The ‘Normal’ Things First
Before we talk about the 3 new things you can do with your stand mixer that might not have popped into your head ever, let’s chat about the normal things. Maybe you’ve forgotten these uses. Or, you don’t realize how using your mixer could make your life so much easier (and tastier)!
Bread making at home is making a come-back (well, and if it isn’t, I think it should!) Once you find your favorite recipe, I can guarantee your house will smell scrumptious and your family will be ecstatic. A simple white bread recipe will work to begin. You can branch out later. The possibilities are endless. Think sourdough, rye, and all those artisan loaves of bread. Your mixer creates an enjoyable, much easier experience. However, I’ve personally suspended my bread making for the summer (Texas triple digits aren’t conducive to oven use) but will resume again as soon as the temps outside start dropping. BTW, I ordered these bags from Amazon for our own use and as gift bags for friends and new neighbors. Cheap and perfect 🙂
Cookie making is another normal thing. How easy is it to throw those ingredients into that big metal bowl and let her rip! I made Mom’s Peanut Butter cookies yesterday adding some chocolate chips (who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter). First time mixing cookies that way. And, I loved it. I’m no longer interested in growing whatever muscles are affected by hand/spoon mixing!
The Three New Things for Your Stand Mixer
Number One: Meatballs or Meatloaf. How absolutely genius is this one? No more taking all the rings off and gushing around in ground beef and eggs etc. Let that mixer deal with the mess! Meatloaf is one of my all-time FAVORITE meals. I used to ask for it for my birthday dinner as a kid. That and baked potatoes, green beans, and a crisp green salad. Mmmmm. Oh, and the cold ML sandwiches the next day. Heaven! Here’s a great recipe for a basic meatloaf. I’ll be adding my own to the Recipes on QH Page soon.
Number Two: Shredded Chicken or Pulled Pork. Once the meat is done cooking, just throw it in the big silver bowl, use the paddle attachment and let the machine do all the work. Use the bowl to serve from to make it super easy! Add some chewy homemade buns and a big dollop of coleslaw on top and ring the dinner bell!
Number Three: Mashed Potatoes. Add the butter, sour cream, chives, garlic, and heavy cream. ‘Paddle’ all those ingredients and a former big chore is quick work. Your potato masher can be added to your collection of vintage kitchen tools because you just won’t be using it anymore! This recipe takes it for granted you’re using your Kitchen Aid and has you employ two different beaters (the paddle and the whisk). Add all those extras you like to add or just keep it basic.
Your Turn
There are so many other possible uses for your stand mixer. Dips, guacamole, whipped toppings, and stuffing to name just a few. What have you tried that has made life so much easier for you? Maybe you remember Mom or Grandma using hers and are thinking it might be time to go back to the ‘good ol’ days’ of mixing. If you’re lucky enough to have her stand mixer or maybe your own, we’d love to hear how you use it (or how Granny did). If you don’t have one here’s my link to one for a great price.
I’m also curious about which other attachments you’ve gotten for your mixer. What have you found to do with them? Thanks! Have fun mixing!
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT
Finding a new purpose in living and joy in the day-to-day was the goal when author Kathy Rowland and her entire family (adult kids and grandkids) moved from the PNW to Texas several years ago. The focus of Quiet Hollow is to encourage ‘next chapter women’ – those who are retired, empty-nesters, or have found themselves without a spouse to jump back into life. And, she shares multiple tips, ideas, and possibilities toward that end. Kathy completed her almost 30 years as an elementary teacher and hopped into over a decade of volunteer work, side hustle-type businesses, and grandchild care before discovering her unique and fulfilling purpose for the next chapter of life. What you read on Quiet Hollow is a large part of that calling. Another part is the happy life she’s leading in Central Texas in the same neighborhood as the 3 big kids and her 5 grandkids. She and her college sweetheart husband made sure to add a pool to their new Texas home, so there are lots of noisy, splashy days in their little oasis of a backyard. Come join her on Quiet Hollow in a conversation about finding and living the life you were created to live in this later stage. The chats will be full of laughter, support, faith, and inspiration to create.
I didn’t know meat loaf was your favorite. Mine too for birthday dinner. Still love it for mine loaf sandwiches.