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My Favorite Kitchen Things

Since it's gift-giving season, I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite kitchen items that would make great gifts.  Most of them I've received as gifts because I'd been eyeing them for a long time (and I have sweet family members who buy me kitchen presents). 

1.  Whirleypop Popcorn Popper -- I think almost everyone in my immediate family and all of my husband's family has been given one of these.  I love mine and use it all the time!

I've blogged about this popcorn popper several times and even posted how I make relatively healthy kettle corn in it.  Best price usually found on Amazon.

2.  KitchenAid Covered Chef Pan (or Skillet) -- My mom bought me one of these from Sam's Club.  You can get them on Amazon too, but they're much cheaper at Sam's. 
I love this skillet because it doesn't stick and it's big.  My family of five (almost six) has outgrown my smaller pans.  I make Swedish meatballs in it and almost everything else that I fry in it.  I especially love making hashbrowns in it because they don't stick!  You can stick it in the oven too.

3.  Cast Iron Dutch Oven -- My sister-in-law gave me this for Christmas a few years ago after I saw it at Sam's Club and told her how I'd like to get one.  I love it and use it all the time. 
I use it to make soups and stews:  I bake pot roasts and pork roasts in it for hours at a low temperature in the oven. 

4.  Rice Cooker -- I have this Aroma Rice cooker and I love it.  (I think it's an 8 cup, but maybe it's a 12 cup).  My favorite feature is the timer on it, so I can have something cooking in the crockpot and set the timer to have my rice start steaming in time to be done before dinner. 
I use my rice cooker (since it has a steam tray) to steam potatoes too.  Then all I have to do is mash them and I have mashed potatoes.  I've steamed broccoli in it too.
Those are a few of my favorite gifts that I've received and given.  I'll post a few more soon.  Happy shopping!

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