffles is the best recipe (not humble, am I?) I have found. My kids and grandkids don’t even know they are eating gluten free. And you can also make omelets in this waffle maker.

The George Foreman Indoor Grill is one of my favorite kitchen “tools.” It heats up quickly, grills meat or fish in less than 8 minutes (even if frozen), and makes scrumptious grilled veggies. In addition, the grill plates are removable so clean-up is easy. This is what mine looks like (except mine is white):

Don is our official (outdoor) grill master. He does a fab job grilling and he loves his Char-Broil Performance TRU Infared 3-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner and Cabinet (ours is stainless).  The infrared cooking keeps everything you cook moister.

Cookbooks

I love the Moosewood Collective cookbooks. The recipes all have unique flavors, delicious combinations of ingredients, and are generally simple to make. I look for vegetarian or vegan recipes and Moosewood has some of the best ones. You won’t even notice you are eating a vegetarian meal. Ever time I make something from one of these cookbooks, people rave about it. Truly ANY Moosewood cookbook is worth buying, but these are some of my favorites. Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites cookbook. Love, love, love Moosewood cookbooks.

 

 

 

 

The French Slow Cooker cookbook by Michele Sciolone is not a Moosewood cookbook, but there are such tasty and inventive recipes in this French cookbook

Michele Anna Jordan’s Vinaigrettes and Other Dressings is the best vinaigrette cookbook I have ever seen. I have loved every vinaigrette I have made!

Recipe Blog Colleagues & Resources

• Budget Bytes: Beth’s recipes are economical, beautiful and delicious.
• Gluten Free Girl: Good baking guide.
• Pinch of Yum: This is the first blog that inspired me. Yummy food, beautiful pictures.
• Simply Recipes: Elise Bauer at Simply Recipes has excellent recipes and great resources. For instance, read her article “What’s in Season in September.”

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Please Pin and share our recipes and this page. And tell us what you think in the comments.

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